NEW ORLEANS -- Here are five observations of the New Orleans Hornets from training camp:

	Despite a bad back, Baron Davis will be ready for the Hornets' opener.

1. Baron Davis' back twinged last season. According to Paul Silas, the back accounted for Davis' sub-par play at the World Championships in Indianapolis. The back has again been a problem during camp, but Davis strongly rejects the notion -- submitted by Orlando coach Doc Rivers in reference to his own vulnerable Tracy McGrady -- that back problems never completely go away. "I think I can get control of it," Davis countered. "I know through my ACL surgery (in college), that told me I can pretty much overcome anything ... I feel it will get better." By all accounts, Davis and Jamal Mashburn -- who couldn't even drive his car during the playoffs because of his bout with vertigo -- have been camp standouts. Both expect to be ready Opening Night, but Mashburn recently sprained his knee.

2. Paul Silas has some tough calls to make on minutes. The toughest, of course, is at shooting guard, where Courtney Alexander (in his third season) figures to make a run at David Wesley's PT. Wesley is small for shooting guard, but also prefers not to play point guard. Alexander, at 6-foot-5, is a more natural two size-wise to play alongside Davis. Another hard decision for Silas played out on its own when Elden Campbell submitted himself for arthroscopic knee surgery Friday. Jamaal Magliore might have deserved to start at center even had Campbell been healthy, but the injury settles it. Question is, how long now will it take Campbell (not exactly known for his fast starts) to be the offensive presence inside the Hornets need to contend for the East title? As with Silas, it's a contract year for Campbell.

3. What's missing from the East's deepest team? A pure backup point guard, and consistent rebounding. Silas has especially stressed the board work, which frankly shouldn't be a problem given the relative lumber available to him. Expect the Hornets to keep searching for more of a true point -- if there is such a thing anymore -- to come in and ease the load on Davis.

4. Silas seems to be an ideal coach for this club, with a calming demeanor and a history of guiding the Hornets through tragedy (Bobby Phills) and difficulties (relocation) while winning (161-120). Bob Bass has likewise proven an effective general manager, repeatedly restocking the Hornets' roster in spite of all the player movement. It'll be interesting to see if owner George Shinn awards Silas a contract extension to keep his two aces together. If you can sense the urgency from Silas at times, you'll know why.

5. In case you're wondering, Charlotte should become the second-fastest city to regain an NBA team after losing one -- provided Charlotte does land an expansion franchise in time for 2004-05. Minnesota needed 29 years to replace the Lakers with the Timberwolves, and Milwaukee had to wait 13 years before the Bucks filled the Hawks' spot. New Orleans had to wait 23 years after losing the Jazz to Utah in 1979. The shortest wait of all-time came in Philadelphia, which hatched the 76ers one season after Wilt Chamberlain's Philadelphia Warriors became a Bay Area franchise.

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. E-mail him at marc.stein@espn3.com.