Bob Licht

THE INSURANCE POLICY

There were many reasons for the Hornets February 20th trade of Elden Campbell to Seattle for Kenny Anderson, not the least of which was the health of Baron Davis.

Davis underwent an MRI on Monday to determine if there was extensive damage to his left knee (there wasn’t). The 23-game insurance policy the Hornets took out (the number of games Anderson played after being acquired from the Sonics) now has a post-season rider of unlimited length.

Let’s consider the magnitude of what you just read.

Baron Davis was the Hornets all-star point guard last season that carried the team into the semi-final round after Jamal Mashburn exited 10 minutes into the post season with something called positional vertigo. The thought has been that without Baron the Hornets chances of succeeding in the playoffs go from good to poor. For most of the time Davis was gone during the regular season, 6-8 forward George Lynch was inserted into the starting lineup at the off guard spot with David Wesley moving to the point and Jamal Mashburn accepting a larger ball handling role. The Hornets went 20-12. And the thought that BD’s shoes can be filled, at least in part, by Anderson at the point is an important one for the remainder of the post season.

“I’ve got to be ready,” says the 32-year-old point guard. “That’s the bottom line. I just have to be a leader, a playmaker. Remember they did it all year without BD, so I won’t put any added pressure on myself. I just want to go out and be Kenny Anderson and bring some energy to the club.”

Anderson started 16 playoff games for the Celtics last season, averaging 12 points and 4.8 assists per game. He has appeared in 28 playoff games in his career, counting Sunday’s opener in Philadelphia.

“Experience is the best teacher. You still have to play the game, be focused and perform. All playoff games are hard though and we have to match Philadelphia’s energy.”

Granted, nobody can replace Davis’ scoring and versatility at either end of the floor; but the Hornets are measurably better with Anderson as his possible replacement than anyone the franchise has ever had as a backup at that position.

“ I know I can penetrate against the 76ers defense, but I just have to play and not think about it. I play off of my instincts. I can shoot and I can pass.”

The Hornets are counting on Kenny to elaborate on those comments through his play in round one. It is imperative he puts pressure on the 76ers defense; it is imperative he helps break down Philly defenders; and it is imperative he makes Larry Brown and Company pay for the trapping defenses designed to create turnovers and easy baskets.

Of course, the bottom line in this series may very well be the Hornets willingness to use their bench more extensively in light of injuries to not just Davis but also to shooting guard David Wesley. George Lynch is a believer in the Darwinian theory of survival of the fittest. In the case of this post season perhaps we should rename it survival of the healthiest.

“Those guys (Davis and Wesley) have to play as hard as they can. But when they can’t we have guys on the bench in Robert Pack, etc. who can help. If they can’t give us 75-80 percent then they owe it to the team to take themselves out of the game.”

The Hornets entire regular season was filled with bumps, bruises, surgeries and change. Why would expect the post season to be any different?