The New Orleans Hornets playoff history is a brief one, but when considering their short history it makes sense. The team began playing in 1988 in Charlotte and eventually found a powerful duo in Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning. In three seasons they made the playoffs twice, including an upset of the Boston Celtics in their first playoff series ever in 1992. The seasons were plagued by injuries and eventually the front office chose to trade the two young talented basketball players for a new lineup. Stars like Glen Rice and talented complimentary players like Mat Geiger, Vlade Divac, and Anthony Mason. The addition of David Wesley and Bobby Phils gave the team playoff aspirations for the next few seasons, but Hornets playoff tickets never went very far. The additions of Derrick Coleman through free agency and Baron Davis through the draft in 1999. The roster continued to change and Charlotte responded with three straight postseason appearances.
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The Hornets have now moved to New Orleans and the Western Conference and have another star point guard leading the way. Chris Paul is the small, lightening quick point guard who likes to drive to the basket. Though many worry about his slight stature (only 6 feet tall and 175 pounds), he has weathered the beatings of going to the hole for three seasons and has electrified the crows with his passes and layups. His presence is the driving force behind Hornets playoff tickets. Without him the postseason would be lost. He has been able to keep Peja Stojakovic relevant when many thought his days as a deadly shooter were over. Peja’s field goal percentages went up across the board.
New Orleans also gets to watch Paul hook up from all over the court with his favorite dunking machine Tyson Chandler. Chandler’s athletic ability was never a secret. He uses that ability to finish around the basket, rebound, and alter (if not block) shots. The team is more complete than just a street ball team that can light up the scoreboard. David West is a sound player who can hit the midrange jumper, defend, and rebound. His development may be as key as Paul’s to providing playoff tickets to Hornets basketball fans. Morris Peterson is the next project for Paul. He was once a dangerous lefty from deep, but has tailed off in his production over the seasons. How far this team has come and how far they will go this year depends on if the team’s major parts can stay healthy the entire 82-game schedule. The fans at New Orleans Arena are excited for a season of lobs and wins from one of the rising teams in the Western Conference.