(Best E Casino) - Chris Paul achieved one goal this summer by helping Team USA capture the gold medal during the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Now that he's back in the states, an NBA championship is next on the list for Paul, who will lead the
New Orleans Hornets tonight against the
Golden State Warriors in the season opener for both teams at ORACLE Arena.
Paul was an MVP candidate last season by averaging career highs in points (21.1), assists (11.6) and steals (2.7) for New Orleans, which won the Southwest Division and lost to San Antonio in seven games in the second round of the playoffs. Paul's greatest attributes is his ability to involve all of his teammates. With timely passes and cerebral play on the court, it's no wonder Paul is one of the best head coach Byron Scott has to offer.
Last year's runner-up to Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers for league MVP didn't do it alone, however. All-Star forward David West and center Tyson Chandler served as perfect sidekicks for Paul and the 56-26 Hornets. West is not only a great defender, but posted career highs in points (20.6), rebounds (8.9) and blocks (1.3). West is a reliable source down low and can also hurt teams with his mid-range jump shot. Chandler added to the cause by recording a career-best 11.8 points and 11.8 boards through 79 games.
If guard/forward Peja Stojakovic can stay healthy New Orleans will be even more of a force in the West. Stojakovic was able to play in 77 games last year and finished with averages of 16.4 points and 4.3 rebounds. Stojakovic appeared in just 13 games the year before. Forward James Posey was brought in from the champion Boston Celtics to provide defensive help and bolster a weak bench. Forward Julian Wright (ankle) is probable against the Warriors.
Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson has to be optimistic about his team's chances this season after finishing last year with a 48-34 record. Nelson's squad missed the playoffs and will also be without point guard Baron Davis this season after he signed on with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Warriors, whose 48 wins a year ago was the most since the 1993-94 season, led the NBA by scoring 111.0 points per game last season with their fast-paced style of basketball under Nelson. Nelson will have some new faces on the roster in guards Corey Maggette and Maurice Williams, and forward Ronny Turiaf. Maggette opted out of the final year of his contract on July 1 and was the longest-tenured Clipper. He averaged 22.1 points per game last season and was due $7 million for the final year of his deal.
In nine NBA seasons, Maggette has career averages of 16.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Maggette, who is questionable tonight with a hamstring problem, is expected to flourish with Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington in Oakland this season. Jackson posted 20.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game last year while Harrington averaged 13.6 points and 5.4 boards. Warriors promising center Andris Biedrins signed a multi-year deal with the team in the offseason. He averaged career-highs with 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in 27 minutes per game last season.
Golden State, though, will begin the season without recently re-signed guard Monta Ellis for 30 games without pay on for violating his player contract. Ellis, who signed a six-year, $66 million contract in July, underwent successful surgery on his left ankle after a moped accident just a month later, a procedure that will sideline him until mid-December. Ellis averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 81 games last year with the Warriors.
In other injury news, guard C.J. Watson (elbow) is questionable for Wednesday's game while forward Brandan Wright (ankle) is listed as probable against the Hornets.
New Orleans won two of three meetings with Golden State last year, but the Warriors are 4-2 in the past six encounters. The Hornets have dropped five of their last seven trips to Oakland.
