Hornets = A bunch of childish bullies, who whine excessively, and play dirty
David West is their poster boy and Chris Paul is their ring leader. Posey was a perfect fit for them because he is always pushing the envelope on defense, slapping at whoever he is guarding and calling it good defense. I particularly hate West. I hate his demeanor on the court. I wish someone would smack him upside his head when he acts like an idiot. Whether on offense or defense, West is always pushing, shoving and slapping the other player behind the refs back. Then when he thinks he is the one being fouled, he throws a complete hissy fit. Just like tonight when he got the T for chucking the ball back at the official....after he scored!! If I didn't think kids read this blog, I would use the words I really think describe David West. And Chris Paul now rivals Duncan for the best player in the league to constantly have the whiny "wasn't that a foul" look on his face, that then turns to a blank, awkward stare at the ref. And the irony is that Paul is always getting the benefit of the doubt. Whether it is from the ref or the stat guy. Paul averages about 2 less assists per game that he is given in the stat book. He will pass it to David West, West will hestiate, pump fake, jab step, will take 2 or 3 dribbles, jump stop, pump fake, jab step, spin, fadeaway jumper and guess what? Paul gets the freaking assist for it. It is absurd and ridiculous. I truly believe that Deron Williams gets more assists per game the Paul. Paul just gets special treatment. Maybe it is because is 5'7 and has a shoe size smaller than most 7th graders. Don't believe me that Paul is or has been a dirty player? I'll remind you about him punching someone in the nuts in college when he lost his temper and then got suspended for it. And then there is freaking Chandler. He has always been irritating. That is one reason he has been so good at rebounding. He does whatever is necessary downlow to get possession.
And all 3 - Paul, West and Chandler - talk smack constantly. The CA reports that Ivy got into with Paul at the end of the game because he wouldn't shut his trap. Whiny? check. Cheap shots? check. Talks too much smack? check. Irritating? check.
The one area I think the Hornets excel at being dirty at, it is at pick and rolls and guarding pick and rolls. They throw hips, knees, and shoulders every chance they get. They constantly use moving screens and try to get away with anything they can. Tonight, Chandler got caught once "giving Lowry the business" and got a T for it. There were many times they didn't get caught. In the first half, Chandler bowled over Lowry like a fullback, but got away with it. If refs would call fouls on pick and roll situations correctly, the Hornets wouldn't have any players to play in the 4th quarter.
Years ago, us Griz fans always called the Nuggets, the Thuggets. With the addition of Billups and losing Camby, I'll remove that label and give it to the Hornets.....Hornthugs......or hell, leaving it just Thuggets also fits. New Orleans Thuggets....where throwing an elbow and crying it wasn't called a foul on the other team, happens. After the Griz are eliminated from playoff contention, I'll be rooting for whoever is playing the Hornets, as long as it isn't the Blazers.
Wait, the game is over and I think they just gave Paul another assist.....and guess what, David West thought he was fouled on the way to showers and is crying about it.