A Tale of Two PGs: Hornets vs. Celtics Preview

Posted by Brendan Jackson on Nov 1, 2009 39380 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F11%2F01%2Fa-tale-of-two-pgs-hornets-vs-celtics-preview%2FA+Tale+of+Two+PGs%3A+Hornets+vs.+Celtics+Preview2009-11-01+19%3A20%3A21Brendan+Jacksonhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D3938

You can’t have a conversation about the top point guards in the league without mentioning both Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo.  Paul used to be the model point guard a guy like Rondo would aspire to become, but the shoe might be on the other foot this year.  Rondo is quickly blossoming into his own and Chris Paul is still putting up numbers in this young season.

So without further adieu, here is your preview:

What the Hornets do well: When Tyson Chandler was healthy, Chris Paul knew just how to use him- back door alley oops.  Chandler was long and athletic enough to snatch the ball above any defender and slam it down with authority before his defender even knew he was beat. Now with Chandler gone, the Hornets are trying to figure out what kind of team they are.  Through the first two games, they’ve relied on Chris Paul to carry them offensively, which will be much harder given the fact that Boston’s team defense and Rondo’s on-ball defense are clicking on all cylinders right now.

What the Hornets do poorly:This isn’t so much something they do poorly but more of a knock against them.  The Hornets really lack athleticism yet don’t play exclusive half court basketball.  They also traded away their most athletic (albeit injury prone) big man for a good player, but far less athletic player in Emeka Okafor.  It’s hard to say if this will hurt them this season but I think any team still searching for an identity is going to have their hands full playing the C’s.

New Player to Watch:I’m really excited to see Ike Diogu get more playing time this season.  Unfortunately, it won’t be today as he’s still injured.  So without Diogu to watch, I guess it’ll be interesting to see Okafor back in a uni that more closely resembles that of a Huskie.  I also want to see Darren Collison back up Paul but with three minutes logged between the first two games it’s not likely he’ll play.

Player Who Is Gone: It’s weird playing the Hornets and the Bobcats in the same week.  I don’t think I’ve ever talked about Tyson Chandler as much as I have lately.  All that being said, he is the Hornets’ biggest loss this season.  Still, the Hornets had been trying to run Chandler out of town for a long time and now that they’ve got their wish it’s going to be fun to see how they’ve changed.

Guy Who Concerns Us: The obvious is Chris Paul.  He’s just an absolute stud.  He is just as quick as Rondo so he’ll probably force Rajon to go under screens- except Rondo can’t afford to because Paul can stroke the J.  Paul’s one of those, “you can only hope to contain him” players but since you can’t rely on his teammates to knock down the shots he sets up for them, C’s fans really don’t have to be that concerned after all.

Guy Who Doesn’t: James Posey.  Poz, I love you man, but you took a nose dive last year and I don’t see the same fire in you.  You got paid and you deserved to after everything you did for the C’s championship run, but you’re just not the player you once were. (I don’t know why that turned in an open letter to Poz-Z.  My apologies.)

This is going to be an abbreviated preview because I’ve got a wedding to get to and it’s Sunday so you’re still asleep.  All you need to know is that the C’s will win and I’ll be dancing the funky chicken while they are doing so.