Rebuiding a Franchise: The New Orleans Hornets in 2006

The Hornets, like many of the residents of New Orleans in 2005 and 2006, were without a home last season with the exception of the partial season they played in Oklahoma City. Nonetheless, the Hornets were incredibly competitive and rookie Chris Paul proved to be the future of the franchise by winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Owner George Shinn has opened his purse strings, by signing forward Peja Stojakovic and extending Coach Byron Scott's contract another three years. As well, general manager Jeff Bower made some good moves in the 2006 NBA draft by taking forwards Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons. Combined with players like Paul, Desmond Mason, and Bobby Jackson, the Hornets look to compete in the Western Conference in 2006.

Back court
Chris Paul was outstanding last season, proving an able passer, strong defender, and play maker in his own right. However, Paul will be able to make more plays with the addition of prolific scorer Peja Stojakovic. Stojakovic stands about 6'11 but it seems likely he will play small forward, considering his relative softness in the paint and the Hornets' plethora of young talent on the interior. Paul will be able to drive to the middle and pass out to Stojakovic, drive to the middle and pass off to shooting guard Desmond Mason, or get help from soft defense in the middle due to coverage on the perimeter. In any of those scenarios, the Hornets will come out with the advantage in nearly every game in the 2006 NBA season.

Front court
The big addition on the front court for the Hornets was former Chicago Bulls center Tyson Chandler. Chandler, part of the former Baby Bulls draft class of five years ago, has matured considerably during his struggles to play up to his potential. By most accounts, Tyson Chandler is eager to step up his game and that renewed spirit, coupled with the fact that he is only 23, means that the Hornets are getting a quality center for the next decade. While Scott may toy with putting Stojakovic at power forward, it seems more likely that athletic and powerful David West will play the power forward position in 2006. West and Chandler are young enough to make a good front court nucleus for the next few years.

Bench
The Hornets' bench got a lot better this off-season with the acquisition of point guard Bobby Jackson. Jackson has made a name for himself as an elite reserve player, if there is such a thing, by scoring and defending off the bunch in crucial late game minutes. Jackson will give Paul a great mentor and the Hornets quality minutes at either guard position. The front court gets a boost with forward Hilton Armstrong, who will sell out on every play and is a good defender, and Cedric Simmons, who is a big body who can bang in the paint. As well, veteran forward Marc Jackson can be counted on for six fouls, about five boards, and a few points per game. None of the bench guys could start at this point for most NBA teams, but as far as reserve groups are concerned, the Hornets have one of the best.

Intangibles
Byron Scott has had some great successes in the NBA, as both a player and a head coach. His greatest success, however, may be his performance in 2005 with a franchise that was displaced due to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Scott got a team that was incomplete to play over their talent level and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension by the typically cheap and reserved owner George Shinn. The last two coaches, Paul Silas and Tim Floyd, lasted one season each and Hornets fans in New Orleans became restless with the coaching carousel. Scott provides stability, game smarts, and a good relationship with his players, giving the Hornets a great chance to win in 2006.

2006 NBA Projection
The New Orleans Hornets play in the difficult Southwestern Division of the Western Conference, with the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets pushing up the talent level and effort. However, the Hornets are a complete team and Byron Scott is a good coach. With Peja Stojakovic adding another threat to the Hornets lineup, New Orleans will place third in the division, with around 45 wins and a good shot at the Western Conference finals.