The Chris Paul trade in the off-season was exciting until Eric Gordon, New Orleans' only hope for a successful year, went out with bone and knee injuries after playing only two games.
The season took a violent turn for the worse, and the Hornets were bottom feeding and desperately scrambling to find players to wear the blue and yellow jerseys.
The worst part was my home-state Hornets were not competing. Their offense was non-existent and the team looked exasperated. Eric Gordon seemed disinterested with the Hornets, and Dell Demps, New Orleans' General Manager, benched Chris Kaman while they tried to trade him.
However, during February, the Hornets have created some buzz (no pun intended), and have been enjoyable to watch.
Other than the blowout against the Chicago Bulls, the Hornets have kept the games close and winnable.
For this feat, head coach Monty Williams deserves a standing ovation.
Williams has been able to coach a depleted team to play tough defense for four quarters and defense has been the key to the Hornets' recent success.
Apart from coaching, New Orleans has been able to find solid players to make a promising team foundation for the future.
Gustavo Ayon, an undrafted free agent out of Mexico, has played himself into the starting lineup by being a consistent defender and rebounder, a decent scorer from the power forward position and a hustle/effort player.
Greivis Vasquez stepped up to fill in the shoes of the injured Jarret Jack and, since February began, has been averaging over 12 points and seven assists per game. Vasquez's most impressive feat was his Lin-surmountable defense against Jeremy Lin during the Hornet's upset of the New York Knicks.
After going into a black hole of dreadful basketball, Marco Belinelli has re-emerged as the Hornet's best three-point shooter. In February, Belinelli has averaged 46 percent from beyond the arc, including six of seven from three point range in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Williams has been able to coach a depleted team to play tough defense for four quarters and defense has been the key to the Hornets' recent success.
Apart from coaching, New Orleans has been able to find solid players to make a promising team foundation for the future.
Gustavo Ayon, an undrafted free agent out of Mexico, has played himself into the starting lineup by being a consistent defender and rebounder, a decent scorer from the power forward position and a hustle/effort player.
After going into a black hole of dreadful basketball, Marco Belinelli has re-emerged as the Hornet's best three-point shooter. In February, Belinelli has averaged 46 percent from beyond the arc, including six of seven from three point range in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The good news for the Hornets is that no one expects them to win, and they are likely to end the season with a lottery pick. Early draft speculation points to UConn center Andre Drummond or Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson as likely picks for the Hornets. Both players would address needs for the Hornets and could be immediate starters in New Orleans.
Even better news is that the NBA-owned Hornets have apparently found a group to buy the team from NBA commissioner David Stern. The buyers are rumored to be headed by a California businessman and Tom Benson's (New Orleans Saints owner) brother.
So let's keep watching the Hornets, as general manager Dell Demps and Coach Williams build this team for the future. While they make currently look like a under-manned college team, the Hornets have the coaches, players and now (hopefully) the owners to sustain the Hornets as a threat playing in the Big Easy.
Even better news is that the NBA-owned Hornets have apparently found a group to buy the team from NBA commissioner David Stern. The buyers are rumored to be headed by a California businessman and Tom Benson's (New Orleans Saints owner) brother.
So let's keep watching the Hornets, as general manager Dell Demps and Coach Williams build this team for the future. While they make currently look like a under-manned college team, the Hornets have the coaches, players and now (hopefully) the owners to sustain the Hornets as a threat playing in the Big Easy.
Maybe the Hornets should hire Greg William to help them be a more physical defense. I hear he might need to find a new sport to coach.
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