2005 New Orleans Hornets Preview

At the time of publish the NBA regular season is around the corner. What better way to get you locked and loaded for a winning season than a free season preview from Maddux Sports. We remind you that MadduxSports.com is an expert NBA handicapper and offers NBA Picks against the point spread. For more information on this years basketball package click here. Onto the individual team preview for this years New Orleans Hornets.

2005 New Orleans Hornets Team Preview

The Hornets, formerly of Charlotte, were due to start their second season in New Orleans this year—and then Hurricane Katrina changed all that. Although they plan on playing a few regular season games in the Big Easy, most Hornet home contests will be held in Oklahoma City. This change in geography is the biggest move the Hornets made during the off-season.

The move to Okalahoma City is, of course, a minor inconvenience for the team when one considers the loss of property, life, and livelihood wrought by the hurricane. The devastation of Katrina may help put this suffering franchise’s dismal outlook for this season in perspective.

Overall the Hornets are a young team, with 80% of its players in the NBA for 5 years or less. The newest Hornet and most promising is rookie guard Chris Paul from Wake Forest. Paul, who was the number four pick overall in this year’s draft, is a play maker who can race the ball up-court and penetrate, shoot from the perimeter, or make a keen pass. His biggest flaw is his size— at six-feet small experts wonder if he’ll be effective on defense.

Two-year man J.R. Smith is a shooting guard who can score and likes to take control of the game. His young legs and energetic drive serve the team well but he’s a wreck on defense. Twelve-year veteran P.J. Brown can pass, score and rebound. But even though he’s a gamer, his legs are getting slower which means when the other team has the ball they can beat him.

For head coach Byron Scott what may be most frustrating, aside from ownership’s decision to do little during the off-season to improve the team, is the play of his center Jamaal Magloire. Magloire, who seems to possess all the skills necessary to be a top NBA center, has been a malcontent. With two years to go on his contract, he’s looking for a trade. But it’s difficult to move a player who, like Magloire, is injury prone and when healthy often seems disinterested in the game. It says something when an aging P.J. Brown, at power forward, out rebounds a much younger player like Magloire.

If the Hornets of New Orleans/Oklahoma City improve on their 18-64 record, it will be due to the energy and passion of the young guys and the guts of a 12-year vet. Maybe they can give New Orleans something to cheer about.

For more information on the 2005 New Orleans Hornets Team, click here to visit their official team website.