MRI negative on Hornets’ Paul, but he’s out a while
The New Orleans Hornets might be one of the worst bets in the NBA right now, as they’ve already fired their coach and won’t have their best player for at least the next few weeks.
Well, let’s try and accentuate the positive first: tests on Chris Paul’s ankle showed nothing beyond a sprain, but there is no timetable for the star point guard’s return to the Hornets. Paul twisted his left ankle in the Hornets’ loss Friday night to Portland. Team spokesman Dennis Rogers said Monday that Paul will be evaluated daily but remains out indefinitely — most reports say three weeks.
In 10 games this season, Paul has averaged 23.8 points (10th in the NBA) on 59 percent shooting (6th in the NBA), 9.2 assists (3rd in the NBA) and 1.7 steals (15th in the NBA) in 34 minutes of play. In addition, he leads the NBA in three point percentage (.655).
“Chris’ absence changes things quite a bit as far the contributions of everyone on the floor,” new coach Jeff Bower said.
Rookie Darren Collison started in Saturday’s 121-98 loss at Atlanta. He finished with 10 points, four assists, four steals and four turnovers in 26 minutes, but the Hornets allowed 54.5 percent shooting and surrendered a 16-0 run in the fourth quarter after cutting the deficit to six.
“It’s different now because our game was based on him (Paul) creating for everybody, and now we all have to step it up and move the ball,” said Peja Stojakovic. “We kind of just have to play off each other, but I think in the long run that’s going to help us. But right now, we have to deal with things like that — but we have to stay in there and fight.”
Frankly, this team has probably the worst backcourt in the NBA without Paul. The Hornets are already 3-8 (losers of three in a row and five of six) and this isn’t going to make things any easier for them. Of course the team fired coach Byron Scott last week and replaced him with Bower, the team’s GM.
New Orleans is next in action Tuesday against the Clippers – bet on the game at WagerWeb.com
Meanwhile, a rumor has surfaced that the Kings and Hornets are discussing a trade for Hornets center Emeka Okafor, the team’s biggest offseason acquisition. The Kings would reportedly send Kenny Thomas and his expiring $8.7 million contract for Okafor, who has five years and $62.5 million left on his deal.
Bet on the NBA at WagerWeb.com
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
