2008–09 New Orleans Hornets season

The 2008–09 New Orleans Hornets season was the 7th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association.

2008–09 New Orleans Hornets season
Head coachByron Scott
General managerJeff Bower
Owner(s)George Shinn
ArenaNew Orleans Arena
Results
Record49–33 (.598)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Southwest)
Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst Round
(lost to Nuggets 1–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionCox Sports Television
RadioKMEZ
< 2007–08 2009–10 >

The regular season was marred by injuries, with only Rasual Butler playing in all games. The remaining four starters missed a combined 68 games, of whom center Tyson Chandler missed 37 games. Even when not on the injured list, Chandler's season was sub-par. Perhaps partly as a result of this, on February 18 Chandler was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forwards Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox. Despite the less than stellar season, this was generally perceived as a payroll-shedding move. However, within a day, the trade was rescinded due to concerns regarding Chandlers turf toe, which curiously, according to Chandler and the Hornet organization was not the reason for his stints on the injury list.

Battling these issues for much of the season, the Hornets finished the season with a record of 49–33, 7 games off the franchise best record of the previous season. This meant that the Hornets only finished 4th in the Southwest Division and 7th in the Western Conference. In the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the Hornets lost 1–4 in the first round to the second seeded Denver Nuggets. All four losses were severe, with the worst being a 58–point drubbing at home in Game 4, losing 63–121, which tied for the most lopsided loss in NBA Playoff history.[1] Naturally lamented by fans and media alike, the embarrassing performance can at least be partly explained by the health situation of the players, with arguably the top 5 Hornets ailing to varying injuries. [2]

Key dates

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Offseason

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On July 9 the Hornets announced they had signed their All Star point guard Chris Paul to a contract extension.[3] Hornets owner George Shinn saying ''Chris is the face of our franchise and a leader both on and off the court...Getting him signed to an extension was our number one priority...'' On July 23 it was announced the Hornets had acquired free agent forward James Posey.[4] Posey, a member of the 2008 Boston Celtics team that won the championship said ''I am excited to be a Hornet, it was a coveted destination for me...''

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 27 Darrell Arthur (traded to Memphis via Portland) (PF)   United States Kansas

Trades

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December 10, 2008: The New Orleans Hornets traded Mike James to the Washington Wizards for Antonio Daniels.

February 17, 2009: The Hornets traded Tyson Chandler to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox and rights to DeVon Hardin. The trade was nullified when Chandler failed his physical because of a previous turf toe injury.[5]

All Stars

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For the second year in a row the Hornets were represented with two players at the NBA All Star Game as Chris Paul was voted in by the fans as a starter, and David West was selected as a reserve by the NBA coaches.

Roster

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2008–09 New Orleans Hornets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 12 Armstrong, Hilton 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1984-11-11 Connecticut
SF 40 Bowen, Ryan 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1975-11-20 Iowa
SG 23 Brown, Devin 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1978-12-30 Texas–San Antonio
SF 45 Butler, Rasual 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1979-05-23 La Salle
C 6 Chandler, Tyson 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1982-10-02 Dominguez HS (CA)
PG 50 Daniels, Antonio 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1975-03-19 Bowling Green
C 33 Ely, Melvin 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1978-05-02 Fresno State
C 4 Marks, Sean 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1975-08-23 California
PG 3 Paul, Chris 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1985-05-06 Wake Forest
SG 9 Peterson, Morris 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1977-08-26 Michigan State
SG 41 Posey, James 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1977-01-13 Xavier
SF 16 Stojaković, Peja 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 229 lb (104 kg) 1977-06-09 Serbia
PF 30 West, David 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1980-08-29 Xavier
SF 32 Wright, Julian 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1987-05-20 Kansas
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (DL) On assignment to D-League affiliate
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: December 10, 2008

Regular season

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Standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 54 28 .659 28–13 26–15 10–6
x-Houston Rockets 53 29 .646 1 33–8 20–21 9–7
x-Dallas Mavericks 50 32 .610 4 32–9 18–23 7–9
x-New Orleans Hornets 49 33 .598 5 28–13 21–20 9–7
Memphis Grizzlies 24 58 .284 30 16–25 8–33 5–11
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers 65 17 .793
2 y-Denver Nuggets 54 28 .659 11
3 y-San Antonio Spurs 54 28 .659 11
4 x-Portland Trail Blazers 54 28 .659 11
5 x-Houston Rockets 53 29 .646 12
6 x-Dallas Mavericks 50 32 .610 15
7 x-New Orleans Hornets 49 33 .598 16
8 x-Utah Jazz 48 34 .585 17
9 Phoenix Suns 46 36 .561 19
10 Golden State Warriors 29 53 .354 36
11 Minnesota Timberwolves 24 58 .293 41
12 Memphis Grizzlies 24 58 .293 41
13 Oklahoma City Thunder 23 59 .280 42
14 Los Angeles Clippers 19 63 .232 46
15 Sacramento Kings 17 65 .207 48

Game log

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2008–09 game log
October: 2–0 (home: 0–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 29 @ Golden State W 108–103 David West (24) Tyson Chandler (16) Chris Paul (11) Oracle Arena
19,128
1–0
2 October 30 @ Phoenix W 108–95 Morris Peterson (21) Chris Paul (8) Chris Paul (10) US Airways Center
18,422
2–0
November: 7–6 (home: 4–3; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
3 November 1 Cleveland W 104–92 David West (25) James Posey (6) Chris Paul (15) New Orleans Arena
18,150
3–0
4 November 5 Atlanta L 79–87 Chris Paul (22) David West, Tyson Chandler (7) Chris Paul (11) New Orleans Arena
16,030
3–1
5 November 7 @ Charlotte L 89–92 Predrag Stojaković, Chris Paul (20) Predrag Stojaković, Tyson Chandler (7) Chris Paul (10) Time Warner Cable Arena
13,435
3–2
6 November 8 Miami W 100–89 David West, Chris Paul (21) Tyson Chandler (10) Chris Paul (13) New Orleans Arena
17,701
4–2
7 November 12 L.A. Lakers L 86–93 Chris Paul (30) David West (12) Chris Paul (13) New Orleans Arena
18,239
4–3
8 November 14 Portland W 87–82 David West (18) Tyson Chandler (7) Chris Paul (9) New Orleans Arena
16,071
5–3
9 November 15 @ Houston L 82–91 David West (18) David West (10) Chris Paul (12) Toyota Center
18,303
5–4
10 November 19 Sacramento L 96–105 David West (22) Tyson Chandler (10) Chris Paul (15) New Orleans Arena
15,533
5–5
11 November 21 @ Oklahoma City W 105–80 David West (19) David West (8) Chris Paul (6) Ford Center
19,136
6–5
12 November 22 Oklahoma City W 109–97 David West (33) Chris Paul (10) Chris Paul (16) New Orleans Arena
16,023
7–5
13 November 24 @ L.A. Clippers W 99–87 David West (27) Chris Paul (10) Chris Paul (17) Staples Center
14,956
8–5
14 November 27 @ Denver W 105–101 Chris Paul (22) David West (8) Chris Paul (10) Pepsi Center
15,563
9–5
15 November 28 @ Portland L 86–101 Predrag Stojaković (21) Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler (6) Chris Paul (6) Rose Garden
20,638
9–6
December: 10–3 (home: 7–1; road: 3–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
16 December 3 Phoenix W 104–91 Predrag Stojaković, Chris Paul (24) David West (14) Chris Paul (15) New Orleans Arena
15,804
10–6
17 December 6 Memphis W 106–87 Chris Paul (21) James Posey (7) Chris Paul (11) New Orleans Arena
16,822
11–6
18 December 10 Charlotte W 105–89 David West, Predrag Stojaković (17) Tyson Chandler (11) Chris Paul (15) New Orleans Arena
15,750
12–6
19 December 12 @ Boston L 82–94 David West (23) David West (14) Chris Paul (14) TD Banknorth Garden
18,624
12–7
20 December 14 @ Toronto W 99–91 David West (29) James Posey (10) Chris Paul (12) Air Canada Centre
18,537
13–7
21 December 16 @ Memphis W 91–84 David West, Chris Paul (18) Tyson Chandler (6) Chris Paul (9) FedExForum
10,231
14–7
22 December 17 San Antonio W 90–83 David West (21) Tyson Chandler (11) Chris Paul (12) New Orleans Arena
16,593
15–7
23 December 20 Sacramento W 99–90 Chris Paul (34) Tyson Chandler (8) Chris Paul (9) New Orleans Arena
16,869
16–7
24 December 23 L.A. Lakers L 87–100 Rasual Butler, Chris Paul (17) Tyson Chandler (10) Chris Paul (10) New Orleans Arena
18,405
16–8
25 December 25 @ Orlando L 68–88 David West (13) David West (7) Chris Paul (4) Amway Arena
17,461
16–9
26 December 26 Houston W 88–79 Chris Paul (26) Tyson Chandler (12) Chris Paul (10) New Orleans Arena
18,326
17–9
27 December 28 @ Indiana W 105–103 James Posey, Chris Paul (19) David West (10) Chris Paul (12) Conseco Fieldhouse
14,374
18–9
28 December 30 Washington W 97–85 Rasual Butler (21) Tyson Chandler (11) Chris Paul (16) New Orleans Arena
18,021
19–9
January: 9–7 (home: 5–2; road: 4–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
29 January 2 @ Portland W 92–77 David West (25) James Posey (9) Chris Paul (11) Rose Garden
20,708
20–9
30 January 3 @ Denver L 100–105 Chris Paul (30) David West (8) Chris Paul (11) Pepsi Center
19,614
20–10
31 January 6 @ L.A. Lakers W 116–105 David West (40) David West (11) Chris Paul (15) Staples Center
18,997
21–10
32 January 7 @ Utah L 90–116 Chris Paul (26) David West (6) Chris Paul (7) EnergySolutions Arena
19,911
21–11
33 January 9 L.A. Clippers W 107–80 Rasual Butler (27) Tyson Chandler (11) Chris Paul (7) New Orleans Arena
17,815
22–11
34 January 12 New York L 95–101 David West (25) David West (14) Chris Paul (7) New Orleans Arena
16,177
22–12
35 January 14 @ Dallas W 104–97 Chris Paul (33) Tyson Chandler (14) Chris Paul (11) American Airlines Center
19,947
23–12
36 January 16 @ Cleveland L 78–92 David West (23) Tyson Chandler (9) Chris Paul (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562
23–13
37 January 17 @ Detroit W 91–85 Chris Paul (23) Tyson Chandler (11) Chris Paul (14) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076
24–13
38 January 19 Indiana W 103–100 Chris Paul (27) Melvin Ely (6) Chris Paul (9) New Orleans Arena
17,237
25–13
39 January 21 New Jersey W 102–92 Chris Paul (29) Predrag Stojaković (10) Chris Paul (8) New Orleans Arena
14,748
26–13
40 January 23 @ Minnesota L 108–116 James Posey (24) Sean Marks (7) Chris Paul (12) Target Center
18,224
26–14
41 January 26 Philadelphia W 101–86 Chris Paul (27) Chris Paul (10) Chris Paul (15) New Orleans Arena
16,131
27–14
42 January 28 Denver W 94–81 Predrag Stojaković (26) James Posey (9) Chris Paul (10) New Orleans Arena
15,792
28–14
43 January 30 Golden State L 87–91 Chris Paul (31) David West (15) Chris Paul (8) New Orleans Arena
17,738
28–15
44 January 31 @ San Antonio L 93–106 Chris Paul (38) David West (10) Chris Paul (4) AT&T Center
18,797
28–16
February: 7–6 (home: 5–3; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
45 February 2 Portland L 89–97 David West (25) David West (8) Chris Paul (13) New Orleans Arena
14,781
28–17
46 February 4 Chicago L 93–107 Predrag Stojaković, David West (24) David West (14) Devin Brown (7) New Orleans Arena
16,270
28–18
47 February 6 Toronto W 101–92 Predrag Stojaković (28) David West (10) David West, Antonio Daniels (6) New Orleans Arena
17,319
29–18
48 February 8 Minnesota W 101–97 Rasual Butler (23) Rasual Butler (8) Antonio Daniels (7) New Orleans Arena
16,046
30–18
49 February 9 @ Memphis L 80–85 Predrag Stojaković (23) Devin Brown (9) Antonio Daniels (4) FedExForum
10,896
30–19
50 February 11 Boston L 77–89 David West (15) David West (8) Antonio Daniels, Chris Paul (5) New Orleans Arena
18,080
30–20
51 February 17 @ Oklahoma City W 100–98 David West (37) David West (13) Chris Paul (8) Ford Center
18,593
31–20
52 February 18 Orlando W 117–85 Chris Paul (36) Melvin Ely, Rasual Butler (8) Chris Paul (10) New Orleans Arena
16,651
32–20
53 February 20 @ L.A. Lakers L 111–115 (OT) Rasual Butler (31) David West (16) Chris Paul (16) Staples Center
18,997
32–21
54 February 21 @ Utah L 88–102 Chris Paul (24) Predrag Stojaković (11) Chris Paul (7) EnergySolutions Arena
19,911
32–22
55 February 23 @ Sacramento W 112–105 Chris Paul (27) Tyson Chandler (10) Chris Paul (13) ARCO Arena
11,633
33–22
56 February 25 Detroit W 90–87 David West (30) Tyson Chandler (17) Chris Paul (13) New Orleans Arena
17,215
34–22
57 February 27 Milwaukee W 95–94 David West (28) David West (12) Chris Paul (20) New Orleans Arena
17,621
35–22
March: 11–5 (home: 6–2; road: 5–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
58 March 1 @ New Jersey W 99–96 David West (32) Tyson Chandler (12) Chris Paul (9) Izod Center
15,509
36–22
59 March 2 @ Philadelphia W 98–91 David West (30) James Posey (12) Chris Paul (12) Wachovia Center
14,299
37–22
60 March 5 Dallas W 104–88 Chris Paul (27) Tyson Chandler (11) Chris Paul (15) New Orleans Arena
17,230
38–22
61 March 7 Oklahoma City W 108–90 Chris Paul (21) David West (12) Chris Paul (14) New Orleans Arena
18,114
39–22
62 March 9 @ Atlanta L 79–89 Chris Paul (24) David West (20) Chris Paul (10) Philips Arena
14,204
39–23
63 March 11 @ Washington W 109–98 Chris Paul (30) Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler (10) Chris Paul (13) Verizon Center
15,255
40–23
64 March 13 @ Milwaukee W 95–86 Chris Paul (30) Tyson Chandler (17) Chris Paul (9) Bradley Center
15,701
41–23
65 March 14 @ Chicago L 79–97 Chris Paul (29) Tyson Chandler (9) Chris Paul (6) United Center
22,135
41–24
66 March 16 Houston L 84–95 Chris Paul (29) David West (13) Chris Paul (11) New Orleans Arena
17,723
41–25
67 March 18 Minnesota W 94–93 Chris Paul (26) David West, Hilton Armstrong (8) Chris Paul (10) New Orleans Arena
17,253
42–25
68 March 20 Memphis W 96–84 Chris Paul (32) James Posey (8) Chris Paul (9) New Orleans Arena
17,837
43–25
69 March 22 Golden State W 99–89 Chris Paul (27) Hilton Armstrong (11) Chris Paul (8) New Orleans Arena
16,351
44–25
70 March 25 Denver L 88–101 Chris Paul (19) David West (8) Chris Paul (13) New Orleans Arena
17,274
44–26
71 March 27 @ New York L 93–103 David West (29) Julian Wright (14) Chris Paul (10) Madison Square Garden
19,763
44–27
72 March 29 San Antonio W 90–86 Chris Paul (26) David West (16) Chris Paul (9) New Orleans Arena
18,204
45–27
73 March 31 @ Sacramento W 111–110 David West (40) David West (9) Chris Paul (15) ARCO Arena
17,317
46–27
April: 3–6 (home: 1–2; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
74 April 1 @ L.A. Clippers W 104–98 Chris Paul (30) Julian Wright (9) Chris Paul (14) Staples Center
19,060
47–27
75 April 3 @ Golden State L 103–111 Chris Paul (43) David West (14) Chris Paul (9) Oracle Arena
19,596
47–28
76 April 5 Utah L 94–108 David West (23) David West (12) Chris Paul (12) New Orleans Arena
17,362
47–29
77 April 7 @ Miami W 93–87 (OT) Chris Paul (26) Chris Paul (9) Chris Paul (9) American Airlines Arena
19,600
48–29
78 April 8 Phoenix L 100–105 Chris Paul (29) David West (12) Chris Paul (16) New Orleans Arena
17,781
48–30
79 April 10 @ Dallas L 92–100 Chris Paul (42) David West (14) Chris Paul (7) American Airlines Center
20,370
48–31
80 April 12 Dallas W 102–92 David West, Chris Paul (31) Chris Paul (9) Chris Paul (17) New Orleans Arena
16,640
49–31
81 April 13 @ Houston L 66–86 David West (14) David West (10) Chris Paul (7) Toyota Center
18,409
49–32
82 April 15 @ San Antonio L 98–105 (OT) David West (34) Paul, West (7) Chris Paul (14) AT&T Center
18,797
49–33
2015–16 season schedule

Playoffs

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2009 playoff game log
First Round: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 19 @ Denver L 84–113 Chris Paul (21) David West (6) Chris Paul (11) Pepsi Center
19,536
0–1
2 April 22 @ Denver L 93–108 David West (21) Tyson Chandler (11) Chris Paul (13) Pepsi Center
19,623
0–2
3 April 25 Denver W 95–93 Chris Paul (32) West, Posey (9) Chris Paul (12) New Orleans Arena
17,489
1–2
4 April 27 Denver L 63–121 David West (14) James Posey (7) Chris Paul (6) New Orleans Arena
17,236
1–3
5 April 29 @ Denver L 86–107 David West (24) David West (9) Chris Paul (10) Pepsi Center
19,744
1–4
2009 schedule

Player statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game Source: [6]

Regular Season

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Hilton Armstrong 50 16 15.3 .520 .000 .672 2.7 0.4 0.4 0.7 4.6
Ryan Bowen 12 3 12.1 .625 .000 .333 1.3 0.5 0.8 0.3 2.6
Devin Brown 47 5 14.9 .367 .280 .840 2.1 1.0 0.6 0.1 5.9
Rasual Butler 59 50 29.2 .453 .426 .766 3.3 0.8 0.6 0.7 10.8
Tyson Chandler 37 36 31.7 .571 .000 .574 8.7 0.6 0.4 1.3 9.1
Antonio Daniels 38 4 13.6 .409 .341 .808 1.1 2.8 0.5 0.0 4.4
Melvin Ely 23 2 11.7 .384 .000 .656 2.0 0.6 0.1 0.4 3.3
Sean Marks 40 5 13.5 .443 .222 .625 3.1 0.3 0.1 0.6 3.1
Chris Paul 55 55 37.7 .493 .394 .849 5.3 11.0 2.7 0.2 21.3
Morris Peterson 28 9 12.9 .430 .417 .786 2.1 0.5 0.4 0.1 5.4
James Posey 59 0 28.7 .429 .394 .820 4.9 1.1 0.8 0.3 9.4
Peja Stojaković 53 53 34.1 .405 .382 .910 4.4 1.3 0.8 0.1 13.8
David West 53 53 38.5 .468 .250 .888 8.0 2.3 0.7 1.0 20.5
Julian Wright 33 2 9.2 .467 .143 .400 1.7 0.6 0.4 0.2 2.7

Playoffs

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Chris Paul 5 5 40.2 .411 .313 .857 4.4 10.4 1.6 .0 16.6
David West 5 5 35.6 .400 .897 7.4 1.2 1.0 .4 18.0
Peja Stojaković 5 5 32.4 .367 .308 .923 2.8 .4 .8 .2 11.2
Rasual Butler 5 5 31.6 .459 .526 1.000 3.0 .2 .2 .8 10.6
James Posey 5 0 24.6 .375 .263 .846 6.2 .6 .6 .0 11.4
Sean Marks 5 0 16.0 .462 .000 .800 4.0 .0 .6 .4 3.2
Antonio Daniels 5 0 12.8 .154 .250 .818 .6 1.8 .4 .2 2.8
Tyson Chandler 4 4 23.5 .500 .500 5.3 .5 .5 .3 3.8
Hilton Armstrong 4 1 13.3 .462 .300 2.0 .3 1.0 .3 3.8
Julian Wright 4 0 8.0 .429 .500 1.5 .5 .0 .3 2.0
Devin Brown 3 0 11.0 .375 .000 1.000 1.7 .0 .0 .0 2.7
Morris Peterson 2 0 10.5 .200 .333 .750 1.5 .5 .5 .0 3.0
Ryan Bowen 1 0 2.0 .000 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0

Awards and records

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Awards

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Records

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Transactions

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Trades

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Free agents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hornets-Nuggets Game 4 recap NBA.com, 2009-05-02.
  2. ^ Stein: What is next for the Hornets? espn.com, 2009-05-02.
  3. ^ HORNETS SIGN CHRIS PAUL TO EXTENSION
  4. ^ HORNETS SIGN JAMES POSEY
  5. ^ "New Orleans Hornets, center Tyson Chandler back to square one - Hornets Beat - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com". Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  6. ^ "Roster and Statistics". Basketball-Reference.
  7. ^ "CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Basketball - NCAA: Hornets guard Jannero Pargo signs one-year deal with Dynamo Moscow". Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)