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That the Hornets are currently parked in a 2-2 tie with the Lakers is quite a surprise. That they have done so without the services of 2 time All-Star forward David West is stunning.

Sunday night, as guard Jarrett Jack recounted the details of his game clinching hoop on a assist from Chris Paul, the locker over his shoulder was that of West's. The Hornets were going toe to toe with the Lakers, despite losing West's 18.9 points a game, 7.6 rebounds, 51 percent shooting from the field, and 81 percent shooting from the free throw line.

West is not only an All-Star, but has been a clutch performer throughout his career.

The beneficiary of West's absence has been forward Carl Landry. In the playoffs, Landry is averaging 17 points, and 6 rebounds a game. He is not as proficient as West in shooting the mid-range jumper, but Landry has done a solid job of defending and running the floor.

Both Landry and fellow forward Trevor Ariza have exceeded expectation. Ariza is averaging almost 15 points a game in the playoffs, 4 more than the regular season.

Those two, along with the superb play of Chris Paul, have negated the absence of West, one of the best and most consistent in franchise history.

The Lakers were determined to get off to a great start and silence the New Orleans crowd. That they did.

The Lakers led by 7 after one, and went on to an 100-86 win in game 3 of their first round Western Conference series.

The Lakers have plenty of weapons. Pau Gasol got untracked scoring 17 points, including a big three pointer with 10:52 to play in the game.

The Hornets simply cannot rely on their defense to do it all. New Orleans needs scoring and isn't getting it from its bench. Center Aaron Gray was scoreless in 7 minutes. Guard Willie Green was scoreless in 12:32. Jack scored only 6 points in 21:54.

Head coach Monty Williams can preached defense and blue collar. That is good enough to win games in the regular season. But, in the playoffs, you have to have players who can score and generate their own shot. And, the Hornets do not have enough of those.

Ed Daniels
12:05 am Saturday April 23, 2011

I read the Tulane football "playbook". Some of the items made sense, like more a commitment for tutoring for athletes.

Then, I heard President Scott Cowen tell hundreds of supporters that a decision will be made soon on a "playing venue." Clearly, one of the reasons that Cowen and director of athletics Rick Dickson went on the PR offensive was to peak the interest of potential donors for an on campus stadium.

Cowen came off better than Dickson. Dickson, clearly annoyed by criticism of the University's lack of support for the football program, took issues with those who talk about "standards". Dickson said that Tulane wanted student athletes who wanted to come to school and pursue their degrees.

Dickson then stepped way over the line, accusing other schools of "cheating". He said that Tulane will never be a school where the football program is plagued by "numerous arrests." Perhaps Dickson didn't remember the 80's when then school President Eamon Kelly shut down the men's basketball program because of a point shaving scandal. Clearly, Dickson did not remember that one of his recent former players is serving a 10 year jail sentence after an assault on several others with a knife during an incident on Bourbon Street.

Dickson's message was the usual from Tulane: we are doing it right, the rest of college sports is wrong. No wonder Tulane hasn't been to a bowl game in 9 years, and are now 16 years and counting since its last trip to the NCAA basketball tournament.

One of the better 6th men in basketball was at it again Wednesday night.

Hornets guard Marcus Thornton, often the 8th or 9th or 10th option off the bench of head coach Monty Williams scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Hornets pulled off a stirring comeback against Memphis.

The performance by Thornton came, ironically, hours after Williams lamented that he needed another 15 point a game scorer off the bench.

Thornton and Williams have an interesting relationship. After the game, Williams admitted that he and his second year guard often have had a testy relationship. Williams said he was happier for Thornton than "he would ever know."

I know this, on at least two occasions this season, Marcus Thornton has saved the Hornets from a bad homecourt defeats. He led a stirring comeback as the Hornets came from 22 down to beat the Kings.

And, Wednesday night, Marcus Thornton showed his coach again, that he is instant offense.

Monday night's performance by the Saints defense was simply one of the best in franchise history.

Consider the opponent, the location, and the importance of the game, you can think of fewer bigger defensive performances than the one by the Saints defense Monday night.

The Saints held the Falcons to 215 total yards and allowed Atlanta only 3 third down conversions in 12 attempts.

Late in the game, there was no Matt Ryan magic. A third down incomplete fell harmlessly to the ground and the Falcons quarterback headed to the bench as Atlanta punted the football.

The Falcons didn't get it back after Pierre Thomas dove over the pile for a first down on third and inches for the Saints 34.

One week after being gashed in Baltimore, the Saints defense responded brilliantly.

It was evident again Monday night. The Hornets cannot win when David West goes cold. West had a tough fourth quarter, including getting poked in the eye, as the Hornets fell to Oklahoma City 95-89.

For the second straight game, the Hornets could not get key baskets down the stretch.

What is the solution? Well, part of it is playing Marcus Thornton. Williams said the Hornets are an organization built on defense, and that Thornton's defense isn't good enough.

It is an interesting take. As a pro Monty Williams wasn't a scorer. He was a guy who got by on toughness and smarts. Shooting and scoring was not his strength. He doesn't have a scorer's mentality, and he coaches that way.

Marcus Thornton is a scorer. If he plays consistent minutes, he will give the Hornets what they sorely need, a player on the perimeter who can create his own shot.

Explain this: how can one of the top 10 rookies in the league in 2009-2010 suddenly not even find his way on the floor? It is because Monty Williams is myopic.

Monday night, the Hornets made only 36 of 82 field goal attempts. They need another scorer. They need Marcus Thornton on the floor.

The LSU Tigers had their chance against the Auburn Tigers.

Midway thru the fourth quarter, Auburn gambled and went for it on 4th and 6 from the LSU 40. Cam Newton's pass for Darvin Adams was incomplete.

Right there, LSU had a chance to take the lead and sieze control of the game. But instead the Tigers went backwards. Stevan Ridley was stopped for a three yard loss. Jordan Jefferson's pass for DeAngelo Peterson was incomplete. Jefferson was then sacked for a 9 yard loss.

LSU punted.

Three plays later, Ontario McCalebb ran 70 yards and LSU's hopes for an upset on the Plains were dashed.

LSU could muster only 243 yards of total offense.

The Tigers' achilles heel, its offense, reared its ugly head, again.

LSU head coach Les Miles couldn't resist the chance to take a shot at his many detractors.

Said Miles after his team's 33-29 win at Florida, "they didn't like us at 5-0, maybe they will like us more at 6-0."

Miles came up with another bizarre, but effective play call against Florida. With :35 seconds to play, LSU lined up for an apparent field goal attempt from Josh Jasper. But, instead holder Derek Helton flipped the ball over his shoulder to Jasper who picked the ball up on one bounce and ran five yards for a first down on fourth and three at the Florida 36.

The play was reminiscient of the fake field goal that kicker Colt David score a touchdown on in a 2007 victory over South Carolina. LSU went on to win the national championship.

Up until the fake, LSU's play calling was bizzare. Three running plays preceeded the fake field goal and first down gallop by Jasper.

LSU is now 6-0. The Tigers play McNeese State Saturday night then travel to Auburn.

On a day when Alabama lost to South Carolina, LSU went to Florida and won. The Tigers now control their own destiny in the SEC West. And, the mad hatter is back.

I have done the eyeball comparison. Man for man, athlete for athlete, Ole Miss doesn't hold a candle to LSU. But, come November, if Jeremiah Masoli is healthy the Rebels have a solid chance to beat LSU for the third consecutive season.

Why? Simple. Quarterback play. Jeremiah Masoli, the Oregon transfer, is a very talented player. We didn't get to see Masoli much at Oregon. He was hidden from us on the west coast.

But, Saturday night, Masoli showed off his considerable skills in the Superdome against Tulane.

Late in the second quarter, Masoli took a hit, but stayed in the pocket to throw a 70 yard strike for a touchdown to Markeith Summers.

In the fourth quarter, Masoli made his best throw of the night. He rolled right away from pressure, and threw a bomb on the run to Summers who finished off a 61 yard play. The reception set up an Ole Miss field goal. Masoli's throw was major league.

Meantime, up in Nashville, quarterback Jordan Jefferson was 8 of 20 for 96 yards and an interception in a 27-3 win over Vandy.

Les Miles said he will "continue to evaluate the quarterback position."

If he doesn't play Jarrett Lee more against Mississippi State, Miles has told you all you need to know. As poorly as Jefferson played, he doesn't have confidence in Lee.

So, in November, we will see Ole Miss vs LSU in Baton Rouge. And, even though LSU is far more talented and has more depth, Ole Miss has a difference maker at quarterback.

In 2007, rookie free agent runner Pierre Thomas used a standout performance in the preseason at Kansas City to make his bid for a job.

Three years later, another rookie free agent, Chris Ivory did the same. Ivory, who finished his college career at Tiffin College in Ohio, showed a combination of toughness and speed that will endear him to head coach Sean Payton.

Ivory caught a fourth quarter swing pass from Patrick Ramsey, ran over a tackler, cut across the field and completed a 76 yard scoring play. On the play Ivory showed the kind of toughness and speed that he has exhibited during training camp.

Ivory has been by far, the most impressive rookie in the Saints camp. Through camp and three preseason games, so much for the scouting reports. Chris Ivory is a read find.

Ed Daniels