Reviewin' and Previewin'

While I was away over the weekend, the Hornets were involved in two blowouts, inflicting one and having the other inflicted on them. On Friday, the Spurs did their thing, executing their offense to perfection. I don't really feel bad about the game though, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan were hitting everything, and shooting a high percentage on shots they normally don't make with consistency. Duncan hit several running layups and hook shots with a high degree of difficulty, and even though I know it's his game, a lot of the Parker drives and layups were ridiculous. I can let this one go.

Sunday, the Hornets rolled into Philadelphia and put on display their greatest attribute: Balance. All of the starting five were shooting well behind Chris Paul's determined effort to pressure the 76ers and they broke open the game in the second quarter. I have more faith in Philly's team than most of the experts do, and fully expect them to be in the playoff hunt as late as March this year, but last night they just looked bad. A lot of that has to do with the continuous pressure the Hornets put on Andre Miller. Miller is a very, very good point guard, and is vital to Philly's success - perhaps even more so than Andre Igoudala - because of the way he runs the team. The Hornets clearly recognized this and focused their defense on him. Good call, Byron.

Game Preview:
Opponent: New Jersey Nets(4-2)
Relevant Opposing Blogger: Nets Daily
So tonight, the Hornets travel up the Garden State Parkway to take on the New Jersey Nets in the swamp. Paul Pierce may have helped the Hornets a lot last night when he left his foot under Vince Carter during a dunk and sprained his ankle. For whatever reason, Carter and Kidd have killed New Orleans the last few years, and we may only have to deal with Kidd this game.

Positional Analysis
PG: Jason Kidd vs. Chris Paul
Advantage: Even
This is certainly not a common result - and the fan in me screams that I should have Chris Paul ranked ahead of Kidd, goddamnit, but I just can't do it yet. The last two years Kidd has given Chris Paul trouble when playing against New Jersey, and until Paul proves he won't be bothered by him, I can't give him the edge. Kidd's combination of size, savvy, and defensive anticipation counter Paul's advantages in speed and shooting prowess. It should be a great battle between the two leading assist men and best rebounding point guards in the game.

SG: Antoine Wright vs. Morris Peterson
Advantage: Hornets
Normally, Vince Carter would be here, giving the Nets an advantage not only in skill but in the ability to slap Peterson and get him ejected. But with Vince likely out with a bad ankle, the Nets move their best reserve off the bench and into the starting line-up. This tells you something about the Nets, however. Their best reserve is worse than Morris Peterson, who hasn't been setting the World on fire.

SF: Richard Jefferson vs. Peja Stojakovic
Advantage: Nets
After two injury-plagued seasons, Richard Jefferson has come back to start the season with a vengeance. He's been the Nets leading scorer, and he's always been a decent defender, so until Peja breaks his inconsistency, Jefferson's got a clear edge.

PF: Nenad Krstic vs. David West
Advantage: Hornets
Nenad is essentially a less-good version of Zydrunas Ilgauskas. He can hit the mid-range jumper, has one post move, and is a poor rebounder. David, of course, has a myriad of offensive skills, is a solid rebounder, and will take Nenad apart.

C: Jason Collins vs. Tyson Chandler
Advantage: Hornets
Collins plays for one reason, and one reason only: His defense. Because he can't rebound, pass, dribble, shoot, hit free throws, or pretty much anything else. Tyson can do a lot. Go Tyson.

Bench:
Advantage: Hornets
The Nets roll out no less than three former Hornets in their second unit; Bostjan Nachbar, Jamaal Magloire and Darrell Armstrong. These three players constitute the strongest part of the Nets bench. In the case of Magloire and Armstrong, that would have been great 4 years ago, but today, neither of them are that good. Magloire has taken 17 shots this season - and hit 2 while averaging 4 rebounds. Armstrong is 40, and still a bundle of energy, but he's still not a great offensive weapon. Nachbar, who played well the second part of last year for the Nets, has come back down to earth, shooting an awful 34% from the field so far. The Hornets, however, have a deep bench, and I doubt any of those three would have a spot in the rotation. This is clearly advantage: Hornets

Enjoy the game!