Last season to say the least was a disappointment, just a year after the team revitalized the city’s love of hoops with a record setting season. 2008-2009 was a season marred by injuries, plagued by an inconsistent bench and topped off with a quick dismantling in the first round of the playoffs at the hand of the Denver Nuggets.
The offseason saw teams like the Lakers, Spurs and other Western Conference teams added big time talent. The Hornets made some moves, but not on the same level as those teams. Heading into training camp however, the goal has not changed.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Hornets owner George Shinn didn’t pull any punches and was frank on Monday during Media Day. It’s Championship or bust. “This is the best team yet, and this is our chance to win a championship,” said Shinn of the talent assembled to take to the court this season. “That’s all we think about. We’re not thinking about just getting to the playoffs. We’re thinking totally about championships. That’s what it’s all about.”
In many ways this offseason, Shinn has taken more of a hands on approach to the daily handling of the team and in particular the personnel decisions. There’s a word that’s being used with much frequency these days around Hornets camp and that’s accountability.
Head coach Byron Scott is entering his sixth season on the bench, and entering the final year of his contract. Scott has not asked for an extension, and Shinn has not offered one. When asked if Scott has something to prove this season, “Yes sir he has something to prove,” was how the Hornets owner responded. Shinn said that successful business run well when people are held accountable to their duties.
“We’re not going to tell you how to coach, but we’re going to help you with systems. We’re going to help you with follow-up. We’re going to make sure that our young players are developed and not just benched, and we’re just going to grow. We’re just going to grow this team,” added Shinn. “That’s what its all about, getting better.”
“He’s the owner. He should hold everybody accountable,” Scott says. “I don’t think that there’s anybody that can hold me more accountable than me. I understand what I have to do this year with the team. I understand that if we can stay healthy we’re going to be good, but I also understand I got to get these guys to play the way we’re capable of playing every single night. Just not every three games, every six games or something like that. You don’t even have to say it, I understand that.”
NEW FACES
The Hornets may not have made blockbuster, Sportscenter leading moves in the offseason, but six new faces are on the team. Gone is center Tyson Chandler traded for Emeka Okafor. The Hornets drafted guards Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton. Forward Ike Diogu was picked up through free agency, and forward Darius Songaila and guard Bobby Brown came over in a trade with Minnesota.
In Okafor, the Hornets get a five-year veteran who averages 10 pints and 13 rebounds a game. More importantly he’s stayed away from the injury bug, something Chandler was unable to do while with the Hornets. Another intangible could be that Okafor will be playing with motivation. “He’s never played in the playoffs. I think that’s going to make him just as hungry as anyone else on the team,” says point guard Chris Paul. “We need that hunger, and I’m excited for the fact that he’s trying to go somewhere that he’s never been.”
Collison and Thornton impressed the Hornets during their brief summer league games. Collison brings ball handling and assist ability, and Thornton showed during his collegiate career at LSU the ability to score. “It’s a dream come true. My fans from LSU can make the drive down here, family, so it’s not everyday you can play up the street from home,” Thornton says of his chance to play in New Orleans. “I’m happy and fortunate to be here and do the best I can, take full advantage of it.”
WILL PAUL GET THE HELP HE NEEDS?
A huge question heading this season and it’s one that must be answered, is will Scott be able to find a player to spell All-Star guard Chris Paul. Paul averaged 38.5 minutes a game, way too much, especially coming off a gold medal run at the Olympics. “He can’t play that many minute, and be as effective as he can be, or that we want him to be,” Scott says of Paul’s time on the court. “If I can keep his minutes at that 34-33 minute mark, I think he’ll be a more effective basketball player, because he’ll be fresher. A lot of times last year where he was playing on fumes, and just sheer determination. Hopefully we don’t have to have that situation this year.”
Brown and Collison will compete for the minutes to back up Paul and CP already has confidence that both can do the job. “I’m excited about the guys that we’ve brought in, because this may be the deepest bench that we’ve had since I’ve been in the league,” says Paul.
The team tips off the first of eight preseason games next Wednesday at Atlanta.
Related posts: