Today is a dark day the team that I have known and loved for the past 20 years traded away their best player. Alot of people on this website are angry, and sad. I'm here to add a little perspective about the Chris Paul trade. I'm going to say this, and if you don't feel like reading anymore you can stop. The Chris Paul trade is not the end of the world.

Chris Paul no doubt is a top 10 player in the league. Arguably and most people would agree the best point guard in the league. Chris Paul had no intentions of signing back with the Hornets. Let's face it Hornet fans with the way things were going we didn't have a championship team, and we weren't going to have one for quite sometime. Paul wasn't going to wait around for another 3 or 4 years to get one. The Hornets have been cursed sometime with a bad owner and New Orleans isn't great market for basketball. Paul get's wish and will team up with Kobe Bryant, and maybe soon with Dwight Howard. I'm happy for him, and I salute the effort he gave as our leader. I will always cherish the time Paul had with the Hornets.

Going on to the trade. New Orleans gets some nice pieces to work with. Lamar Odom the 6th man of the year comes to New Orleans. He is one of the most versatile big men in the league. He can score, rebound, and in my opinion plays good defense. He can also shoot the ball pretty well also. The Hornets will probably bring him off the bench. The Hornets also get Luis Scola who in my opinion is one of the most underrated power forwards in the league. The guy can play ball, and he is in my opinion equal to what David West gave this team. Also in the trade is Kevin Martin. Martin might have his flaws as a player but the guy can flat out score. I watched New Orleans several times last year and they had trouble scoring the basketball. They desperately needed a good wing player and they got it with Martin. Last but not least the Hornets also got Goran Dragic another player who i believe is on the edge of breaking out. He needs more playing time and he wasn't going to get that with Phoenix not as long as Steve Nash was there.

All in all not the best day in the world to be a Hornets fan, but I believe they got some quality pieces back with players who are already proven, and I think that is the key. You want players that have already proven they can play in this league not players who you think one day could play in this league. Suppose the Hornets traded Paul to the clippers and had gotten Deandre Jordan back as a piece. Yes I know many of the people on this site are in love with Jordan's raw athletic ability, but what if he never develops? That is a strong possibility in my opinion. The Hornets did the smart and right thing here. I know many of you may disagree with me, and I would love to hear your sentiments. For every ending their is a new beginning I am looking forward to the next chapter in Hornets history.

Our beloved cowboys loss less than 3 hours ago, and going on this website is just depressing. I'm seriously thinking about calling sbnation and having them put the majority of the users of this website on suicide watch. Let's take a look back at the game and have some perspective.

Was this loss a bad loss? Yes I would have to say it was a bad loss, but we all know when ever Dallas comes to Arizona wild things always happen. To be honest with you this game scared me and I felt it was a game to could go either way. Is this loss the end of the world no? Dallas still controls their own destiny if they take care of business next week they will be 8-5 heading into the Tampa Game with a 2 game lead with 3 to go. While this is a bad loss this isn't the end of the world.

Alot of people are going to look back at the game and assign blame to different people. While the secondary didn't play great today I shake my head when I read the posts that our secondary is awful. Does Dallas has the best secondary no by no means at best their secondary is average. That being said the Defense only allowed 13 points in regulation and stopped the cardinals their last 2 possessions in regulation to give the offense a chance to win the game. The defense could have played better today no doubt, but ask anyone around the league normally if you give up 13 points in regulation you are going to win the vast majority of your games. The offense didn't look great today and you have to give credit to the Arizona defense they have a talented front 7 and they gave the offensive line fits today. That being said you have to find a way to score more than 13 points if you want to win consistently in the NFL.

Last but not least people are going to be complaining about Jason Garrett's timeout from now until 8:30 est next Sunday. (If the Cowboys lose next Sunday some of these irrational fans will come up with another reason to blame JG) Garrett took a timeout it wasn't his call but Boniol's and Joe D's. They apparently saw something they didn't like. I don't want to get into whether Garrett should have overruled them or not. I will say this as a coach you have to trust other coaches on your staff and listen to their input. You just can't overrule them all of the time. There has to be a certain level of trust with any team. Coaches have to trust coaches and players have to trust players. From time to time mistakes will be made, and today it happened. You know something though that's life though.

To end this today was a tough loss, but on Any Given Sunday you can win or lose? But can can you win or lose like a man. I think the Cowboys kept their dignity in defeat. I just wish some of my fellow cowboys fans would handle defeat a little better. The true test is how you bounce back. Teams that have character bounce back and handle adversity well. This cowboys team has done this all year. I believe they will bounce back because I just see something different about this team that I didn't see in years past.

So the season is upon us, and free agency is upon us also. I was thinking about this today when I was at work. What do you die hard hornets fans think about the team using the Amnesty on Emeka Okafor? The reason why I ask this question Emeka is making some big money, and don't get me wrong I love his defense but he is never going to turn into an offensive player. I think that someone like a Nene could be a much better fit with the Hornets. Also if Nene doesn't work out they could sign some more free agents. This team is in desperate need of a 2 guard. They also desperately need to sign D-West or Landry back. What are your thoughts? Looking down the roster Okafor would seem like best candidate to use the amnesty on if New Orleans even used it.

I wrote this over 6 months ago. I forgot to post it anyway I feel like it's fitting to post this now because the new season is upon us.

I'm sitting here only slightly disappointed that my Hornets fell short of the playoffs this year. I remember 2 years ago I thought we were on the brink of being contenders. How things have changed since then.  As a hornets fan I have seen so much heartache and have asked the question what if so many times. However I'm dedicated to this team, and can take solace in the fact that there will be a next year.  2009-2010 is gone but not forgoten I know want to give my thanks.

Thank you Chris Paul for giving us your all night in and night out. I know this year was tough for you I could see the frustaration and pain in your face on the nights you put on the uniform. Here's hoping next year you will stay healthy and give us wins so that joyful smile comes back.

Thank you David West for being the leader when Paul was out. While you slacked on defense this year we continued to see consistency on the offensive end. Here's hoping you and Mek step up on D next year.

Thank you Emeka Okafor for giving us a center who can stay healthy. While you weren't great on defense you were still effcient considering you only played about 28 minutes a game. Here's hoping that you get more playing time next year, and improve your offensive game.

Thank you DC and Marcus Thornton. I think both you kids did a great job when you were called on. Buckets and Dimes became my new favorite duo when they were on the court during the same time. Here's hoping you guys both have great sophmore campaigns.

Thank you James Posey for that buzzer beater in Minnesota. Here's hoping we shed your bad contract and you become someone else's salary cap hit.

Thank You Darius Songalia for giving us a little versatility with our thin frontcourt. You scored, but didn't rebound well. I think you did what you could do as a veteran limited by previous injuries.

No Thank you Morris Peterson. Can't believe we overpaid you.

Thank You Peja with providing us with some nights of lights out shooting. Although there weren't that many when you get hot it's a joy to watch you shot the rock.

Thank You Aaron Gray for playing good down the stretch. You did what I thought you could do and some more. Here's hoping you have a nice followup season.

Thank you Sean Marks for filling the quota of being you know that guy from New Zealand.

Thank You Julian Wright although I now officially consider calling you a bust. I think you deserve a fresh start, and hopefully you can fufill that potential you have elsewhere. When we get rid of you I wish you nothing but the best

Although the season didn't end where we wanted it to I have a good feeling about next year.  Go Hornets make us proud.

Last week the Hornets made a coup0le of moves and I have yet to share my thoughts.  So I felt today would be the perfect day.  I like the moves that the front office made. One thing I think many of the so called experts fail to realize is that I think what we saw last year from DC was as good as he will get as a professional. No knock on him the only thing he can really work on is his jump shot. I also think DC who is a small guy will have his problems once the league figures him out and they stop him from getting to the paint as much. That being said I still think DC is going to be a good player in this league and I wish him well. We got Ariza and many people have bashed the move but I love it personally. The Hornets were not a very athletic team last year at the wings. The exception being Buckets. We have gotten rid of Mo Pete and James Posey and have inserted basically Bellinelli and Ariza. I personally think these moves were major upgrades. Many people will say Ariza is overrated, and he might be. However what people fail to realize is that Ariza played his best ball when he played with an all star guard. Yes when he played with Kobe during that 2009 playoff run he was pretty damned good. Ariza moves well without the basketball, and playing with Chris Paul I expect for him to get easier better looks. So I expect for his shooting percentage to get better this year. Ariza also brings a defensive element to this team that we haven't had in a while. I'm not saying Ariza will instantly turn us into championship contenders but it is a start. Not to mention we have a ton of money in the future because of expiring contracts. If the Hornets stay healthy I expect to see a team that can win anywhere between 47-53 games next year. If we can do that I expect for us to land a big time free agent. For the first time in a while I'm excited about the future of our ball club.

I just came across a article not too long ago about Bower. Apparently he has received permission to talk to the New Jersey Nets about their vacant GM position. Apparently the stalled ownership change and financial strife have made the New Jersey job look more appealing.  The question I want to ask my fellow hornet fans is what kind of job do you think Bower has done? Do you think he has left a good lasting impression in your mind? I think these are 2 questions that can't be answered easily so I think we have to look at his body of work.

Bower has twice been the GM of the hornets he breifly held down the position from 2002-2003 and from 2005- present.  I want to look at the drafts Bower has conducted since 2005.

2005 Draft  I think this was one of Bower's better drafts he has had as our GM. We drafted the best player avaiable on the board in Chris Paul, and he quickly became the cornerstone of our franchise. We also drafted Brandon Bass in the 2nd round. Bass has gone on to become a qulaity back up big, and I don't blame Bower that he didn't work out. Bass was never given a fair shot by Byron Scott and thus hindered his development.  For the 2005 Draft I give Bower a solid B+

2006 Draft - This draft was horrible in my opinion some questionable picks were made, and I believe this draft is one of the reasons we have alot of our issues as a basketball team.  The hornets had 2 1st round picks with the # 12 and # 15 selections. The Hornets drafted Hilton Armstrong with 12th pick and turned around and drafted Cedric Simmons with the 15th pick. Simmons and Armstrong have both been busts. Yes their were extremely slim pickings that year, and many of the bigs that year were busts, but something tells me the hornets could have done better. With their 2nd round pick the hornets selected  Marcus Vincius who never turned out either. This draft I give the hornets a D-.

2007 Draft The hornets drafted Julian Wright. Wright has still not developed and has had a knack for teasing us fans. One night showing flashes of brillance. The hornets could have drafted these players instead Affalo, Thornton,  Rudy Fernandez or Jared Dudley. All of these players have given their teams key contributions. The Hornets drafted Adam Huluska in the 2nd round. Where is Haluska these days?  Drafted after Haluska was Marc Gasol.  Granted the Hornets were still hoping Armstrong would pan out.  Grade C-

2008 Draft - The hornets traded their lone pick for Cash. They did this so they could eventually pick up James Posey in Free Agency. 

2009 Draft - The hornets best draft since 2005 in my opinion We drafted a back up point guard in Collinson on filled in nicely and valiantly when Chris Paul was injured. We also traded for Marcus Thornton who eventually took Morris Peterson's starting job.  Thornton was a steal getting him in a trade and him being drafted in the 2nd round.

Draft Grade A-

I think Bower has done some nice things drafting, but the only thing that he has drafted that has panned out has been guards. Paul, Collinson, and the trade of getting Thornton. I have quite honestly been very disappointed with the way we have drafted bigs, and the lack of an athletic wing who can contribute. Maybe I am being too hard on Bower maybe Shinn has been more hands on with the draft process, but all of these maybes are pure speculation. I think that Bower has been an ok GM and I don't think him leaving will damage the hornets at all. Part 2 coming up tomorrow I will look at free agent signings under Bower.

I'm not a Lakers fan, or a fan of the Suns. What I am though is a fan of the NBA I like the playoffs whether my team is in it or not.  With that being said I have to say I was purely disgusted when I saw that 3 of the 10 experts on espn had the audacity to say the Suns were going to beat LA. Yes I realize anything is possible, but all of my prior knowledge of watching basketball tells me that Phoenix can't and won't win this series. LA unlike San Antonio, and Portland have way too many versatile bigs. Yes Bynum is hurt, but I don't think the injury will be that much of a factor.  Gasol is tough cover, and Odom has proven this as well. The big questions I have for the series is this. What will Phoenix do if Amare gets in foul trouble. This seems like it will be a factor in this series. Amare isn't a great defender, and puts himself in bad positions sometimes in which he has to foul. The other question I have who does Phoenix have on their team to slow down Kobe? The last question I have will Phoenix's bench come up big in this series? I don't think so. This LA team is a better defensive team than what the Suns saw in 2006 and 2007 in the playoffs. The irony is that Phoenix finally got the monkey off their back, and beat San Antonio they avenged their demons. The irony this series is LA will avenge their past playoff demons and knock out the Suns.

LA in 5.

Is already making me sick im tired of the Orioles finding and creating new ways of losing. I thought weren't supposed to have a 10 game collpase like this until after the All-Star break. This team will be lucky to win 65 games this year if they continue playing the way they do. When are things going to change? I'm tired of this 13 year crap we used to stand for something as a franchise, but now we don't.

So the season ended yesterday all in all I can't say i'm that disappointed. We didn't have CP3 for almost 40 percent of the season. To complicate things more JuJu didn't have that great of a year, and Posey just took the money and ran to the bank. However, Buckets and Dimes did their thing this year, and I know in the future we got a good running mate for CP next year, and a pretty darn good back up. These are things we didn't have last year. What's next for our Hornets? Do we cut ties with DX? Can we trade Peja and Mo Pete. What do we draft? This is going to be interesting offseason.

I've been saying this the past 3 months and people have been calling me crazy. I seriously think they can make the finals. Let's start with this the Sharks are notorious choke artists and have only made it to the conference finals once. As for the Blackhawks I think the matchup is even there, and if you get consistent play out of Luonogo unlike last year you guys wins hands down too me. Everytime I see Vancouver play I get more and more impressed. A resilient win against the Avs in Denver congrats I look forward to watching you play in the playoffs.

I have been a Dallas Stars fan since 1996-1997, and I have seen my share of ups and downs. The ups being the back to back Stanley Cup Final trips in 1999 and 2000. The downs being years where they have made the playoffs, and have fallen short of expectations. However, this season in paticular has been very frustarating. I think in years to come I and many other fans will look at this year as a Lost Season for many reasons.

1) The dismissal of Coach Tippett - I'm not saying Crawford should be fired it takes a coach a few years to put in place a system for players to be comfortable. However why fire Tippett last year was his worst year, and too be honest injuries played a key role in our demise. It didn't make since to fire a guy who had done so much good for a franchise

2) Inability to put a streak together. This team has been very topsy-turvy, and it bewilders me how 1 game they can come out with fight and energy. The next game they look lethargic and don't seem to give a damn. Had this team played with energy in the bulk of games I think today they would have 10 to 14 more points.

3) Modano's last run - Seriously Mike deserves better than this. I never thought I would say this I hope we trade him to palyoff contende so at least his last game will be somewhat meaningful

More thoughts to come later.

Both of the Browns are gone, and we finally got to see Marcus in the starting lineup. This team in my opinion is much better than the team last year. We still need a few things to break our way.

1 - We need for JuJu to step up off the bench. It's time for this kid to show us what he's made of. I would like to see him step up and consistently give us about 6 to 8 points off the bench

2 - Aaron Gray we are in desperate need of some front court help. I'm not asking him to be our savior but we get killed on the boards night in and night out.

3 - Peja he needs to return to 65-75 percent of what he was during the 07-08 year. Night in and night out the inconsistency from our small forward position is killing us. We are stuck with him because of his contract, and because of that he needs to step up his play. Remember when he almost automatic when left open.

4 - Road play don't get me wrong the past 3 weeks we are playing much better on the road. What we need is about 10 or 11 more wins on the road that would give us 18 or 19 road wins. If we get that I think we make the playoffs.

5 - Prediction this team is much better than the team last year, but I don't think we get 49 W's again I say we get 47 wins good enough for the 6th spot in the West this year. We draw Dallas in the 1st round and beat the Mavs in 6 games.

With this team their defense is awful, and their road record is atrocious. I don't see things getting better anytime soon. They need to clean house, and rebuild. What happened to this team 2 years ago they were on the brink of being a championship caliber team, and now they will be lucky to get the 8th seed. What the hell happened to the defense. This game tonight put me over the edge this is truly frustrating. Your up by 8 going into the 4th quarter, and you can't find a way to beat a good team on the road. I'm sorry this team isn't bad, but they sure as hell ain't good either. They are nothing short of mediocre.

When the Hornets signed him back in July I was extremely excited. I thought he could bring alot to this team, and even though I still think he can I am worried. He has not played a game this year, and I'm starting  to believe he won't? What's going on with him is the ijnury that bad? If so is he even going to play this year? If he can't play what's next? We are still extremely thin when it comes to our frontcourt.

I know this team has it's shortcomings, but I believe this team is way better than the team last year.  We all know that we struggle to get some scoring from the wing so why not start Marcus Thornton, and let him grow over the course of the season. He's proved he can create his own shot. He does not just settle for outside shots he can get to the rim and draw fouls. With Ike Diogu still out I still don't think we have seen the front court at it's best. However the thing that has concerned me the most is the lack of defensive effort. Maybe Jeff Bower should pack his bags and get ready to leave he signed players to some awful contracts.