Let's see what our Hornets are made of tonight. Will they roll over and let the season die, or do they have enough pride and fight left in them to bring the series back to New Orleans?
We'll find out at 9:30 Central on TNT.
Linkage:
- Journals: The Four Words I Want to Hear Most From Byron Scott
- News wraps: Tuesday | Wednesday
(Many thanks to Dariusz for the banner.)
95 articulate comments post your own
Mark
04/29/09 06:44 PM
Good choice for the banner, D.
I expect to lose, but I want to watch the fight. Coach Scott sucks, CP is dirty, DX isn't all-star, no talent on this squad... I don't care. Swing, boys in teal.
www.dogpile.com/ #1
StefanC
04/29/09 07:40 PM
I don't care what anyone else says.
My man Posey did exactly what he was asked. We wanted him to show up in the playoffs when we need him most & he did in games in 3 & 4. Too bad he's the only player that showed up. He deserves ALL his money. Keep fighting Pose.
And in other news, Sean Marks sues the Hornets organization saying that he deserves Tyson Chandler's contract... Just kiddin :) (But he deserves a raise)
& if you ask me who's hurting this team the most??
The answer:
George Shinn and his lack of money to properly support a real championship franchise.
#2
Niall Doherty
04/29/09 08:01 PM
I have a hard time blaming any one person in particular for this mess. Sure, it would help if George Shinn had deeper pockets. It would also be nice if Jeff Bower could undo some of the moves he did/didn't make so we'd have a deeper and more talented roster. It would be great if Byron had more coaching skills, if our players could stay healthy and productive, and if they consistently put forth maximum effort. Also, the economy isn't helping and we're playing the wrong team at the wrong time.
It's all the perfect storm for the Hornets right now. The fastest way out of it is for everyone involved in the organization to ask themselves how they can do better in future and then strive to do so. They won't get far if they're busy assigning blame.
www.ndoherty.com #3
Juncti
04/29/09 08:06 PM
Can we just throw in the towel? I don't need to see a Washington Generals vs Harlem Globetrotters part 2.
Anyway, about Posey, wow, he shows up for 1 or 2 games. Yeah, let's give him a parade. I'd rather "Average Game Player" who brings in a consistent nightly performance all year (take some pressure off Paul) over "Big Game Posey" who shows up when the mood strikes him. Likely costs less too.
And to money, aren't we at the cap? It's not lack of spending, it's spending on all the wrong places.
#4
QueenBee
04/29/09 08:08 PM
How many games have we had where we say "Let's see what our Hornets are made of tonight"?
#5
Dmon3k
04/29/09 08:14 PM
@ QueenBee
Way too many
#6
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 08:22 PM
Prediction: Hornets 103, Nuggets 96...fall down 58 times, get up 59 baby...COME ON, LET'S GO HORNETS!!!
#7
Andrea
04/29/09 08:39 PM
Not looking forward to this one. I'll check the scores but I'd rather have my eyes as far away from this game as possible regardless of what happens. If we win, whoopty doggone do; if not, I'm glad this nightmare of a postseason is done for us. I'll be tuning in to the George Lopez show...
#8
Dmon3k
04/29/09 08:44 PM
Wow George Lopez over the Hornets, that's a new low
#9
Andrea
04/29/09 08:54 PM
lol I love that show
#10
Andrea
04/29/09 09:15 PM
No Tyson Chandler tonight
#11
Niall Doherty
04/29/09 09:29 PM
True:
http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/2009/04/new_orleans_hornets_at_denver_1.html
www.ndoherty.com #12
Niall Doherty
04/29/09 09:32 PM
I'm okay with Tyson sitting it out. He's been in obvious pain with that ankle all series and hasn't been effective as a result.
Now hopefully that means Ryan Bowen is active and will get some burn. Throw him out there and we won't have to worry about "lack of effort" quite so much.
www.ndoherty.com #13
Niall Doherty
04/29/09 09:42 PM
Two things about the Hawks-Heat game on TNT:
- Why is it still on when the Hawks are up 20 with 4 minutes left? Switch to Hornets-Nuggets already.
- Why are guys like Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson still on the floor?
www.ndoherty.com #14
Niall Doherty
04/29/09 09:43 PM
Wait. Hilton is replacing Tyson in the starting line up?
www.ndoherty.com #15
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 09:50 PM
Armstrong is gonna drop 22 tonight!!! Let's go HORNETS!!!
#16
mW
04/29/09 09:59 PM
I'm feelin' it. Good start by Peja. Coach Scott doesn't suck. CP isn't dirty, and D-West is absolutely an all-star. Geaux Hornets!
www.hornetshype.com #17
mW
04/29/09 10:01 PM
Too bad for that second foul on Hilton. He already has. No Seriously. 4 boards and 1 assist.
www.hornetshype.com #18
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 10:05 PM
drats! our arch-nemesis: foul troubleeeeeeeeee *cue evil laugh, lightning in backgroud*
#19
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 10:09 PM
well we saw their foul trouble and raise them...an and 1 from David West!!
#20
mW
04/29/09 10:11 PM
Hilton may have 2, but so does the entire Nuggets starting backcourt.
www.hornetshype.com #21
Andrea
04/29/09 10:11 PM
I always say I won't watch yet I always do...
So far, so good
#22
Niall Doherty
04/29/09 10:19 PM
And then Denver come roaring back. That start was too good to be true. If we're winning this one, we're winning it ugly.
www.ndoherty.com #23
Dmon3k
04/29/09 10:20 PM
I'm liking the way D West is attacking tonight, let's see if he keeps it up as the game goes on
#24
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 10:20 PM
up after one?? me likey...and armstrong hasn't even scored yet?? WHAT!!!
#25
mW
04/29/09 10:22 PM
A Ju-Ju sighting. Byron might be reading HornetsHype.
www.hornetshype.com #26
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 10:24 PM
you took my post mW lol...
#27
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 10:31 PM
we're gonna take this punch and hit right back...posey or wright hits a three soon...armstrong will assist...
#28
mW
04/29/09 10:37 PM
West. And one. Again. B*#%ches.
www.hornetshype.com #29
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 10:48 PM
the refs have had some crappy calls/non-calls both ways in the last 4 minutes...is the officiating worse this playoff season than seasons past?
#30
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 10:53 PM
they just interrupted the basketball game to play 10-man hot potato...
#31
Dmon3k
04/29/09 10:53 PM
I think overall these entire playoffs have been officiated poorly
#32
Niall Doherty
04/29/09 10:56 PM
@ Dmon3k: I haven't watched many other games besides Hornets-Nuggets in the playoffs, but I'm inclined to agree. Just looking at it from Denver's side, they got robbed twice in Q2. One was that Carmelo offensive foul call, and the other was Marks' diving save out over the baseline.
www.ndoherty.com #33
mW
04/29/09 11:07 PM
Everyone's telling us to roll with the bad calls, so if Denver has to do it, let's test their character.
www.hornetshype.com #34
ChrisTrew.com
04/29/09 11:08 PM
We're all feeling good, right?
www.christrew.com #35
Mark
04/29/09 11:13 PM
Chris Paul 6 assists, 0 TO. That means people are making their shots.
www.dogpile.com/ #36
DenverFan
04/29/09 11:16 PM
West Taking it to the hole is a good sign for NO. CP needs to keep this pace going, if he has to expend too much energy late in the 4th might be an issue. Don't forget the block by Bird that was called a foul.
If the Refs truely look at Freethrows and fouls watch out for the Hornets to get a couple cheapies early.
At least it is a good game to watch except for that Hot Potato crap earlier.
#37
Mark
04/29/09 11:16 PM
Hilton needs new hands. He just looks clumsy every time he gets it in the post.
www.dogpile.com/ #38
Mark
04/29/09 11:17 PM
And just like that, Hilton scores 3.
Should I keep insulting him?
www.dogpile.com/ #39
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 11:19 PM
Armstrong FTW!!!
#40
Mark
04/29/09 11:22 PM
Oh look, off ball movement and it results in a TO.
Did I not say 'MORE OFF BALL MOVEMENT' and 'THE SEASON IS THE TIME TO EXPERIMENT'? Coach Scott, why do you patronize me yet again?
www.dogpile.com/ #41
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 11:24 PM
It's a Hilton parade!!!
#42
Dmon3k
04/29/09 11:25 PM
I know as bad as we think this series has been called, the Rockets-Blazers series has been worse
#43
mW
04/29/09 11:26 PM
Hilton and West (so far) playing smart with 4 fouls apiece.
www.hornetshype.com #44
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 11:28 PM
Armstrong better play smart...he owes me 16 points!!! If he had pulled his arm back quickly on that last one, they wouldn't have called it...
#45
saltandcarbon
04/29/09 11:30 PM
@Dmon3k: Totally agree. Some of the "charges" taken by Houston have been ridiculous, and Scloa seems to get decapitated every game. Both sides lousy calls.
#46
Dmon3k
04/29/09 11:33 PM
Is it just me or is Byron actually calling timeouts before things start getting out of hand? Where was this is the first couple of games?
#47
Andrea
04/29/09 11:37 PM
Okay down 13 now. Exactly what I was afraid: an onslaught by Denver
#48
Dmon3k
04/29/09 11:38 PM
The third quarter has not been good to us in this series
#49
Andrea
04/29/09 11:39 PM
I've seen at least 2 games of each playoff series and the officiating is ridiculous in some. This series is by far the worse but Hou-Por and Chi-Bos have been officiated pretty badly as well.
#50
ChrisTrew.com
04/29/09 11:42 PM
okay. okay okay okay.
www.christrew.com #51
Niall Doherty
04/29/09 11:42 PM
There's the run. Down 14 heading into the fourth. They have us on the ropes.
www.ndoherty.com #52
Andrea
04/29/09 11:42 PM
I guess I'll tune in for the 4th. Hopefully if we go down, we'll do it fighting
#53
Niall Doherty
04/29/09 11:43 PM
Did anyone see the flagrant Wade was called for today? And what Rondo did to Brad Miller wasn't a flagrant?
Wow. So inconsistent.
www.ndoherty.com #54
Gaiking
04/29/09 11:43 PM
We have a 14 point deficit to recover in 12 minutes, come on Hornets show us some heart. Don't quit on us!
Sincerely,
All your fanbase
#55
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 11:44 PM
down 14 after 3...so armstrong gives me the 15 he told me he would and we'll be straight...right? oh yeah we have to play defense...BEE-FENSE!!!!
#56
Mark
04/29/09 11:44 PM
I wouldn't say from what I've seen that tonight is really poorly officiated.
Fun facts tonight: We're not a tough team. We waste too much time on offense. We have no real ball handlers. We aren't athletic. Things that we pointed out LAST season.
Come on bees, fight a bit in the last quarter!
www.dogpile.com/ #57
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 11:45 PM
yeah, wade's "flagrant" was a good hustle play...a foul but not flagrant...
#58
Mark
04/29/09 11:45 PM
Is a player 'on fire' if nobody defends him?
www.dogpile.com/ #59
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 11:47 PM
nba jam style...
#60
Dmon3k
04/29/09 11:48 PM
Here's what I don't like right now, if you look at the way the Nuggets are playing D you would think they were the ones down by 20. Where are the hard doubles from the Hornets, where's the fire?
#61
DenverFan
04/29/09 11:49 PM
This Series has not been that bad officiating wise. The issue is the refs go by name not actual play. Yao gets every call where his team mate Scola gets slaughtered and there is no call.
Do keep in mind 50/50 calls we always think our team got the short end.
I wish the refs were consistant and that would be all that we can ask for.
West needs to keep driving into the lane his fall away jumper is not working. I think the 4 fouls are making him not aggressive on the Off end. He needs to step it up for it to get close again.
CP needs some Offensive help on this team he can not do it all.
#62
Andrea
04/29/09 11:50 PM
Flagrant foul call on Wade: laughable. You can make the case that it wasn't even a foul. He just barely got Evans on the hand.
Rondo pops Miller in the face and it's a regular foul. Chicago's been completely mauled at times in that series and surprisingly they've been able to play through it pretty well.
Another bad call was Dwight Howard not getting tossed after that elbow last night. NBA should've considered suspending him for 2 games instead of just 1. Only reason I think he got one is because it's the playoffs
#63
awesomejohnson
04/29/09 11:51 PM
:-(
#64
Mark
04/29/09 11:51 PM
Dmon3k: According to the commentators, in Carmelo Anthony.
www.dogpile.com/ #65
Mark
04/29/09 11:53 PM
Who are the Nugs booing after CP stripped the ball? Chauncey?
www.dogpile.com/ #66
Dmon3k
04/29/09 11:53 PM
I also have to think CP3 is more hurt than he's letting on, because I can't believe a player of his caliber wouldn't be stepping it up a little more and trying to take over the scoring load with the season on the line
#67
Roc217
04/29/09 11:53 PM
Honestly Cp hasn't really been aggressive on offense as far as scoring. I know gettingn others shots is his liking but if he's not scoring the team has no chance. It can work for a half but not a whole game
#68
Mark
04/29/09 11:55 PM
Another fun fact: My mum has always called JR Smith 'Milhouse' (of Simpsons fame) ever since his days on our bees. Our family now thus affectionately call him Milhouse.
www.dogpile.com/ #69
Andrea
04/29/09 11:57 PM
CP is just showing that he's human. It's the wear and tear from playing 40+ minutes every night the past 2 seasons just so your team can have a shot at winning. Only positive to come from this postseason ordeal is that he'll have May through October to get rest before he starts playing competitively again.
#70
Roc217
04/29/09 11:57 PM
What the hell can you do about JR hitting 25 freakin footers?
It's over
#71
Andrea
04/30/09 12:00 AM
So now that the season's over, who get's traded? At this point who would anyone want aside from CP? TC is damaged goods, Peja has had back issues since he's been in NO, and David West didn't have the best showing this postseason
#72
Mark
04/30/09 12:01 AM
When Milhouse starts throwing up nonexistent gang signs, it's pretty much over. Although I hate a dirty team, kudos to the Nugs for besting us.
Thank goodness CP doesn't have to go through Olympics this year. He's clearly the only player we can rely on throughout the whole season.
www.dogpile.com/ #73
DenverFan
04/30/09 12:03 AM
CP is not healthy. He gets doubled, and no one can create , or hit a shot.
Mark and Queen have been reading the comments from you guys this whole series ( I like them) , was just never at home to post a comment.
#74
Mark
04/30/09 12:04 AM
WHERE THE FK IS MO PETE.
Andrea: DX. Great contract value, high value, strong character. I envision him packaged with some bad contract players to get a few mediocre players.
I esteem DX so highly, but realistically he's the only player that has huge value on the market.
www.dogpile.com/ #75
Andrea
04/30/09 12:07 AM
Mark: I think he has the most value right now. How bad is his back issue thought? It seems like every time he's on the bench, he's bouncing on something to keep his back loose
#76
Mark
04/30/09 12:08 AM
hey yo DenverFan, congrats to your Nugs. 'Preciate the love and your intelligent comments tonight too, but I'm a Mavs fan (I'm from Dallas), so I can't really root for your squad until 3rd round, haha.
www.dogpile.com/ #77
mW
04/30/09 12:12 AM
Well, hey, y'all, it's been a good season, though it didn't end how we'd like it. I'm proud that we still ended up better than most teams in the League. Let's do it all again next year!
www.hornetshype.com #78
Mark
04/30/09 12:12 AM
Andrea: He just needs to play <42 minutes he does with our Bees. With any other team, I'm sure that'll work. Think Steve Nash. He's always warming up his back on the bench, but limiting his minutes helps him stay fresh and effective.
I'd really hate to see him go, but his trading would just be a realistic scenario, since we don't have much to warrant a beneficial 1-for-1 trade. You gonna call a trade like you did Mike James-Antonio Daniels? I'm still surprised at how accurate that call was, haha.
www.dogpile.com/ #79
DenverFan
04/30/09 12:14 AM
Mark. The Nuggets blog sucks, no comments, the writing is well done there though. We have to talk about that series somewhere. Mavs have some bench players that can come in and step it up. Terry is great and Kidd is solid.
When Dirk Gets pissed he can light it up.
I think my Broncos are going to get killed this year so at least the nuggs will give us in Denver something to have at least.
CP is a beast.
JR's antics I hate after a shot, but when he gets going he keeps it up so we can live with it.
#80
Andrea
04/30/09 12:21 AM
DenverFan: Congrats. Denver's having a heck of a season. Best of luck to you guys in the 2nd round
Mark: Lol I hope I can call this one. I'm about to hop on ESPN trade machine and see what contracts match David's. That's exactly what I did with the James-Daniels trade. I figured they were a sinking ship early in the season so they'd have no trouble parting with AD. I'm also looking at free agents.
#81
Mark
04/30/09 12:21 AM
DenverFan: haha. Don't mention your Broncos, I'm a Steeler fan.
My views on my boys in blue... uh, I haven't kept up with the Mavs the whole year, but look for Brandon Bass to deal some damage. I'm not sure who would guard him, but he slipped under the radar alot this season. His sheer size and athleticism is enough to be dangerous, but he does drift outside for a DX-style midrange at times. I'm not big on JJ Barea since his size DOES limit him, but he's a pest that'll ignite energy.
What I'm a bit mad at the Mavs for is Carlisle's lack of desire to play his bench, even during the regular season. Gerald Green was underutilized, as was James Singleton, and he loved to play Antoine Wright, who I don't like very much.
You should know the general trend of our starters+Terry though.
www.dogpile.com/ #82
QueenBee
04/30/09 12:23 AM
Season over. I'm just as worn out as our guys are. This was a long, tumultuous rollercoaster ride.
#83
Mark
04/30/09 12:26 AM
Andrea: I'm worried on our management's direction. Are we still going to push for a strong 2009-2010 (when everybody's trading to get good position in 2010 with Bron Bron, CB4, Wade), or how far are we going to plan for the future?
I would love Amar'e "cyclops" Stoudemire, but he's just so darn... unreliable. I don't know, I just wouldn't trust him for the long term, which is what people have been saying since his high school days, but still. Amar'e+Shaq trade, maybe, although I would love Barbosa.
www.dogpile.com/ #84
QueenBee
04/30/09 12:26 AM
@Andrea, I'm pretty sure there are a few teams that would love to have West. Detroit's paper/blog just put up a rumor involving West.
#85
Mark
04/30/09 12:31 AM
QB: Yeah, something about a Richard Hamilton / Tayshaun Prince trade. Not sure how I would feel getting older, established maybe declining talents, but if we keep our coach, what's the point of getting youngbloods?
www.dogpile.com/ #86
Andrea
04/30/09 12:32 AM
Mark: I'd LOVE to get Barbosa. If we did it'd probably be West for Barbosa+Dudley+Tucker which would leave us without a PF. If we wanted to get Amare, it would probably be West+Peterson and maybe JuJu to get him. I'm iffy on him also. He has all the ability in the world but it's just something about him (his play) that rubs me the wrong way
#87
bigindian15
04/30/09 12:35 AM
Not gonna read the comments, they're too depressing, just wanna say:
Why were we so happy that we drew the Nuggets 2 weeks ago? lol
I think our best trade chips are West, Daniels (and his 6.6 mil expiring contract), Butler (and his 4 mil expiring contract), Juju (whom I would like to keep, esp. if/when Byron gets fired), and Armstrong, whom I think may have some value if teams get the impression he never got a chance under Byron (especially looking at guys like JR and Bass).
I also think they're all gone and it's necessary to fix the team. We can't improve on PF if we lose West. But we can improve on SG (Butler is good, but he wasn't great. He was clutch and we love him for his comeback from the bench/doghouse/hell, but his numbers were very average) and backups with those pieces
#88
QueenBee
04/30/09 12:35 AM
There we go on TNT, going fishing!! LMAO! I'm not even mad.
#89
Andrea
04/30/09 12:35 AM
QueenBee and Mark: I'd be open to getting Tay Prince. He's only 29 same age as David but has a lot of wear and tear on that body from guarding the other teams best perimeter option the past few years. Iffy on Hamilton. He played well this season but missed a lot of time with injury. I'm not sure if he's injury prone though.
Also, If I'm not mistaken, we'll have the 21st pick in the draft. Maybe we can trade our first rounder+West for a big time player. What's the point of drafting if Byron won't play them then let them go after a few seasons to have success elsewhere? Then again, he may not be around.
#90
ChrisTrew.com
04/30/09 12:38 AM
well.
www.christrew.com #91
QueenBee
04/30/09 12:44 AM
LMAO at Lil Wayne, Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush getting in on our Gone Fishin picture. LMAO!
#92
Mark
04/30/09 12:45 AM
bigindian: We just had the best healthy match-ups against Denver versus the other choices, which were like, Rockets, Lakers, and Denver or something.
I think Andrea said it on the same James-Daniels trade journal entry, but Ike Diogu. That kid hasn't gotten much opportunity and is undervalued. Last heard he fouls and doesn't play very good defense, but methinks he'll suffice as a low post offensive threat, something we desperately need. Plus, he went to my high school. Dude's a pretty good guy.
Things I think we should consider for player movement:
- Management decision on contracts (next year contenders? 2010 and beyond?)
- Ridding long term contracts (bundle with DX)
- Offensive scheme (more off ball movement? Slasher? Post game?)
- Defensive scheme (more athleticism? More post presence?)
- Team coherency (getting younger? high-risk players?)
www.dogpile.com/ #93
LSUhornet17
04/30/09 01:12 AM
Tough loss, but not unexpected. I'm looking forward to see what changes are made this summer, hopefully not just cost-cutting ones. I wouldn't mind a coaching change, but I doubt that'll happen because the team actually came out and played tonight. I hope CP gets a good rest this summer as well as some help on the court. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep up with the comments during the series (playoffs coincide with finals), but I enjoyed everyone's comments. I graduate in a week, so hopefully I'll have more time to actively participate in the offseason/next season. Thanks to Niall and Ryan for keeping me distracted for countless hours. Seriously, I'd be scared to see the actual number of hours I spend on here. Looking forward to the offseason posts and roster analysis. Keep up the good work.
GEAUX HORNETS
#94
Niall Doherty
04/30/09 06:26 AM
@ LSUhornet17: Thanks for the kind words. They're much appreciated.
www.ndoherty.com #95