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Same Old Story: The Hornets Struggle in the Fourth Quarter, Lose at Home to the Wizards

After trailing for most of the game against the Wizards, the Hornets tied it up in the 4th quarter. The team then proceeded to lose 99-89. The Hornets now have the second worst record in the league.

A Haiku (or two) for you:

Team stuggles in 4th

Second worst record is ours

We want ping pong balls

And

Six straight empty trips

No moves made at trade deadline

No fun for the fans

It was over when: The Hornets had six straight empty offensive possessions in a row late in the 4th quarter. That turned a 1 point lead into a 12 point deficit. 

It was really over when: The 4th quarter started. With how the season has gone, should we have expected any other result to play out?

Hornets’ MVP: Gustvo Ayon. He finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds. He was working hard on offense to get open and looked like he had some nice chemistry going with the rest of the team.

X-factor: The Wizards’ defensive rebounding. Coming into the game they were the second worst team in the league only grabbing 69.52% of their opponent’s misses. Tonight they were at 77%.

The Hans Gruber (of Die Hard fame) Villain of the Game Award:

I could give this to John Wall, but I expected him to have a good game so I can’t really be mad about it. Roger Mason, however, is a different story. This is a guy who is averaging 3.6 points per game. Tonight, he lit up the Hornets for 19 points and shot 4 of 6 from deep. So congrats on your prestigious award, Roger.

Washington Wizards 99 FinalRecap | Box Score 89 New Orleans Hornets

Five Things We Saw

  1. John Wall is fast. Like really, really fast. Jack, Vasquez and Belinelli all attempted to guard him and it didn’t work out for any of them. At one point he was literally dribbling in circles around the team. In the first half, Wall put up 18 points and almost all of it game from him driving to the basket.
  2. The Hornets struggled to control the pace tonight and allowed the Wizards to score 27 fast break points. Again, John Wall is really fast.
  3. Pre-game, Monty said he planned on giving Lance Thomas more minutes. After tonight’s performance he might want to reconsider. Thomas was constantly out worked on rebounds and has trouble finishing his shots inside. He does get to the line reasonably well, though.
  4. After a great showing last night against the Lakers, the Arena looked pretty empty. However, those that did come to the game were into it and loud the entire time.
  5. Roger Mason almost outscored the entire Hornets team in the 4th quarter. He had 14 to the Hornets 16. Really sums of the season, doesn’t it.

Other trade deadline notes:

-In his pre-game press conference, Monty said he usually talks to Dell Demps if a trade is close to being finalized. He also said all the trade chatter ended around noon for the team.

-As I posted earlier, it does not look like Chris Kaman will be bought out. Demps implied that there team will strongly consider bringing him back next year.

If you have your own Hornets Haiku, please share it in the recap or send it to me on twitter @nolajake.

Jake Madison

27 responses to “Same Old Story: The Hornets Struggle in the Fourth Quarter, Lose at Home to the Wizards”

    • *yawn* same, tired, idiotic comment without anything to back it up. Monty has easily the least impressive starting lineup and bench in the NBA playing competitve every night. We don’t have a single player on the team that can go 1v1 and create for himself or the team when it matters most and it shows. The Wizards at least have John Wall. The only other team in the NBA that doesn’t have that player is Charlotte and look where they are at. Oh and btw, I’m sure their point differential is drastically worse than ours.

      Reply

      • a) You don’t know the difference between a comment and a question.

        b) 3rd and 4th quarter collapses are *not* talent-related. Otherwise the players would not have been in a position to collapse in the first place. To me, this points to the coaching staff not performing sufficient halftime counter-adjustments.

      • uhm 3rd and 4th quarter collapses ARE talent related. It’s during these times when fatigue comes into play. And when your team relies on hardwork and grit, sooner or later (usually 4th), teams with more talent outplay us.

        *YAWN*

      • Hogwash. It’s either coaching or conditioning.

        If not coaching, then why are our guys in worse condition than those of other teams?

      • Ron,

        The collapses are caused by a lack of depth. For example in this Lakers/Wizards back to back we basically played an eight man rotation both nights, because of all of our injuries.

      • The Lakers only gave significant minutes to 8 men on their back-to-back, and the Wizards also only played 8 men in their victory.

  2. I have 2 draft related questions:

    1.) Terrance Jones (Kentucky) or Aminu? Who would you prefer?

    2.) Tell me what more do I get with Thomas Robinson that doesn’t come with Carl Landry?

    Thanks guys (and gals)!

    Reply

    • The main difference is that Robinson has a bigger body than Landry. Probably two inches taller. Robinson also has a decent looking jumper that will improve pretty quickly (heard work ethic is phenomenal, and his strides as a player this season validate that). Landry still does not have a reliable jumper at this stage of his career. Takes it reluctantly when defense gives it, and winds up bricking most of them. Landry can’t play defense worth anything. Robinson isn’t known for his defense, but I don’t think he’s the liability that Landry is. Also, Robinson is an outstanding rebounder

      Reply

  3. The best thing I can say about this season is that there are only 22 games left.

    They really kicked the tank into high gear this week, ensuring that we “win” any tiebreakers with our 2 closest lottery competitors.

    Reply

  4. Tony Wrotten is John Wall 2.0, and then some. If he comes out, and ADavis is gone, the Hornets should consider him.

    Reply

  5. I’m conflicted about Kaman. On the one hand, I’d like to see him get a chance on a title contender as long as it’s not Miami. On the other hand, he’s not at the twilight of his career, he’s making a ton of money, and why should we help other teams when we really have no reason to. If we could find a way to trade (or maybe even amnesty) Okafor, I’d be all in favor of extending Kaman.

    Reply

  6. watched the first half, played well but losing is common now haha…but we will get a top 3 pick so all in all its ok…remember the year before cp3…i think the hornets will keep kaman next year for a much cheaper price..good back-up center and mentor to im assuming another big we draft…
    jack/vasquez
    gordon/henry/belly
    ariza/aminu
    landry,ayon or 1st rd pick
    oak/kaman/other 1st rd pick

    good future, night ya’ll

    Reply

  7. p.s. could have cp3 done the same thing d12 did by opting in for another year? if so I respect d12 even more…at least he is letting the magic try 1 more year to build a team around him..not trying to sound bitter cuz the trade happened so it is what it is…but i use to dislike d12 but good for him for giving the magic another year

    Reply

  8. where’s our new owner? … thought Stern said that had it not been for Mardi Gras it would have already been a done deal. Tomorrow being St Patty’s Day and all, I’m just sayin’ ….. where’s our new owner and lease agreeement?? hmmmmm

    Reply

  9. “Dell, this roster is really great. Especially the front court depth with Lance Thomas and whatever a Larry Foote is. Don’t you change a thing.”

    – Mike Dunleavy, Sr., hiding in the shadows

    Reply

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