With the understandable frenzy regarding the loss of a four-time All-Star from the New Orleans Hornets’ roster before the season began – referring, of course to the trade of Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers – the bigger loss was probably the departure of two-time All-Star power forward David West.

West, you will recall, signed as a free-agent with the Indiana Pacers after opting out of the final year of his contract last summer with the Hornets. Coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, West was hoping to find a situation where he could win.

Indiana, he figured, was his best fit, and he helped lead the Pacers to a third-seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs and a 2-1 edge over the Orlando Magic in the current series. West is fully recovered and one of the reasons the Pacers will likely advance to round two.

Paul was a big loss for New Orleans, but West might have been bigger.

What do you think?

Thanks for joining us for today’s updates from the New Orleans Hornets’ 109-97 win against the Phoenix Suns at the New Orleans Arena.

John Reid’s and Jimmy Smith’s will provide ingame updates are below, check out our analysis after each quarter and get the box score here.