A Hornets staffer called me Tuesday and told me the team was looking "forward to making a run in the playoffs."
I admired his enthusiasm. But, reality tells me something far different.
Utah's loss at the Lakers Tuesday night means the Hornets will finish either 6th or 7th in the West.
Check out the bench play of some possible Hornets playoff opposition. Houston has the following players making huge contributions off the bench: Von Wafer 9.7 points per game. Carl Landry 9.3 points per game, and Kyle Lowry 7.4 points per game.
The Denver Nuggets have J.R. Smith coming off the bench to score 15.4 points per game. Linas Kleiza is at 9.9. Former Hornet Chris Andersen is at 6.4 points per game.
The Hornets have a porous bench and don't rebound well. I don't know how that adds up to anything more than a first round playoff exit.
Ed Daniels