In the Lane with Licht: Hornets M*A*S*H Unit Getting Healthier, and Optimistic
January 5, 2006
By now, most of you know how hampered the Hornets are without over 70% of their scoring, over 70% of their assists, and nearly 50% of their rebounding. With Chris Paul, David West, Peja Stojakovic, and Bobby Jackson unavailable due to injuries Byron Scott now has an active roster that averages a combined 73.7 points per game.
Jackson will return during the Hornets current four-game home stand, adding another 10.9 points per game to the ledger. David West and his 17.4 PPG should follow sometime this month. So, there is a flickering light at the end of the injury tunnel for the Bees. We will turn up the brightness meter to a 7 or 8 when Chris Paul returns (ETA unknown), and we can put sunglasses on when it reaches a full 10 on the scale upon Peja Stojakovic’s return.
Until then the Hornets are fighting each game to stay competitive and remain in the Western Conference playoff race. Despite the M*A*S*H unit that remains on the sidelines Scott has the Hornets just three games out of a post season spot. What’s amazing is that after a club-record 4-0 start, and after moving five games above .500 at 8-3, the organization has weathered the “schedule storm” that was the first two months of the season. The chart below illustrates just how difficult the team’s November and December schedules were compared to what’s ahead in January:
So, the Hornets have almost as many home games this month as they had the entire first two months combined. Only half of the 16 games in January are against playoff teams from a season ago, the month begins with a four-game home stand and ends with a four-game home stand, and only one road trip covers more than one game.
Want more reasons for optimism? Aside from the schedule and returning wounded the team has shown tremendous character. David West told me on Wednesday that there’s no question the Hornets will remain in the playoff race, and that all of the players believe the team will come away from this experience a deeper, more together group for the stretch run.
The evidence is there that General Manager Jeff Bower’s off season (and in-season) moves are paying dividends today and will continue to help tomorrow. Starters Desmond Mason and Tyson Chandler have increased their offensive production (Mason has scored double figures in nine-straight games, while Chandler has scored 10 or more points in three of the last nine games after hitting double figures just twice in his first 20 games). Rasual Butler is averaging 16.4 PPG in his 17 starts (versus 4.4 PPG in his first 14 games off the bench). Marc Jackson has stepped into the starting lineup and averaged 11.1 PPG in his 12 starts at power forward. Jannero Pargo has done a tremendous job filling in for Paul at the point, averaging 13.6 PPG and 6.2 APG. And newcomer Devin Brown has been one of the best pickups at the Ford center since the F-150. He had never recorded a double double in his first four NBA seasons, but put up a pair in back to back games after signing with the Hornets on December 22nd.
The Hornets endured an injury-plagued 18-win 2004-2005 season in New Orleans, and survived the evacuation-affected 2005-2006 campaign. Perhaps this coaching staff has used those experiences to put this season’s speed bumps into perspective. It’s an attitude that’s obviously helping the Hornets remain competitive and optimistic despite odds that would suggest otherwise.
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Bob LichtJackson will return during the Hornets current four-game home stand, adding another 10.9 points per game to the ledger. David West and his 17.4 PPG should follow sometime this month. So, there is a flickering light at the end of the injury tunnel for the Bees. We will turn up the brightness meter to a 7 or 8 when Chris Paul returns (ETA unknown), and we can put sunglasses on when it reaches a full 10 on the scale upon Peja Stojakovic’s return.
Until then the Hornets are fighting each game to stay competitive and remain in the Western Conference playoff race. Despite the M*A*S*H unit that remains on the sidelines Scott has the Hornets just three games out of a post season spot. What’s amazing is that after a club-record 4-0 start, and after moving five games above .500 at 8-3, the organization has weathered the “schedule storm” that was the first two months of the season. The chart below illustrates just how difficult the team’s November and December schedules were compared to what’s ahead in January:
| HOME GAMES | ||||
| ROAD GAMES | ||||
| RECORD |
So, the Hornets have almost as many home games this month as they had the entire first two months combined. Only half of the 16 games in January are against playoff teams from a season ago, the month begins with a four-game home stand and ends with a four-game home stand, and only one road trip covers more than one game.
Want more reasons for optimism? Aside from the schedule and returning wounded the team has shown tremendous character. David West told me on Wednesday that there’s no question the Hornets will remain in the playoff race, and that all of the players believe the team will come away from this experience a deeper, more together group for the stretch run.
The evidence is there that General Manager Jeff Bower’s off season (and in-season) moves are paying dividends today and will continue to help tomorrow. Starters Desmond Mason and Tyson Chandler have increased their offensive production (Mason has scored double figures in nine-straight games, while Chandler has scored 10 or more points in three of the last nine games after hitting double figures just twice in his first 20 games). Rasual Butler is averaging 16.4 PPG in his 17 starts (versus 4.4 PPG in his first 14 games off the bench). Marc Jackson has stepped into the starting lineup and averaged 11.1 PPG in his 12 starts at power forward. Jannero Pargo has done a tremendous job filling in for Paul at the point, averaging 13.6 PPG and 6.2 APG. And newcomer Devin Brown has been one of the best pickups at the Ford center since the F-150. He had never recorded a double double in his first four NBA seasons, but put up a pair in back to back games after signing with the Hornets on December 22nd.
The Hornets endured an injury-plagued 18-win 2004-2005 season in New Orleans, and survived the evacuation-affected 2005-2006 campaign. Perhaps this coaching staff has used those experiences to put this season’s speed bumps into perspective. It’s an attitude that’s obviously helping the Hornets remain competitive and optimistic despite odds that would suggest otherwise.
