The Hornets wrap up their three-game road trip tonight in Phoenix, taking on the red hot Suns. Game tips at 9:30 Central on ESPN, and you can watch it live online via ESPN360.com.
The Suns have surprised everyone with their 7-1 start, their lone loss coming on the road against the Magic. Steve Nash looks rejuvenated, the whole team is shooting a ridiculous percentage from three, and they lead the league with 110.9ppg. Meanwhile, our guys are allowing 102.6ppg, which is 8ppg more than last season, and the most points per game that the Hornets have allowed since 1995-96. Now would be a good time for the defense to show up.
Phoenix last played Monday in Philly, beating the Sixers 119-115 behind 21 points and 20 assists from Nash.
Valley of the Suns, the TrueHoop Network Suns' blog, will be hosting a live chat during the game. You'll find the chat window embedded at the bottom of this post.
Linkage:
- Ryan's game preview
- Lagniappe: Power rankings, CP > Nash and some Chris Paul video highlights
- Rival bloggers: Bright Side of the Sun | Valley of the Suns
(Many thanks to Dariusz for the banner.)
17 life-affirming comments post your own
BeeDogg
11/11/09 08:20 PM
Lets see Hilton punish this weak spot for the Suns on his Bday! I cringe every time I see cp3 tweak an ankle, I will never forget his 1st one in Seattle. I hope it doesn't throw off his mojo.
#1
mW
11/11/09 08:32 PM
Ditto. I always think we matchup well against Phoenix, and I don't think their roster changes in the offseason changes that.
www.hornetshype.com #2
Mark
11/11/09 10:32 PM
While past seasons I'd said 'little off-ball movement', I think it's become 'passive offense'. Phoenix is on fire (credit where it's due), but it's pretty obvious this season that it's been trickled down to 'passive defense' too.
www.dogpile.com/ #3
corndeaux
11/11/09 10:38 PM
slow, lazy defense and no one wants to fight for a rebound- let alone actually box out. rinse, wash, repeat.
i know i will get crucified for this, but part of me wishes the hornets had at least shopped west last season when his value was at its highest. i think he brings a lot to a good team..... as a 3rd or 4th guy. would have been interested to see what he could have gotten back.
#4
LSUhornet
11/11/09 10:38 PM
Getting ugly. Slow bigs are killing us, not defending paint and not boxing out for rebounds after Phoenix shots.
#5
Caleb462
11/11/09 10:44 PM
corndeaux... I for one agree actually, and I really like D West. I'm still curious as to what we could get for him.
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #6
Caleb462
11/11/09 10:53 PM
Well, the Hornets suck. No getting around it.
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #7
YoungFella
11/11/09 10:56 PM
I still don't understand why I'm the only one who can see that James Posey literally does not try.
He did not try last season (he upped it for the playoffs a little bit but whatever) and he is not trying this season.
Hilton Armstrong might suck at basketball, but God bless him he tries. I can't stand players dogging it - especially on defense.
#8
Caleb462
11/11/09 11:20 PM
YoungFella - I'm not sure anyone is trying.
I never noticed Posey dogging it last year though. This year? He's been pretty much invisible.
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #9
BeesGivingEffort
11/11/09 11:22 PM
as far as i'm concerned, noone has shown up all season but CP3 and half of okafor (offense)
#10
Mark
11/11/09 11:23 PM
Young: Byron Scott never tried. Ever.
If Thornton and Collison don't get all 12 minutes of the fourth, then this game was for naught.
www.dogpile.com/ #11
Mark
11/11/09 11:46 PM
Wow Collison on the bench. Go figure Byron Scott.
www.dogpile.com/ #12
Mark
11/11/09 11:49 PM
We are so lucky to have Chris Paul. That little tidbit they played about communication at the end of this game just showed his attitude.
I know if I were CP, I'd be complaining about how crap most of our players are playing... kind of like Kobe.
www.dogpile.com/ #13
bigindian15
11/12/09 12:04 AM
It's a free Darko situation. I'm almost hoping CP gets traded at this point, because he really doesn't deserve this. It's like 50 steps beyond what Drew Brees dealt with on a crappy defensive team the last 2 years. Maybe things will work out for the Hornets too.
Seriously though, West sucks. He doesn't try on defense and his offense just disappeared. Trade him while he still has value. Maybe Colangelo is on drugs and we can trade him, Juju, and Collison (since Byron won't play him anyway) for Chris Bosh and change.
#14
ticktock6
11/12/09 12:11 AM
It's a bit much to compare Chris Paul playing on a bad team for nine games to stars who played on bad teams FOR YEARS. People need to take a huuuuuge deep breath and a step back. He's not getting traded. You don't want him traded.
hornetshype.com #15
Tony
11/12/09 12:22 AM
I don't Sacramento'd do it, but I think a David West for Kevin Martin trade would be good for both teams. I just really hope the Hornets don't trade for Steven Jackson, because if they do I believe CP3 is gone in however many years he has left. I seriously don't know how SJAX has gotten such a good reputation, kind've similar to James Posey, he's got the allure of a ring on him even though he probably cost the Spurs more than he got them. Definately cost the Pacers. The Warriors haven't exactly been winning with him have they?
#16
LSUhornet
11/12/09 12:33 AM
Ok so Julian doesn't work as a starter, but you have to say that he would contribute more than 2 boards in this one, despite his um, questionable decisions. Peja, simply does not bring anything to the table when his shot is off. Peja/West/Okafor is the least athletic frontcourt I've ever seen. I'm not saying Julian should start again, but maybe Byron needs a shorter leash with Peja after going say 0-5? If one of the rookies missed 9 shots, Byron wouldn't let them on the plane after the game.
#17