The New Orleans Hornets are on a roll. The Big Easy outfit had won seven of their last ten games and currently holds a 2-game winning streak (11-6 over-all). Most of Byron Scott's stalwarts from last year's conference semi-finalist squad are back led by sensational gem of a pointguard in Chris Paul.
Last year, the Hornets run in the playoffs were cut short in the conference semis by the San Antonio Spurs in seven exhilarating games. They posted a 3-2 lead in the series but blew the final two games in a heartbreaker. But even with their sorry exit, the Hornets were rated high by the experts to figure prominently in the race for the 2008-09 diadem.
During the off-season, the team further enhance their title aspirations with the free agent signing of one of Boston's unsung heroes in James Posey. The 6-8 veteran forward out of Xavier College in Ohio was instrumental in the Celtics' winning of last season's tiara. He had the uncanny ability to score in clutch situations and also highly regarded for his defensive stops. Before his tenure in Beantown, Posey was also a vital element in Miami Heat's championship run in 2006.
With Posey in the team, it looks like the Hornets had finally found the missing link to get them over the hump in the Western Conference and a possible shot for the league championship. Posey so far had a 100% batting average in terms of finals appearances, with the Heat and the Celtics.
*****
ROOKIE UPDATE: Herewith is a close look into the current individual statistics of the first five picks in the 2008 NBA draft.
1. Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) - 20 games, 18.5 ppg, 3.90 rpg and 6.1 apg
2. Michael Beasley (Miami Heat) - 20 games, 14.1 ppg, 5.20 rpg and 1.0 apg
3. O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies) - 20 games, 21. 1 ppg, 4.40 rpg and 2.5 apg
4. Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) - 20 games, 12.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 4.2 apg
5. Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves) - 19 games, 9.2 ppg, 7.10 rpg and 1.2 apg
Additionally, last year's top over-all draft pick Greg Oden of the Portland Trail Blazers, who did not see any action at all during the 2007-08 season due to an injury, is technically considered a rookie this year. In 15 games so far, the 7-0 center out of Ohio State is currently submitting norms of 7.8 ppg, 7.70 rpg and 0.8 apg.
*****
The much-awaited 2008-09 issue of Tower Sports NBA magazine will be out very soon. The only locally-produced NBA magazine is edited by renown NBA expert Henry Liao, and backstopped by popular NBA writers like Quinito "The Dean" Henson, Ed C. Tolentino, Bert Ramirez, Butch Maniego, Ricky Santos, Bill Velasco and Patrick Olivarez. In a recent telephone conversation with Liao, he said that the coming issue will be full of interesting stories such as recap of last year's playoffs, the off-season free agent signings and 08-09 team-by-team previews. I truly can't wait to get my hand on it!
With Posey in the team, it looks like the Hornets had finally found the missing link to get them over the hump in the Western Conference and a possible shot for the league championship. Posey so far had a 100% batting average in terms of finals appearances, with the Heat and the Celtics.
*****
ROOKIE UPDATE: Herewith is a close look into the current individual statistics of the first five picks in the 2008 NBA draft.
1. Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) - 20 games, 18.5 ppg, 3.90 rpg and 6.1 apg
2. Michael Beasley (Miami Heat) - 20 games, 14.1 ppg, 5.20 rpg and 1.0 apg
3. O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies) - 20 games, 21. 1 ppg, 4.40 rpg and 2.5 apg
4. Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) - 20 games, 12.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 4.2 apg
5. Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves) - 19 games, 9.2 ppg, 7.10 rpg and 1.2 apg
Additionally, last year's top over-all draft pick Greg Oden of the Portland Trail Blazers, who did not see any action at all during the 2007-08 season due to an injury, is technically considered a rookie this year. In 15 games so far, the 7-0 center out of Ohio State is currently submitting norms of 7.8 ppg, 7.70 rpg and 0.8 apg.
*****
The much-awaited 2008-09 issue of Tower Sports NBA magazine will be out very soon. The only locally-produced NBA magazine is edited by renown NBA expert Henry Liao, and backstopped by popular NBA writers like Quinito "The Dean" Henson, Ed C. Tolentino, Bert Ramirez, Butch Maniego, Ricky Santos, Bill Velasco and Patrick Olivarez. In a recent telephone conversation with Liao, he said that the coming issue will be full of interesting stories such as recap of last year's playoffs, the off-season free agent signings and 08-09 team-by-team previews. I truly can't wait to get my hand on it!
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