ducks
06-20-2006, 09:08 AM
Rookies not worth the wait for Hornets
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
John DeShazier
Some time soon, maybe even during the next NBA season, Shelden Williams will play at an All-Defensive Team level, capable of locking down centers and power forwards alike.
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Hilton Armstrong, like the next Patrick Ewing, a defense-first center in college who, anchored by skills few knew existed, will morph into a scoring force and perennial All-Star.
Cedric Simmons, like a poor man's Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, full of efficiency and savvy, will be capable of carrying a team for long stretches of a season.
Patrick O'Bryant, a better Jamaal Magloire, will hold his own in the post while providing reliable production.
All four of those scenarios could happen. But that doesn't seem to be a risk worth taking for the Hornets, who might have their eye on one of those four with their two first-round picks in the June 28 NBA draft.
Not for a team that looks to be a key addition or two from reaching the playoffs -- if the pickups already are familiar with the rigors of the NBA, have been productive and have some idea what to do on the court during the stretch run. Pickups that might be available and acquirable if the Hornets package the Nos. 12 and 15 overall picks for them.
"We saw the immediate impact of Chris Paul last year, but Chris was the No. 4 pick overall," Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said. "But you have to be realistic."
Realistic, as in knowing that not every pick is as prepared to play, and star, as was Paul, the Rookie of the Year.
"We think we will be able to get a couple of guys that can help us," Bower said.
How soon can they help?
David West's head swam as a rookie and spun in his second season before he broke through for the Hornets last season.
J.R. Smith will be entering his third season with the Hornets if the team can't trade him over this summer, and it could be a colossal mistake to give up on him so soon when, maybe, he needs structure and discipline more than a change of address. But it's because he hasn't developed as rapidly as hoped that the franchise even entertained offers.
In other words, no one has a clue how a player is going to react once exposed to the NBA game and lifestyle. But because the Hornets legitimately should believe they're on the rise, and already have a pair of young studs in West and Paul, they should be looking to now more than later.
The Hornets need a big man, preferably a front-line center, since the hope is that West has the power forward slot locked up. Williams (who played center at Duke but probably will be better at power forward), Armstrong (a center from Connecticut), O'Bryant (a center from Bradley) or Simmons (a power forward from North Carolina State) might fill the hole.
"The thing that's interesting about this draft is the number of players with size that are solid, quality players," Bower said. "We think there are seven or eight big guys that could go in the top 20."
That doesn't mean any of them will fit the Hornets' needs preferably to San Antonio free-agent Nazr Mohammed, who won a championship ring playing with the Spurs, or someone on par with Sixers center Steven Hunter, whom the Hornets acquired in a trade, then rescinded the deal because of medical concerns.
The catch, of course, is finding someone to play ball.
It takes two to trade, and a free agent has to want to join your organization. Absent that, the Hornets can pine to deal and can wine and dine targeted free agents until the object of affection gains 15 pounds, and strike out on each count.
Which would leave them exactly where they are, holding their picks.
"You're always trying to balance the long term vs. the short term," Bower said. "We think we have a realistic sense of their capabilities.
"But we're always asking ourselves two questions: What can they do for us next season, and what kind of player will they be three, four years from now?"
They're questions that more easily could be answered with an NBA veteran. He won't be a guarantee -- there are few "sure" things -- but he'd be surer than the alternative for a team that, based on where it seems headed and wants to go, at least needs that much security.
. . . . . . .
John DeShazier can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3410.
http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1150783124311680.xml
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
John DeShazier
Some time soon, maybe even during the next NBA season, Shelden Williams will play at an All-Defensive Team level, capable of locking down centers and power forwards alike.
Advertisement
Hilton Armstrong, like the next Patrick Ewing, a defense-first center in college who, anchored by skills few knew existed, will morph into a scoring force and perennial All-Star.
Cedric Simmons, like a poor man's Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, full of efficiency and savvy, will be capable of carrying a team for long stretches of a season.
Patrick O'Bryant, a better Jamaal Magloire, will hold his own in the post while providing reliable production.
All four of those scenarios could happen. But that doesn't seem to be a risk worth taking for the Hornets, who might have their eye on one of those four with their two first-round picks in the June 28 NBA draft.
Not for a team that looks to be a key addition or two from reaching the playoffs -- if the pickups already are familiar with the rigors of the NBA, have been productive and have some idea what to do on the court during the stretch run. Pickups that might be available and acquirable if the Hornets package the Nos. 12 and 15 overall picks for them.
"We saw the immediate impact of Chris Paul last year, but Chris was the No. 4 pick overall," Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said. "But you have to be realistic."
Realistic, as in knowing that not every pick is as prepared to play, and star, as was Paul, the Rookie of the Year.
"We think we will be able to get a couple of guys that can help us," Bower said.
How soon can they help?
David West's head swam as a rookie and spun in his second season before he broke through for the Hornets last season.
J.R. Smith will be entering his third season with the Hornets if the team can't trade him over this summer, and it could be a colossal mistake to give up on him so soon when, maybe, he needs structure and discipline more than a change of address. But it's because he hasn't developed as rapidly as hoped that the franchise even entertained offers.
In other words, no one has a clue how a player is going to react once exposed to the NBA game and lifestyle. But because the Hornets legitimately should believe they're on the rise, and already have a pair of young studs in West and Paul, they should be looking to now more than later.
The Hornets need a big man, preferably a front-line center, since the hope is that West has the power forward slot locked up. Williams (who played center at Duke but probably will be better at power forward), Armstrong (a center from Connecticut), O'Bryant (a center from Bradley) or Simmons (a power forward from North Carolina State) might fill the hole.
"The thing that's interesting about this draft is the number of players with size that are solid, quality players," Bower said. "We think there are seven or eight big guys that could go in the top 20."
That doesn't mean any of them will fit the Hornets' needs preferably to San Antonio free-agent Nazr Mohammed, who won a championship ring playing with the Spurs, or someone on par with Sixers center Steven Hunter, whom the Hornets acquired in a trade, then rescinded the deal because of medical concerns.
The catch, of course, is finding someone to play ball.
It takes two to trade, and a free agent has to want to join your organization. Absent that, the Hornets can pine to deal and can wine and dine targeted free agents until the object of affection gains 15 pounds, and strike out on each count.
Which would leave them exactly where they are, holding their picks.
"You're always trying to balance the long term vs. the short term," Bower said. "We think we have a realistic sense of their capabilities.
"But we're always asking ourselves two questions: What can they do for us next season, and what kind of player will they be three, four years from now?"
They're questions that more easily could be answered with an NBA veteran. He won't be a guarantee -- there are few "sure" things -- but he'd be surer than the alternative for a team that, based on where it seems headed and wants to go, at least needs that much security.
. . . . . . .
John DeShazier can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3410.
http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1150783124311680.xml