Sorry again if this has been posted here. I sure hope Chandler gets his wish!!!
http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index...l=1&thispage=2
N.O. hopes shooting star lights it up
Scott: Hornets lacked intensity in Game 4 rout Tuesday, May 13, 2008By James Varney
The Hornets have a basketful of things to work out before tonight's Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio, but among the most pressing is this: Peja Stojakovic must shoot more.
After all, Stojakovic played a key role in the Hornets' achieving home-court advantage for this and the previous playoff series. Stojakovic averaged 16.4 points and shot the ball 13.3 times per game during the regular season. He averaged three 3-pointers on 6.8 attempts, a percentage bettered among Western Conference scorers only by Phoenix's Steve Nash.
And that was the recipe when the Hornets whipped the Spurs in the first two games at the New Orleans Arena. In Game 2, with Stojakovic right around his season averages for attempts, he scored 25 points in a convincing Hornets victory. He scored 22 points in the first game.
After two desultory games in San Antonio (eight points and six points), his playoff scoring average has slipped to 15.3 points.
Coach Byron Scott said Monday he's not sure what kind of tactical changes might help Stojakovic get back in the flow.
"They're doing a good job; they're sticking like glue on Peja," Scott said. "The (shots) that he's getting right now, all of them seem to be under duress."
Point guard Chris Paul said the slipping numbers don't reflect a drop-off on Stojakovic's part.
"It looks like that, but they're really locked into him," Paul said. "We've just got to keep trying to get him going. Peja, whether he's scoring or not, he's a huge threat for us out there on the court at all times."
Even so, Scott noted Stojakovic missed three layups early in Game 4. And that sloppy beginning led to a general offensive malaise the team seemed to have shrugged off "three or four months ago" and a subsequent collapse in defensive intensity, according to Scott.
Perhaps the most glaring statistic from Stojakovic's line Sunday was one 3-point attempt. Hounded much of the game by defensive specialist Bruce Bowen, Stojakovic shot 3-of-9 from the field. The NBA's best free-throw shooter did not make it to the line.
Stojakovic did not hang around Monday to answer questions after the Hornets' shoot-around. After doing some stretching under one of the baskets, he hurried into the locker room, and team officials said he would not be available for interviews.
TAPE TELLS TWO TALES: The coach with three championship rings and the MVP runner-up pursuing his first appeared to have watched different game tapes, according to their assessments Monday of the 100-80 debacle Sunday in San Antonio.
On Scott's part, the disgust he felt with the Hornets' overall effort in Game 4 had not dissipated in New Orleans. In Game 3 he saw some things to praise; for Game 4 Scott said bluntly the Spurs "beat the crap out of us."
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"We've got to understand that defense is what got us to this particular point, and we've got to make sure we come out and put some pressure on them on the defensive end more," Scott said. "We can't worry about the offense, to be honest with you. It's not the offense that is beating us."
Although the Hornets took the first two games at the Arena easily, Scott said the erosion in intensity has been evident between the first game and the fourth, particularly when contrasted with the improved effort the Spurs seem to deliver each game.
"And this is the playoffs -- it's unbelievable," Scott said.
As evidence, Scott cited a shifting on-court emphasis among Hornets defenders. On one possession, the Hornets cut off Spurs point guard Tony Parker, as intended, only to get burned when the Spurs knocked down an outside shot. On the following possession, Scott said, the team neglected to cut off Parker, and he drove for a layup.
Paul, on the other hand, didn't notice as many defensive lapses.
"We didn't defend as well as we could, but after watching the film, we played good defense," he said. "Better offense will beat better defense any day. We were in their face; they just made shots."
Perhaps in response to the conflicting conclusions, Scott said he allowed the players to float defensive schemes Monday. If they had a more effective way of clamping down on Spurs forward Tim Duncan or sealing off the Spurs' pick-and-roll, he was willing to entertain it. Chandler said he considered seeking Scott's permission to take on Duncan single-handedly, but that did not appear to be an option either the players or the coaches have seriously entertained.
"I went to them today and said, 'You guys tell me how you want to play pick-and-rolls and how you want to play Tim Duncan, because I felt in games three and four we pretty much got away from trusting what we were doing," Scott said. "So I put it in their hands. They had some ideas. Some of them I liked, some of them I didn't."
Is the guy playing with a full deck? Maybe Chandler just likes sitting on the bench most of the game.Chandler said he considered seeking Scott's permission to take on Duncan single-handedly, but that did not appear to be an option either the players or the coaches have seriously entertained.
Good thing for the Hornets all he did was "consider asking". At least one of the Hornets knows when to keep his mouth shut.
Wow. Great coaching, Mr. Coach-of-the-Year.
"We played like crap. We didn't try hard enough. We need to try harder."
Way to break it down!
"I'm asking the players for ideas on defensive schemes."
Way to be a leader and do your job!
This guy is SERIOUSLY overrated as a coach.
Are you expecting Scott to break down a full analysis of the losses? He's right to a certain extent that the Hornets didn't give their best effort in games 3 and 4. What's wrong with saying they need to play harder?
As for asking players for their input, what's wrong with that? He said he'd be willing to entertain ideas from the players, not that he was solely relying on their ideas. Good coaches listen to their players and what they have to say and takes that into consideration when drawing up schemes and strategies.
You seriously twisted what he was saying. Scott may or may not be an overrated coach, but not because of the things you just criticized.
Well, this is great news for the Spurs. The COY is going to turn it over to the players to decide "how they want to defend the Spurs". Should make for some great entertainment.Perhaps in response to the conflicting conclusions, Scott said he allowed the players to float defensive schemes Monday. If they had a more effective way of clamping down on Spurs forward Tim Duncan or sealing off the Spurs' pick-and-roll, he was willing to entertain it. Chandler said he considered seeking Scott's permission to take on Duncan single-handedly, but that did not appear to be an option either the players or the coaches have seriously entertained.
"I went to them today and said, 'You guys tell me how you want to play pick-and-rolls and how you want to play Tim Duncan, because I felt in games three and four we pretty much got away from trusting what we were doing," Scott said. "So I put it in their hands. They had some ideas. Some of them I liked, some of them I didn't."
One suggestion to the Hornets. When the Spurs are on offense, flop, flop, flop, and hope like the refs buy it.
Duncan's 2nd 40 point game this post season. Sweet!
"C'mon guys, go go go.
Agree completely.
Please, please, please let Chandler guard Duncan one on one. He'll get in foul trouble very easily and it's going to take away a lot of his energy on the offensive and rebounding end.
Sure
Let Duncan show him the ropes, and how he gets it done in the playoffs. I admire Tyson's courage (or stupidity, debateable), though just because you have the balls to do it doesn't mean you can.
Chandler is asking for trouble. It will be a TD feeding frenzy down low once Ely has to take over when chandler gets in foul trouble. Although, I can't disagree if the hornets change it up by going double, then man defensively on duncan, that could mess up his rythm.
Tyson Chandler said that??
Chandler is a good defender, but if he guards TD one on one, TD will explode for a 40 point game.
Pop asks his players for input probably more than any coach in the league. And yeah, Pop isn't exactly known for breaking down the gameplan with the media.
I actually think Scott is a great coach. He said he didnt think his players trusted the scheme (which he verified by reviewing game tape). I think its great psychology for them to go through the scheme together and for him to put it on the floor for suggestions. Being a great coach means he can't be viewed as a tyrant....especially by a young team. And to be honest, from watching the game it did seem like NO gave up.
First of all, I'm quite sure Byron was using the "I wanted them to throw out ideas" as a motivational tool. He does listen to input, but he also does it to say: "If you're not going to do what we tell you to do on the Defensive end, what's your bright idea?" I guarantee that's what he was doing. When they come up with nothing, he tells them to actually follow his plan.
And Tyson...he's a very good defensive player, and this amounts to nothing more than a throw-away comment...but he knows he can't fully guard Duncan 1on1. But honestly, your guys have done a great job of finding the open man when the Hornets double Tim. I would rather stay at home on D and just let a variety of guys play 1 on 1 on Duncan.
Chandler should want to go right at Duncan one on one. If he was scared to do so then Scott would have to he-man- -slap some fight into him. That's why the coach is there, to realize what is good strategy and what isn't.
well well well... seems like the hornets are in a quandry what to do next.
Tyson Chandler is the best big man in the league. The only reason Duncan is effective is that sometimes he makes all his shots. Big deal.
it says alot for chandler to think he can
got to love his confidence in helpself
he is not better then duncan
Someone doesn't recognize sarcasm and/or parody.
yes. chandler is better than duncan.
chandler will go down as the greatest center/power forward in nba history.
:sarcasm
chandler is a good defender when it comes to guarding guys like rasho..
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