OK, so it's not even one month into the season, but the point guards have broken out to an early lead as the top rookies.
Chris Paul, drafted No.4 out of Wake Forest, is averaging 17 points, 6.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.09 steals as the Hornets are a surprising 5-5. Deron Williams, selected No.3 out of Illinois, has broken into the starting lineup for Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 assists.
But it's Paul who is earning most of the early accolades.
After he had 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists against the Timberwolves, Minnesota's Kevin Garnett said Paul reminded him of Stephon Marbury.
"He's what we call a guerrilla, a pit bull," Garnett said.
Paul had 25 points and 12 assists Friday against Atlanta, eliciting praise from Hawks coach Mike Woodson.
"He's legit," Woodson said. "He's doing it all, and he's leading his team."
Hornets coach Byron Scott won't argue.
"I think he's just going to get better as the season goes on," Scott told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "He's pretty comfortable in his role and understanding what we want him to do. Probably in another 10 or so games I'll be asking him to do more, maybe score more for us. But he's unselfish and wants to get it to everybody else and passes up shots for himself.
"When we were short-handed, he really looked to be more aggressive because he knew that's what we needed. I really think we might need that from him every night. Right now, he's just got an unbelievable feel for the game, especially for a 20-year-old. Besides LeBron [James], I haven't seen too many 20-year-olds who have that feel."
Via Hartford Courant
New Orleans Hornets
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On any other night, Allen Iverson would have begged to go back in the game. On Monday, he was begging for extra rest.
Playing with flulike symptoms, Iverson scored all 24 of his points in the first half, then happily sat out the fourth quarter as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New Orleans Hornets 103-91.
"I didn't feel good at shootaround," said Iverson, who told coach Maurice Cheeks he was ailing as he prepared to go back in for the fourth quarter. "He just told me to come back, and fortunately everything worked out fine."
"I didn't feel good at all," he said. "I was dizzy out there for virtually the whole game. Once I stopped playing at halftime and came back in, I just never felt right. I think I'm coming down with something. I want to get home and take some medication and see how I feel in the morning."
Via Rocky Mountain News
Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Hornets
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The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets announced today that they have assigned rookie forward Sean Banks to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League. Banks will continue to be included on the Hornets' roster and will remain on the team's Inactive List.
"Sean is a very talented player and we want to see him continue to develop his skills as part of our organization," said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. "Assigning him to the D-League will allow him to see much more time on the court and allow him to grow as a professional while we monitor that development."
Via Press Release
New Orleans Hornets
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Hornets Nov 2005 Archive
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Denver Post | Nov 17, 2005
Before Milwaukee sent Desmond Mason to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, the Bucks and Nuggets discussed the possibility of sending Mason to Denver for forward Nene.
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Sports Illustrated | Nov 16, 2005
According to Sports Illustrated, New Orleans rookie Chris Paul is at the head of his class, overtaking first overall pick Andrew Bogut at the top of their rookie power rankings.
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NOLA.com | Nov 15, 2005
Shooting guard J.
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Dallas Morning News | Nov 15, 2005
Jerry Stackhouse's right knee is improving, and he could return to practice Wednesday.
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The Times-Picayune | Nov 14, 2005
Hornets guard J.
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The Times-Picayune | Nov 11, 2005
Set to face a team that features four players listed at 7 feet or taller, Hornets coach Byron Scott said he is flirting with the idea of activating his only 7-foot player, Maciej Lampe, for Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.
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Toronto Star | Nov 11, 2005
"To me, it's too early," Babcock said yesterday. "You need to go longer than a week but the phone calls have been picking up."
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Sacramento Bee | Nov 11, 2005
According to the Sacramento Bee, reserve forward Kenny Thomas was part of trade talks in late October, when the Kings pursued veteran swingman Desmond Mason.
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ESPN | Nov 10, 2005
NBA commissioner David Stern said Wednesday night the league has no plans for expansion, but the New Orleans Hornets' success in their new home has made Oklahoma City the favorite location if a team were to relocate.
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NY Post | Nov 8, 2005
The Grizzlies and numerous other teams are ardently pursuing New Orleans’ P.J. Brown, to no avail. Byron Scott is against making any more trades, at least for the time being.
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ESPN | Nov 5, 2005
The franchise formerly known as the New Orleans Hornets considers Oklahoma City its temporary home, with an emphasis on the word temporary.
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NY Post | Nov 4, 2005
According to the New York Post, Chris Mullin offered Troy Murphy and a No. 1 pick to the Hornets for Magloire.
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ESPN | Nov 4, 2005
Owner George Shinn has an option to stay in Oklahoma City for an extra season, and it's already becoming clear that the team's temporary home might be more viable than New Orleans as an NBA city.