reflections
June 1st, 2007 Playoffs- How can we get there and STAY?

By noballer07
I’m sure everybody has seen LeBron James’ spectacular 48-point game last night against the Pistons. So this leads me to think about the one of the most-asked questions among NBA GM’s- How can my team get to and be successful in the playoffs? Well, the answer to the question isn’t as easy or general as many speculators like to make it seem, as each team has its own needs. But I can tell you the answer is almost clear for the Hornets- they need consistency.

Since the Hornets’ first round playoff run in 2003-04, the team underwent major changes. They were introduced into the Western Conference after the Charlotte Bobcats’ entry into the league, testing their ability to compete. Injuries plagued the team as Jamal Mashburn (their 03-04 scoring leader with 21.6 PPG) was declared out for the season. Baron Davis, the team’s star point guard, requested a trade. Jamaal Magloire ended up sitting out for three months due to injury. The team, and its several different starting lineups, managed to go 18-64 on the season, its worst record since its inception. The next season, the team had ridden itself of Baron Davis, and acquired a promising young point guard in Chris Paul. Despite some further progress, Hurricane Katrina came and destroyed any chance of the team returning to normalcy. The young squad ended up missing the playoffs again, but were closer than before.

Looking back at this past season, the Hornets haven’t had much consistency once again, most evidenced by the injury of Peja Stojakovic and the late falls of Chris Paul, Desmond Mason, and Tyson Chandler. Ever thought that if this team was healthy for most of the season and Stojakovic hadn’t been injured for so long, they would have made the playoffs? I have, and I believe it. Chris Paul has the ability and potential to take them wherever they want to go, but they must stay consistent. I don’t care if they ended up drafting Greg Oden and somehow acquiring somebody like Kobe Bryant; if they don’t stay healthy and as a cohesive unit, they won’t go anywhere next season, or in the seasons to come. It’s time to start now.

Posted in Uncategorized |

Leave a Reply