|
October 27, 2008
Charles Dickens’ novel, Great Expectations, was a story about the three phases of Pip’s life expectations. Byron Scott’s work in progress may also be about three phases… of the Hornets expectations.
Phase one for Pip was about a humble existence until he comes into the “great expectations” of handsome property and training to become a true gentleman. Phase one for Byron Scott was about the humbling of an NBA team that won a franchise-low 18 wins in 2004-2005 until he came upon a point guard named Chris Paul in the 2005 draft. “Great expectations” for this franchise began the day CP3 shook Commissioner David Stern’s hand.
Phase two for Pip was traveling to London to receive culturing, education, and a mature attitude. He learns to fit into his new environment and experiences both friendships and rivalries. Phase two for Byron Scott was about restructuring, relocating, and adjusting to one milieu after another (Oklahoma City, Norman, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans). It was also about experiencing friendships and rivalries in the toughest conference in the NBA.
Phase three for Pip becomes the transition from his artificially supported upper class world to the reality of all of the physical, moral and financial challenges. Phase three for Byron Scott was the transition back to the team’s home in New Orleans amidst the reality of the financial challenges the team was to face early on, the moral challenges they dealt with in reconnecting to the hurricane-devastated community, and physical challenges of attempting to make the playoffs for the first time under his watch with the Hornets.
As you may remember, Dickens’ masterpiece actually had two different endings…one happy and one sad. Scott’s unfinished work also has two possible endings. Here’s my look at five reasons I believe the franchise will bring home its first NBA championship and handle its “Great Expectations”.
1. CHRIS PAUL
Every great team must have a clear leader, a clear star, and a clear game changer. Paul is all three as the best point guard on the planet. After leading the NBA in assists (11.6) and steals (2.71) and leading the Bees to the post season for the first time under Scott, Paul appears ready to lead this team to the next level. He experienced an excruciating Game 7 loss against the previous champions; he experienced the pressure-packed environment of an Olympic gold medal run and came through it more confident. He could be the most mature 23-year-old ever to run the point in the association. Last season he was runner up to Kobe for the MVP and runner up to San Antonio in the western conference semi finals. This season he’s determined to finish first.
2. BYRON SCOTT
What a life he lives! After playing with Magic, arguably the best point guard of all-time and coaching Kidd, arguably the best point guard at the start of the new millennium, he is now coaching the greatest point guard currently operating an NBA team. But, while his dossier may read offense he is emphasizing defense to a young team that’s just learning how important that concept really is for a title contender. He’s one of those rare major league coaches who are both a players’ coach and an old school hard-liner. He’s not afraid to call out a player or a group of players who aren’t performing at a high level. Still, he has helped develop a healthy locker room where veterans and youngsters command respect. His Princeton-style offense is also perfectly suited for Chris Paul. And when your style and your all-star fit like a glove the results are usually spectacular. Scott won three titles with the “Showtime” Lakers and another in Greece as a player. He also won a pair of Eastern Conference titles with New Jersey as head coach. He may be the perfect coach for this dynamic, young team.
|
This is a relative term in today’s NBA. With salary cap restrictions and free agency gone are the days of 10-deep squads. However, Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower did a fabulous job of fortifying a bench that was unquestionably the team’s weak spot last season. Bringing in James Posey was a brilliant stroke. Celtics captain Paul Pierce went so far as to announce that his team had lost the equivalent of three players after Posey signed with the Bees. He brings a defensive attitude that is almost impossible to find, he can stretch defenses with his long range shooting, and can show off title rings from two of the last three NBA champs. Bower also brought back Devin Brown, who had performed so well two seasons ago for the Hornets backing up at three spots. Adding Sean Marks was another unsung move. He has the ability to hit the face up jumper and fit into the offense very well. They are added to an interesting mix of talents and personalities off the bench. Julian Wright is undoubtedly the most talented of the group. The youngest player on the roster came on strong during the second half last season and actually reminds some people of a younger James Posey. He’s joined by veteran Mike James, a former starting point guard who won a ring in Detroit, who will be responsible for running the offense when CP3 takes a rest. Big men Hilton Armstrong and Melvin Ely continue to battle for time behind Tyson Chandler in the middle, and at times will play up front with the Hornets big man. Ryan Bowen is the fun-to-watch energy man with the helter skelter style, while Rasual Butler looks to build on a fine preseason by earning time at both shooting guard and small forward this season.
4. THE “OTHER FOUR”
David West, Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson are the Hornets other starters joining Chris Paul. West was a first-time all-star last season who increased both his scoring and rebounding averages for the fourth consecutive season (20.6 PPG)/(8.9 RPG). He’s probably the least talked about all stars in the league, but he provides a near automatic mid-range jump shot, great hands, and intelligence that fit in well with the first unit. Chandler appears on the verge becoming an all-star after averaging a double double (11.8 PPG/11.7 RPG) for the first time in his career. He led the league in offensive rebounds per game (4.1) last season. He and Chris Paul have such great chemistry that they led the league in combined ally oops which are now referred to as “Crescent City Connections”. Stojakovic is a three-time all-star who led the league in free throw percentage (.929) missing just 10 of 140 from the stripe all season! It is from beyond the arc, though, where Peja causes the most havoc for opposing teams. After MISSING all but 13 games of his first Hornets season due to back surgery he PLAYED in all but five games last season and made the second most three pointers in the league (231), which was a franchise record. He helps make CP3’s drive and kick so effective by forcing teams to respect the three point arc. Peterson made 106 threes for the Bees last season, giving him six consecutive seasons with at least 100 treys. Mo’s been one of the most durable two guards in the last six seasons, missing a total of just 17 games during that time.
5. CONFIDENCE
Although the playoffs are not unfamiliar territory for Byron Scott, last season was his first visit to the post season with the Hornets. For that matter, it was Chris Paul’s first opportunity to shine in “real” season. It’s safe to say CP3’s confidence has grown exponentially after becoming the first player in league history to record back to back 30/10 (points/assists) games in his first two playoff contests and leading the team to the first round demolition of the Dallas Mavericks (4-1). This is a team that appears to have grown from its post season experience of a season ago, taking a serious approach to meaningless preseason games and running the table (7-0) for the first time in franchise history. That should be a warning flare to the other 29 teams that they are ready to take the next step. They know they have the weapons: MVP candidate Chris Paul, all-star David West, three point artist Peja Stojakovic, rebounding machine Tyson Chandler, and now deluxe sixth man James Posey. My suggestion here is that as the team accumulates its victories this season, and as the bench develops its camaraderie, this team’s confidence will soar. Elevated confidence can go a long way during a long NBA season.
