April 7, 2006

Bob Licht

This has been the most unusual major-league season in history. From a temporary relocation to playing on four different home courts; from a surprising start to an amazing season-ending playoff run. No team has ever endured what the Hornets have experienced. As the regular season winds down it’s time to recognize the best of a Hornets season that has had so many highs… that they’re still occurring!

Brown (Stats)

PJ Brown

Where do you start with the eldest Hornet? He lost a home in Slidell, La., due to Katrina, had to relocate his family to Houston, while he relocated to Oklahoma City with the Hornets. Then, during the opening month of the season his mother-in-law passed away, forcing him to miss his first Hornets games in two seasons. Oh yeah, he also played out of position all season after moving from power forward to center following the Desmond Mason-for-Jamaal Magloire trade.

Scott

Byron Scott

Remember all the laughter when the Hornets’ head coach toyed with the idea of playing a 5-11 point guard ALONGSIDE a 6-foot point guard in the same backcourt during training camp? When we asked Scott about it in October he said, “…why not..?” When we answered that every guard in the league could post up BOTH his point guard AND his shooting guard he said, “…and who’s going to guard them..?” Chris Paul and Speedy Claxton are second and third on the team in scoring, first and second in assists, first and second in steals, and first and second in free throws attempted and made.

Johnson (Stats)

Linton Johnson

There were plenty of nasty blocked shots by Hornets this season, but none topped the road rejection of the former Tulane University star in Toronto on April 2. Pape Sow (hard to pronounce but not hard to block) elevated for a point-blank shot, which Johnson promptly blocked so perfectly that he actually had his hand on more of the ball than the shooter!

Snyder (Stats)

Kirk Snyder

All of the other dunks you liked from this season are second or lower because of what Snyder did against Lakers’ rookie Von Wafer on February 4. Racing in on a fast break, Snyder took a Speedy Claxton feed and leaped OVER the LA guard en route to a ferocious dunk. Coach Byron Scott said he ran the tape over and over again it was so fun to watch. It was so spectacular… I want a framed copy of the poster that’s sure to make the rounds when the season is over.

Claxton (Stats)

Speedy Claxton

Chris Paul and Speedy Claxton claim they practice alley oop dunks together and keep track of their individual above-the-rim plays. Since Paul is the tallest of the two at 6-foot-nothing, it’s big news when the small guys slam. Against the Knicks on January 21 at Madison Square Garden, CP3 got a steal at midcourt, ran the break with Speedy, and then softly tossed an underhanded alley oop pass that Speedy dunked home. It’s been that kind of season for N.Y.

West (Stats)

David West

Entering the final two weeks of the season David West had won three Hornets games with last-second shots. He beat Houston on December 28, Milwaukee on January 30, and Washington on February 13. He also just missed two others – falling inches short on a 3- pointer at home against Indiana and missing an off-balance jumper as it bounced all over the rim and out at the end of regulation against Golden State.

Paul (Stats)

Chris Paul

The list is long and growing, but the one Chris Crossover that stands out is when the Hornets point guard sent MVP Steve Nash to the floor on December 12 in Phoenix with a classic, killer, left-to-right hand dribble. To do it in your rookie year is one thing. To do it against an All-Star is another. To do it against the point guard you will be measured against in your first years in the league is just plain ridiculous!

West (Stats)

David West

After failing to score 20 points in any of his first 109 NBA games covering two-plus seasons, West has scored 20 or more points 27 times in 2005-2006. In 101 NBA games during his first two NBA seasons West’s career-high point game was 15. In his ninth game of the season he poured in 34 points in Orlando and hasn’t looked back.

Paul (Stats)

Chris Paul

He didn’t play like a rookie in October. He didn’t perform like a rookie against the elite teams. He didn’t back down like a rookie during the late-season playoff run. He is the first Hornets rookie ever to record a triple-double (he did it twice in the same week) and entered the final week and a half of the season leading the entire league in steals. CP3, just 20 years old, had a mere 63 college games under his belt when he turned pro this season. He’s evoking memories of Hall-of-Famer Isiah Thomas. In fact, Thomas described it best when he saw Paul play in New York and said, “…I was never that good…”

Paul (Stats)

Chris Paul

I’m sure Paul would not vote for himself, which is just another reason he’s the obvious choice. He’s a pass-first point guard, which is about as common in today’s game as a seven-footer with a sky hook. When people ask how the Hornets can double their win total from a season ago despite trading away an All-Star center, the answer always begins with the 20-year-old rookie. There are plenty of great talents in the NBA, but very few own All-Star talent AND the ability to make their teammates better. Chris does. In fact, the true test of a great player is one whose talents we start taking for granted. He averages 16 points and 8 assists per game – at the age of 20 – against bigger, more experienced players… and wins. Another sign of just how good he’s going to be: When opponents adjusted to his game, trapped him, got physical with him, and tried to take him out of games CP3 adjusted HIS game. A year from now he might be garnering votes for the real MVP honor in the NBA.