2007–08 New Orleans Hornets season

NBA season

team = New Orleans Hornets
end_year = 2008
wins = 56
losses = 26
division = southwest
division_place = 1
conf_place = 2
coach = Byron Scott
arena = New Orleans Arena
playoffs = West Semifinals
(eliminated 3–4)
bbr_team = NOH

The 2007–08 New Orleans Hornets season was the Hornets' 20th season in the National Basketball Association and their 6th based in New Orleans. They returned to New Orleans full-time for the first time since 2004–05.

Although they declined an option to play part of this season at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as they did for most of the previous two seasons, they did play their first preseason game at the Ford Center on October 9 for a final curtain call.

On February 21, 2008 Bobby Jackson was traded to the Houston Rockets along with teammate Adam Haluska for Bonzi Wells and Mike James as part of a three team deal involving Houston and the Memphis Grizzlies. Also, Marcus Vinicius was traded to the Rockets where they traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies to gain the rights to Malick Badiane and Sergei Lishouk.

The Hornets finished the regular season with a record of 56–26, good enough for winning the Southwest Division. This title was clinched with their win over the Los Angeles Clippers on April 15th, and marks the first division title for the franchise. Their record also ensured the 2nd seed for the Western Conference playoffs. The Hornets closed the season with a 30–11 record at home along with a 26–15 road record. The season marks a new record for wins in a season, bettering the 1996-97 Charlotte Hornets' record of 54–28 with their win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 9. It is only the fourth time in Hornet franchise history that they have won 50 games in a season. The Hornet's accomplishments in the season earned coach Byron Scott the
NBA Coach of the Year award.

On April 29 won game 5 of their first round playoff series vs. the 7th seeded Dallas Mavericks, thereby winning the series 4–1. This mark the first time in franchise history that they have won a seven game playoff series. In his post-season debut, Chris Paul became the first player in NBA history to have at least 30 points and 10 assists in his first two playoff games. On May 19 the Hornets season ended after they were eliminated in game 7 by the defending champions San Antonio Spurs.

NBA All-Star Game

Byron Scott was named the Western Conference Team head coach for the NBA All-Star Game on February 17, 2008. It came after the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics on January 31st. He is the first hornets head coach to ever coach in an NBA All-Star Game in the whole franchise history. Chris Paul and David West were also named reserves for the game. This will be the first All-Star appearance for the both of them. In addition, Peja Stojakovic will be participating in the Three Point Shootout.

Key dates prior to the start of the season:

*The 2007 NBA Draft took place in New York City, New York on June 28.
*The free agency period begins in July.

Offseason

Draft picks

New Orleans' selections from the 2007 NBA Draft in New York, New York.

Awards and records

Records

Milestones

Transactions

The Hornets have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007-08 season.

Trades

ee also

*2007-08 NBA season

External links