The Hornets believe nothing less than a trip to the NBA finals will make this season a success, and with good reason.
Last season, they won a franchise-record 56 games, won the ultra-competitive Southwest for their first division title, prevailed in a seven-game playoff series for the first time (4-1 over Dallas), and had the playoff-savvy Spurs on the ropes before losing Games 6 and 7 of that conference semifinal series. The Hornets' top three players -- All-Star and Olympic point guard Chris Paul (runner-up to Kobe Bryant for MVP last season), All-Star forward David West, and center Tyson Chandler are young and ascending.
The other starters -- forward Peja Stojakovic and guard Morris Peterson -- are solid complimentary players.
The bench was strengthened by the free-agent signing of swingman James Posey, who won a championship with the Celtics last season and another with the Heat two years before that.
The Hornets are also counting on another free agent, Devin Brown, to provide more consistency behind Paul than they had from Jannero Pargo, who was primarily a scorer before signing as a free agent with a team in Russia during the off-season.
The bench, which was a weakness last season, appears stronger on the perimeter but depth inside remains a concern.
Still, Byron Scott, the NBA Coach of the Year a year ago, took New Jersey to the NBA finals twice and sees an opportunity for this team to do the same.
Scott said after the loss to the Spurs that teams don't just go from not being in the playoffs to the NBA finals in one season. But having experienced some playoff success and a seven-game series against the then-defending champions, that next step is now realistic.
"You never want to look too far ahead," Paul said, "but you always understand that we're not trying to make the playoffs, we're trying to win this thing."
COACHING STAFF: Head Coach -- Byron Scott, 9th year overall (332-336), 5th with the Hornets (158-182). Assistants -- Kenny Gattison, Paul Pressey, Charlie Parker.
LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 56-26 (1st in Southwest, defeated Dallas, 4-1, and lost to San Antonio, 4-3, in the playoffs.
THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 52-30 (1st in Southwest), trip to the Western Conference finals.
POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: The Hornets have a good thing going, so don't expect major changes. If Morris Peterson falters, James Posey could move into the starting lineup. Second-year swingman Julian Wright should become a force off the bench.
