A Look Ahead

by Rohan on Nov 11, 2010 2:00 AM CST

With three days off until the Portland game, the Hornets finally get a chance to catch their breath.

As brutal as New Orleans' schedule has been, November won't get any easier. The Hornets have already defeated 6 teams with +.500 records from a year ago. Their reward? 8 more teams with +.500 records through the end of the month. This hot start won't mean anything if they start to stumble.

Fortunately, it appears Monty Williams, Chris Paul, and the rest of the team understand this. After the jump, a look at where we're headed.

Brandon Roy has been hurting for Portland, but the Blazers still feature one of the league's best offensive attacks. Dallas is, again, one of the deepest teams out there. Tyson Chandler is having a revival defensively, and his return to New Orleans will come a day after the Hornets play in Dallas.

The Hornets get a breather when they face Byron Scott's Cavs next Friday. But that's part of the build up to a 3 games in 4 days stretch. Thankfully, none of the three teams are very good (though Sacramento might present some problems). Then comes the gauntlet. New Orleans is at Utah, at Portland, home for San Antonio, and at the Thunder.

So what should we expect as a baseline? Personally, I like projecting a range of expected wins over upcoming games and seeing if the team matches that. I know some fans go with the "win a game at a time" approach. Which do you prefer? And if you're on the looking ahead side, how many wins would you happy with through the next 10?

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I can see us winning 8

I guess a loss @ DAL and @OKC but Hornets win everything else. Utah might be a L but I am still going with 8, especially since I dislike me some jazz.

by sXe hXc AMF on Nov 11, 2010 2:04 AM CST reply actions

I think like a player

and think every game will be won.
OK, it’s not realistic, but that’s how I feel and what I expect.
Given this team’s new shooters and options for Paul, I don’t see why everybody facing us doesn’t feel uncomfortable.
I really wonder how they prepare for the Hornets defensively…
Have we really faced a lot of zone defense yet?
Offensively I would pound away inside.

by ppellico on Nov 11, 2010 8:15 AM CST reply actions

I can tell you....

…. how teams will prepare for us. A steady diet of pick and roll , but CP3 is too good to plan for. Just when you figure him to do X ,
he will do Y and there goes your defense. We will keep winning if we play good defense. It’s a lot of fun watching the experts try to explain why they were wrong about us. I believed at the beginning of the season we’d go 50-32 and get the 5 seed. Some people probably thought I was a loon , but it appears now that it was a bit conservative. As for gauging how many wins over the next 10 games , I guess I am old skool and like to go a game at a time to see what injuries crop up , but I would be happy with 8-2.

by 3ptace on Nov 11, 2010 9:50 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

17 - 0 baby!

but i think 7 – 3 would be expected, 8 – 2 would be good, 9 – 1 would be excellent, 10 – 0 would be unreal. :D 17 – 0 BABY! HAHAHAHAHAHA

by nikkoewan on Nov 11, 2010 9:49 AM CST reply actions

I'd be disappointed with anything less than 6-4...

but, I would expect 7-3. The four losses could be a split with Dallas, a loss @Utah or @Portland, and splitting the two B2B’s. I think they could sweep the SAC/LAC B2B. So, 7-3. A 14-3 start to the season.

by RobertM320 on Nov 11, 2010 9:57 AM CST reply actions

I'm feeling a 6-4 too

but could see it be 7, maybe even 8. Naturally, anything less than 6 and I’ll also view it as disappointing.

by RedHopeful on Nov 11, 2010 9:37 PM CST up reply actions

Seems like Monty is taking a per game approach.

So me too. 1-0.

HornetsHype.com

by m-W on Nov 11, 2010 11:34 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Maybe this is the wrong thread or what-not, but I'd love Mrcus Thornton on the Bulls.

Why is he not playing. Is NOH looking to trade him? If so, would they do it alone for a 1st round pick or are they basically only going to look into using him and Peja to get something?

In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).

Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.

by tyger1147 on Nov 11, 2010 12:04 PM CST reply actions

I think they might trade him, but not for a first round pick. Essentially, that would just be a trade of Bayless for Thornton. That’s not a good deal. And Chicago will have a terrible first round pick (first round picks after the lottery are a crapshoot, and Chicago’s will be in the 20s).

They’ll package him with Peja, and try and get some young talent. I think Thornton/Peja for Igoudala is the obvious move, but it sounds like Philly’s holding out (lord knows for what).

by thekourt on Nov 11, 2010 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

17-0

Im looking at Ten Wins!!..Yeah im really that dillusional..CP3 just doesnt get enough credit..Why is there a PG debate when this guy is The Best Crunch Time Player not named Black Mamba..He does what he wants when he wants..And there’s nothing the defense can do..Excuse my French but F the haters..Hornets All Day!!

by Jae504 on Nov 11, 2010 9:25 PM CST reply actions