monty williams

Pau Gasol and the size of the L.A. Lakers handled the Hornets at the Staples Center Sunday night, defeating New Orleans 102-84.

On the day the Hornets learned they lost David West for the season, New Orleans went into Phoenix and won for the fifth time in their last seven games. Carl Landry, starting at PF for the injured West, scored 19 points, helping the Hornets beat the Suns 106-100.

Are you kidding me? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5WRM3iQ4kw

Basketball Gods Do Exist. How else can you explain the ending of regulation in the Hornets win on Thursday in Utah?

Emeka Okafor hit a miraculous shot as time expired in regulation. The improbable banker forced overtime in Salt Lake City. The Hornets took care of business in the extra period, earning a 121-117 victory. David West however, had to be wheeled off the court in the 4th quarter with an injury to his left knee. West led N.O. with 29 points.

Two-time all-star David West has spent his entire 8 year career with the New Orleans Hornets. Whether or not the power forward will remain in NOLA next year is uncertain. He can opt out of his contract after this season, and I suspect he will. As a matter of fact, you can count on it.

The Boston Celtics made clutch free throws late to defeat the Hornets 89-85 at the Hive Saturday night. The soldout crowd in New Orleans left the arena unhappy, as the Hornets fell to 7th in the Western Conference, only one game back of Portland and a game and a half back of Denver.

Chris Paul had a brace back on his surgically repaired knee at Friday's practice.

The Hive was rocking early, but the Nuggets were lethal from beyond the arc, drilling 17 three-pointers before the final buzzer. As a result, Denver's 114-103 win over the Hornets kept them in 5th place in the Western Conference standings, one spot ahead of New Orleans.

After suffering a concussion that sidelined him from the last two games, Hornets all-star PG Chris Paul returned to practice Thursday. The practice was not physical, and Paul has still not been cleared to play Saturday against Sacramento.

Hornets shooting guard Marco Belinelli was fined $10,000 by the NBA yesterday. The fine was handed down for his flagrant foul on Mavs forward Shawn Marion.

Something has to be wrong with Chris Paul's knee. All the best players go through slumps, but this is beyond a slump. A slump would be welcome compared to this. To be outplayed by Kyle Lowry, Jose Calderon, and Toney Douglas in 4 days does not happen to one of the best players in the world, not even on a bad night. With Paul's play suffering, the Hornets continue to fall apart, losing again on Wednesday night in NY 107-88.

The sellout crowd in New Orleans was loud and proud when the Hornets were up by 16. By the end of the game, they were quiescent and disappointed as their team lost to the scrappy Rockets 91-89. David West scored 22 points in a losing effort.

New Orleans looks fresh and defensively charged since returning from the all-star break. The Hornets won their second in a row Friday night in Minneapolis, defeating the Timberwolves 95-81. Despite the absence of David West who missed the game due to a death in the family, New Orleans didn't miss a beat. The Hornets were absolutely relentless on defense, flustering Minnesota all night. Emeka Okafor returned from an oblique injury after missing ten games and patrolled the paint all night.

A sellout crowd packed the Hive Wednesday night to watch the Hornets defeat the Clippers 98-87. David West led all scorers with 22 points, while Chris Paul had a double-double, to help power New Orleans over L.A.

Fan favorite Marcus Thornton was traded by the Hornets today to the Kings for power forward Carl Landry. The Louisiana native Thornton is in his second year out of LSU. Carl Landry is a three year veteran from Purdue.

New Orleans lost their third in a row in Portland Wednesday night. The effort was good, but the Trail Blazers were better, winning 103-96. David West had 27 for the Hornets, but it was the other power forward who was the player of the game. LaMarcus Aldridge reminded the NBA that he should be playing in the all-star game.

Aaron Gray spent the majority of the first two months of the season on the Hornets bench in street clothes. Rather than sulk, he continued to work hard in practice. His effort paid off when he found himself in the Hornets bench roation, but then sprained his ankle. Undettered, he rehabbed hard, and came back a week early when Emeka Okafor was hurt. With Mek out, Gray has been starting at the 5.

The New Orleans Hornets opted not to sign Sasha Pavlovic today, after his 10 day deal expired. Pavlovic appeared in four games with the Hornets, with an underwhelming performance in each outing.

Willie Green scored a season high 24 points for the Hornets who defeated the Magic 99-93. New Orleans beat Orlando for the second time this season, and in doing so, snapped a four game losing streak. The defense was solid as starting SF Trevor Ariza returned from an ankle injury.