The Hornets enter this season hopeful that number one overall NBA draft pick Anthony Davis is a superstar in the making and that he will lead a group of key additions including Austin Rivers, Ryan Anderson, Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick, Darius Miller and Roger Mason Jr.
The 6-foot-10 Davis is a great defender and got some great experience playing with NBA superstars at the 2012 summer Olympics. Newly acquired center Robin Lopez should provide a big man presence that will prevent the 19-year-old rookie from some of the bumps and bruises of the NBA game.
Last season's Most Improved Player Ryan Davis, who had a career season last year for the Orlando Magic, will join Davis and Lopez. He averaged 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and lead the NBA in three- pointers made.
Only six players from last season's final roster, but the team kept Eric Gordon, the most important player they received in return last off-season's trade deal that sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers. Gordon had an injury-plagued season last year, but still averaged 20.6 points per game and 3.4 assist.
According to NBA 2K13, the young Hornets will struggle greatly and only win 29 games this season. But there will be a few bright spots for the team including Anthony Davis winning the Rookie of the Year award and Eric Gordon having a stellar season averaging nearly 22 points per game. Al -Farouq Aminu also has a solid season averaging 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Here is how the game simulates the Hornets' season:
Regular Season Record: 29-53 thirteenth in the Western Conference
Top scorers: PF Anthony Davis 17.0 PPG, PF Ryan Anderson 17.1 PPG, SG Eric Gordon 21.9 PPG
Leading rebounders: C Robin Lopez 6.9 RPG, PF Ryan Anderson 7.1 RPG, PF Anthony Davis 9.9 RPG
Assist Leader: PG Austin Rivers 3.7 APG, SG Eric Gordon 4.4 APG, PG Greivis Vasquez 8.2 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1: Did not qualify
Round 2: Did not qualify
Conference Finals: Did not qualify
NBA Finals: Did not qualify
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Washington Wizards
Denver Nuggets
Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets
Orlando Magic
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
