First-place Hornets have second-half questions

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By Cedric Meyer

All-Star Weekend is officially in the books and the New Orleans Hornets will return to the site of the festivities tonight for what hopes to be the beginning of a successful sprint towards the playoffs.

Byron Scott and the Hornets won’t have the luxury of easing into the second half of the schedule either. The second half slate opens tonight at home against rival Dallas and dates with division foes Houston, San Antonio, as well as conference powerhouse Phoenix round out three of the Bee’s next four games.

But if the Hornets can recapture the buzz that earned them a conference best 36-15 record, it shouldn’t matter who they play. The starting lineup is rock solid: two All-Star selections in Chris Paul and David West along with rebounding machine Tyson Chandler, sharp shooter Peja Stojakovic and the defensive-minded Morris Peterson. This unit has gelled together nicely during the first 51 games of the season and they should only become more familiar with each other over the next 31 games and into the playoffs.

At least we hope so. The Hornet's kryptonite lies in their bench play, or lack thereof. The Hornets bench breaks down like this: Three journeymen in Ryan Bowen, Melvin Ely and Rasual Butler. Three pups in second-year players Hilton Armstrong and Marcus Vinicius, as well as rookie Julian Wright. And let's not forget elder statesman Bobby Jackson who turns 95 in March. Guard Jannero Pargo is the only semblance of a threat off the bench.

This collection reserves would barely strike fear into players at the Rec, much less a battle tested, playoff staple like the San Antonio Spurs in a seven-game series, which is why GM Jeff Bower must make a move to bolster the lineup before the trade deadline.

The annual NBA arms race is on and the Western Conference’s elite have already begun gearing up for the playoffs. The Suns brought Shaq to Phoenix, the Lakers landed Pau Gasol, and the Mavericks are in the process of trading for Jason Kidd who they originally drafted in 1994. Plus, it’s only a matter of time until the Spurs wake up from their annual sleep walk through the first half of the season.

Bottom line is if the Hornets want to make a deep run into the playoffs, and now is as good a time as any, they cannot sit on their hands while the competition improves. Ben Gordon of Chicago would be a great fit in New Orleans. Although he comes off the bench, he is essentially a starter ala Spurs guard Manu Ginobili.

Gordon averages 20 ppg and would relieve some of the scoring pressure the starters currently deal with on a nightly basis. Gordon’s name was being thrown around during the rumored Kobe Bryant deal before the season, so the Bulls don’t seem opposed to dealing him. However, are the Hornets willing to part with Armstrong and/or Wright, the team’s last two first round picks, in order to complete a deal?

Unless you’ve dug yourself into a bottomless pit, yes you, Miami, then the first half of the NBA season means nothing. It means nothing because in sports it’s always about how you finish, and if the Hornets plan to stand pat they will have to play twice as well during the second half to maintain their standing as best in the West.

Originally Published: Issue 597 - February 20, 2008

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