Hornets Hype

I had to do the beat myself in my living room. How could you not?

The past three games since returning from the ankle:

35-16

37-4

23-11

And a grand total of 25/27 at the free throw line.

Who’s a star now?

(There is no point to this post. I just really like the picture.)

In the words of the opposing coach, Doc Rivers, “David West single-handedly destroyed us.” You taking note, Rafer Alston? Those of us in the Big Easy have known all year that D-West deserved his All-Star spot. And last night he proved it big-time. Many people have called for Garnett to get the Defensive Player of the Year award, especially if he misses out on the MVP. Well, tonight, D-West said otherwise, putting up 37 points on Boston’s big man.

Hornets’ coach Byron Scott called it a “quiet” 37, which it was, because until we looked up at the player of the game stats, we had no idea he had scored that many. But this is why David is so crucial to the Hornets. When we struggle with perimeter shooting, David offers an alternative: able to just plug away and hammer the paint points. He’s done it to the best in the West, and now he’s done it to the best in the East. He’s like a force of nature, and he’s going to carry us in the playoffs.

Don’t get me wrong, I love CP and Peja, and all the rest, but when it comes to the solid, easy, punishing points and drawing fouls, West is the man. David West.

I do, anyway. Good thing the All Star Game is tonight. The elusive Mr. West has been flying under the radar this weekend, as usual, but not tonight. (To the left, a rare glimpse of #30 in his natural habitat. I think he’s been the least photographed All Star.)

And now, a roundup of articles about the Man of Mystery:

* David West talks about poverty in New Orleans

* Talks about New Orleans’ recovery (video)

* In the Times Picayune

I know D-West doesn’t really care about his personal HypeMeter. But that’s all the more reason Hornets fans should bring the hype for him. I am still keeping an eye out for that jersey, in size small small small. Double West on the front and back just radiates coolness. I could rock a D-West jersey. We have many things in common. No, seriously.

• David West was Class of 2003. Me too! Class of 2003 represent.
• He has a tattoo of his alma mater’s logo. And so do I! Of course it’s a different school, different color, and different location on my body… but that matters not.
• He’s 6′9″. I could be 6′9″ if I was wearing heels and standing on a box that was a foot tall.
• D-West majored in communications. I majored in English, a similar field.
• D-West gets 19.8 points per game. I can talk about Battlestar Galactica for 19.8 minutes straight.
• If I wanted, I could wear nothing but sweats and Adidas pants for a week, just to be like D-West. Watch me.
• Through years of putting myself through graduate school with crappy jobs, I too have perfected the art of looking angry yet saying little.

See? I told you.

Everyone knew Chris Paul was going to be named to the All Star reserves. But Tyson Chandler and David West were sort of on the bubble in the very talented Western Conference. And Byron Scott was one win away (or one Dallas loss) from coaching the game.

Yesterday this all played out nicely, as CP3 and D-West were named to the All Star team. Congratulations to both of them, especially West, who very quietly outplays other teams on a nightly basis and just does what has to be done. It’s like, “How many ‘Most Underrated Player’ lists can the man make before he ceases to be underrated and gets rated already?”

Before the end of the night, Coach Scott’s All Star appearance was also clinched, thanks to a little help from our friends… er… rivals. Dallas’ loss to Boston in the final seconds ensured that, with us holding the tiebreaker, they couldn’t catch us for the best or second-best record in the West. (Second best because Phoenix doesn’t count– their coach was in the All Star game last year so he can’t do it again.) Speaking of which, three hours later we got a little more help from the Spurs coming back to beat Phoenix, which once again flip flops us back on top of Phoenix percentage-wise.