Excuse the brevity of this post. I'm still a little numb from the Chandler-to-OKC trade.
The Hornets play the Thunder in Oklahoma City at 7pm Central. None of the players involved in the trade are expected to play. OKC are 13-40 on the season, 10-18 at home, and had lost five of seven before the All-Star break.
Important to get a win tonight with the Magic, Lakers and Jazz looming.
Linkage:
- Lagniappe: NewsOK.com love/hate, Hornets title odds (before the trade), Chris Paul a top 5 thief, and much more.
- Rival bloggers: Blue Blitz | Daily Thunder.com | Thunder Rumblings
(Special thanks to Dariusz for the banner and the above image.)
78 legendary comments post your own
flowerfeeder
02/17/09 05:34 PM
So I'm guessing Tyson will be sitting in street clothes on the Thunder bench tonight or will he not be at the game at all?
www.myspace.com/noroomforsaints #1
ticktock6
02/17/09 05:49 PM
I'm not sure I care to watch.
hornetshype.com #2
YoungFella
02/17/09 06:10 PM
You guys asked on HH.com and I've been thinking - is there really any way to collectively be heard on this Tyson thing? I don't think there is.
You can't boo Wilcox or Smith. You can't boo the scrub who plays in Armenia or whatever. You can hope that you bump into Shinn or Weber at the game, but that's like once every 15 games at best. You can't cheer for the Magic. New Orleans sportsfans as a whole are too ******* stupid to grasp that this was a horrendous trade....
The only thing I can think of is inking "Bower Sucks" across my t-shirt, but even that comes across as petty and immature. I'm helpless and I want to constructively express my anger to the Hornets, but I don't know how to do it.
#3
Mikey
02/17/09 06:40 PM
Um... improving froutcourt depth... really, Bob. How can you say that with a straight face? You disgust me!
#4
YoungFella
02/17/09 06:43 PM
I'm going to call into Hornets OT tonight after the game with a very special twist on my old "OKLAHOMA CITY CAN GO TO HELL" routine from last season.
If I feel like it.
#5
Mikey
02/17/09 06:44 PM
wow.... this has to be the worst pre-game show in the history of the franchise! They can't actually be believing what they're saying, can they?
#6
Niall Doherty
02/17/09 06:49 PM
Yes, the pregame is horrible. I have a feeling Bob and Gil will drive me nuts tonight.
If anyone hasn't read At The Hive's trade analysis yet, check it out:
http://www.atthehive.com/2009/2/17/762038/united-states-economy-1-ne
And one more thing: Please keep your comments clean, everyone. I understand a lot of you are upset with the Tyson trade, but it's not the end of the world or anything. Either submit your comments without the profanities or don't submit them at all. It takes time for me to go through and moderate them.
www.ndoherty.com #7
Caleb462
02/17/09 06:52 PM
Oh I knew Bob & Gil would spin it hard... no surprise there.
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #8
Mikey
02/17/09 06:54 PM
Its difficult enough for us to moderate ourselves, haha.
#9
Caleb462
02/17/09 06:54 PM
Its still disgusting though. Idiots.
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #10
Dariusz Ejkiewicz
02/17/09 07:01 PM
I got the OKC broadcast on nba.com :( This is going to be a painful night :(
www.ejkiewicz.com #11
Mikey
02/17/09 07:01 PM
ahhhh... thats better... muted it
#12
Dariusz Ejkiewicz
02/17/09 07:02 PM
"he will be back in a thunder uniform" - What? He was never a thunder!!
www.ejkiewicz.com #13
Niall Doherty
02/17/09 07:05 PM
Bob and Gil are insulting Hornets fans everywhere by claiming this trade is absolutely fantastic and flawless.
www.ndoherty.com #14
Dariusz Ejkiewicz
02/17/09 07:06 PM
We could've traded them both for 2 second round pix and just throw them to the trash after the trade.
www.ejkiewicz.com #15
Dariusz Ejkiewicz
02/17/09 07:07 PM
Scott Brooks knows that they r***d us with this trade.
www.ejkiewicz.com #16
Dejan16
02/17/09 07:08 PM
The tyson trade is upsetting...
#17
Dejan16
02/17/09 07:10 PM
Great sean marks.....
#18
Mikey
02/17/09 07:17 PM
You know what though guys, it's not like the Hornets traded Chris Paul, and we're kinda acting like it. Gotta play with the roster you're given, and our roster, with Chris Paul, is still better than 20 other teams.
#19
Mikey
02/17/09 07:20 PM
Nice screen, Sean... you've definitely improved in that area.
#20
YoungFella
02/17/09 07:21 PM
We didn't trade Chris Paul but we traded our 2nd or 3rd best player who was fairly compensated and vital to our chances down the stretch.
There was nothing wrong with TC. Not his talent, not his salary, not his attitude, not his long-term health. We traded him because of piss poor talent evaluation and bad decision making by our front office. It's just unforgiveable. As Niall said, read the post at Atthehive.com. This franchise won't even have a chance to reach last year's levels until 2010/2011 at the earliest.
We're screwed, basically. There is no silver lining. This trade was ONLY good for Shinn. It was horrible for the fans, and it won't get better any time soon.
#21
Mikey
02/17/09 07:27 PM
Another Sean Marks screen.... wow... Hey, if he can set screens like that, and rebound a little, it's worth one clanging jumper a game.
#22
Dejan16
02/17/09 07:27 PM
Our guys came out ready tonight, I like the good start..
#23
Dejan16
02/17/09 07:29 PM
@Youngfella, I see no reason why we cannot make it past the first round this year.. as long as cp,west and peja are healthy and everyone else contributes...
#24
Caleb462
02/17/09 07:40 PM
West looks sharp. I do have a feeling West may up his production post-Chandler trade...
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #25
Mark
02/17/09 07:41 PM
We're killing them, but it's rather bittersweet.
The Thunder/Supersonics/Starbucks are terrible, and it shouldn't happen any other way.
www.dogpile.com/ #26
Mikey
02/17/09 07:42 PM
uh oh... it's head-down Devin Brown!
#27
YoungFella
02/17/09 07:46 PM
This is the worst day in Post-OKC Hornets history and everything is okay because we're beating the Thunder in the 2nd quarter? Riiight.
#28
Mikey
02/17/09 07:46 PM
Well, looks like Byron's seen enough of Hilton tonight.
#29
Caleb462
02/17/09 07:52 PM
@YoungFella. Who said everything was alright?
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #30
Mark
02/17/09 07:53 PM
Mikey, I think we've seen enough of Hilton's ineptitude for years. Unfortunate, but it had to be said. I tried optimism, but either coach Scott needs to just LET HIM PLAY and make mistakes (ahem JuJu), or start investing in a new 5.
Actually, coach Scott needs to do something other than substitute players out for having a bad 2 minutes.
www.dogpile.com/ #31
Mikey
02/17/09 07:54 PM
That can only happen to Devin Brown... Vintage!
#32
Caleb462
02/17/09 07:54 PM
Haha, D. Brown with the block! On himself!
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #33
ticktock6
02/17/09 07:56 PM
@ Niall: I said that on Twitter earlier. It's embarrassing and enraging to listen to Bob and Gil being cheerful as they clearly were ordered to do. "The Hornets improved their frontcourt today!"
hornetshype.com #34
hio1515
02/17/09 08:07 PM
Tyson traded, Deuce cut, and I lost the allstar contest by 1pt to a lakers fan. This has to be one of the suckiest stretches for me as a sports fan in a long time, but I can't help but be excited by the idea of running a play where Ely screens for Wilcox and someone from the other team is so confused their brain melts.
#35
Mikey
02/17/09 08:12 PM
Yes, Paul Pressey, offensive rebounding is a concern, but it should improve when Ty...... Oh riiiiiiiiiiiight, he's NOT coming back!
#36
Mark
02/17/09 08:14 PM
I'll bet that inbounds play where Hilton offensively fouled whoever-that-was was diagrammed by coach Scott, and perfectly executed by HiltonWatch.
Man am I bitter.
www.dogpile.com/ #37
Niall Doherty
02/17/09 08:14 PM
@ hio1515: How about we nix the trade by saying Wilcox failed his physical, then send Ely back to OKC instead? Nobody would notice until at least 2010.
Must go shave during halftime.
www.ndoherty.com #38
Mikey
02/17/09 08:17 PM
Wow... the Thunder have 8 offensive rebounds at halftime. They have a 8-3 advantage there. That is how you shoot less than 38% and are only down six.
#39
Mark
02/17/09 08:21 PM
I think Ely x2 might be pretty amusing. Until we start losing.
www.dogpile.com/ #40
mW
02/17/09 08:22 PM
@ Niall. You. Are. Brilliant.
www.hornetshype.com #41
Mikey
02/17/09 08:31 PM
That's 4 on Sean Marks... not good.
#42
hio1515
02/17/09 08:33 PM
@Niall. I nearly dropped my laptop when I read that. Did anyone see this earlier today?
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=518669
It says that the Celtics were hoping Smith would get bought out by the thunder so they could pick him up. I guess that makes it Hornets 2 Celtics 0.
#43
Caleb462
02/17/09 08:35 PM
Oh man if we somehow lose to the Thunder on the same day that Tyson is traded... that would be a bad, bad day.
Awesome jam by Westbrook though - I like that kid.
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #44
Mikey
02/17/09 08:40 PM
Byron decided to go with Bowen to replace Marks instead of Armstrong. I can't say that's a bad move. He's had a really bad stretch of late.
#45
Mikey
02/17/09 08:42 PM
Westbrook has that little elbow jumper, vis a vis Tony Parker. Nice looking shot. Then shows his rookieness with that drive.
#46
Caleb462
02/17/09 08:49 PM
Man West is having a very nice game.
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #47
Caleb462
02/17/09 08:52 PM
I was hoping Paul + West would be able to sit out the 4th Q. But onlya 7 pt lead... so I guess not.
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #48
mW
02/17/09 08:52 PM
@ Mikey: I hate small ball. It might work for stretches, but you need a big man to win. Not necessarily a dominant big man (see MJ's Bulls), but a good one. And, oh yeah, one who is actually big. Never hurts to have a Shaq or a Yao, either. Or a Tys---oh. Damn.
www.hornetshype.com #49
Niall Doherty
02/17/09 08:53 PM
Looks like Durant's calmed down a bit. Was Posey guarding him in that quarter? I thought I saw Peja on him mostly.
www.ndoherty.com #50
Mikey
02/17/09 08:55 PM
yikes, not a very offensive lineup to start the 4th
#51
Mikey
02/17/09 08:56 PM
Uh, what's that about Durant calming down?
#52
Mikey
02/17/09 08:58 PM
Somebody needs to elbow him in the face
#53
YoungFella
02/17/09 09:01 PM
Posey is already washed up - I don't see him suddenly flipping a magic switch come playoff time.
I know this is Durant, but he's been getting burned for 6 weeks now.
#54
JoJo
02/17/09 09:02 PM
We just started the 4th quarter with this lineup-
Ryan Bowen,
Butler
Daniels
Posey
Marks
I believe it may be the worst group of player ever to start a 4th quarter, but I can't be sure.
#55
mW
02/17/09 09:03 PM
@ Mikey: elbow. Yes.
www.hornetshype.com #56
YoungFella
02/17/09 09:07 PM
Nice pass by DX. When he distributes he's the complete package on offense.
Watching this game tonight angers me so much. Our biggest weakness is a huge presence in the paint, a guy who plays great help defense and adds a pick and roll option on offense.
Tyson is so perfect for this team - I still am devastated by the move. This is the most painful trade in my 25 years of sports fandom. The only thing that comes close is when the Saints traded Willie Roaf for some ridiculously low draft pick.
#57
Mikey
02/17/09 09:08 PM
Oh, I could make it look like an accident.
#58
JoJo
02/17/09 09:09 PM
Youngfella- Tyson has been hurt all year and is no way our 2nd or even 3rd best player. I can name 15 better centers and 5 more arguably equal. You don't need to pay 13 million a season for that.
Al this summer we can grab someone else for half the price. The ecoomy sucks and player contracts are going to cost less. I haven't looked into who is available, but surely someone will come our way. I'd bet we could even use the MLE and find someone capable of getting 8-8 with above average defensive skills.
Until then Wilcox and Smith are serviceable replacements. I bet Paul makes them both look much better than they have recently.
#59
YoungFella
02/17/09 09:11 PM
@ JoJo
LOL.
#60
Mikey
02/17/09 09:11 PM
Gee, look... another offensive rebound for the Thunder.... I'm shocked.
#61
Mikey
02/17/09 09:12 PM
Awesome shot... let's see if we can defend without fouling.
#62
Mikey
02/17/09 09:14 PM
How many points in the paint do the Thunder have? Anybody know?
#63
Mikey
02/17/09 09:17 PM
I got an idea... let's leave Kyle Weaver open for the rest of the game.
#64
YoungFella
02/17/09 09:20 PM
Mister. David. West. Love that dude.
Let's hope Posey doesn't foul Durant on any of the upcoming blow-byes.
#65
mW
02/17/09 09:20 PM
@ Youngfella: awesome icon switch. Hilarious.
www.hornetshype.com #66
Dejan16
02/17/09 09:24 PM
Good win.
#67
YoungFella
02/17/09 09:25 PM
Hornets win!
Spurs Lose!
What a great day!!!
#68
Mark
02/17/09 09:25 PM
There's no explanation to struggle against the Thunder (especially when you have the best point guard, perhaps player, in the world), but at least we won one.
Like Niall said, Magic, Lakers, and Jazz up ahead... doesn't look too bright.
www.dogpile.com/ #69
spiz83
02/17/09 09:26 PM
Hey guys, how would Wilcox stack up to Chandler on a per 48 min comparision??? Chandler is on 8pts 8 rebounds on 31mins, Wilcox is on 8 pts and 5 rebounds on 19minutes
chandlers numbers have dropped considerably...and doesnt seem to be as sharp as last year... Im not saying trading chandler for wilcox and smith is the right decision... but i dont think that it is "AS" bad as what everyone is making it out to to be... or is it?
#70
Mikey
02/17/09 09:29 PM
@spiz... Neither Wilcox nor Smith can single-cover Tim Duncan. In a seven game series, that's where it will hurt most. We have a hell of a gauntlet of games in the next two weeks, but the schedule eases up a bit after that.
#71
Mark
02/17/09 09:30 PM
spiz83, we'll see if Wilcox can cause match-up problems on the offensive end, set nice solid picks, hold down the post, alter shots, and tipped rebounds to the extent TyTy could.
Again, we'll see how it turns out, but as of right now, our disapopintment is because we know TyTy. The Hornets fans know his production goes beyond numbers.
www.dogpile.com/ #72
mW
02/17/09 09:30 PM
@ Spiz83. Tyson's been injured or distracted most of the year. Don't believe the numbers. Plus, his defense doesn't really show up on the numbers. We will miss him. No doubt.
www.hornetshype.com #73
YoungFella
02/17/09 09:57 PM
Tyson was an invisible beast on D. His impact can probably never be measured.
#74
bigindian15
02/17/09 09:57 PM
@Mikey: Tyson is definitely a better defender than Smith or Wilcox, but let's not exaggerate. Tyson can't guard Tim Duncan one on one for a whole game, especially in the playoffs. He averaged 15/15 (about) during the playoff series last year, that including a 5/3 game 1 which he recovered from. And Duncan is playing better this year. The only guy who can maybe defend Tim Duncan 1 on 1 is Garnett, and Chandler is not on his level.
And seriously, stop giving Jeff Bower all the blame for this. He isn't the one who decided not to spend the money. His owner told him to get rid of salaries, so he took the best deal that was out there.
#75
JoJo
02/18/09 12:55 AM
I'm about 99% sure that when we had Tyson in West in the game, West was the one covering Duncan almost all the time. After watching over 100 games with both of them I can't remember a single time that Tyson guarded the other teams best offensive big man more than West did. Maybe against Yao Ming, but other than that I can't think of anyone.
#76
JoJo
02/18/09 01:11 AM
And Youngfella- you can laught at me all you want, but what I say is true. There are 15 better centers in the league than Chandler, he's averaging 8 and 8 this year and he has struggled with injuries all year. He missed 40% of the season.
Here are centers I would rather have than Chandler-
(+ represents guys getting paid more)
Jefferson
Howard+
Ming+
Okur
Oneal+
Nene
Okafor
Bynum
Kaman
Oneil+
B. Lopez
Big Z
B Miller
Boguy
Camby
Oden
Rasheed+
Biedrins
Horford
In conclusion you can laugh at me all you want, but I'd take anyone on this list and their salary (aside from Shaq and Rasheed) over Tyson. He's not a great shot blocker or a great defensive player. He's above average, but obviously (from looking at the list of lesser paid players) not worth 12 million a year.
#77
Niall Doherty
02/18/09 07:29 AM
@ JoJo: I believe it was mostly Tyson slowing Duncan in the playoffs last year. I would put him far ahead of West when it comes to defensive ability.
And while I like a lot of guys on your list and would love to see them replace Chandler as our pivot, I don't think Tyson's true value can be measured with statistics. He didn't block a lot of shots, but he was an intimidating presence inside. That alone was huge for us. Hopefully Wilcox and Smith can provide something similar, but only time will tell I guess.
www.ndoherty.com #78