Something has gotten into rookie shooting guard Marcus Thornton lately. In his last 5 games, Thornton is averaging 32.8 minutes, 26.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He is shooting an amazing 53.8% from three point range in his last five games for the Hornets. Overall, Thornton has played in 52 games (6 starts) for the Hornets this year and he is averaging 22.3 minutes, 12.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. He is now shooting 40.2% from three point range this season. Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton have really given the Hornets a huge boost in the absence of Chris Paul and they hope they keep up the good work.

The New Orleans Hornets’ star point guard Chris Paul has missed 12 straight games with a knee injury, but the Hornets have still  been getting great production from the point guard position.  That is because CP3′s rookie back-up, Darren Collison, is playing some great basketball for the Hornets.  Since Paul’s injury, Collison has stepped in as the starting point guard for the Hornets and in the 12 games without Paul he is averaging 20.5 points, 9.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and is shooting 48% from the field and 35% from three.  Those numbers are very close to the season averages Paul had before his injury:  20.4 points, 11.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 50% FG, and 42% from three.  The Hornets are 5-7 in Paul’s absence, but they should be happy with that record as most expected the Hornets to completely fall apart without their superstar.  Collison is proving he can be a great point guard in this league and Chris Paul doesn’t have to worry about rushing back from injury.  That being said, Paul still makes the Hornets a much better team and Collison may not be able to continue playing at such a high level, especially since he is just a rookie.

Power forward Darius Songaila has been solid backing up David West this season. He has played in 53 games (1 start) for the Hornets this season and he is averaging 18.6 minutes, 7.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. Songaila is shooting 50.3% from the floor this season as he is only taking shots when he is open. He has been a huge asset off the bench for the Hornets so far this season.

Emeka Okafor is playing well this season for the Hornets. He has played in 18 games (all starts) for the Hornets so far this season and he is averaging 29.7 minutes, 10.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. Okafor will probably see his points scored spike when Chris Paul returns from injury.

The New Orleans Hornets have been very pleased with the play of guard Bobby Brown off the bench so far this season. He has played in 8 games (0 starts) for the Hornets so far this season and he is averaging 18.8 minutes, 8.1 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The Hornets hope that Brown keeps up the good work off of the bench the rest of the way this year.

Starting center Emeka Okafor has been outstanding for the Hornets so far this season. He has played in 4 games (all starts) this season for the Hornets and he is averaging 30.8 minutes, 14.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 2.3 blocked shots per game. Okafor is giving the Hornets exactly what they were expecting out of him this season so the Hornets are happy.

Peja Stojakovic is giving the Hornets solid offensive play. He also has become a good team player as he has settled into his job as the third option behind Chris Paul and David West on offense. Stojakovic has now played in 28 games this season for the Hornets and he is averaging 32.5 minutes, 14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He has also shot pretty well this season as he is hitting 41.8% from the floor, 43.4% from three point range and 95.3% from the free throw line. The Hornets need Stojakovic to stay healthy if they want to have a nice seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Tyson Chandler is proving that last season was not a fluke as he’s dominating the paint once again. Chandler has played in 20 games this season and he has averaged 33.1 minutes, 11.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game. Chandler is a intimidating force at both ends of the basketball court as he’s turning into one of the best centers in the NBA.

Chris Paul is the unquestioned leader of the Hornets and they need him to stay healthy if they want to reach their full potential as a team. Paul has played in 14 games this season for the Hornets and he has averaged 35.9 minutes, 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 10.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game. Paul will drive his team to the playoffs and himself to the All-Star game this season as long as he stays in one piece.

The Hornets stuggled last season because of injuries, including the one that kept David West out of 30 games last season.  In 52 games, West averaged 36.5 minutes, 18.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.  West also shot really well as he hit 47.6% from the floor and 82.4% from the free throw line.  West probably shouldn’t shoot too many threes as he only hit 32% from that range. 

West’s career numbers have been climbing because of him playing a lot more minutes than he used to.  In 227 career games, West has averaged 26.0 minutes, 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.  His shooting has also been pretty consistent as he’s hit 48.9% from the floor, 30.2% from 3-point range and 80.4% from the free throw line.  Look for West’s numbers to continue to rise as he’s improved every season in the NBA so far in his career.