I'm doing more offseason thoughts and predictions, this time it's about the New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, and the Orlando Magic.
New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets had a surprisingly successful season this year, and they look to have another one. They were the #2 seed in the packed Western Conference. Chris Paul was one of the top point guards in the league, and he was an MVP candidate. He had big men Tyson Chandler and David West improve greatly, shooter Peja Stojakovic came back from injury, and the Hornets picked up Raptors all time 3 point leader Morris Peterson. Paul improved in almost every statisti! cal category, leading the Hornets in scoring, assists, and steals. He was amazing.
I remember when the Hornets played the New York Knicks once, and Paul ally-ooped it to Chandler. When he was watching Chandler dunk it, Knicks guard Nate Robinson said "I wish I could do that to my big man", referring to Knicks weak center Eddy Curry.
The Hornets have a pretty deep bench, so I don't think they have to do much except make it deeper.
Grade: A
New York Knicks
The Knicks should improve next season. They are a mess.
Center Eddy Curry was just a slow pig the whole year, they should have never traded for Zach Randolph or Quentin Richardson, and Stephon Marbury needs to get out o! f New York.
The Knicks hired Donnie Walsh as their ! general manager, and former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni as their Head Coach. Walsh should look to bring in some better players that will play much better than the current players. They should look to rebuild their team. They should keep forward David Lee and guard Nate Robinson, but the rest probably have to go. I recall when they traded for highflying master Steve Francis and they just wasted him. He averaged about 10 points, about 10 points below his average. Now he is stuck on the Rockets on the inactive list because of his injury. The Knicks need major help.
Grade: C-
Orlando Magic
The Magic have a pretty good t! eam, they just need a PF. They have Rashard Lewis, who is a SF, in that position, and Hedo Turkoglu as SF. And then they switch Maurice Evans and Keith Bogans around at SG, where Turkoglu should be. But their C and PG positions are filled. Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson are great for the Magic.
So they should get a PF like Al Harrington or something and they could be in the championship pretty soon. Or they could look to a team getting rid of a PF, like the Bucks, who could get rid of Charlie Villanueva. It would be perfect for Orlando.
And that is about all they need.
Grade: B+
