Worst possible matchup for NO. Though I don't think playing Dallas would have turned out better.PG is on the only position were better at. (Clearly) As far as having MT goes I still think it was a good trade yeah he's showing he can score but Hornets needed more size and I think if West stayed healthy then it would have been a great trade. Knowing how the Lakers can be lazy I think CP and the Hornets may steal game 3. Just outmanned here. Kobe will feast
No, he's worthless to a coach who doesn't know how to use him. He's not a point guard, yet they experimented with that his rookie season. He doesn't have the handles to do that. However, that doesn't mean he can't make plays (averaged 3.4 dimes in sac). He was too short for Monty on the defensive end, and yet he has seemed to play solid on that end of the floor since leaving the hornets (partly because the kings don't lack size in their other guard positions or frontline). So really, the problem wasn't Thornton, the problem was that the hornets didn't use him correctly. What he is is strictly a 2 guard (not combo guy) who can score, but needs the ball and some room in the offense to create. The problem is, just as it has been for so many years, is that the hornets don't allow anybody else to do that other than Paul. Everything is built off of the pick and roll from Chris Paul, and that's why teams can blow them out, because his teammates are turned into spot up shooters. Only this season have we seen some improvement, but it's not enough.
Lakers should dominate this matchup. NOH really doesn't have the personnel to match up with the Lakers, especially on the front line.
Hopefully Odom and Gasol can do enough work inside that we can limit Bynum's minutes to around 20-30 a game and get him as much recovery time as possible.
Have a feeling we'll be switchnig kobe over onto CP3 for long stretches so he can help contain him with his length. There will be a lot of funneling of CP3 into our bigs when he tries to drive.
As long as the Lakers stay focused, take each game as it comes and keep up their intensity, it should be Lakers in 4.
I think the Hornets can pull one game if the Lakers decide to go in to Zombie mode or play down to the talent they are facing. But a healthy Laker squad that is FOCUSED should sweep and blow them out every game. I just do not know which Laker team we will see.
Any how as a Laker fan I hope we blow them out every game and get to rest the starters in the 4th. Playoffs are here and the Lakers are built for the playoffs.
Re: 2011 NBA Playoffs Round 1: Lakers vs Hornets
