2012 New Orleans Hornets
Several weeks ago, I wrote an article detailing what my top five goals for the New Orleans Hornets were for the rest of the 2012 season. Goal number two was surpassing 18 wins. (Check out the article linked below to see how the Hornets have done with my other goals.) Thanks to their win over the Charlotte Bobcats, the Hornets met that goal.
2004-05 New Orleans Hornets
The worst season in Hornets' history (in both Charlotte and New Orleans) was 2004-05 when they went 18-64. That year, New Orleans traded a disgruntled Baron Davis early in the season and the Hornets were left with Dan Dickau as their starting point guard.
Sound familiar?
Although that plot line sounds eerily similar to the 2012 New Orleans Hornets, these teams are actually very different in many ways. As a matter of fact, despite their struggles this year, the 2012 Hornets are one of my favorite teams in club history.
The reason why this 19-42 Hornets team is one of my all-time favorites is because of the great effort they have given on a nightly basis. Not only has New Orleans played hard every night in 2012, but they have done so while enduring a ridiculous number of injuries.
An incredible stat
It's easy for a biased, diehard New Orleans fan like me to subjectively claim the 2012 Hornets play hard every night. But I've got the evidence to prove it. Through Monday night's action, there have been a total of 51 NBA games this season that have resulted in blowout losses of over 25 points.
In fact, 19 of 30 NBA teams have suffered at least one of these humiliating losses this season, including eight current playoff teams. Although they've often suited up fewer than 10 players, New Orleans has no losses of over 25 points this season. That's why I love the 2012 New Orleans Hornets so much.
19 wins
Once Eric Gordon returned from injury, it became more a question of when, rather than if, New Orleans would reach 19 wins in 2012. With their current four-game winning streak, New Orleans is playing like a playoff-caliber NBA team. The Hornets were very impressive in their wins over the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies.
Looking ahead to 2012-13
The bright side of the Hornets injury-riddled season is that New Orleans has two lottery picks in the 2012 NBA Draft. Plus, I'm sure Hornets owner Tom Benson will match any offer that Gordon receives from another NBA team in free agency. Also, their late-season heroics should give the Hornets confidence and momentum heading into 2012-13.
The New Orleans are looking good for the 2012-13 NBA season!
Patrick Michael was born in New Orleans and currently resides in the Big Easy. A loyal New Orleans NBA fan, Patrick was a diehard New Orleans Jazz fan and now cheers for the Hornets. Patrick was in the New Orleans Arena the night the Hornets were one win away from the Western Conference Finals.
Source
"Team Game Finder," basketball-reference.com
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