http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ss..._river_defaultWhen the New Orleans Hornets acquired power forward Ryan Anderson in a sign-and-trade deal with the Orlando Magic this summer, they expected him to be their best player off the bench, capable of extending defenses with his perimeter shooting.
Anderson, 6 feet 10, 240 pounds, has shown he’s capable of providing more than that after five games. He’s the team’s second-leading rebounder (8.2) and has shown a tendency to score in the post besides making perimeter shots.
Anderson is coming off his best game, a 25-point performance against the Charlotte Bobcats in this past Friday’s 107-99 victory at the New Orleans Arena. Anderson made 10-of-16 shots, including five 3-pointers, and grabbed seven rebounds. He has scored in double figures in four of their first five games with his only setback coming against Philadelphia when he was held to nine points.