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.

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 However, within a day, the trade was rescinded due to concerns regarding Chandlers turf toe, which curiously, according to Chandler and the Hornet organization was not the reason for his stints on the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. 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.

Key dates

 * June 26: The 2008 NBA draft will take place in New York City.
 * July 1: The free agency period will start.

Offseason
On July 9 the Hornets announced they had signed their All Star point guard Chris Paul to a contract extension. 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. 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... ''

Trades
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.

All Stars
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.

Game log
19,128 18,422
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 1
 * October 29
 * @ Golden State
 * David West (24)
 * Tyson Chandler (16)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * Oracle Arena
 * Oracle Arena
 * 1–0
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 2
 * October 30
 * @ Phoenix
 * Morris Peterson (21)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * US Airways Center
 * US Airways Center
 * 2–0

18,150 16,030 13,435 17,701 18,239 16,071 18,303 15,533 19,136 16,023 14,956 15,563 20,638
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 3
 * November 1
 * Cleveland
 * David West (25)
 * James Posey (6)
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 3–0
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * November 5
 * Atlanta
 * Chris Paul (22)
 * David West, Tyson Chandler (7)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 3–1
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * November 7
 * @ Charlotte
 * Predrag Stojaković, Chris Paul (20)
 * Predrag Stojaković, Tyson Chandler (7)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 3–2
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 6
 * November 8
 * Miami
 * David West, Chris Paul (21)
 * Tyson Chandler (10)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 4–2
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 12
 * L.A. Lakers
 * Chris Paul (30)
 * David West (12)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 4–3
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 8
 * November 14
 * Portland
 * David West (18)
 * Tyson Chandler (7)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 5–3
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 15
 * @ Houston
 * David West (18)
 * David West (10)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Toyota Center
 * Toyota Center
 * 5–4
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 19
 * Sacramento
 * David West (22)
 * Tyson Chandler (10)
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 5–5
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 11
 * November 21
 * @ Oklahoma City
 * David West (19)
 * David West (8)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * Ford Center
 * Ford Center
 * 6–5
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 12
 * November 22
 * Oklahoma City
 * David West (33)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Chris Paul (16)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 7–5
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 13
 * November 24
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * David West (27)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Chris Paul (17)
 * Staples Center
 * Staples Center
 * 8–5
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 14
 * November 27
 * @ Denver
 * Chris Paul (22)
 * David West (8)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Pepsi Center
 * Pepsi Center
 * 9–5
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 15
 * November 28
 * @ Portland
 * Predrag Stojaković (21)
 * Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler (6)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * Rose Garden
 * Rose Garden
 * 9–6

15,804 16,822 15,750 18,624 18,537 10,231 16,593 16,869 18,405 17,461 18,326 14,374 18,021
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 16
 * December 3
 * Phoenix
 * Predrag Stojaković, Chris Paul (24)
 * David West (14)
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 10–6
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 17
 * December 6
 * Memphis
 * Chris Paul (21)
 * James Posey (7)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 11–6
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 18
 * December 10
 * Charlotte
 * David West, Predrag Stojaković (17)
 * Tyson Chandler (11)
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 12–6
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 19
 * December 12
 * @ Boston
 * David West (23)
 * David West (14)
 * Chris Paul (14)
 * TD Banknorth Garden
 * TD Banknorth Garden
 * 12–7
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 20
 * December 14
 * @ Toronto
 * David West (29)
 * James Posey (10)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Air Canada Centre
 * Air Canada Centre
 * 13–7
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 21
 * December 16
 * @ Memphis
 * David West, Chris Paul (18)
 * Tyson Chandler (6)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * FedExForum
 * FedExForum
 * 14–7
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 22
 * December 17
 * San Antonio
 * David West (21)
 * Tyson Chandler (11)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 15–7
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 23
 * December 20
 * Sacramento
 * Chris Paul (34)
 * Tyson Chandler (8)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 16–7
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 23
 * L.A. Lakers
 * Rasual Butler, Chris Paul (17)
 * Tyson Chandler (10)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 16–8
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * December 25
 * @ Orlando
 * David West (13)
 * David West (7)
 * Chris Paul (4)
 * Amway Arena
 * Amway Arena
 * 16–9
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 26
 * December 26
 * Houston
 * Chris Paul (26)
 * Tyson Chandler (12)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 17–9
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 27
 * December 28
 * @ Indiana
 * James Posey, Chris Paul (19)
 * David West (10)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse
 * Conseco Fieldhouse
 * 18–9
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 28
 * December 30
 * Washington
 * Rasual Butler (21)
 * Tyson Chandler (11)
 * Chris Paul (16)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 19–9

20,708 19,614 18,997 19,911 17,815 16,177 19,947 20,562 22,076 17,237 14,748 18,224 16,131 15,792 17,738 18,797
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 29
 * January 2
 * @ Portland
 * David West (25)
 * James Posey (9)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * Rose Garden
 * Rose Garden
 * 20–9
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * January 3
 * @ Denver
 * Chris Paul (30)
 * David West (8)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * Pepsi Center
 * Pepsi Center
 * 20–10
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 31
 * January 6
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * David West (40)
 * David West (11)
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * Staples Center
 * Staples Center
 * 21–10
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * January 7
 * @ Utah
 * Chris Paul (26)
 * David West (6)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * EnergySolutions Arena
 * EnergySolutions Arena
 * 21–11
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 33
 * January 9
 * L.A. Clippers
 * Rasual Butler (27)
 * Tyson Chandler (11)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 22–11
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34
 * January 12
 * New York
 * David West (25)
 * David West (14)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 22–12
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 35
 * January 14
 * @ Dallas
 * Chris Paul (33)
 * Tyson Chandler (14)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * American Airlines Center
 * American Airlines Center
 * 23–12
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 36
 * January 16
 * @ Cleveland
 * David West (23)
 * Tyson Chandler (9)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * Quicken Loans Arena
 * Quicken Loans Arena
 * 23–13
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 37
 * January 17
 * @ Detroit
 * Chris Paul (23)
 * Tyson Chandler (11)
 * Chris Paul (14)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills
 * 24–13
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 38
 * January 19
 * Indiana
 * Chris Paul (27)
 * Melvin Ely (6)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 25–13
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 39
 * January 21
 * New Jersey
 * Chris Paul (29)
 * Predrag Stojaković (10)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 26–13
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 40
 * January 23
 * @ Minnesota
 * James Posey (24)
 * Sean Marks (7)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Target Center
 * Target Center
 * 26–14
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 41
 * January 26
 * Philadelphia
 * Chris Paul (27)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 27–14
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 42
 * January 28
 * Denver
 * Predrag Stojaković (26)
 * James Posey (9)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 28–14
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 43
 * January 30
 * Golden State
 * Chris Paul (31)
 * David West (15)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 28–15
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 44
 * January 31
 * @ San Antonio
 * Chris Paul (38)
 * David West (10)
 * Chris Paul (4)
 * AT&T Center
 * AT&T Center
 * 28–16

14,781 16,270 17,319 16,046 10,896 18,080 18,593 16,651 18,997 19,911 11,633 17,215 17,621
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45
 * February 2
 * Portland
 * David West (25)
 * David West (8)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 28–17
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * February 4
 * Chicago
 * Predrag Stojaković, David West (24)
 * David West (14)
 * Devin Brown (7)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 28–18
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 47
 * February 6
 * Toronto
 * Predrag Stojaković (28)
 * David West (10)
 * David West, Antonio Daniels (6)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 29–18
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 48
 * February 8
 * Minnesota
 * Rasual Butler (23)
 * Rasual Butler (8)
 * Antonio Daniels (7)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 30–18
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 9
 * @ Memphis
 * Predrag Stojaković (23)
 * Devin Brown (9)
 * Antonio Daniels (4)
 * FedExForum
 * FedExForum
 * 30–19
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 50
 * February 11
 * Boston
 * David West (15)
 * David West (8)
 * Antonio Daniels, Chris Paul (5)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 30–20
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 51
 * February 17
 * @ Oklahoma City
 * David West (37)
 * David West (13)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * Ford Center
 * Ford Center
 * 31–20
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 52
 * February 18
 * Orlando
 * Chris Paul (36)
 * Melvin Ely, Rasual Butler (8)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 32–20
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * February 20
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * Rasual Butler (31)
 * David West (16)
 * Chris Paul (16)
 * Staples Center
 * Staples Center
 * 32–21
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * February 21
 * @ Utah
 * Chris Paul (24)
 * Predrag Stojaković (11)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * EnergySolutions Arena
 * EnergySolutions Arena
 * 32–22
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 55
 * February 23
 * @ Sacramento
 * Chris Paul (27)
 * Tyson Chandler (10)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * ARCO Arena
 * ARCO Arena
 * 33–22
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 56
 * February 25
 * Detroit
 * David West (30)
 * Tyson Chandler (17)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 34–22
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 57
 * February 27
 * Milwaukee
 * David West (28)
 * David West (12)
 * Chris Paul (20)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 35–22

15,509 14,299 17,230 18,114 14,204 15,255 15,701 22,135 17,723 17,253 17,837 16,351 17,274 19,763 18,204 17,317
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 58
 * March 1
 * @ New Jersey
 * David West (32)
 * Tyson Chandler (12)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Izod Center
 * Izod Center
 * 36–22
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 59
 * March 2
 * @ Philadelphia
 * David West (30)
 * James Posey (12)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * Wachovia Center
 * Wachovia Center
 * 37–22
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 60
 * March 5
 * Dallas
 * Chris Paul (27)
 * Tyson Chandler (11)
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 38–22
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 61
 * March 7
 * Oklahoma City
 * Chris Paul (21)
 * David West (12)
 * Chris Paul (14)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 39–22
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 62
 * March 9
 * @ Atlanta
 * Chris Paul (24)
 * David West (20)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Philips Arena
 * Philips Arena
 * 39–23
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 63
 * March 11
 * @ Washington
 * Chris Paul (30)
 * Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler (10)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * Verizon Center
 * Verizon Center
 * 40–23
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 64
 * March 13
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Chris Paul (30)
 * Tyson Chandler (17)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Bradley Center
 * Bradley Center
 * 41–23
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 65
 * March 14
 * @ Chicago
 * Chris Paul (29)
 * Tyson Chandler (9)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * United Center
 * United Center
 * 41–24
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * March 16
 * Houston
 * Chris Paul (29)
 * David West (13)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 41–25
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 67
 * March 18
 * Minnesota
 * Chris Paul (26)
 * David West, Hilton Armstrong (8)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 42–25
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 68
 * March 20
 * Memphis
 * Chris Paul (32)
 * James Posey (8)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 43–25
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 69
 * March 22
 * Golden State
 * Chris Paul (27)
 * Hilton Armstrong (11)
 * Chris Paul (8)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 44–25
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 70
 * March 25
 * Denver
 * Chris Paul (19)
 * David West (8)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 44–26
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 71
 * March 27
 * @ New York
 * David West (29)
 * Julian Wright (14)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 44–27
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 72
 * March 29
 * San Antonio
 * Chris Paul (26)
 * David West (16)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 45–27
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 73
 * March 31
 * @ Sacramento
 * David West (40)
 * David West (9)
 * Chris Paul (15)
 * ARCO Arena
 * ARCO Arena
 * 46–27

19,060 19,596 17,362 19,600 17,781 20,370 16,640 18,409 18,797
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 74
 * April 1
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * Chris Paul (30)
 * Julian Wright (9)
 * Chris Paul (14)
 * Staples Center
 * Staples Center
 * 47–27
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * April 3
 * @ Golden State
 * Chris Paul (43)
 * David West (14)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Oracle Arena
 * Oracle Arena
 * 47–28
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 76
 * April 5
 * Utah
 * David West (23)
 * David West (12)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 47–29
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 77
 * April 7
 * @ Miami
 * Chris Paul (26)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * American Airlines Arena
 * American Airlines Arena
 * 48–29
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 78
 * April 8
 * Phoenix
 * Chris Paul (29)
 * David West (12)
 * Chris Paul (16)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 48–30
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 79
 * April 10
 * @ Dallas
 * Chris Paul (42)
 * David West (14)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * American Airlines Center
 * American Airlines Center
 * 48–31
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * 80
 * April 12
 * Dallas
 * David West, Chris Paul (31)
 * Chris Paul (9)
 * Chris Paul (17)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 49–31
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 13
 * @ Houston
 * David West (14)
 * David West (10)
 * Chris Paul (7)
 * Toyota Center
 * Toyota Center
 * 49–32
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 15
 * @ San Antonio
 * David West (34)
 * Paul, West (7)
 * Chris Paul (14)
 * AT&T Center
 * AT&T Center
 * 49–33

Playoffs
19,536 19,623 17,489 17,236 19,744
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 19
 * @ Denver
 * L 84–113
 * Chris Paul (21)
 * David West (6)
 * Chris Paul (11)
 * Pepsi Center
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * April 22
 * @ Denver
 * L 93–108
 * David West (21)
 * Tyson Chandler (11)
 * Chris Paul (13)
 * Pepsi Center
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * April 25
 * Denver
 * W 95–93
 * Chris Paul (32)
 * West, Posey (9)
 * Chris Paul (12)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * April 27
 * Denver
 * L 63–121
 * David West (14)
 * James Posey (7)
 * Chris Paul (6)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * April 29
 * @ Denver
 * L 86–107
 * David West (24)
 * David West (9)
 * Chris Paul (10)
 * Pepsi Center
 * 1–4

Awards

 * Chris Paul, All-NBA Second Team