For this version of Inside Enemy Territory I had the pleasure of chatting with Ryan from Hornets 24/7 about Chris Paul, former Raptor Morris Peterson and a couple other issues pertaining to today’s game. Enjoy!

1. Morris Peterson was a huge fan favourite during his time in Toronto. However, last season he butted heads with Sam Mitchell and saw his minutes drastically reduced. What kind of role does Peterson have with the Hornets this season?

Recently, a decreasing one. It’s not that he’s butting heads with Byron Scott, he does what Scott wants, but his offense has become more and more spotty as the season has gone on. He’s operating as the fifth option among the starters now and typically only gets 3-4 shots in about 20 minutes a game. His solid perimeter defense and corner-three threat will probably keep him among the starting five, but Scott prefers to go with Jannero Pargo and/or Bonzi Wells at the end of the game.

2. The Raptors recently inked Linton Johnson to a 10-day contract. What were you thoughts of him while he played for New Orleans?

Johnson was an excellent energy guy and rebounder who can play solid defense on both types of forward. He also loves to shoot the long jumper with iffy results - that’s what got him a ticket out of town from the Hornets. Still, I liked his game a lot, and thought Scott jumped the gun a little on putting him in the doghouse.

3. How much has the strong season by the Hornets and having the chance to host the All-Star game meant to the city of New Orleans? What has this done for local businesses?

Since I don’t live in New Orleans, I’m not going to have a lot of insight here. However, I read every Hornets-related anything on the web and will say that since the All-Star game, the city has embraced the Hornets. Frequent articles have cropped up about the pre-game parties, events and the impact of the NBA’s efforts in the city. And the crowds have, of course, swelled and provided a fresh new homecourt advantage.

4. What are your thoughts on Chris Anderson returning to the Hornets? Has this been a distraction to the team?

It hasn’t been a distraction. This Hornets squad is too even-keeled to allow him to become a distraction even if he wanted to, but Andersen seems genuinely interested in just trying to fit in and do what he can. Of course, that’s true to form. When he played for the Hornets previously, he was no problem to the team and well liked all around. His problem wasn’t of the personality type.

5. A couple weeks ago when Toronto faced Utah I asked a Jazz blogger if he would swap Deron Williams for Chris Paul and he said no. Would you make that deal? Are there any players in the league you would trade Paul for besides Kobe Bryant or LeBron James?

Honestly, I wouldn’t trade Paul for Kobe Bryant. And I’d probably not even trade him for LeBron James. I recognize how off that second statement is, but Paul combines a near-James level game with one of the must humble and pleasant personalities in the league. His teammates love him and he’s never thrown any of them under the bus or whined about his situation. James does and will do both those things. I’d rather have the amazing game attached to a phenomenal teammate.

I’m past the whole Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul debate. Williams is a great player and he gives the Jazz fans enough to make them think they didn’t miss when they picked him over Paul, but it’s like comparing Patrick Ewing to Shaquille O’Neal or Tracy McGrady to Kobe Bryant. There’s no question Williams is a good player and a multiple future All-Star, but he’s not an all-time great. Paul is already putting up stats that beat the best seasons of Hall of Fame point guards like Nate Archibald, Isiah Thomas and John Stockton. He’s that good.

A big thank you goes out to Ryan for helping out with this version of Inside Enemy Territory. Make sure you check out Hornets 24/7 after the game for a different perspective on the game.