24-year old shooting guard Marco Belinelli is off to a good start for the New Orleans Hornets.  Belinelli has played in 16 games (all starts) for the Hornets so far this year and he is averaging 29.1 minutes, 12.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.  His main skill is his three point shooting.  He is 33 of 75 (44%) from three point range so far this year which is outstanding.  As long as Belinelli keeps shooting well he’ll be in the starting lineup because he doesn’t bring much else to the court on a nightly basis.

The Hornets have traded 22-year old point guard Jerryd Bayless and 33-year old small forward Peja Stojakovic to the Raptors for 27-year old SG/PG Jarrett Jack, 30-year old center David Andersen and 29-year old point guard Marcus Banks. Jack’s versatility will be welcome as he can handle both guard slots. Jack played in 13 games (all starts) for the Raptors this year and he averaged 26.7 minutes, 10.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He has now played in 417 games (208 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 28.3 minutes, 10.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. David Andersen gives the Hornets another big body to help out inside. Andersen played in 11 games (0 starts) this season for the Raptors and he averaged 13.6 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. In his first two years in the NBA, Andersen has played in 74 games (0 starts) in which he has averaged 14.1 minutes, 5.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Marcus Banks gives the Hornets a #3 point guard. Banks played in 3 games (0 starts) for the Raptors this year and he has averaged 7.3 minutes, 2.0 points, 0.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. He has now played in 348 games (37 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 16.0 minutes, 5.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Banks was likely just added to this deal to even out the money. Jerryd Bayless just wasn’t the type of point guard the Hornets needed behind Paul. He played in 11 games (0 starts) this year for the Hornets and he averaged 13.5 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. The Hornets have to be elated about finally being able to deal Peja Stojakovic. He played in 6 games (0 starts) for the Hornets this year and he averaged 14.8 minutes, 7.5 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.0 assist per game.

28-year old starting center Emeka Okafor is off to a good start for the Hornets this year. He has played in 10 games (all starts) so far this year and he is averaging 30.6 minutes, 11.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 2.3 blocked shots per game. Okafor is shooting 60% from the floor (most of his shots are dunks and put backs) but only 66.7% from the free throw line. The Hornets don’t run many plays for Okafor as he gets his points by hustle and off rebounds. He is the only really big guy that the Hornets play so they need him to stay healthy.

22-year old rookie forward Quincy Pondexter isn’t going to get much P.T. this season as a rookie for the Hornets. Pondexter has played in 4 games (0 starts) so far this year and he is averaging 9.5 minutes, 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. The Hornets have high hopes for Pondexter who was a first round pick but they are going to bring him along slowly.

The Hornets have released forward Joe Alexander. Alexander just wasn’t good enough to make the 12-man roster so this release comes as little surprise. This is no loss for the Hornets as Alexander didn’t get into any games with them this year.

The Hornets were outstanding last night in holding off the vastly overrated Miami Heat. Emeka Okafor dominated the Heat last night with 26 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 blocked shot on 12 of 13 shooting from the floor! David West was also solid for the Hornets last night with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 1 steal. Chris Paul was outstanding in running the offense with 13 points, 2 rebounds, 19 assists and 5 steals. Trevor Ariza (13 points) and Jason Smith (12 points) also pitched in for the Hornets last night. The Hornets are now 5-0 on the season.

The Hornets keep the pressure on the Rockets all night long and it was the reason for a nice road win last night. Chris Paul led the way for the Hornets last night with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and 1 blocked shot. Marco Belinelli was on hit game last night as he hit 4 of 7 shots from three point range and he finished up with 18 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist in 25 minutes on the floor. Emeka Okafor was tough inside last night with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 5 blocked shots. Jason Smith (14 points, 9 rebounds and 1 assist in 22 minutes) and David West (13 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocked shots) also helped the cause for the Hornets last night. The Hornets are now 4-0 on the year.

25-year old point guard Chris Paul appears healthy & happy so far this year. He has started the first three games for the Hornets this year and he is averaging 35.0 minutes, 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Paul is also shooting well from everywhere on the court as he is hitting 50% of his shots from the floor, 42.9% from three point range and 89.5% from the free throw line. As long as Chris Paul is healthy & happy the Hornets are going to be a good basketball team.