The New Orleans...

This is going to be very brief and mostly just a follow up to my previous post about changing NBA nicknames. But I think I've got a good one for New Orleans - the New Orleans Bon Temps. It's French for "Good Times." Intimidating? No. But it fits that city/culture like a glove. (And it's not like the Orlando "Magic" is exactly putting the fear of God into anyone by reminding other teams they share a city with Disney World.) Plus, I could really see the people of New Orleans, and casual fans in general, rallying around the phrase, "Laissez le Bon Temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!) Who wouldn't want to yell that? Or buy a shirt with that written on it? I think that's what I'm going to call them from now on. Someone pass this along to Tom Benson, please.

One Last Thought on the Chris Paul Trade (and a couple other thoughts)

I've been developing this tool for a while now, which I originally intended to find a player's three year "peak" - the best three season stretch of a player's career. Incidentally, this can be used to identify the value of any three season stretch of a player's career. Of course, I've only been using this to evaluate (mostly) elite players and compare them to other elite players so far, so, it may need tweaking to accurately rate role players. But I think it works well for the greats right now. Anyway, I'm going to use this to analyze the value of the two Chris Paul trades, and see which one actually would be more beneficial for the Hornets.

The Trade That Wasn't

Hey, remember when the Lakers, Rockets, and Hornets were involved in a three-team deal that sent Chris Paul to Los Angeles, Pau Gasol to the Rockets, and Lamar Odom/Kevin Martin/a few other players to the Hornets? No? Well, I can't blame you. It happened, and then un-happened in the span of about two hours. "How can a trade un-happen?" you ask. Good question.

(#14) Hornets - (#3) Warriors Series

Game 1: Hornets 111 - Warriors 123

Ultimate Hornets PLAYER MIN FGM/FGA 3PM/3PA FTM/FTA OREB REB AST BLK STL TO PF TP 2008-09  Chris Paul* 43 7/11 1/1 7/9 0 4 14 0 5 2 3 22 1996-97  Glen Rice* 41 8/17 1/4 3/4 0 0 4 2 0 0 2 20 1992-93  Larry Johnson* 31 9/15 0/1 3/3 3 6 1 0 0 1 1 21 2007-08  David West* 29 6/18 1/3 0/0 0 5 1 3 1 3 1 13 2003-04  Jamaal Magloire 18 0/3 0/0 2/4 3 5 0 0 0 0 3 2 2002-03  P.J. Brown 18 3/4 0/0 2/2 2 5 0 0 1 0 3 8 1998-99  David Wesley 16 3/4 2/3 1/1 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 9 2002-03  Jamal Mashburn 15 4/6 0/1 0/0 0 3 5 0 0 0 0 8 2001-02  Baron Davis* 14 0/2 0/2 1/2 0 2 4 0 0 2 0 1 1995-96  Dell Curry 14 2/7 2/4 1/1 1 3 2 0 0 1 1 7 TOTALS 42/87 7/19 20/26 9 35 32 5 7 9 16 111 Ultimate Warriors PLAYER MIN FGM/FGA 3PM/3PA FTM/FTA OREB REB AST BLK STL TO PF TP 1962-63  Wilt Chamberlain* 44 18/21 0/0 5/6 6 22 1 5 1 6 2 41 1951-52  Paul Arizin* 39 10/19 3/6 2/2 3 10 7 1 1 0 4 25 1972-73  Nate Thurmond 22 1/2 0/0 3/4 2 6 1 1 0 0 0 5 1974-75  Rick Barry* 21 3/10 0/2 0/0 0 3 2 0 0 2 1 6 1959-60  Tom Gola 21 1/4 0/0 0/0 0 3 5 0 1 2 2 2 1954-55  Neil Johnston* 20 3/4 0/0 6/8 3 6 4 1 2 0 1 12 1971-72  Jeff Mullins 20 6/12 0/1 2/2 0 1 5 1 0 0 2 14 1975-76  Phil Smith 17 5/7 1/1 2/3 0 2 2 0 1 0 2 13 1955-56  Jack George 15 1/3 0/1 1/4 0 0 4 0 0 0 2 3 1996-97  Latrell Sprewell 15 1/4 0/0 0/0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 2 1990-91  Chris Mullin* 4 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1952-53  Joe Fulks 2 0/1 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTALS 49/87 4/11 21/29 14 54 35 9 7 10 16 123 * - denotes game starter Player of the Game Wilt Chamberlain (Ultimate Warriors)

Game 2: Hornets 123 - Warriors 126 (OT)

Ultimate Hornets
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PM/3PA	FTM/FTA	OREB	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
2008-09  Chris Paul*	53	10/19	1/2	4/4	1	7	19	0	3	5	4	25
1996-97  Glen Rice*	47	11/23	4/7	5/6	0	3	8	0	2	1	0	31
2007-08  David West*	39	10/21	0/1	1/2	2	8	3	2	1	1	1	21
1992-93  Larry Johnson*	39	7/11	0/0	4/4	3	11	1	2	2	1	3	18
2002-03  Jamal Mashburn	20	2/8	1/3	0/0	1	1	4	0	1	1	0	5
2003-04  Jamaal Magloire	16	0/2	0/0	0/0	2	6	0	0	0	3	3	0
2002-03  P.J. Brown	16	4/6	0/0	0/0	4	7	0	0	0	0	0	8
2001-02  Baron Davis*	15	2/6	0/2	0/0	0	1	2	0	1	1	1	4
1995-96  Dell Curry	15	3/4	0/0	3/3	0	2	1	0	0	3	2	9
1998-99  David Wesley	7	1/2	0/1	0/0	0	1	1	0	2	0	1	2
TOTALS		50/102	6/16	17/19	13	47	39	4	12	16	15	123
Ultimate Warriors
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PM/3PA	FTM/FTA	OREB	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
1962-63  Wilt Chamberlain*	47	14/24	0/0	3/6	6	16	5	5	1	5	0	31
1951-52  Paul Arizin*	42	8/18	0/2	2/3	3	9	4	3	1	4	3	18
1972-73  Nate Thurmond	31	2/8	0/1	3/3	4	7	4	0	2	2	0	7
1974-75  Rick Barry*	30	10/18	1/1	3/3	1	4	5	0	2	3	3	24
1971-72  Jeff Mullins	21	7/10	1/1	2/2	0	3	2	0	0	1	2	17
1996-97  Latrell Sprewell	20	2/5	1/2	0/0	0	1	1	1	0	2	0	5
1959-60  Tom Gola	19	4/6	1/1	0/0	2	6	2	0	0	2	1	9
1975-76  Phil Smith	17	2/5	0/0	0/0	0	2	1	0	0	0	4	4
1954-55  Neil Johnston*	15	3/6	1/2	0/0	0	6	2	1	0	0	2	7
1990-91  Chris Mullin*	13	1/2	0/0	0/0	1	1	3	0	1	1	0	2
1955-56  Jack George	10	1/2	0/0	0/0	0	2	1	0	0	0	1	2
TOTALS		54/104	5/10	13/17	17	57	30	10	7	20	16	126
* - denotes game starter
Player of the Game
Wilt Chamberlain (Ultimate Warriors)

Game 3: Warriors 101 - Hornets 118

Ultimate Warriors
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PM/3PA	FTM/FTA	OREB	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
1962-63  Wilt Chamberlain*	42	14/23	0/0	6/6	5	14	4	1	0	3	1	34
1951-52  Paul Arizin*	33	4/11	0/2	0/0	3	6	0	1	1	3	1	8
1971-72  Jeff Mullins	26	2/5	0/0	2/2	1	8	3	1	0	3	1	6
1972-73  Nate Thurmond	24	1/3	0/0	4/4	1	8	1	0	1	3	3	6
1974-75  Rick Barry*	22	7/14	0/2	2/3	1	4	1	0	2	2	2	16
1959-60  Tom Gola	22	2/3	1/1	0/0	0	6	2	0	0	3	4	5
1975-76  Phil Smith	17	2/6	0/1	1/2	0	2	3	0	1	1	3	5
1954-55  Neil Johnston*	17	2/5	0/1	1/2	2	3	1	0	0	1	0	5
1996-97  Latrell Sprewell	16	5/9	2/4	2/2	0	1	3	1	0	3	0	14
1955-56  Jack George	10	0/3	0/1	0/0	0	0	1	0	1	0	1	0
1990-91  Chris Mullin*	9	1/3	0/0	0/0	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	2
1952-53  Joe Fulks	2	0/0	0/0	0/0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS		40/85	3/12	18/21	13	53	19	4	7	23	16	101
Ultimate Hornets
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PM/3PA	FTM/FTA	OREB	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
2008-09  Chris Paul*	46	8/18	1/2	4/5	0	7	19	0	6	0	4	21
2007-08  David West*	38	7/15	0/0	2/2	4	12	3	1	1	2	0	16
1992-93  Larry Johnson*	34	12/18	1/1	0/0	0	5	1	0	0	5	1	25
1996-97  Glen Rice*	32	4/10	1/3	2/3	0	1	1	0	1	1	4	11
2002-03  Jamal Mashburn	19	2/4	0/1	0/0	0	1	5	0	2	0	2	4
1998-99  David Wesley	19	3/6	2/3	2/2	1	3	3	0	2	1	1	10
1995-96  Dell Curry	17	5/9	1/1	1/1	0	1	2	0	0	1	0	12
2003-04  Jamaal Magloire	16	3/7	0/0	1/2	5	10	1	1	1	2	1	7
2001-02  Baron Davis*	10	3/6	2/3	0/1	1	3	1	0	0	0	0	8
2002-03  P.J. Brown	10	2/5	0/1	0/0	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	4
TOTALS		49/98	8/15	12/16	12	45	36	2	14	12	13	118
* - denotes game starter
Player of the Game
Chris Paul (Ultimate Hornets)

Game 4: Warriors 118 - Hornets 101

Ultimate Warriors
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PM/3PA	FTM/FTA	OREB	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
1962-63  Wilt Chamberlain*	45	23/32	0/0	3/5	8	23	3	3	0	2	1	49
1951-52  Paul Arizin*	34	9/14	1/1	0/1	1	7	5	0	2	3	1	19
1972-73  Nate Thurmond	27	1/3	0/0	0/0	1	8	3	2	1	3	1	2
1971-72  Jeff Mullins	25	1/4	0/1	0/0	3	4	4	0	0	2	0	2
1975-76  Phil Smith	22	6/11	0/1	2/4	2	4	4	0	1	2	0	14
1954-55  Neil Johnston*	19	0/3	0/0	5/6	2	5	2	1	1	0	2	5
1974-75  Rick Barry*	18	3/6	0/0	0/0	0	0	3	0	0	2	2	6
1996-97  Latrell Sprewell	16	6/12	2/4	1/3	0	1	5	1	3	1	0	15
1959-60  Tom Gola	16	2/2	0/0	2/3	1	3	4	0	2	0	1	6
1955-56  Jack George	13	0/5	0/0	0/0	0	0	3	0	0	1	1	0
1990-91  Chris Mullin*	3	0/2	0/0	0/0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1952-53  Joe Fulks	1	0/1	0/0	0/0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS		51/95	3/7	13/22	18	55	37	7	10	16	9	118
Ultimate Hornets
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PM/3PA	FTM/FTA	OREB	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
2008-09  Chris Paul*	45	15/21	3/4	0/0	0	5	9	1	7	3	3	33
1996-97  Glen Rice*	42	6/16	2/7	0/0	2	6	1	0	0	3	2	14
2007-08  David West*	32	8/19	1/1	3/3	3	8	3	0	1	2	3	20
1992-93  Larry Johnson*	29	4/7	0/0	1/2	0	3	5	0	0	2	0	9
1998-99  David Wesley	22	1/6	0/2	0/0	0	1	8	0	0	3	1	2
2003-04  Jamaal Magloire	17	2/6	0/0	2/2	2	6	0	0	0	0	1	6
1995-96  Dell Curry	15	2/4	1/1	0/1	0	1	3	1	1	2	2	5
2002-03  P.J. Brown	14	1/1	0/0	0/0	2	6	1	1	0	2	2	2
2002-03  Jamal Mashburn	12	3/7	1/2	1/2	1	4	1	0	0	1	0	8
2001-02  Baron Davis*	5	0/1	0/0	0/0	1	1	1	1	0	0	2	0
1996-97  Anthony Mason	5	1/1	0/0	0/0	0	0	2	0	1	1	0	2
TOTALS		43/89	8/17	7/10	11	41	34	4	10	19	16	101
* - denotes game starter
Player of the Game
Wilt Chamberlain (Ultimate Warriors)

Game 5: Hornets 116 - Warriors 122

Ultimate Hornets
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PM/3PA	FTM/FTA	OREB	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
1996-97  Glen Rice*	38	8/15	4/6	7/9	1	5	3	1	0	1	4	27
2008-09  Chris Paul*	37	11/23	1/2	7/11	2	6	13	0	3	0	5	30
2007-08  David West*	34	7/16	0/1	1/2	3	13	1	1	0	2	2	15
1992-93  Larry Johnson*	30	4/9	0/1	4/5	2	7	2	0	0	2	5	12
1998-99  David Wesley	18	2/6	0/1	4/4	0	0	2	0	0	2	1	8
2002-03  P.J. Brown	17	0/0	0/0	0/0	0	5	0	0	0	0	2	0
2001-02  Baron Davis*	16	1/8	1/5	0/0	1	3	3	1	1	2	3	3
2003-04  Jamaal Magloire	15	1/2	0/0	2/2	2	8	1	1	0	1	2	4
1995-96  Dell Curry	14	4/5	2/3	0/0	0	1	1	0	1	2	2	10
2002-03  Jamal Mashburn	13	2/3	0/1	3/3	0	0	2	0	1	0	1	7
1989-90  Muggsy Bogues	6	0/1	0/0	0/0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1996-97  Anthony Mason	2	0/0	0/0	0/0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS		40/88	8/20	28/36	11	48	29	4	6	12	27	116
Ultimate Warriors
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PM/3PA	FTM/FTA	OREB	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
1962-63  Wilt Chamberlain*	40	11/23	0/0	5/11	4	16	5	2	1	1	1	27
1951-52  Paul Arizin*	38	7/13	2/2	9/9	3	9	3	2	1	4	2	25
1975-76  Phil Smith	24	6/10	2/2	4/4	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	18
1971-72  Jeff Mullins	24	2/7	0/0	0/0	1	3	4	0	2	2	2	4
1990-91  Chris Mullin*	23	4/6	0/0	5/5	0	2	2	0	0	3	1	13
1972-73  Nate Thurmond	22	4/11	0/0	0/0	1	3	2	3	0	0	4	8
1959-60  Tom Gola	16	2/4	0/0	0/0	0	4	3	0	1	1	1	4
1954-55  Neil Johnston*	15	3/5	0/0	6/7	3	8	3	2	0	0	2	12
1996-97  Latrell Sprewell	14	1/2	0/0	2/2	0	2	5	0	0	1	0	4
1974-75  Rick Barry*	12	2/5	1/1	2/2	1	2	1	0	0	1	5	7
1955-56  Jack George	10	0/1	0/0	0/0	0	0	2	0	1	0	1	0
1952-53  Joe Fulks	2	0/0	0/0	0/2	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
TOTALS		42/87	5/5	33/42	13	51	31	9	6	13	21	122
* - denotes game starter
Player of the Game
Wilt Chamberlain (Ultimate Warriors)

A respectable showing by the Hornets, I would say, considering some of the legends they were up against. But the Warriors take the series 4 games to 1, and next up, they'll play either the Suns or the Nuggets. (Although, if I'm a present day Warriors fan, I don't know how much pride I'd take in this team, considering their most recent player was 1997 Latrell Sprewell, who they had to get rid of for choking his coach. Before that it was 1991 Chris Mullin. And before that? You gotta go all the way back to 1976 Phil Smith. Things haven't been great in the recent past for the Warriors...)