James Posey and Chris Paul were all smiles after their Game 3 victory over the Nuggets, and why not? New Orleans did everything it could to blow a 10-point lead in the final two minutes, but hung on for the win anyway and cut Denver's series lead to two games to one.
The Hornets have a chance to tie things up at home tonight, and considering how chippy the series is starting to get (58 fouls, including three flagrants were called in Game 3), we should be in for a good one. Whether you have NBATV or not (that's the only place it's being televised), join me right here at 8:30 PM ET for all the action.
Less than eight minutes into Saturday's Game 3, the Hornets were down 16 points to the Denver Nuggets. But thanks to a big-time effort by point guard Chris Paul, the Hornets overcame that deficit and ended up hanging on for a two-point win.
Conventional wisdom suggests the Hornets are right back in the series, now down just two games to one. But they've still got a lot of work to do and many obstacles and challenges to overcome.
In fact, the Nuggets still have plenty of reasons to be optimistic, while the Hornets' margin for error remains small. In short, the Hornets still have some problems ... and here are five of them:
The Hornets complained often during Friday night's contentious defeat in NYC, but James Posey's protest had a bit more mustard on it. For his cheekiness, he has been suspended for Sunday's game against San Antonio. New Orleans is currently trying to find a way to avoid playing the Lakers or Spurs in the first round. Whoops.
"We liked James and we wanted him back," Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said. "He got a good deal in New Orleans. We were unwilling to go four years."
By choosing N'awlins over Beantown, Posey will get more than one extra year of the MLE; as I mentioned yesterday, he'll also get a chance to compete for a starting job.
Posey is a natural small forward but can defend most of the league's two-guards, and if Byron Scott decides he wants to instill a bit more defensive grit to the starting lineup, Posey could supplant Morris Peterson, the incumbent starter who signed a four-year deal of his own last summer. Mo-Pete has been more consistent from long range over his career, but Posey has closed the gap in that regard, as well.
It'll be interesting to see how exactly the Celtics replace Posey, who was undeniably one of their most important reserves this past season. The number of viable free agent swingmen has been shrinking almost daily: James Jones has signed with the Heat, Jarvis Hayes with the Nets, and Carlos Delfino just defected for Moscow. The most likely candidates left on the market would require a minor miracle (Josh Childress) or a big leap of faith (CJ Miles).
It's a good thing that James Posey is letting his agent handle negotiations with the Celtics. As an unrestricted free agent, Posey has received interest from all over the league, but he made it clear that he's still holding out hope to stick with the Celtics. From the Boston Globe:
"That's my No. 1 choice," said Posey. "I've stressed that to the organization and to everybody. At the same time, I'm still waiting. So we'll see what's going to happen."
This NBA free agency thing has been absolutely bonkers, hasn't it? Baron Davis opts out, signs with the Clippers. Elton Brand now has no reason to leave, as the Clips finally got him some help, so he goes ahead and ... signs with the Sixers for similar dollars. Huh? Corey Maggette, despite all the rumors, takes the big payday with Golden State.
Last year it was these two geniuses making all the NBA vacation noise. With the NBA free agency period just underway, we find out what NBA stars will be giving their [travel] agents a call this year as they look for new destinations.
1. Gilbert Arenas 6'4", 215 -- PG -- 26 years old, 7 years pro Status: Unrestricted FA after opting out
Supposedly, Gilbert Arenas is all set to sign with the Washington Wizards again. And if he didn't you can bet there would be one teed off formerly unrestricted free agent. Rumor is, though, that both the Warriors and Wizards have thrown out max deals for Arenas, so it basically comes down to him picking at this point. Spiiiice.
Available Bookings: Washington, Golden State The likely scenario is that Gil ends up staying where he is via the double-secret-probation deal already in place, getting close to max money and crippling the Wizards salary cap for the next few years. But gosh, they're fun to watch.
Destination:Washington.
2. Elton Brand 6'8", 254 -- PF -- 29 years old, 9 years pro Status: Unrestricted after opting out
Boston wasted little time in flexing their muscle over the Lakers in Game 6, and turned the event into nothing more than a celebration for the Celtics and their fans. The home team absolutely destroyed the Lakers in their coronation game, leading by as many as 43 points in the fourth quarter before finishing the season off with a championship and winning by a score of 131-92.
Kobe tried to start things off like he did in Game 5, by hitting some long three pointers and getting himself 11 points in the first quarter. But his long shots, even though they went in, were more an indication of the bad Laker offense than they were of Kobe's desire to dominate early. Pau Gasol was completely worthless in the early going, missing shots and turning the ball over repeatedly while at the same time allowing Kevin Garnett to go off.
From the second quarter on, it was all Celtics. After back-to-back three-pointers from James Posey and Eddie House which extended the lead to nine, you could just tell that this game was completely out of reach for the Lakers. The lead reached 23 by halftime, and the Lakers never came close to threatening after that. The Celtics' defense was stifling, and none of the Lakers' role players were able to do anything, resulting in the Lakers getting run off the floor and extended garbage time in the season's final game. I'm sure that's just how the Celtics' fans wanted it.
Just a funny thing to note about the Pistons pregame introduction. Next time, watch Rasheed Wallace. After they call his name and he gives his love to the crowd, he turns, high-fives a few of his teammates and then chest-bumps the air. Why? Because that's where Ronald "Flip" Murray used to be. He's chest-bumping an invisible Flip Murray.
Murray, of course, spent a season and a half with the Pistons before being released in February and finishing out the season with the Pacers. I never realized Wallace and Murray were so tight, but perhaps he's just a man who loves his routine. Ray Allen could appreciate that.
Other Sheed hi-jinks from last night's win over the Celtics include playfully putting James Posey in a choke-hold in the first half and singing along to the in-arena music by belting out "Paradise City" lyrics moments before in-bounding the ball on one of the last plays of the game. On a less funny note, he also picked up his fifth technical foul of the offseason, which means that he's two away from a mandatory one-game suspension.
Had the Pistons lost, he'd be chastised for "not being focused." Instead, we'll laud him for "staying loose." But really, he's the lone constant -- the only thing that ever changes is how we all perceive him.
James Posey and Chris Paul were all smiles after their Game 3 victory over the Nuggets, and why not? New Orleans did everything it could to blow a 10-point lead in the final two minutes, but hung on for the win anyway and cut Denver's series lead to two games to one.
Less than eight minutes into Saturday's Game 3, the Hornets were down 16 points to the Denver Nuggets. But thanks to a big-time effort by point guard Chris Paul, the Hornets overcame that deficit and ended up hanging on for a two-point win.
It's a good thing that 
