How far can New Orleans go this year?

[99 Problems]

I'm not even a Hornets fan but I've watched a lot of games and I'm suprised they've been this good... Nobody really talks about them yet they're right there in fighting for the #1 seed... They could still fade obviously, but something tells me they'll finish top 3 in the end...

So how far do you think they can they go in the playoffs this year? Would they lose to a more experienced Golden State/Denver/Houston? Or can they go somehow go all the way?

[BrooklynBulls]

I think they're missing solid bench contribution (even though they have solid bench talent, its just really underperforming) and a bit of playoff seasoning as well. I think they could beat any three lower seeds, but I have trouble seeing them getting past the creme of the the crop.

[James_Dolan]

The West is really tough this year. Before the Lakers, Suns, and probably Mavs made their deals I would've said WCF. Now I'd say 2nd round.

[AgEnT50]

It depends on who they play in the 1st round...If they play the Lakers, Spurs, or Suns...there going home 1st round, anyone else they have a good chance to beat

[dockingsched]

i have them losing in the 1st round unless they're able to keep a top two seed. if they do, i have them losing in the 2nd round.

[99 Problems]

The West is really tough this year. Before the Lakers, Suns, and probably Mavs made their deals I would've said WCF. Now I'd say 2nd round.

I think if they can get past the first round, its all about matchups...Hornets have Suns number this year, although things may change with Shaq.. I would think they would feel confident going into a series against them, especially if they have homecourt... Lakers or Mavs could probably beat them, nobody can predict SA....

[tsherkin]

Well, in principle, they're good enough to go all the way; it's hard to determine who's going to exit the West.

New Orleans is top 7 in defensive AND offensive efficiency, they outrebound their opponents, they've got a dynamite playmaker, great offensive balance...

They do need Rasual Butler to stop playing like crap, though.

They play pretty slow (25th in pace), so adjusting to the postseason style won't be a huge difference but they are mostly inexperienced (except for Peja, who's a well-documented choker) and that's going to hurt them in the postseason, at least against the more experienced teams.

I think a lot depends on how they respond to the playoff environment, what they get out of their bench in the playoffs and the particulars of their matchup order. It's not like there's a team out there they can't beat but they don't have the playoff experience, so I'd expect that a team like the Spurs might take them out.

Tough call but on potential alone, they COULD go all the way; they're good enough in the regular season. But we saw what that meant the last two years with Dallas' inexcusable collapses against Miami and Golden State.

[gpguy25]

I don't see why they couldn't get hot and make it to the finals. But I voted for conference finals

[Puertorique]

Depending on match ups 2nd round. Team is still YOUNG and barely growing together. The playoffs are a different animal. I think a team like San Antonio, Dallas, Pheonix could beat them because those teams are still very familiar with each other. If Pau, LO, Kobe, Bynum can play together then I think they would give the hornets a problem also, then again that could be a good first round match up. If I'm NO I would put Chandler on Pau and let Paul go for his against Farmar.

[RondoGreen9]

I say Second Round because they are just one of the most explosive teams I've seen in a while. Chris Paul is so good who knows what he's capable of leading his team too. I know the west is tough, but they're fighting for a number one seed so they have to be considered at least for a second round run this year

[Patterns]

1st round unless they run into Golden State.

[99 Problems]

1st round unless they run into Golden State.

Golden State's a pretty good team as well... It would probably be a toss up no matter who they play...

[2poor]

Just to toss this out; while I personally find "playoff experience" to be a bit of an overrated intangible, the Hornets do in fact have guys on their squad who've seen the light of the NBA playoffs.

Chandler
West
Peterson
Peja
Jackson
Butler
Pargo
Ely
Bowen

all guys who've been in the playoffs. the only guys who are completely new to them would be Paul and Armstrong. I don't think I'm alone when I say that I don't doubt Paul's ability to turn it up in the playoffs. The younger guys who haven't been there before probably won't be relied on much...if at all.

Bench has been playing better the last 15 games or so. Pargo for one has been averaging double-figures scoring since January. Bench itself has been accounting for roughly 35% of the team's total scoring, which if you think about it, really isn't bad. Hopefully they'll make a move that shores up the bench a bit more, maybe a smaller move in getting Pietrus, or a big splash in a Mike Miller.

Playoffs will be fun. From this fan's perspective, sky's the limit...but as always, match-ups/seeding will play a huge role in exactly how far they can go.

[sarah42]

if they play teams like denver, houston, portland etc they can get out of the first round.

they give the suns fits, but with shaq, they might rebound a lot more. both times the hornets beat them without a key player. that amazes me.

i think they can hang with the spurs.

utah is the only team i see them struggling with so far this season. chris paul need to get his head out of his *** and stop hanging out with deron before games. its like he says to himself..."here, deron, come embarrass me, you can have the ball"

you can tell some of deron's teammates get up for those games, while mabye the hornets are too laid back. utah, other than chris playing badly against them, is very physical.

both west and especially chandler can't take that kind of play.

i think the can go toe to toe with the lakers as well. they aren't as physical.

if they play small ball, and lose in the first round, you can blame bryon for that. thats why i'm not happy about these ben gordon rumours. and if we don't get back defensively like we were a few weeks ago, a top seed is out of the question!

[tmacformvp07]

i really hope houston draws new orleans in the first round

bye bye hornets

[Iggyemu]

i really hope houston draws new orleans in the first round

bye bye hornets

Have you been watching the Houston Rockets since yesterday or something? If you had been watching longer you would know that the Hornets are one of our tougher match ups b/c try as we may...we got nobody that can match up with Paul. Every game...every single one..he kills us in some form or fashion.

The Hornets IMO if they get the right matchups can make the WCF just like Utah did last year. They didn't have experience. They had a coach that went to the Finals twice. No reason they can't duplicate what the Jazz did if they get the favorable matchups.

[sarah42]

i think the hornets can beat houston, just because of paul. even when the hornets didn't make the playoffs last year, paul killed them. i don't know how the hornets have fared against the rockets since paul was drafted, but i bet its been good for the hornets perspective.

again, both utah and the lakers will be hard to win. i think utah's home court is another reason why, even though the hornets are the second best road team.

[Craig McDermott]

i think the can go toe to toe with the lakers as well. they aren't as physical.

Honestly... what is wrong with you? If you can't post in a mature manner than you will not post here.

[kobe#8]

They dont have a chance in the playoffs against the big names..

[Bobbcats]

Chris Paul has the Rockets number. Since he has been there the Hornets are something like 8-1 against them so unless Alston suddenly turns into Gary Payton I don't like that matchup for the Rockets.