Yay! Oh, and a Game Preview

Another win in convincing style. Because I'm a sadist, I went to Blazers Edge and read their gameday open thread - where their fans can post as the game occurs. It can be fun to watch a fan base be stunned by your team as it comes out and pummels them. Paul's devastation of Jack was particularly unpleasant for them. And no, I didn't post on the thread to gloat. I'm a sadist, not a jerk.

For a general overview of how I was feeling after the game, take a look at my latest post at MVN. Or, just know I'm very, very happy with the Hornets offense the first two games.

Game Preview
Opponent: Denver Nuggets(2-0)
Relevant Opposing Blogger: Nugg Doctor
Tomorrow, the Hornets take on their first real challenge in Denver. Neither team seems that focused on defense, but Denver definately has the horses to match us basket for basket. Whichever team plays defense first is going to win, I'm sure.

Former Hornet and current knucklehead JR Smith will not be playing after being suspended for being a jackass at a nightclub.

Positional Analysis
PG: Chris Paul vs. Allen Iverson
Advantage: Hornets
Allen Iverson has been doing his usual thing the first few games this season, jacking up lame shots he doesn't have a prayer of hitting and drawing lots of fouls. He's also turning the ball over a lot while getting a nice number of draw and kicks. I give the Hornets the advantage because Paul's been a much more efficient scorer - and he runs an offense, not an isolation. I'd rather have the guy who doesn't dominate an offense and scores near the same amount.

SG: Morris Peterson vs. Yakhouba Diawara
Advantage: Hornets
Yakhouba is a marginal starter, and last game only played seven minutes before Karl switched Iverson to SG and inserted Mike Wilks as the PG. Regardless, Peterson is better than Wilks and Diawara, and this position is clearly the Hornets.

SF: Peja Stojakovic vs. Carmelo Anthony
Advantage: Nuggets
Carmelo is a big player that scores in volume, plays no defense and rebounds poorly. Peja is a big player that scores in volume, plays no defense and rebounds poorly. Peja is a better shooter, but Carmelo has a dozen different post moves that are very, very hard to stop, making him a little more versatile and valuable.

PF: David West vs. Kenyon Martin
Advantage: Hornets
Even before Kenyon had his two knee surgeries, he was highly over-rated. Despite his reputation as an enforcer, he's not tough, mostly picking on smaller guards when he decides to "enforce" something. He has little in the way of skill, relying mostly on athleticism and speed - something that can be countered. David West is the opposite, relying mostly on skill, something that can't be countered.

C: Tyson Chandler vs. Marcus Camby
Advantage: Nuggets
Defensive Player of the Year(read: guy who blocked more shots than anyone else) Camby is an excellent rebounder, a superior shotblocker, but is somewhat skinny, and can often be suckered into trying to block everything. Chandler has a size advantage on him, and is a little more sound as a defender, but Camby can step out and hit outside jumpers with regularity. His offensive tools give him the edge over Chandler.

Bench:
Advantage: Hornets
Like all teams that are paying a mass of stars huge amounts of money, the Nuggets have no bench to speak of. Linas Kleiza and Mike Wilks are alright, Nene is good when not injured - but he's never not injured. Other than that, there's not much there. The Hornets can run out four subs onto the floor that are better than the Nuggets best sub most of the time.

I expect the Hornets to take this game. The Nuggets are vastly over-rated because they have two stars who can score - though they do nothing else. Their most important player is actually Camby, because he has the ability to cover all the mistakes his two more celebrated teammates make, and clean up all the messes they ignore. I think Chandler will bother Camby enough that he won't be able to do his usual stellar job, and the Nuggets will fall short in the end.

Hornets by 7.