The Hornets have some work to do before they can call themselves an elite club.
Here's why:
1) Rebounding was again a problem tonight. Hornets were outboarded by 10, Atlanta grabbed 13 offensive rebounds.
2) Hilton Armstrong is going to have to improve quickly. His line tonight: 3 points in 4 fouls in 13:24 of play time. Not good.
3) I am going to go ahead and say it now. Before, the trade deadline the Hornets are going to have to make a deal for a point guard. Mike James is just not comfortable at the spot. Chris Paul sat out the first 2:28 of the 4th quarter. The Hornets went from 4 up to 2 down.
4) Byron Scott was brutally honest. He basically said that the "book" on his team was to hit them hard, they may not punch back. They did not tonight. Result: Atlanta 3-0 for the first time in 11 seasons.
note: Hornets announced attedance at 16,030. A 14 game sellout streak was broken.
Ed Daniels
New Orleans Arena
10:41 pm 11/5/08