some players just reek of being over valued 

I think Julian Wright is a huge key for this team.  David West has been injured A LOT in his first four years…having a quality backup for him is essential.  I can see J Wright getting a good 18-20 mpg this year, and will probably become their Maxiel or Millsap type of guy (as far as minutes in the rotation, not similarity in games).

I, too, was on the “we need to draft Julian Wright” wagon back two years ago (J Wright at 12, and trading up to be able to nab Javaris Crittenton at 17-19 were my ideal picks).  I wouldn’t say Thad Young is a definite over Julian yet.  The trio of Thad, Julian and Thornton is one hell of a combo of future NBA SF’s…with all three also being able to slide into the PF role if needed.

The thing I that scares me about Julian Wright is that it’s like taking the athleticism of a Josh Smith…and combining it with bball IQ.  Wright is a real deceiving player, as it’s easy to lump him into that “raw and athletic category” with all of last year’s Sports Center highlight reel dunks.  He’s not that at all though…excellent passer, some of the best big man footwork in college bball two years ago at Kansas, ridiculous handle for a guy that played college PF, and very unselfish.  I’d bank on Thad being the best player of the bunch, with maybe Thornton a rock solid rotation guy, but J Wright could really turn into this odd SF/PF versatile freak…I really love his game, he just needs some minutes and experience.

Greatest strength(s):
-Chris Paul–electric player
-Plenty of guards
-Three point shooting
-Players with CHAMPIONSHIP experience
  1) Devin Brown
  2) Mike James
  3) James Posey
  4)Sean Marks (part of the Spurs bench)
  5)Melvin Ely (part of the Spurs bench)
  6)Byron Scott (as a player, 2 Finals appearances as a coach!)
-New Orleans Arena (Whooh!) 
-Youth

Greatest weakness(es):
-Frontcourt depth
-Road woes in postseason (1-4)

This team is going to be fun and electric like last year.  Expect another tight race in the West. 

Last year, had they not lost a couple of games in the last week of the season (especially one against the Lakers), they would have had the homecourt advantage throughout the Western Conference and Chris Paul would have been the MVP.

This season, Chris Paul WILL be the MVP.  The MVP is more of a team oriented award meaning what a player does individually not only helps him, but has an impact on the team as well. (Record wise, winning wise, what a game without that player would do, etc.) 

Key matchups:

v.s Spurs (2-2 reg. season,  3-4 postseason).

Obviously they are the team that beat them and the Spurs were nearly defeated by the Hornets.  Now, the Hornets have Posey who could be a potential Ginobili stopper!  It’s a great series and will continue to be in all aspects: regular season for the battle of the Southwest Division and the postseason for a right to the WCF.

v.s Rockets (2-2)

Another Southwest rival and a potential one when healthy!!  More to be discussed later in this division.  

v.s  Lakers  (2-2)

A battle for the #1 seed in the West and a potential WCF matchup.  Had the Hornets not been sloppy the last week, they would have had the #1 seed and Chris Paul would be the MVP.  Last year, I was cheering for this matchup!!!

v.s Jazz  (1-3)
Another Western matchup and a great individual matchup between Deron Williams and Chris Paul!

(With that said, the Hornets are going to be 1st in the Southwest Division, 2nd in the West!!)

(On a side note, the Sixers will split the season against the Hornets (1-1) with each winning on their home floors.  Both teams have a lot of quick guards, but the Sixers have a deeper frontcourt which could make a difference!!)