There is a lot of talk about who the Hornets might add this off-season, but I got my eye on a bigger prize that becomes available next year
Yes, I am a grown man who owns multiple pieces of clothing with other men’s names on the back of them. I am secure enough to admit that and man enough to wear them out in public from time to time. After the Hornets magical ’07-’08 run, I treated myself to three CP3 jerseys (home, away, and All-Star) and wore them with pride for the next few years. After that season, CP3 signed an extension and every national writer projected that the Hornets would become the next dynasty in the Western Conference. Just three years later CP3 was traded and I was left with what was, in essence, three throw back jerseys.
I have given a lot of thought to what I would with the jerseys since he was traded to the
Lakers Clippers. Should I burn them like Cavs fans did with their Lebron jerseys? Perhaps I should send them to countries with kids in need, those same countries that get the T-shirts made up before the Super Bowl, claiming that Team X is the Super Bowl Champion- only to have Team X lose. I can imagine one of those kids 7 day wardrobe consisting of four Buffalo Bills Super Bowl champion T-shirts and my CP3 jerseys. Ah, what a fabulous thought.
For right now, however, my three jerseys sit in the bottom drawer of my dresser, waiting for me to make a final decision. When the Hornets first won the lottery, my first inclination was to toss them, but the more I think about it, the more it just makes sense to me that Chris Paul could return and I would be forced to buy those jerseys all over again. So, in my drawer those jerseys will stay until he signs his next contract, be it with the Hornets or someone else.
Before we get to the plausibility of the Chris Paul to New Orleans scenario, let’s first address the elephant in the room: Do we want him back? In my opinion, anybody who answers no is just doing so because they are afraid of being rejected by someone they loved so much a second time. We remember the agonizing tourture that we felt, not only on the day he was traded, but over those many months where he was seemingly holding the franchise hostage. Turning on your TV every morning and having your innocent Corn Pops spoiled by Chris Broussard’s rampant speculation. Even when the Hornets started 8-0, there was this worry in the back of all our minds that we were going to lose the face of our franchise and that cloud lingered over what was actually a pretty good season.
It got to the point where the majority of fans said good riddence on the day that the Clippers trade was finally announced, but is any of that really a good enough reason to deny ourselves access to his brilliance again should he want to return? Are we so spiteful that we would sabotage our future just for the opportunity to deny him the way that he once denied us? I say no, and personally I can’t blame him at all for wanting out after all the mistakes the past regime made. And as much as he loved the new regime, the payroll was bloated with overpaid guys who lacked difference making talent, and oh yeah, he was working for a company without an owner!
Can’t blame him, and in fact I applaud him for being straight with Dell in a way that Dwight Howard has never been with the Magic’s brass. Orlando is destined to lose Dwight and get little in return because of the immaturity of their seven footer. Meanwhile, the Hornets received a nice bounty in return for Chris Paul and are now in prime position to be a contender in the future because of it.
Now we turn to whether or not this little hypothetical can turn into a big hypothetical
and then to a reality, and I say that it can. First and foremost, the Hornets would have to get their books in order so that they can throw the max at CP3 next summer. Let’s assume that somebody signs Eric Gordon to a max offer sheet, and the Hornets match. Let’s also assume that the Hornets keep the first and tenth pick in this year’s draft and the Hornets find a taker for Trevor Ariza sometime this season. Now, the most costly assumption of them all- the Hornets amnesty Okafor next summer, wiping his 14.5 million dollar figure off of their cap.
The Hornets also have team options on Ayon and Smitty that they can pick up that summer and qualifying offers that they can make to Aminu, Henry, and Vasquez. Bottom line is that they can bring back all those guys and still have enough to throw a max deal at CP3. It’s not a situation where they would have to completely gut their roster just to bring him in, thanks in large part to all the guys they would have on rookie deals. I mean, look at this roster that we can offer CP3 a chance to play with next summer:
You!/ Vasquez
Gordon/Henry
Aminu/2013 first rounder
Sullinger/Ayon
Davis/Smitty
Compare that to what the Clippers will be trying to sell him on- a combo of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, plus a washed up Caron Butler and no significant cap room. When you factor in Chris Paul’s cap hold, the Clippers are stuck, unable to offer anything more than the mid-level to free agents this year or next. Even if I were being generous to the Clippers and I considered the two teams’ front courts a wash, the Hornets have more production and more upside on the wings, not to mention a quality backup point guard in Vasquez. Oh, and did I mention that the Clipper currently have no GM and a lame duck coach while the Hornets have two guys that Paul loves and respects in Monty Williams and Dell Demps? Two guys that CP3 still keeps in touch with on a fairly regular basis.
If you just compare what the Hornets have to offer and what the Clippers have to offer on the court and in the front office, it is clearly advantage Hornets. At that point, it all comes down to how Chris Paul wants to be perceived and how much that matters to him. I can’t imagine that he wants to look like a guy who runs away from a challenge, taking the easy way to a title. To me, Paul only looks that way if he decides to leave the Clippers for a third team. If he comes back to the Big Easy, he could always sell people on the fact that “His heart never really left New Orleans” or that “He started something here and now he wants to finish it” or whatever corny, cliche phrase he wants to sell the public on.
Really, what can he say if he leaves LA and goes to Miami or New York to chase a ring and play second or third fiddle? There is no way he or his people can spin that in any kind of way that allows him to maintain his brand off the court. Not possible. So, to me, it is Clippers or Hornets, and quite frankly the choice is clear if you weigh out all the pros and cons of both situations. If he stays in LA, he can be a perennial playoff team, but if he comes to New Orleans, he can be a part of a dynasty. We all know how much CP3 loves to win, and win big.
And because of all those reasons, I’m not throwing out my CP3 jerseys just yet.
62 responses to “Not Throwing Away My Chris Paul Jerseys Just Yet”
Not buying it. Sorry. I won’t buy it until its a reality
I know it seems like a ridiculous notion, but do you think Demps has to weigh this possibility in with his decision making for the draft?
If we were to sign an elite FA such as Paul via free agency, it would be far more beneficial that we take someone like Sullinger with our 10th pick than say a Marshall or Lillard.
It’s undeniable that we’ve got more to offer CP3 than the Clippers, and I personally still have a real soft spot for him. He owes nothing to their organisation and if you ask me, he owes us a championship!
%100 Agreed! If we have any intention on bringing a PG through Free Agency, no need to draft a PG at #10. Once we see which position we draft at #10, We will have a much better idea on the potential plans of Dell Demps.
But, who knows which market CP3 will like next time. Anthony Davis will not make NOLA a bigger market. Carmelo and Amare will be waiting for him at MSG. He is already in Los Angeles. Lakers may still look to get him. etc etc.
I had enough of that drama last year. No need for another one. 🙂
By the way, Keep the jerseys Mike!
Those jerseys bring great memories. CP3 is a hall-of-famer who was drafted for Hornets and played here at New Orleans. I’d keep the jerseys no matter where he ended. 🙂
It was a great pleasure to watch Chris Paul, to cheer for him, to shout “woooo” after his assists and points. Is it sad that he wanted to leave? Yes.
Would I want to see him playing again for Hornets? Yes I would, ONLY IF (!!) he wholeheartedly want to be back here after getting rid of his bigger market cravings.
IF NOT(!!): I am fine if he stays in Los Angeles. We are re-building a great franchise here. No need for the same drama again!
Well I say still draft a PG. Remember DC? Sure he was a steal at 21, I believe. But he turned out to be a stud behind an injury prone superstar. And I wouldn’t bank on a good point guard signing with us. And if one does, he’ll more than likely be a veteran, so why not have him mentor a Lillard or Marshall? I know DC playing behind CP3 helped him tremendously.
I would hope that Dell is focusing on what he can control this season, but that doesn’t mean that somebody who has strong but unofficial ties to the Saints/Hornets can’t have an off the record conversation with CJ Paul to determine if Chris would be open to returning.
That being said, I’d need to see whether or not Chris plays another relatively healthy season before committing to a max contract. I can’t be the only one who remembers him essentially playing on one leg for the majority of his last full season in NOLA.
Yeah. Look at D. Wade version 2012 last night. It wasn’t D. Wade version 2006. Now look at CP3 version 2012 from the playoffs. That wasn’t CP3 version 2008 from the playoffs.
Look at CP3 play now and ask yourself if he has lost a step and significant explosiveness. CP3 will be 28.5 years old when the 2013-14 season starts, and six years removed from the last time he won a playoff series as a Hornet. Just like D. Wade is six years removed from his NBA title.
The Hornets won’t be getting the same CP3 we loved in 2008 if we re-sign him for 2013-14! I say, it’s time to move on.
You should go ahead and give those jerseys to the kids. He’s not coming back!!! Stop living through the rose colored glasses and revisionists history. Paul went through like a five game stretch where he quit on us when d west got hurt. (remember the rumor where d west had to check him because he playing like he was ready to bolt to ny). This is the same guy who said he didn’t know why the media said he was trying to leave; but threaten to sue the league when the trade got vetoed. This is the same guy whose father got on the radio and asked why we were holding his son hostage b/c he was not resigning with us anyway. It’s not about being bitter or being afraid of rejection. It’s about making a clean, healthy break. Y’all are talking about how can Gordon coexist with ball dominate rookies. Chris Paul is one of the most ball dominate players in the league. Remember when Collison got traded and Chris Broussard was like some of the hornets players rathered collision because the ball actually moved (I found it weird that at that stage of his life d west went to the pacers). I don’t mean to rain on your parade but like a good friend I’m going to tell you the truth. You should move on to someone who treats you better. Hornets fans deserve better. Chris Paul didn’t leave to win, he went to the clippers for Pete’s sake. He left to play in a bigger market.
By God I couldn’t have said it any better myself. Just because you say you arn’t being a homer doesn’t mean you arn’t. CP ain’t heading to New Orleans any more than Howard. They say that he might come back because who has money to sign him besides us and he wants to win. But I’m pretty sure sign and trade opens up every market in the league.
Bravo! Also, the analogies to a dating relationship are spot on and perfectly reasonable, valid points to make when referring to CP3. CP3 was a really hot girl, probably pretty smart and sophisticated too. New Orleans was CP3’s boyfriend before she got really hot, and she stayed with us because she thought she could change us. When she realized she couldn’t change us, and was getting hit on all the time by better looking, more successful boys with bigger… ahem, markets, she wanted to call it splitsville. But, despite (or because of) the fact that we had started working on some of our problems and were seeing some positive changes, she didn’t want to be perceived as the bad guy, she behaved poorly until we decided to break up with her “amicably.” After the break up, we went through a really rough time, but we grew as a person and improved upon some of our bigger faults. Now she wants us back, because even though she found a larger… ahem, market, in her new boyfriend, that boyfriend is a complete and utter emotional mess, and she is coming to the realization that she is, in fact, a golddigger.
Mr. Clippers, you can have your golddigger and your larger… market. Mr. Hornets doesn’t want her back anymore, not even if she begged (which would actually give Mr. Hornets great satisfaction).
love it
I thought about this scenario hard and long too. It is a really long shot, but one considering. I am still planing on life without Paul. We would have to get a really good other big man to complement Davis (I am still not certain the Hornets wont keep Kaman). Davis is too skinny and still wil be to fragile the next couple of sesaons for him to bang with the biggers guys out there. Even most power forwards might push him around. Maybe we really can grab Sully. That would help, but is far from sure.
All this said, I like the scenario you painted for us in the long run and would love to have it happen.
Luckily, we wont have to think and fret about that too much next season, since all we have to really think about will be the awesome development of Anthony Davis in creole blue!
I’m actually happy with the way things turned out without Paul. Gordon, if we keep him, will be a star player from what I’ve seen him do when he’s healthy, and we got the number 1 pick (Anthony Davis)! I think the Hornets have a brighter future ahead, one that wouldn’t have existed had Chris Paul not been traded last year. And, if you think about it, I’d have to imagine he likes living in Los Angeles. I’d love it if it were to happen, but I’m not too optimistic.
To quote the phenomenal movie “Can’t but me love”…”You $h!t on my house man!!! You $h!t on my house!!!!
Great movie. Great quote.
If the Clippers amassed the talent they do, no reason the Hornets can’t do this. Coming back doesn’t clean up the mess though. Agreed.
I just don’t care. Then-Chris was an amazing person and player who did great things. I don’t really know if now-Chris can do any of that anyway.
They say you can never go home again. Well Chris can’t come here again in the exact same way.
I truly feel the issue was less Chris and more his brother CJ who wanted the bigger market. He wanted the big city lights and atmosphere and Chris went along with him. After watching Clippers in the playoffs he could have stayed in NOLA to experience that outcome but I know he enjoyed the national TV coverage, the billboards and additional magazine covers. Like most I was pissed he left but excited when Spurs bashed their heads in but I’d be absolutely lying if I said I wouldn’t want him back in a Hornets jersey. He was the franchise and I have great memories of his historical performances. I just feel the impact he would have on AD’s career and how he would space the floor for Gordon would be phenomenal. And besides he has to see that Griffin is a one trick pony and that they will never be legitimate with that horrible owner. I’m not wishing for his return but if he decided to come back I would definitely be all for it.
Why we just dont go get d will this year ???
I was with you until you got to the lineups. Davis and Smith at the 5 would be horrible. Sullinger is ore of a center than Davis or Smith, even with his lack of height. Sure Davis has a body that he can fill out, but I don’t ever see him weighing over 240 lbs. without being overweight. I’ll reference the Leonard vs. Zeller argument. We all remember the impact Aaron Gray had on Dwight Howard. Davis & Smith would get pushed around like rag dolls. My point being, I don’t think that front court could attract CP3. Not with the Griffin/DeAndre pair entering their prime. Also, the GM (and possibly coach) issue might be solved by next offseason. Finally, I think Bledsoe is a better PG than Vasquez with more potential.
I’d love CP3 back, but I really don’t see it happening, especially if those are the lineups. A lot can change before next year’s free agency starts, so hopefully it’s enough to bring CP3 back.
Again, people have to worry about what you list as the position on the program. Just look at the Final four teams in the playoffs. In crunch time, their “centers” were Duncan, Ibaka, Bosh, and Garnett- all guys who are listed as power forwards.
Mark my words, in 2-3 years and every year beyond, Davis will be the tallest guy on the court for the Hornets at crunch time. Whether you wanna call that Center, or big, or power forward is up to you, but people have to stop worrying about positions so much when they think about putting this roster together.
They Don’t Exist Anymore!!
I’m not so worried about the position they play as apposed to how they play when they’re in that position. The last 4 NBA champions had true centers (Chandler, Perkins, Bynum). The Spurs have been the only exception to the rule in the past 10 years. You can argue that Chandler isn’t really a center, but what other position could he be effective at? This league is full of tweeners. Many websites list the players that way. Duncan is a F/C. Some players aren’t as versatile. Jason Smith isn’t one of those guys. He doesn’t play well at the 5, but excels at the 4. Some sites list him as a F/C, but I don’t agree with that. Davis will be ok at the 5 against tweeners, but against the Howards and Bynums, he’ll get run over.
I don’t agree that positions do not exist anymore. Positions are blurred, but they still do exist.
The first time I thought about this was a few weeks ago. I forget what website I was reading but it was during the Heat/Pacers series and people were already speculating on what the Heat would trade Bosh for and that LeBron will bolt after his contract is up or demand a trade soon. It all made me laugh, even more so since they are now in the Finals.
However, what was interesting to me. With this speculation with what team he’d go to and some people started to say the Cavs because they’d have solid young pieces. And the city would likely just take him back because they just want to win.
Then, I wondered. Would Chris Paul ever return to New Orleans? I honestly say no. Just like I don’t think LeBron would ever return to Cleveland. And Melo will never come back to Denver. All of those situations got ugly. And, I guarantee all of those men feel a little guilt for what they did to those teams. Granted, the Hornets and especially the Nuggets came out pretty well (sorry Cavs) but it still hurt to lose a star. Those guys know what they did to those franchises and I think they’d be too concerned to just try to walk right back.
If CP3 came back, I’d welcome it. I don’t have any grudge towards him for wanting to leave. The way I see it, we got a pretty solid deal for him. If he wants to come back and get a championship, I’m okay with that. Hell, I hate LeBron and would welcome him as well. I want to see my team to be successful. If having guys I am not a fan of is the way to do it, I’ll learn to deal.
I just don’t see him coming back. But, I too still have my jersey. Hanging in my room. I also have former Reds Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. I have former Steelers Joey Porter, Santonio Holmes, and Willie Parker as well. I’m not a grudge holder and I love keeping all my old school jerseys.
1. I haven’t been following things much due to grad school commitments overtaking my life, but when is Jack’s contract up? Wouldn’t we have to move him as well?
2. I don’t know if we should pass on Lillard, Marshall, or Rivers to gamble on this. I say start rebuilding now under the assumption that he’s not coming back.
3. I fall into the “not wanting him back” crowd for a different reason: in 2013, he’ll be 28 and still have a bad knee. Do we want to throw a huge contract at him when he’s likely already reached his ceiling? I guess we’ll have to see how this next season goes to truly determine that, though.
4. All that said, I still haven’t thrown out my jersey either (fittingly, I have the all-black one…I feel like I am going to a basketball funeral whenever I wear it, which was what I went to most of this past season).
That said, I obviously would be happy to a certain extent if he came back, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I actually don’t put it above Paul to head to Miami or New York, and I don’t know if Dell wants to go through all this again any time soon either.
What are you studying? Where?
1. This is JJ’s last year, and he’s making about $5.5m. We don’t have to move him, just renounce his rights.
2. Agreed. If we make the room by dealing with players on the roster, however, via amnesty or letting people’s contracts expire, then the rebuild continues, and he’s just an upgrade.
3. Good point, time will tell.
I’m getting an MA in English at UNO. It’s been intense this semester with my regular workload on top of finishing a thesis (as well as recording an album with my band), so I haven’t been able to follow the league as much as I’d like. Hopefully that will all change soon!
As for JJ, that’s good to know. I am actually in the minority of really liking JJ, but I don’t think he’s the answer for our team. If I were Miami or NY’s GM, though, I would take a strong look at him.
I studied English in school, ended up with a BA, but when in a different direction for grad school.
Good luck with that and the band (band’s name?).
I’m a Jack fan. I’m looking forward to seeing how he works with Gordon.
Don’t know why it wouldn’t let me reply to your last comment.
Thanks for the well wishes! I did toy around with getting an MBA after I received my BA in English, but ultimately decided it wasn’t for me.
My band’s name is Vox and the Hound (you can check us out here: http://www.voxandthehound.com).
Yes, the little we got to see of a Gordon/Jack backcourt, I liked. Hopefully certain people come back and stay healthy enough to develop over the season. I am excited about a Jack/Gordon/Ariza/Davis/Okafor starting line up, assuming that Dell doesn’t make any moves (which I’m sure he will).
The comments just go three levels deep on this. That could change. It’s not `you’.
I went math . . .
I’m looking forward to one more year of `toying’, then to have a pretty stable core.
It would destroy is rep. Leave the Hornets for dead, and then come crawling back when they’ve turned things around.. Can’t see it.
It is intriguing to think about, but I hope it never happens. Paul is still a transcendent talent but he left because he wanted to be an NBA star in a big city (I didn’t hear any rumors about him being traded to the Pacers or Bucks last year!) and we simply cannot offer that; which is just fine by me. Besides, I hate the idea of him bailing on another team in pretty similar circumstances to the Hornets at the time he left: the proper description would be “mercenary”. And I’d rather lose honestly than have a roster populated with that.
Honestly…I’d rather win. Guys like Paul Pierce probably wouldn’t be going to the hall of fame if Danny Ainge hadn’t gone mercenary and landed KG and Allen. They would be nice hometown names that wouldn’t have a championship. I passionately cheer against the Heat, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love it if my team pulled that off. If you can land players of top 10 talent, I say do it.
KG and Allen were far from mercenaries. They both spent several long years with underachieving teams. KG (1995-2007) w/ the twolves. The team made several bad moves and let KG fight for every win the team got. He left for a chance at a championship, yes, but not as a mercenary at all! Both of them moved after their prime and have been loyal strong players for the celtics. Allen spent several years on the bucks before he was traded and spent a good chunk of years with the sonics. Neither complained that I remember and have had long successful careers at small market teams. Dont knock them for wanting to win or making them out to be unloyal. This is the same response that the lebrons and melos of the current nba give. But they leave their team after 4-5yrs, not 12 like the respectable celtic players.
And paul pierce has been a beast and top scorer in the league for YEARS! Winning a championship has helped his career but he was a stud HOFer before they made their FA moves.
My point is that their is a difference between landing a talented FA and being a mercenary. And I don’t want to win if it takes mercenaries to do it. I hate the spurs but I love how their front office works! I hate the heat AND I think their flopping stars are sickening. (although very talented)
🙂 I love how text on a webpage can be read so many ways. I’m a diehard Celtics fan…seriously, the color purple makes me sick. You don’t have to sell me on the greatness of those players. Pierce has been a favorite for years. I was just making a point that you don’t miss a chance to grab a top 10 player if you have it. Many guys never get to connect like the Big 3 did in Boston.
If we can get someone of that talent level…get them. It just doesn’t bother me if they were on another team for 2 years or 12.
Gotcha. I’m not a celtic fan but I respect a lot of their system. And I agree. I’m not opposed to having talent on my team! 🙂
i would much rather see the bees beat them in the playoffs. cp3 is an amazing player and person, but he lost faith in the city. I don’t see how you can go from:
Hornets- amazing young coach who gets his players to leave their heart on the floor EVERY GAME. A team that you have personally carried to the playoffs
more than once and put some serious fear in kobe and duncan’s eyes.
Dell Demps is a smart man and I’m sure you knew that he would put in the right
cogs to make this thing move, you just didn’t have the heart to shoulder the weight.
So, you chose to leave. That’s fine. You put in more time here than most superstars would. Thanks. Have fun lobbing passes to blake. But as a self-proclaimed competitor you said it best when you played us earlier this year:
“These guys won’t stop. They won’t give up.” I’d rather be known for that than lobs.
In the long run, Monty wins. Every coach in the NBA has mad respect for the dude and how scrappy his players are. It’s only a matter of time until we find the right fit, and when we do, we’ll see you in the playoffs.
I don’t think he lost faith in the city, he lost faith in the orginazation and the situation he was in. The Hornets had no chance to win a title. If he comes back, he will finally have another franchise player and a shooting guard to actually play with.
Loudlikepat..SERIOUSLY my favorite comment I have ever read in my like 2 years I’ve been following this site. I couldn’t agree with you more.
haha! awesome! I honestly love Chris and he will always be my favorite player, but monty williams has started something with so much heart and hustle that i’m more excited about the direction the hornets are taking. Beating Chris Paul and his Clippers will be sweeter than ANY playoff win he gave us. BEE-lieve!!!
Then there is a human element to think about. I’m not sure I would blame Eric Gordon if he demanded a trade if that happened. You mean to tell me that you are going to uproot my life and move me to New Orleans. Then once we become stable, you want to come back take the ball out of my hands and then be the face of the franchise while you’re at it. Oh no….and Gordon would already have his money, so he has no incentive to stay. Naw. Let’s just do like the previous article said, build it the right way with pieces who play hard through the good and bad.
Dude I was pulling my hair out because Billups and Williams were combining to double the shot output of cp3 early in the season. cp3 will do whatever it takes to win. Don’t worry about him and Gordon co-existing. If you asked Gordon if he wanted Chris Paul on his team do you honestly think he’d say no?
I could be wrong and probably am but I would. Cp3 holds the ball…ALOT. He gets a plethora of assists because he has excellent court vision, not because he moves the ball. Look at Gordon, Gordon dominates the ball too. Everytime he gets the ball, he is trying score. We would have no ball movement at all. But, under normal circumstances, I think it could work. However, these arent normal circumstances though. Y’all remember when Gordon et al got here and were holding up those jerseys – half of y’all now say that he doesn’t want to be here. I don’t see him wanting to play/ share the limelight with the person who uprooted his life and came back to the place he left for dead b/c things got a lil rosier. Why would you wanna play with someone like that. Let’s just keep it real, Paul doesn’t have any rings either to justify jerking this franchise and the players who play for it around too. Let’s not forget his “boy” jack got pulled into this too. Trust, that tweet about Dwight being his own man for staying was a direct shot a Chris Paul.
1) Gordon not wanting to be here crap is blown completely out of proportion. Him stating how much he wants to come back hurts his market value. Why offer a guy when you know you’ll have to overpay him just to have a chance at getting him? Gordon wants to get paid, and probably wants to get paid by us. Not worried one bit.
2) Jack’s shot wasn’t at CP3. It was a shot at every big superstar in the league wanting to form power-trios and consequently hurting the purity of the game in the process. It’s just like Foo Fighters grammy shot at electronica. People thought it was directed at certain people when in reality it’s a statement to how most rock bands use electronic enhancement way to much nowadays and it’s watered down the authentic concert feel.
CP3 was as classy as he could have humanly been on his way out and got us a buttload in return (in retrospect). I dont get why people are still so angry at the guy. The two people in this world whos opinion matters on the guy (Demps n Monty) still love him. It’s all good. Give the guy a break. He has 1.5 knees now and knows his window is closing and didn’t feel like dealing with a 3-5 year rebuilding project. Keep in mind. If he was still here. We woulda been a game 6 out again in the playoffs with no Gordon, no Davis, no nothing to put around him. He had no choice if he wanted any chance at winning a title but to leave. He’s too good and he keeps us too competitive with no room to grow young talent. I don’t like his flopping but damn man comeon. It’s Chris fricking Paul. Paul/Davis would be killer. Paul/Gordon would be bananas. Our defense would be bananas. Would you still honestly take any other PG in the league if you got to choose? Me? I wouldn’t. Dude has never had the right talent around him. He will in 2013 if he comes back.
I agree 95% on Gordon. I really think/hope that he wants to be here. Mainly b/c I really want him here. (but he does stupid stuff too like tweet about college games when the hornets are on – so thats where the 5% difference comes in lol). But, I think you forgot about Chris Paul’s toast (while under contract with the hornets), that he wanted to form his own big three w/ the Knicks and play w/ Melo and Amare. But, like I said, I could be wrong.
Sorry this is in the wrong spot. It belongs one up
Aminu? Sullinger? This is serious? And you think we can build a dynasty with these guys? Or even convince CP3 to return?
It’s easy to sign now with Deron Williams, trade Jack + Ariza + 10th pick for Rudy Gay, resigns with Landry for a cheaper contract and amnesty for Okafor.
Deron / Vasquez
Gordon / Henry
Gay / Aminu
Landry / Smith
Davis / Ayon
There’s a team to be a champion … GO HORNETS!!!
“Meanwhile, the Hornets received a nice bounty in return for Chris Paul and are now in prime position to be a contender in the future because of it.”
GAHHHHHH. PLEASE choose your words more carefully. We received a nice HAUL for him. We received nice COMPENSATION for him. Even we received a nice PACKAGE for him. But not that word. I’M %$@&ING SICK OF THAT WORD
Forget Chris Paul. He wanted out, so he’s out.
Package the 10th pick, Ariza, and Jack for a small forward: Granger, Gay, or Iguodala.
Throw a max offer at Deron Williams. If he accepts, amnesty Okafor to make room. If he declines, keep Okafor until at least the trade deadline.
Scenario:
Ariza, Jack, 10th pick
For
Granger, Collison / 2nd rd pick.
(D Will signs)
D will/Vasquez/2nd rd pick
Gordon/Henry
Granger/Aminu
Davis/Ayon
Free agent(Asik)/Smith
(D will declines)
Collison/Vasquez
Gordon/Henry
Granger/Aminu
Davis/Ayon/Smith
Okafor/free agent (Asik)
Pretty damn good either way!
I like it but I only see sacramento biting b/c they have the cap and need the vets-but Im not sure they do it for the 5th pick. We may just have to settle for taking Tyreke off their hands.
Forget dwill. He wants a big market team. But I do like the pacers trade. A lot!!! But I dont see them crashing their team. They are young and improving and dont want to mess a good thing up…
A. Davis and A. Rivers will be the best pick up for the hornets Davis 4\3 positionsand Rivers 1\2 positions. two future stars to build around. championship in 3 years with a nice SG and nice C
I have no problem welcoming Paul back. However I thinks it’s a very unlikely situation. We wouldn’t just competing against the Clippers. We would be up against teams like the Lakers.
And a team of Davis/Sullinger/Aminu/Gordon probably isn’t as appealing as most Hornets supporters would like to think.
While we’re at it, let’s bring back Tyson, D-West, Jannero Pargo, and WILLIE GREEN.
I think this is trying to take the easy way out…
I would definitely welcome CP back but we can build around him. DEFINITELY dont pass on the BPA if its a point gurad b/c we MAY land a free agent next yr.
*cant
I can name a third team—the Oklahoma City Thunder. A sign and trade involving Russell Westbrook. Michael, as you mentioned last year with the David West scenerio, that teams without the space could easily get creative for such a valued commodity. Let’s say the Thunder lose to the Heat this yr and fall short next yr as well, then they may be willing to move such a significant piece. Or a sign and trade involving Dwayne Wade. Point is there will be many teams that will be closer to a championship than we probably will be at that point that could get creative to make a sign and trade work. Paul isn’t so young anymore and he doesn’t have time to wait for Davis to enter into his prime. Remember due to Paul’s injury and his size, he likely has a shortened career. Therefore, he will be looking for a team that is playoff-tested already that is full of veterans instead of young pups such as Davis, Aminu, and perhaps Sullinger.
I have a couple questions regarding this.
How much do you risk the present in regards to FA to have a *CHANCE* at CP3?
Do you change your draft strategy this year in anticipation that CP3 might resign with N.O. next?
So funny you asked that, because Ryan and I just finished up our podcast and we answer those EXACT questions- almost as if we knew you were going to ask them!
Seriously, though, it is like anything else- are you a gambler or more conservative? I say, even if the chance is only 20-30%, you go for it. Draft a big instead of a small and dont sign anybody to multi year deals this offseason (except Gordon of course). Go into next summer with a bunch of good players that can play with Paul, a big hole at the starting PG spot, and a max check. Then make him choose that horrible owner, inferior roster and coaching staff over you.
And even if he does, you still got a bunch of money to throw at a James Harden or slightly less to Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson, or Darren Collison.
Gotta take some risks to be the best out of 30.
I’m not against a return by CP3. Held no grudge against him for leaving and liked that he was straightforward enough for the Hornets to land BOTH Gordon and the Minnesota pick alongside Kaman and Aminu (remember how LAC wanted to give 1 but not both?)
Do I see it happening? I don’t think so. I think it’s more likely that Chris and LeBron make a secret pact for them to join up in 2014 in NYC or even LA than for Chris and LeBron to go back to their old stomping grounds.
And in 2013, you also have Steph Curry, Darren Collinson and Jrue Holiday all available (either restricted or unrestricted). Younger and cheaper than Chris.
I was bitter that CP3 left but we got EG and the number 1 and 10 picks. At the moment, I’m not keen on CP3’s return although he’s a great player and it would be interesting to see him playing with Davis and EG. PMonty is interested in building a team first culture and less on the distractions and drama that a CP3 return would entail. EG will be in a Hornets uniform. Teams won’t offer some ridiculous contract knowing that they just might get stuck with it. EG is young and shy so we shouldn’t play into the “he doesn’t want to be here” stuff. Plus when he talks about contracts he is echoing his agent and their public relations folks. On draft night so much could happen but both Rivers and Lillard’s stock is rising so we just have to wait and see about that #10 pick don’t we.
I like the notion of this, but at the end of the day I think CP3 wants to be in a big market. I feel like he would choose big market over winning.
I think if CP3 wants to win, he should strongly consider coming back to the Hornets if Gordon re-signs and Davis turns out to be solid. In addition, we’d need a David West type 4 that could run the pick and roll with.
That being said, having Anthony Davis on a rookie contract would make the hornets more attractive than a team that has a max contract out for a guy like Howard/Bynum, but no 2 guard. However, Eric Gordon + CP3, while a scary backcourt, would also be really undersized.
The biggest reason I think this would just be off the table is probably because I think it would hurt his rep more than help it. Although, it makes basketball sense, it may just seem like he’s putting his tail between his legs and returning to New Orleans. I also think the NBA would make some kind of “Chris Paul” rule afterwards to disallow this from ever happening.
At any rate, I think CP3 really has 5 high level, dominant years left. He needs at least 1-2 titles to take his place in NBA history as at least the third, if not second best PG of all time (Magic, then Isiah/Stockton imo, though its all debatable after Magic). I’d support him in doing whatever he thinks he needs to do to win a title. Hell go to the Heat if you need to, but any one of us would do the same thing in his position, because not only is his legacy at stake, but he spent his entire life working to win an NBA title and its his job to figure out how to best do that.
Barkley, Malone, Payton, Stockton, Ewing, Dominique, Reggie, Webber — these guys are all too good to never win NBA titles, but the NBA is cruel. If you are an All Time great, you cant just wait to get lucky. You sometimes have to make your own luck.
[…] months ago I laid out an argument for why I would not close the door on the return of CP3. Eleven months ago I laid out a scenario in […]