I was going to call it a night, but let me throw out this real quick:
What worries you most about the Hornets heading into Saturday's Game 1 against the Mavericks?
A few possible concerns:
- Poor bench play - Inconsistency from the second unit has dogged us all season, and it could prove to be our Achilles' heel in the Playoffs. Can Pargo give us good minutes? Will the young guys (JuJu and Hilton) shine or wither on the big stage? Can Bonzi handle playing a seven-game series while simultaneously battling the evil Shredder?
- Foul trouble - We saw it just last Wednesday in Dallas. Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler got in foul trouble, and it cost us big time. Tyson is particularly prone to picking up fouls, even though he doesn't go after blocks very aggressively these days. This also ties in closely with bench play. If our starters do get in foul trouble, can the reserves step up and fill the void?
- Fatigue - The Hornets dropped four of their final six regular season games, including a home loss to the Jazz and a miserable defeat in Sacramento. Our guys have struggled to maintain intensity and focus for an entire 48-minute ballgame. Is the gas running low?
- Relying too heavily on Chris Paul - While i don't think the Mavs will be able to consistently limit CP like they did on Wednesday, that game reminded everyone just how much we rely on the kid. If he gets locked down, hurt or fatigued, this series could turn ugly fast.
- Inexperience - Just kidding. I'm still not buying this one, no matter what Mario Elie says.
My apologies if all this comes across as a little too pessimistic. Feel free to discuss the Hornets strengths in the comments if you prefer. We have plenty of those, too.
Bonus linkage, because it just don't stop...
- Empty the Bench: Series preview
- Blog of New Orleans: Playoff pontifications
- Swarming the Ball: Predicting the first round in the West
9 magnificent comments post your own
mW
04/18/08 06:12 PM
The Hornets have no playoff experience!! They are doomed!! Oh my god!!! What are we going to do? Oh yeah. That's right. Kick the snot out of the Mavs. Fuckers.
www.hornetshype.com #1
saltandcarbon
04/18/08 06:43 PM
I reckon with some days rest and the madbuzz of the playoffs (excuse the pun) the Bees will find energy to burn. Give them seven games in the first three rounds and I still reckon they'll be so pumped by the hype and the doubters and the pithy insights from Kenny and Charles that they will still be going all night. My biggest concern at the moment is Byron's weird rotations of the last few regular season games. Maybe he was trying to increase Mike James' worth for an offseason trade? Or just praying the dude would find some rhythm? But I'd rather see Rasual out there than MJ II.And the guy sure as shit can't guard any of the Mavs backcourt. I'm also not sure why birdman dropped out of the rotation sofastbehind Ely and Hilton. He seemed to have more of the right kind of hustle than Hilton, and the kids turnovers better dry up in the playoffs, because that will kill us. I also get thefeeling that coach should've given JuJu and Pargo more burn in the last few games, to build confridence and make the opposition think twice about coasting on the second unit. Then sitting CP3 at weird times,playing small ball withoutFluffy... stuff that just don't seem to make a trolleyful of sense. I just hope Byron was tinkerig in the hope of a miracle rather than demonstrating a grander plan for the rotation.
saltandcarbon.blogspot.com #2
Mikey
04/18/08 06:47 PM
I have news for Mario Elie... he is <em>right</em>. They have experience, at choking in the playoffs.Dallas is in a wierd position. They are not only battling the Hornets, but their own history as well. The Hornets have no such history. In fact, they have NO history. Oh, and kudos to Hubie Brown at ESPN. In his series preview he actually talked about basketball and matchups. He didn't just automatically crown the mavs the victors because the Hornets haven't been here before.
#3
Mark
04/18/08 07:00 PM
Both teams have no real post presence, so that's one thing I'm not too concerned about. Otherwise, this sounds cliché, but I think we are our biggest hurdle. I don't see the Hornets winning if we take low-percentage, ill-advised, forced jumpshots. That's been my concern all season though, so we've been pretty good about it, sans the last few games. Mavericks can be pretty streaky, so we'll just have to maintain consistency. By the way, what is going on with the picture? Jason Kidd looks terrible in it.
#4
Apple
04/18/08 11:05 PM
<strong>"What worries you most about the Hornets heading into Saturday's Game 1 against the Mavericks?"</strong> <strong>Mark Cuban might cry.</strong> <strong>Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!</strong>
appleita.blogspot.com/ #5
T
04/19/08 12:34 AM
Look at the nba shop playoff-shirt-collection guys!!I hope our team will kick some ass for that 15-shirt-bullshit!
#6
T
04/19/08 12:37 AM
Ok, there is a hornets shirt, but you can't get it with the main link.
#7
munciemug
04/19/08 01:42 AM
Been sitting her reading the gloom and doom predictions.....but I have to agree that the first game well might set the tone for the series.....WE need to establish the fact that we will play tough,strong and smart. Even if we loose we can show Dallas that we mean business and are not going to give up without a REALLY BIG FIGHT...I'm not worried about West and Paul...they are very skilled players...Hopefully Stojo will make some 3s (at least he makes the defense play him honest, spreading the floor and creating space for others to score). Either, and preferably, both MoPet and Wells will contribute significantly......that leads to PargoWrightHilton..no they are not one man, but 2 of the 3 need to be effective for us to win in anything other than 7games. I am confident in all the starters except MoPet, he's a fairly good on the ball defender but a poor rebounder and rarely creates anything off the bounce......Play Wells....at anytime he may explode for 25p and 12 in about 30minutes....and might deflect 5 or 6 balls which disrupts the other teams offense.....I really think Pargo shoots to much...but it would be good to have him in late in close games because he doesn't turn the ball over andhe is a good freethrow shooter (Bonzi's greatest weakness)........I really don't think Terry, kidd, or Dirk can guard Wells.....but Howard probably can do the best since he matches up good,size and athletically. It's going to be war, and the somewhat mean spirited Wells brings the ATTITUDE you need in these playoffs. Remember Bonzi is at the end of his contract,,,,,meaning he will be VERY MOTIVATED to do his best.....and that might surprise many Hornet fans when he is one of the best 5 of 6 players on the floor in this series.This is the HIVE we are playing, let's sting the butts off those pompus Mavs......WECANDOTHIS and it will bee fun when Mark Cuban cries and whines. CP3 is a man, you saw how well he preformed on that big allstar stage,,and now he is going to shock so many when he leads the Bees to the NBA finals. Remember that not a person believed the NY Giants were going to win the Super Bowl when the NFL second season began.....So. why not it Bee Bee Bee the Hornets this time.
mykronzz@gmail.com #8
twills
04/19/08 03:31 AM
Jason Kidd's jumpshot. Scary.
#9