We have fallen behind on our Hornets buzzin' but not this week, not with 21 games left in the season and New Orleans holding on by the slimmest thread to a possible playoff spot.
New Orleans is four spots behind Portland for the eighth and final Western Conference spot and sits in a tie with Houston for ninth. But the Hornets rest on Tuesday only a half game ahead of Memphis in the standings.
Yikes indeed.
We'll start with the fun news first. We all knew Byron Scott was axed because of his unwillingness to play rookies. Well, now we know why management wanted rookies to play. Guard Darren Collison earned Western Conference Rookie of the Month for February.
Yet, Collison couldn't help the Hornets beat Southwest Division rival San Antonio on Monday night. New Orleans lost 106-92.
The problem Monday night? Well, it's the same problem for much of the season - the Hornets can't come out strong in the third quarter and fall way behind.
One of the main problems for the Hornets is a lack of depth. Wednesday night in a home game against Memphis, the Hornets do expect Darius Songaila back. That's good news.
If you're looking for good, solid analysis of the Hornets loss to San Antonio, look no further than Niall Doherty's Hornets247.com blog. His thoughts from Monday: The Spurs fundamentalled the Hornets to death.
Brett Martel of the Associated Press says the Hornets struggled against the Spurs.
Jaron Torbeck at bleacherreport wonders if Chris Paul is a product of the system after watching Darren Collison play so well. To that, most of us would say blasphemy!
Collison isn't a lone in plyaing well as a rookie. Marcus Thornton is playing exceptionally well, too.
Rotoworld says Chris Paul might be back as soon as March 12.
Ryan Schwan writes about myths that have been associated with the Hornets, including bad contracts.
The Hornets rate No. 18 in ESPN.com's Hollinger rankings.
Marc Stein has them ranked No. 15, but that was before the loss to the Spurs.
ESPN.com believes the Hornets now have only a 4.9 percent chance at making the playoffs.
Chris Mannix of SI.com has New Orleans at No. 16, but that's also prior to the loss to the Spurs.
Yahoo Sports says the schedule isn't in the Hornets' favor.
John DeShazier of NOLA.com doesn't think the Hornets' elevator goes to the elite level.
