Yes, you were paying attention
At 7-foot-1, 235 pounds, Hornets center Tyson Chandler is hard to miss.
And given the way he’s played this season, it was hard to miss our poll question of the week: “Who is the Hornets’ MVP this season?”
Last season, there was no doubt rookie point guard Chris Paul was the team MVP.
Though Paul remains a valuable commodity, this season there is equally no doubt Chandler is the Hornets’ top man.
Acquired last July in a trade that shipped veteran center PJ Brown and gifted guard J.R. Smith to Chicago, Chandler immediately made his presence known.
Though only 24 years old, this already is his sixth season in the league.
Chandler leads the league in field-goal percentage (.625), is second in rebounding (12.4) and is on the cusp of averaging a double-double (9.4 ppg).
As impressive as those numbers are, what’s more impressive about Chandler is his attitude. He has untapped potential that he wants to tap. He is an open-minded sponge, a coach’s dream.
Sadly, many NBA players can become a coach’s nightmare.
The Hornets have made it clear they’ll do everything they can to hang on to Paul for as long as they can. It’s safe to say they now feel the same way about Chandler.
Congrats to those who voted in our on-line poll. Chandler won handily with 58 percent of the vote, followed by Desmond Mason with 23 percent, Paul with 11 percent, David West with 6 percent and Devin Brown with 2 percent.
John Rohde
Hope you enjoyed the Mavs
Hope you enjoyed Tuesday’s visit by the Dallas Mavericks. Those of you in attendance at the Ford Center got to witness the 2007 NBA champions. No one’s beating this team in the playoffs. Not Phoenix. Not San Antonio. Not Miami, with or without Dwyane Wade. Not Detroit. Nobody.
And I’m not just saying that because they thrashed the Hornets. Aside from the fact that I’ve felt this way since the preseason, the regular season has proved that this team is on a mission. Have been since Day One. They have too many weapons. Too much depth. Too much experience. Too much versatility. Too good a coaching staff.
No NBA team can match what the Mavs bring over the course of a seven-game series. Phoenix probably has the best shot, but when the game’s on the line, Phoenix can’t get stops. Been that way for two years over in Arizona.
Tuesday’s game was over before it even started. The Mavs took care of business just like they have in the past 20 games against the Hornets. I’ve witnessed Dallas’ last eight wins over the Hornets live. And it’s been the same script each time these two teams take the floor. The Mavs go up. The Hornets, sometimes, make a little push. The Mavs turn up the intensity and the Hornets have no answer.
Chris Paul might as well have grabbed some popcorn and stayed on the bench. He scored two points, his lowest point total since Nov. 14. But in that game, he had 10 assists and Peja Stojakovic had a career-high 42 points. Paul had just three assists Tuesday, and a healthy Peja probably wouldn’t have helped the Hornets on this night.
But Paul’s stats suggest he’ll bounce back strongly Wednesday night against the San Antonio Spurs. Paul is averaging 16.2 points, 8.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals in the second game of back-to-backs this season.
I don’t know what’s wrong with Devin Brown, who missed six of his nine shots Tuesday. His three made shots came in the garbage time fourth quarter. When I asked Byron Scott on Monday about Devin’s struggles, he said he still has faith in him and that won’t change. Maybe it’s time for a change in the starting lineup. Maybe Rasual Butler, who averages 14.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists as a starter warrants another look as the 2-man. Don’t think it will happen, though.
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Have you been paying attention?
This entire week, on the same page where you entered this website, you will be able to vote for the Hornets’ most valuable player in 2006-07.
This is a no-brainer, but here’s hoping people use theirs when casting a vote.
Without this player, the Hornets might be battling Memphis for the league’s worst record. No exaggeration.
This player has probably won a dozen games for the Hornets this season, which would make the Hornets 19-50 without him heading into tonght’s game against Houston inside the Ford Center.
The Hornets simply can’t compete without this player.
So click your back-arrow button, return to the Hornets main page, and cast your vote.
We’ll check back with you next Sunday to see how many people got it right.
John Rohde
What they’re saying about Kobe Bryant
It’s been a long day, starting with a 7:30 a.m. flight to New Orleans on Friday morning. I’m tired. So I’m just going to leave a few quotes about Kobe Bryant following his fourth straight game of 50 points or more.
“You love watching greatness. And right now you’re watching one of the greatest players of our time.” — Hornets coach Byron Scott.
“Just watching it on the highlights, you’re getting a chance to witness history in the league. It’s something that rarely happens, and it’s something that not that many players get a chance to do. I think that’s the main thing, being able to be a part of that by being in the league and playing against a guy of his caliber.” — Hornets forward Desmond Mason.
“His will is like no other. He’s got to be one of the top athletes of all time as far as competing and determination and will is concerned He’s right up there with the great ones.” — Lakers forward Lamar Odom.
“Right now we’re witnessing greatness. I think when it’s all said and done and he’s gone from this game, we’re going to take a look at what he did and really appreciate it. Few of us appreciate it right now. I’m one of them who does appreciate what he’s doing. When he’s finished and we take a look back, the man has done some incredible things.” — Hornets center Tyson Chandler.
“Remember that suspension two weeks ago? I think that has motivated him. I don’t know if we like to have suspensions all of the time to work for us, but there were some things there that motivated him.” — Lakers coach Phil Jackson.
“I think the thing that makes him head and shoulders (above everyone) is his attitude. I think that’s the thing that separates him from the other guys. There are still some guys in this league that’s probably just as athletic if not more athletic than Kobe, but there not tougher mentally. I don’t think there’s anybody in the game tougher than him mentally.” — Hornets coach Byron Scott.
“I think he’s always got a bad rap if he takes 40 shots everybody says he’s hogging the ball. No disrespect to the other guys on their team, but how many of those guys want to shoot the ball when the game is on the line? He’s willing to take that chance. He’s willing to be the hero. So I don’t see him hogging, but then if he takes 10 shots everybody criticizes him about not shooting enough. It’s ridiculous to me. But I think he’s doing what he has to do. If you’re a superstar on your team, you do whatever it takes to win.” — Byron Scott.
“Best player alive.” — Darnell Mayberry 
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