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Watching the Hornets take on the Mavericks in Dallas on Monday, I began to wonder if Chris Paul is buying into what the Hornets' coaches are trying to do offensively. That is, get the ball moving more and cut down on the amount of dribbling. We saw moves in the right direction after Byron Scott was fired and Paul went down with an ankle injury, but since CP's return, we're seeing the offense regress somewhat. Check the video below for some examples from the Mavs game.

Let me clearly state that this isn't an attack on Chris Paul. I'm not out to prove that the Hornets would be better off without him (obviously they wouldn't be). My point is simply that Paul is being relied on too heavily offensively. Whether that's his own fault or the fault of the coaches is up for debate. Most likely, adjustments need to be made on both sides. That is, Paul has to realize that him dominating the ball does not result in more wins, and the coaches have to do a better job communicating that to him.

UPDATE: As requested, here's the video analysis I did last month, highlighting the Hornets' improved ball movement while Paul was out injured...

Under Byron Scott, the Hornets offense had become stagnant and predictable. The ball was usually put in the hands of Chris Paul or David West, and they were asked to create something out of nothing. Guys like Peja Stojakovic mostly stood by on the wing, waiting for a kick out. There was very little off-the ball action, such as back door cuts or weak-side screens. Oh, and capable rookies were left rotting on the bench.

Under the direction of the new coaching tandem of Jeff Bower and Tim Floyd, we've seen the Hornets' offense flowing much more freely these past two weeks. Check out the following video for a breakdown.

The Hornets fell apart in the third quarter against the Raptors on Friday night. They gave up 34 points while only scoring 14, and the Raptors were able to cruise to victory in the fourth.

Here's video and commentary on the Hornets' offensive and defensive possessions in the third quarter:

Tyson Chandler, the man Emeka Okafor replaced in the Hornets line up, was lethal in pick and roll situations with Chris Paul. Okafor isn't quite the high-flyer that Chandler was, but is expected to be effective in those same situations with CP3.

Here's some video and commentary of Paul and Okafor running the pick and roll in the Hornets first three games of the season.

We're hoping to do regular video analysis this season, so let us know what Hornets plays/situations you'd most like broken down in future.

UPDATE: At The Hive takes a look at Okafor's numbers through the first four games.

I've been rather slowly working on part two of my Southwest Hornet's Rival reports about the Grizzlies and Spurs.  When putting together the Spurs section, I felt compelled to write about how much I like them.

I've almost finished the Grizzly half of my preview, and of course the two teams are like night and day.  I just can't get away from one fact:

This organization is so messed up, no one could actually want to play for them at this point.  Giving away Pau Gasol.  Serving as a luxury tax dumping ground for other teams.  Trading for Zach Randolph and signing Allen Iverson.  Bringing them in despite having a need to develop the youngsters.  Letting Hakim Warrick walk for nothing. Having an owner who insists on disregarding the advice of his basketball people.  Seemingly a new coach or two every year.  They have such a low reputation, Juan Carlos Navarro happily went back to Spain and Ricky Rubio wouldn't even come work out for them.

So, in honor of their pain, I figured I'd allow Mr. Smith from the Matrix deliver a speech about how they must feel.

Apologies to my friends over at Three Shades of Blue.