Bee Hive Blog

Draft Lottery Preview

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010      Email Print

Lottery slot: 11

Team needs: Adding athleticism and size to the roster would greatly benefit the Hornets on both ends of the floor. New Orleans dropped from ninth to 21st in defensive efficiency in 2009-10, partly due to injuries, but also a result of an inability to contain penetration. The Hornets also ranked last in the NBA in blocked shots, another factor that helped clear the path to the rim for opponents. On offense, New Orleans was 30th in free-throw attempts, signifying a need for players who can create their own shot. Several of the Hornets’ contributing wing players are spot-up shooters who do not get to the basket frequently. If the team can acquire another slasher in the mold of Marcus Thornton who can score off driving layups and dunks, it would noticeably increase the diversity of NOLA’s offense.

If the Hornets finish in the top three of the lottery... it will provide New Orleans with a prime opportunity to add another emerging star, after the Hornets landed two of the NBA’s premier rookies from the 2009 draft, Thornton and Darren Collison (despite not having a pick higher than No. 21). The early mock drafts I’ve seen appear to have a consensus on the top eight or nine picks, so obviously if New Orleans remains in its No. 11 position, it may not get a rookie who has “sold” everyone on his potential impact. On the plus side, there appear to be many top-15 prospects that would be excellent fits based on their strengths.

Lottery luck: Early in the franchise’s 22-year history, the lottery was very beneficial to the Hornets, allowing them to move up several times and land cornerstones including Larry Johnson (“Grandmama”), Alonzo Mourning and Baron Davis. The luck has dried up somewhat in recent years, however. The Hornets have not moved up from their pre-lottery position in any of the previous three trips, though in 2005 that “bad fortune” resulted in picking Chris Paul at No. 4 overall, so no complaints there. This is the Hornets’ third consecutive lottery appearance in which they are slotted between 11 and 13.

Post Comment | Read Comments (0)