.52. Dallas @ New Orleans (02/20/08)

[2poor]

Game 52/82
8:00 PM ET
New Orleans Arena
New Orleans, LA

Season series tied 1-1, Hornets leading Dallas (and SA) by 2 games in the SW.

Too lazy to post rosters, because for all we know, Kidd could be on his way to Dallas before opening tip.

The All-Star break ended on Monday night for the Hornets' players when Coach Byron Scott conducted a two-hour practice involving mostly conditioning work.

At one point, Scott had everyone running windsprints the length of the court except for Sunday's All-Star Game participants Chris Paul and David West, who watched from the sideline.

"They said it was like training camp a little bit,'' Scott said. "Today, we did a little stuff where I wanted to get their attention to let them know it's back to work.''

The Hornets ended the All-Star break with the best record in the Western Conference at 36-15. They play the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night at the New Orleans Arena. The Mavericks are close to finalizing a proposed trade deal to acquire All-Star point guard Jason Kidd from the New Jersey Nets.

"It ain't happened yet, so that's not our focus,'' Paul said. "We just have to worry about the Hornets' right now.''

The trade deadline is Thursday, and Scott said no serious trade discussions occurred during the break, but that he planned to speak with General Manager Jeff Bower after Monday night's practice to get an update.

NOTES: Center Tyson Chandler vacationed in the Bahamas with his family during the All-Star break. He got a chance to watch briefly the All-Star Game and was impressed with Paul's performance. . . .Although Morris Peterson was not an All-Star participant, he volunteered to participate in the NBA's Day of Service this past Friday in New Orleans. Peterson said his sore back feels a lot better, "Today was my first full practice in a while. I got a chance to get some rest during the All-Star break,'' Peterson said.

Hornets All-Star break ends with tough Monday night practice

[2poor]

Sure enough...

The New Jersey Nets have acquired guards Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, center DeSagana Diop and forward Keith Van Horn along with Dallas

[Copperhead]

As a result, Kidd might be able to make his Mavericks return as soon as Wednesday night in New Orleans.

Let's go baby!!

[sarah42]

he's going to play that soon?

i'm not worried. if he could shoot i would. lol. i love him anyway.

i saw mo pete at the dunk contest. he didn't sit with cp3 though, on the opposite side is i think where he sat, near kobe. hope he's better.

will it be a sellout? i bet its going to be a great crowd even though its a tuesday night crowd.

[2poor]

Noah (Washington, DC): Bringing Kidd on will give the Mavs heart, but losing Devin Harris hurts them in the long-term, and doesn't losing Diop hurt them against bigger Western teams come go-time?

John Hollinger: Right on. Additionally, the Mavs used Harris to guard guys like Tony Parker and Chris Paul -- Kidd gets blown away by those guys. So Terry will have to slide over and defend them.

[2poor]

will it be a sellout? i bet its going to be a great crowd even though its a tuesday night crowd.

Based on what I'm hearing from locals, a big crowd is expected, sellout not out of the question.

I think the "buzz" is getting around NOLA with each passing day. I expect to see quite a few capacity crowds for remaining home games.

http://hornetsreport.com/HRForums/showt ... hp?t=45761

I've got my calendar marked for another date though, 3/16. Hornets @ Pistons! Guess who's going?

(Detroit/Palace of Auburn Hills is about 30 mins from me)

[Mr. Fundamental]

The Dallas trade is the best for us, Devin Harris was always the x factor on that team but now Paul will have free rains against Kidd. Kidd helps them against other teams but against us its a downgrade. I'm looking forward to a good game and a Hornets victory. I'm also glad that neither Peja or Paul won their skill contests, it keeps them grounded and thirsty for more. Here is to a good second half of the season.

[2poor]

ESPN officially reporting that Kidd will play/start tomorrow.

[sarah42]

i live near detroit too, but across the border...they really aren't the "detroit" pistons huh?

[2poor]

Close enough I guess.

I stay away for that whole area as much as possible. SE Michigan is all I care for, with trips up North here and there.

[NO-KG-AI]

The city is definitely starting to buzz about the hornets(pun wasn't originally intended).

I said as much when the Kidd deal was first discussed, I think losing Harris and Diop gives us a big advantage, Kidd can't defend like he used to, especially against quicker PG's like CP3 and Pargo.

[sarah42]

you don't like detroit? shocking! lol.

[Ming Kong!]

Jazz fan here. This game is going to be awesome, I can't wait. Good luck to both teams. I'm just happy the Jazz will make up ground cause one team must lose . In all seriousness, I can't wait to see how the Kidd project turns out. I put my money on it making Dallas better. Kidd vs Paul.. nice, once again, good luck to both squads.

[Magz50]

Looking forward to seeing my boy Cp3 destroy Kidd.

[Copperhead]

Looking forward to seeing my boy Cp3 destroy Kidd.

Cool sig Magz50.

[2poor]

Welcome all displaced Bucks fans.

[jerrod]

Welcome all displaced Bucks fans.

[REDDzone]

Welcome all displaced Bucks fans.

Go Hornets!!

[2poor]

[sarah42]

its like he never ages. i hope chris paul lasts that long!