Hornets Updates 1/3

by Rohan on Jan 3, 2012 8:00 AM CST in News

Recaps of Hornets loss to Jazz...Quotes from Monty Williams, Jason Smith, Jarrett Jack...Gary Chouest mentioned in U.S. House Ethics Committee Report...Profile of draft prospect Perry Jones III...D.J. Mbenga works out for Clippers...

Recaps of last night's loss to the Kings:

Monty Williams on how the game got away

From NBA.com:

"The fourth quarter. We came out of halftime saying that all we had to do was win quarter-by-quarter and we won the third quarter. In the fourth quarter we couldn’t muster the same kind of efficiency on offense. We were getting enough stops, we held them to 94 points, we had some silly turnovers down the stretch."

Jason Smith on what cost the Hornets:

From NBA.com:

"They were 50, we were 32 points in the paint. That’s something we have to correct. We know the Jazz are a physical team and they are difficult team to play at home."

Jarrett Jack on his big individual performance:

From NBA.com:

"Yeah, but in the end if you don’t get the W it’s all for not. Obviously, I wanted to come out and have a more positive effect on the game than I did last game, but it still wasn’t enough. You just got to go home and be ready. We have a Philly team that has been playing some pretty good basketball at the beginning of the season and have to be ready to protect home court."

Gary Chouest Mentioned in House Ethics Committee Report

From Ryan J. Reilly/Talking Points Memo:

Rep. Don Young (R-AK) didn’t break any rules when he accepted $60,000 — far over the $5,000 limit — in donations to his legal fund from entities that were controlled by the same family, the House Ethics Committee found this week. But they’re making sure that other members can’t exploit the same loophole in the future.

Young, according to the House Ethics Committee’s report, received the donations in an envelope from fishing buddy Gary Chouest, who is president of a marine transportation company.

"When it comes to campaign finance law, that’s clearly a violation," Public Citizen’s Craig Holman told TPM. "It’s well established as a violation of that type of rule."

Perry Jones III Quick Profile

From Big Easy Buzz:

Overall: Jones is one of the best prospects in this year’s draft. He could have a top flight jump shot for a power forward. In that part of his game he could have a bit of David West in him. I also see Rudy Gay, in terms of passing and athleticism. I may be a little too high on him, (I thought about comparing him to Kevin Durant, but recanted) and I think he has the ability to grow into a top 5 power forward in the NBA.

Former Hornet D.J. Mbenga Works out for Clippers

From The Los Angeles Times:

The Clippers, in search of more depth for their front court, worked out several big men Monday at the team’s practice facility.

They had in 7-footer D.J. Mbenga, 6-11 Hilton Armstrong, 6-10 Solomon Jones and 6-11 Dan Gadzuric.

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Comments

Hard but fair.... Sad but true...

What’s entertaining about losing?….. Constantly…. Without Gordon, we’re a subpar team. We’re the Cleveland Cavaliers of the south… Am I being impatient? Prob so but I just hate when you’re supposed to have the pieces to at least be competitive and lose to teams(back to back) you’re supposed to beat. The last couple of years I’ve been screaming about adding height…. We added 7’ Kaman to help out 6’10"Okafor and 7’ J Smith and still can’t score in the paint enough to win against teams who’s height doesn’t match ours. Kaman is nice offensively but gets abused on the defensive end. Every game so far, there’s a poster shot of Kaman getting dunked on REALLY NASTY. We should’ve got Gordon and Jordan. Its crazy how when we the trade went through and a couple of Clippers’ fans came on here and mentioned that Kaman can score but will piss you off defensively. I thought that they were just bitter… All I can say now is “we were warned”. Overall with week one wrapped up, are we entertaining to watch?…….. Helllllllllll NO… Rocky start with a chance to be competitive?…………….. Its possible…. we’ll see… I still love my hometown team but damn……

by fshabazz on Jan 3, 2012 9:30 AM CST reply actions

When the trade was made....

I think everyone knew what would happen. We knew what we were getting. This is not a team built for this year. But we will play hard, have great defense for the most part, and be somewhat competitive. Without Gordon there is no #1 offensive option. “We are who we thought we were” haha… This is a team that will be good in the future.

by aburton531 on Jan 3, 2012 11:23 AM CST up reply actions

"This is a team that will be good in the future."

Only problem is that, I seriously doubt most of these players will be with the team in the future. So I don’t think we’re even at the stage of saying what “this” team will be like in the future. That’s just my opinion though.

by MZURK on Jan 4, 2012 12:46 AM CST up reply actions

It's tough to say

I personally think we have a reasonable idea of what the team will look like (if we get a few lucky bounces) because we know that this current front office is building towards a very defensive, very grind it out style. Even if Eric Gordon is the only long term piece out of this group, if Monty Williams is retained, we still have a general idea of what the next Hornets contender will look like stylistically.

by Rohan on Jan 4, 2012 3:21 AM CST up reply actions

unfortunately

Being “stylisticall” defensive grind it out team doesn’t mean we’ll be a good team though.

Also, there’s no guarantee that coach/GM will be the same going forward. Who knows how close to calling it quits Demps was after the recent Stern fiascos. Coaches and GMs generally have pretty short tenures in the NBA. NBA is quite fickle.

by MZURK on Jan 4, 2012 9:00 AM CST up reply actions

I think it does

It’s not just “stylistic” – being a defensive team has a real, tangible results. If we can be a +2 to +4 team on the defensive end, our reliance on a superstar is decreased that much.

Obviously yes, Monty’s and Dell’s jobs are important. This all assumes that we are able to retain them.

by Rohan on Jan 4, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

thanks for linking that Perry Jones write-up

It’ll be great to get some more eyes on my blog!

"Sleeping on me probably in the coffin" - Tyga
Rally Squirrel will steal yo gurl.
SANI BOOOOOY!!!
Follow me on Twitter @onpointlikecp3

by OnPointLikeCP3 on Jan 3, 2012 10:32 AM CST via iPhone app reply actions

Okafor was a complete no show last night

He is really weird…It seems like he only has enough energy to play every other game. He and Kama were both abused underneath last night. Maybe it was a combination of playing back-to-back, with the second game being at high altitude. Whatever it was, they were poster-ized more than once.

"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx

by BenDerDonDat on Jan 3, 2012 11:48 AM CST reply actions

Chouest

Why can’t he just come to David Stern with an envelope full of cash ready to buy up the Hornets?! The team needs him to assume ownership in the worst way, I’d like to see those negotiations get back moving again.

As far as D.J. Mbenga and Hilton Armstrong working out for the Clippers, Hilton was always one of my favorites (although it was totally unwarranted) and I wish the best for him! I hope he makes the team. Mbenga was a favorite of mine last year (“Go DJ!”) and he’s got ties to the LA area and to Chris Paul, so he may make it. I’m pulling for the both of them.

For everyone getting frustrated with the team, you have to take the good with the bad. I’m not saying to accept losing because that’s a recipe for disaster, but you can’t get too frustrated with a team that’s obviously competing out there that’s just out manned at times. The Hornets have absolutely NO games that they should “definitely win.”

"You play to win the game."

by MrWayneKeller on Jan 3, 2012 2:55 PM CST reply actions

I'm guessing

I’m guessing that Hilton won’t have the slightest chance to make the team if CP has any say in it….

But I liked both players in their own way even though, as you say, it may be unwarranted.

by MZURK on Jan 3, 2012 9:23 PM CST up reply actions

Consistency is the hob-goblin of ...

us getting a high lottery pick. I think what we are looking at – in this year’s team incarnation – is a group of players who all have potential but lack consistency. This isn’t new … uhh … news, but it is worrisome as Demps constructs a better team. I think the key to this year will be how Demps and Monty identify those players who are consistent and can be counted on to perform in specific roles – those players will stay – and those that are not – those players MUST go. And so far, I’ve seen a lot of “go” and not much “stay”.

I hope I am wrong, and that more consistency is on this roster than I think, but I fear almost everyone (short of Gordon and Okafor {who I am damning with faint praise!}) needs to be moved between this year and the next (wonder why Landry only got a 1 year deal?). But looking at the San Antonio dynamic – if we believe that Demps’ philosophy is the same – it is clear that consistency is valued over potential, even big-play potential. I hope we draft NOT looking for a big-time player, rather several consistent ones.

And I think I may end up with the worst record at the end of the year in the fantasy league, so anything I write here can be brushed aside as a response to having auto-drafted Raymond Felton.

by andregurov on Jan 3, 2012 6:33 PM CST reply actions

Raymond Felton

I think he’ll have a fine season. Don’t worry! :)

by MZURK on Jan 3, 2012 9:24 PM CST up reply actions

Btw

This was a good, sincere article and well worth the read, regardless of one’s opinion about the Lakers/Clippers trades.

Thanks also to Rohan for moving to to the main thread page.

by MZURK on Jan 4, 2012 12:44 AM CST reply actions

Wrong thread haha :)

And thanks. Wanted to get some extra opinions out there that weren’t just me going on and on about my “+6” dreams and all that nonsense haha. And I think 504life did a great job hitting on those points that you (and a couple others) have refuted the Clips deal with.

by Rohan on Jan 4, 2012 3:23 AM CST up reply actions