sman1965 - One and done for N.O. come playoffs...

Since the big Lakers fan sman1965 didn't have the decency to come back to the Hornets board to respond to the thread HE started (named above),  I thought I would come here to remind him and all Lakers fans that, "We're still here!"

Here is his opening post, so you won't even have to tear yourselves away from your beloved Lakers board:

Whoa, them be some fightin' words all around!  I LIKE IT!!!  I must say though, it would've been kinda interesting to see your Hornets take on the Nuggets, RF.  Yeah, you might've beat them, but something tells me they would've been a tougher test for you than the horrendous Mavs (that I was actually preferring to the Nuggets in the 1st round.)  Not sure that you match up all that well with Denver, to be honest with you.

Yeah, you guys may still be around and, yeah, there are still the Rockets or Jazz to contend with but you know what?  Sman isn't exactly crazy saying this...

even though im  a laker fan. im going to be honest and not biased....that is pretty true, but the one thing i find wrong with that...he said Paul hasnt proved himself...when has he ever had the chance?

he never had the players he does now...i mean some he had, but they were hurt...like Peja and West for example last year...i agree and dont think they will beat the Spurs or the Lakers but he is still young and inexperienced, unlike kobe and duncan...just have to give a little more time

Actually, jefe, I can respond.

Let me start by saying I dont agree with you regarding how tough we would have found the Nuggets.  The biggest problem with the Nuggets is no Defense.  We won the season series against Denver 2-1, and they weren't close. 

According to all the Lakers fans, Kobe deserves the MVP over Chris Paul because CP3 has better talent about him and Kobe has done more with less.  Thats part of the standard argument that is made by so many Lakers fans. 

      So, lets use their assumption that CP3 has a better supporting cast.  The Hornets can and will beat any team that tries to just outscore them.  Two of three against the Nuggets, 4-0 sweep of the Phoenix Suns back that statement up.  Therefore, I do not think the Hornets would have had a problem disposing of Denver.

As far as saying Paul is not a championship player, how can anyone tell that?  Chris Paul took over the reins of an 18-64 lottery team.  Remember, when Kobe came to the Lakers, Shaq was already there.  The Lakers were already a contender.  Paul started with nothing.  That's the part of the statement I have a problem with.  I agree that Nash doesn't cut it, I agree that Kobe and Duncan are,...but at this point in time, no one can make the statement that Paul is not of that same caliber.

If there is any conclusion that can be drawn after only 5 playoff games in his career, it would have to be that Paul is that caliber, considering 3 double-doubles and a triple-double, a 17 assist game and a 15 assist game.

And therein lies the problem with most Lakers fans.  You walk around, looking at the world through Purple and Gold glasses, and anyone who is not a Laker doesn't exist.  You refuse to give credit to any player unless you can also state that some Laker player is better.  And, not willing to admit when you are wrong. 

Go by the Spurs-Hornets Series thread in the next two weeks.  Even though there will be a lot of talk, there is also respect shown both teams, something most Lakers fans dont show.  (And there are some of you Lakers fans that do show respect, and those people know who they are). 

Good luck against the Jazz or Rockets, and we'ss see what happens.

Thank you jaked08, trust me, I don't count you among those other guys.  You are fair and honest, as are lakers2408, Vicdaruler, noriega14 and others. 

Hey, I dont have a problem with anyone supporting their team.

Laker fans

All boasting aside...

You actually better hope my Spurs team takes out this Hornets team.

They are the scariest team in the league as far as talent goes.  They only lack experience and confidence.

I am hoping the Spurs can steal a game early and end it quickly.  7 games will be bad for San Antonio versus the Hornets

The longer they go, they more confidence they will get.

IN MY OPINION, THE HORNETS HAVE THE BEST MOST BALANCED STARTING UNIT IN THE NBA.

They are young and super talented.  They are only vunerable due to lack of experience and depth concerns with a thinner bench.

RF, don't get me wrong - I like Chris Paul...a lot, but the fact remains that, outside of a couple of nice games against the likes of the defensively challenged Mavs and Jason Kidd, CP3 hasn't proved a thing yet in the postseason.  Are you really trying to make a case that Paul is of the same caliber (in their postseason histories) as Kobe and Duncan???  And that Nash doesn't "cut it", but that Paul does?  Lemme get this straight, you're judging/drawing Paul's postseason caliber after 5 playoff games???

Dude, lay off the Tealorade!!! 

Horns, with all due respect to you and RF, that's like saying test pilots, who have never stepped inside a space craft yet, are the most qualified people to orbit the moon.

I'll believe it when I see it!

No, jefe, thats exactly what I'm NOT saying.  My point was,  you CANT draw a conclusion from only 5 games, yet sman was drawing his conclusion before Paul even played one playoff game.  You are being exactly the type of Lakers fan I was talking about.

 IF you WERE going to draw a conclusion from 5 games, how could you draw any conclusion but that he IS a winner?  And you know, you keep saying the Mavs are so bad, but I think you guys only beat them by 4 or 5 points a few weeks ago, so they can't be all that bad.

On the other hand, I agreed with him that Nash has never proven he's a winner, and he has played enough games to draw a fair conclusion.

RF, Sman wasn't trying to draw a conclusion, all he said was, "He's a good regular season p.g., but like Nash has never proven that he's a winner or a champion."  Try not to read too much into it (forget about the Nash comment) - all he meant to say was that Paul has yet to prove himself to be a winner or champion (unlike Kobe and Duncan).

(Wow, I can't believe I'm actually coming to Sman's defense, of all people!)