When the Lakers lost in Denver on Thursday night, the Hornets took the distinction of being only undefeated NBA team for the first time in their history. I’m not sure, but considering their schedule and the uncertainty that surrounded them after a poor preseason, anyone who bet on this probably made out pretty well.
There was undoubtedly going to be talk this year of someone eclipsing the 72 games that Jordan’s Bulls won in 95-96, but the thought that the Hornets would be leading the way at any point was a pipe dream (my favorite kind) at best. Bravo, Hornets. Let’s hope the best is yet to come.
Here’s how everyone has fared so far (courtesy of 82games.com)-
A few other notes about the 7-0 start
- The Hornets were 75-1 one long shots to win the championship before the season. Today they stand at 25-1.
- Chris Paul started off the season as a 15-1 underdog to win MVP. Now he’s all the way down to 6-1.
- The Bees are out-shooting their opponents 47.6% to 42.5% so far.
- They are attempting 60% of their shots in the first 15 seconds of the shot clock (shooting 56% during that time). Their opponents take only half their shots that quickly (shooting only 46%).
- 78% of all Hornets shots are jumpers (scoring 57.6 points per game), compared to only 69% for their opponents (42.9 points).
- Hornets have committed 94 turnovers on the year. They have forced 108.
- The Bees +7.9 point differential is good for fourth in the league.
- Their 90.1 points allowed is number two overall.
- Five Hornets are averaging 10+ points per game.
- The only position the Hornets have been outperformed at so far this year has been small forward. Check it out-
And as long as you have Hornets on the mind, watch this-
31 responses to “With Lakers Loss, Hornets Are The NBA’s Only Undefeated Team”
look at that thorton is number 2 in defensive efficiency
High numbers in Def Eff. are bad. So Thornton is second from worst in defensive efficiency (which suggests Monty knows what he’s talking about when he says MT5 isn’t cutting it on D.) It’s a small sample size, but if those efficiencies are right, Green deserves a lot more playing time than MT.
Also, (again, small sample size) the efficiencies indicates that the three guard bench lineup is horrendous.
I think people are getting too worried about MT based on our Julian Wright experience. MT’s a guy with great offensive tools, who needs to learn to play defense. But he’s only in his second season. If he can tune up his defense in practice, he’ll crack the lineup again, and he’ll be a better player for it. And if he can’t, than these efficiencies suggest we don’t want him on the floor anyway. I think this is an opportunity for MT, and if Monty just played him because we could score, he’d have no incentive to work on his defense.
Also, people gotta stop hating on Mbenga. A .84 Def. Eff. is outrageous. I don’t care if he has no offensive talent at all, if he can just keep the other team from scoring until CP3 comes back in, mission accomplished…
“Their 90.1 points allowed is number two overall.”
They were #2 with the same 90.1 as Miami but after Miami gave up 110+ to Boston, the Hornets should be #1 in defense (opponents points allowed) come morning. All I can say is keep it up Hornets. Keep playing as hard as you can.
Being the last undefeated team in the NBA is just a small part of what is keeping me excited for the Bees. The most important thing is that the Hornets are playing as a team and still improving.
I’m not sure if anyone is into MMA here but the term “frate trane” would be an apt way to describe the Hornets early on.
PS
That video is like only 80 percent done. Where’s the James Jones ankle-breakage?
I love stats but I am scratching my head at these.
“They are attempting 60% of their shots in the first 15 seconds of the shot clock (shooting 56% during that time). Their opponents take only half their shots that quickly (shooting only 46%).”
This is weird, since the Bees have good ball movement, and misleading since at the end of the game we like to drain the clock and shoot late.
“78% of all Hornets shots are jumpers …, compared to only 69% for their opponents ….”
Is that a good thing, since it means that opponents are scoring most (90.1 – 42.9 = 47.2, or 52%) of their points deep in the paint or as FT?
Yeah, that’s not really a good thing – but it’s more a reflection on how many jumpers the Hornets take, not that opponents are getting a high number of close shots comparatively.
Bug Marley…the Hornets are a FRATE TRNE!
What’s your screen name at mma.tv? I’m flowerfeeder there.
Hi Stew,
to be honest, I only get my MMA fix at MiddleEasy.com. It’s kinda like the SLAMOnline of MMA for me, only funnier like Cracked.
Oh, ok. Figured you were a UG regular because that’s where the “Brock is a FRATE TRANE” thread originated. Check out mma.tv (aka mixedmartialarts.com) sometime. It is THE online source for mma. Everyone from fans to fighters to guys like Joe Rogan post there regularly.
I hope that everyone will like the banner design! If we continue this (Up to 82 games) we’ll be updating the numbers with the next club wins! GEAUX HORNETS!
First, everyone thank Dariusz for the awesome new banner.
Another interesting tidbit. With the Heat getting thrashed last night by a powerful Boston Offensive outburst, and Orlando taking the same sort of being to day before, the Hornets are now the most efficient defense in the NBA.
If they sit out any longer, they’ll be dominant. 🙂
Damned fine banner. I just stare at it.
Thank you, sir.
How is the the Def.Eff worked out?
Def Efficiency is the number of points a team gives up for every 100 possessions the other team has. Hornets opponents score 95.1 points for every 100 times they have the ball. In general, all-time great defenses are at about 92, and the best defenses for normal seasons sit around 95 or 96.
Lots of love on this board for Trevor Ariza so far this season. I like him too. But let’s make a key comparison:
Field Goal percentage:
Ariza 36%
Belinelli 44%
3pt. percentage:
Ariza 38%
Belinelli 41%
Free throw percentage:
Ariza 67%
Belinelli 82%
Points per game:
Ariza 10.3 (in 33 minutes)
Belinelli 11.0 (in 27 minutes)
Plus/Minus:
Ariza +47
Belinelli +59
Defensive efficiency rating”
Ariza +96
Belinelli +95
Trevor has slightly more assists (in 6 minutes more per game on the floor) and is rebounding better than Marco (expected from his position).
I make these points for one reason only: Marco’s game is way underrated. Don’t fall victim to stereotypes. Watch the game closely and be fair.
Forza, Marco!
Don’t get me wrong, Marco has been great, but don’t dismiss the fact that Ariza has been guarding the opponent’s best wing player every night. He has done a great job on the likes of melo and lebron. In that respect, he’s been a game changer. I’m glad they’re both in creole blue!
Very nice banner indeed!
I’m trying not to focus on the 7-0 up there though. I just feel if I don’t think about the record so much, we’ll continue to win games. LOL. Just my thinking.
Hey everybody, I posted this in the journals section, but I felt like I should also share it in the comments. Some hornets tix are 50% off next week, so come on out!
http://www.travelzoo.com/entertainment/more/921417/
I just thought of this, but I wonder if this ticket sale is in response to Chris’s tweet earlier this week. If so, they’re johnny-on-the-spot with trying to keep the kid happy. If not, who cares, it should definitely put butts in the seats.
I just ate at a restaurant and talked with the owner. He just went to his first Hornets game (Clippers). It’s one person, but it’s something.
He had a great time, by the way.
Let’s hope it’s the first of many.
What did CP3 tell MEK in the first game of the season? “Let’s go. It’s winning time!”
I second that!
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/gameTrax?gameId=2010111211
Out of topic weird thing i just noticed, of all Indiana players that played this night, just Daren and Posey had 0 assists!
You missed Tyler Hanbrough’s 0 dimes in 11 minutes.
Yup, you are right, missed Tyler. But checking the scores also noticed Posey’s 5/8 in 3pters, and his total points (19). How many treys he made last year? 6? 190 points? He already did more this season than last! (not a very difficult task considering his play last year)
and Kevin $%%&ing Love, 31pts – 31 reb!!!! WTF!!
ESPN showed last night that there were 8ish 30-30 nights from 1972-1982, but this was the only one since then.
I wonder why it took so long. Was it a shift away from the Center to Forwards and Guards?
Shooting percentages were awful in the 60-70’s. There were generally about 10-15 more rebounds available per game. Being on the timberwolves I’m sure helps Love get a few more rebounds. 🙂
I know I’m late on the draw but the banner is amazing loved last years but this one blows them away and Damn love destroyed it I was hoping we could try for him no way mins gonna part with him and beasley have been bombing on em