Hornets News

Suns' woes on TNT continue in loss
"Really, the Suns' season had been perfect. Losing to two NBA Finals teams on the road on the second night of back-to-back sets was excusable. But not any longer. The Suns' imperfection on TNT continued with their first bad loss of the season. Phoenix lost a game broadcast by TNT for the 16th consecutive time Thursday night, finally running out of comebacks to fall 110-103 to a Hornets team without injured star Chris Paul. The Suns dominated the Hornets last week, and coach Byron Scott was fired a day later. New Orleans got no points from Peja Stojakovic and 11 second-chance points in that game. On Thursday night, the Hornets got 25 points from Stojakovic, who made seven 3-pointers and had ..."
New spread offense has Hornets eager
"In the three games since General Manager Jeff Bower took over coaching duties from Byron Scott, it's been evident he wants the team's guards to spread the court with proper spacing and use quick ball movement. It worked against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, as Devin Brown, Bobby Brown, Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton combined to score 52 points in the Hornets' 110-102 victory at the New Orleans Arena. However, the Hornets (4-8) face a stiffer test tonight against the Phoenix Suns (10-2), the second-highest scoring team in the league with a 111.3 pionts-per-game average. Last week, the Hornets lost to the Suns 124-104 in Scott's final game."
Clippers give New Orleans' Bower first win as coach
"Jeff Bower calmly walked off the court and quickly into the tunnel, doing little to attract attention to himself after his first win as an NBA coach. When he first took over for the fired Byron Scott on Thursday, he said the change was about a New Orleans Hornets team he believed could play better because he had assembled it as general manager. Yet, in the locker room after the Hornets' 110-102 win over the Clippers on Tuesday night, Bower's players wanted to make it about him, if only for the few moments it took to give him the game ball and a round of applause. "We've been through a lot here in the last couple of weeks and we're just showing him that we're trying as a team, as an ..."
Young players toting the load
"They may not be able to shed their alter egos until season's end, but Ariel and Tinkerbell are growing up rather quickly. Forced to become vital options in the Hornets' plans because of a slow start and the injury to All-Star point guard Chris Paul, rookies Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton are being used in the rotation more quickly than either imagined and earning respect, excess baggage and all. As part of their rookie indoctrination, Collison (Ariel) and Thornton (Tinkerbell) are required to tote Disney-themed bags bearing the likeness of their respective characters all season. Leaving their pink and purple carry-ons behind brings a fine -- the forfeiture of their on-the-road per ..."
Hornets guard Paul sidelined indefinitely
"The long-anticipated medicalon the condition of Chris Paul's sprained left ankle was neither expansive nor encouraging Monday. The Hornets' All-Star point guard will be out indefinitely , but the team provided no information on the severity of the injury. Ankle sprains are assessed by grades. A Grade I is the least severe, and a Grade III is the most severe, involving the tearing of ligaments within the ankle that require a lengthy rehabilitation period. Hornets Coach Jeff Bower said Monday the team would not place a number grade on Paul's injury. Paul shed no additional light on what was revealed by an MRI exam Saturday. "They don't know when I'll be able to play yet," Paul said ..."
Injured Paul's status is expected today
"Hornets General Manager/Coach Jeff Bower is expected to provide details today on how long Chris Paul could be sidelined and discuss the MRI test that was performed Saturday on Paul's severely sprained left ankle. Paul, who had to be helped off the floor after suffering the injury in Friday's loss to the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, did not travel with the team to Atlanta for Saturday night's game and underwent medical tests and evaluations in New Orleans. "You are obviously concerned when any of your players get hurt," Bower said. "Chris' absence changes things quite a bit as far the contributions of everyone on the floor. But we got to look to make up the difference in a number of ..."
Thomas mentioned in a deal for Okafor
"Kenny Thomas is familiar with being used as a cost-cutting measure, so this isn't entirely different. The Kings veteran forward didn't travel with the team for the second half of last season, a move that never would have been made if he had any significant role to speak of.And now the once-forgotten man is the player with the $8.7 million expiring contract, a deal the Kings are looking to trade to any team looking to cut salary next summer. For a worthy price, of course. A source with knowledge of the situation said the Kings have had discussions with New Orleans about a trade involving Thomas and Hornets center Emeka Okafor. Acquiring the 6-foot-10, 255-pound big man, who is in his sixth ..."
Calculated Risk
"Six years ago, Jeff Bower, at the time finishing his second season as general manager of the Hornets, decided to take an assistant-coaching position at Penn State, where he began his career as an aide two decades earlier. It was time, he figured, to get back to the bench where he'd spent a dozen years before joining the Charlotte Hornets as an advance scout in 1995, along the way fleshing out a résumé that eventually would garner him a corner office, a key to the executive wash room and the day-to-day headaches that become an unwanted perk of the powerful. The moving van was practically loading up the Bowers' worldly possessions for the trip to Happy Valley and a return to his native ..."
Without Paul, N.O. sputters, falls to Hawks
"On several possessions Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks, Hornets starting shooting guard Devin Brown noticed a big difference in the way New Orleans got into its offensive sets from previous games this season. The Hornets did not have a facilitator who instinctively knew when to run the call given from the bench, deviate from the offense or draw the attention of the defense to create shots for teammates. Without Chris Paul, who missed his first game after his left ankle was severely sprained Friday night against Portland, the Hornets weren't in sync, falling to the surging Hawks 121-98 before a crowd of 18,572 at Philips Arena. Rookie Darren Collison made his first start, filling ..."
Without Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets sputter in loss to Atlanta Hawks
"On several possessions Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Hornets starting shooting guard Devin Brown noticed a big difference in the way New Orleans got into its offensive sets from previous games this season. The Hornets did not have a facilitator who instinctively knew when to run the call given from the bench, deviate from the offense or draw the attention of the defense to create shots for teammates. Without Chris Paul, who missed his first game after his left ankle was severely sprained Friday night against Portland, the Hornets weren't in sync, falling to the surging Hawks 121-98 before a crowd of 18,572 at Philips Arena. Rookie Darren Collison made his first ..."
Hawks follow Celtics' win by dismissing Hornets
"The final score cast the matchup about right. The process to get to the Hawks' 121-98 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday night at Philips Arena didn't necessarily follow convention. However, it revealed a certain mettle within the Hawks, who lead the Southeast Division at 8-2, also tied for the best record in the NBA."
Blazers can't shoot, but still trip Hornets
"Better to win ugly than to lose while etching a masterpiece. That was the Trail Blazers' motto Friday night while beating New Orleans 86-78 at New Orleans Arena. Portland (7-3) won its fifth in a row and third on its current five-game road trip, which continues Saturday at Charlotte. "It was a tough game for us," said forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who was the only Blazer in an offensive groove with 20 points and 13 rebounds. "It was our third game in (four) nights on the road. It was ugly, but we got it done." The Blazers shot only .379 from the field, were 2 for 13 from 3-point range and survived a horrendous-shooting first quarter (4 for 20) to win."
LaMarcus Aldridge carries Blazers through ugly game
"Before the season started, LaMarcus Aldridge said he was starting to feel a little ridiculous talking about his annual goal to make the All-Star Game. As he discovered during the past two seasons, talking about it doesn't equate to making the February classic. What can get him to his goal are nights like Friday, when Aldridge carried the Trail Blazers through a game-breaking third-quarter run with a flurry of jumpers and inside grit that pushed the Blazers to an ugly 86-78 win over the New Orleans Hornets. Aldridge finished with game-highs of 20 points and 13 rebounds, outdueling his counterpart David West (15 points, 10 rebounds), who was chosen instead of Aldridge for last year's ..."
Painful Start
"In his debut game, Hornets Coach Jeff Bower looked concerned after marching on the floor to see his franchise player, Chris Paul, sprawled and writhing in pain from a severely sprained left ankle. With 40.3 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Paul stepped on the back of Portland's center Joel Pryzbilla's foot after soaring to make a pass to Hilton Armstrong in the lane. As Paul landed awkwardly, his left ankle turned and he landed hard on the floor, grimacing in pain as he tossed his mouthpiece and grabbed his ankle. With Paul having to be carried off the court by teammates Sean Marks and Darius Songaila and not returning, New Orleans lost to Portland 86-78 Friday night in front of ..."
Floyd eager to fill role as Hornets assistant
"On a couple of occasions in his basketball coaching career, New Orleans, and specifically the Hornets, has offered a lifeline for Tim Floyd. The latest rescue came this week when Hornets general-manager-about-to-be-head-coach Jeff Bower telephoned to gauge Floyd's interest in rejoining the team that had dismissed him as its head coach in 2004. Before the Hornets, Floyd spent four unsuccessful seasons as coach of the Bulls. Floyd, who once again moved to New Orleans in June after his resignation at Southern California in the wake of a recruiting scandal, couldn't believe his good fortune, regardless of how bizarre it seemed to some.

"Over the course of the last five years, and ..."

Adelman disappointed by Scott's firing
"Rockets coach Rick Adelman was disappointed with the Hornets' move to fire his former assistant Byron Scott but said the move was far from unique. "I'm always surprised if it happens that quickly," Adelman said. "I haven't talked to Byron, but it sounds like there were some things going on before this happened. They are 3-6. You can win three games in a row with that team and everything looks pretty good. "Somebody got an itchy trigger finger and pulled it. It's too bad because two years ago, they had the All-Star Game there and he was Coach of the Year. Now he doesn't know what to do or how to coach his team. It's always strange to me when it's this early. Let it ride a little bit. ..."
Hornets try fresh face, lose Paul
"In his debut game, Hornets Coach Jeff Bower looked concerned after marching on the floor to see his franchise player, Chris Paul, sprawled and writhing in pain from a severely sprained left ankle. With 40.3 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Paul stepped on the back of Portland's center Joel Pryzbilla's foot after soaring to make a pass to Hilton Armstrong in the lane. As Paul landed awkwardly, his left ankle turned and he landed hard on the floor, grimacing in pain as he tossed his mouthpiece and grabbed his ankle. With Paul having to be carried off the court by teammates Sean Marks and Darius Songaila and not returning, New Orleans lost to Portland 86-78 Friday night in front of ..."
IT WAS HIGH TIME FOR OL' HEAVE-HO
"The Hornets weren't progressing this season, didn't appear even to be the equal of last year's team, which won 49 regular-season games and then was historically submissive during a first-round playoff dive against the Denver Nuggets. They had begun to moonwalk under Byron Scott, gliding backward from a franchise-record 56 regular-season wins two seasons ago, to 49 last year, to a 3-6 start this year. So if this season is to be salvaged, there's no arguing that Thursday was a good time for Hornets owner George Shinn to fire Scott. Scott getting shoved out the door nine games into his sixth season in New Orleans, and less than two full seasons after being named NBA Coach of the Year, might ..."
HIGHS
"Byron Scott has seen it all during his coaching career in the NBA 2000 -- Scott took the reins of the New Jersey Nets. 2000-01 -- In Scott's first season, New Jersey was 26-56. 2001-02 -- In his second season, the Nets went 52-30 during the regular season and advanced to the Finals, where they were swept 4-0 by the Los Angeles Lakers. 2002-03 -- Scott again led the Nets to an appearance in the Finals. New Jersey, however, lost the series 4-2 to the San Antonio Spurs. 2003-04 -- Dissension in the locker room, particularly by All-Star point guard Jason Kidd, led to Scott's dismissal after a mediocre record halfway through the season. 2004-05 -- Scott landed on his feet when he was hired ..."
Hornets firing of Scott predictable
"To Bee, or not to Bee. Hornets superiors maintain Byron Scott became the NBA's first head coaching casualty yesterday because the offensive predictably, stagnation and susceptibility to being bullied so evident in last season's first-round playoff exit in five mostly non-competitive games to the Nuggets carried over into the preseason. And it then carried over into the 3-6 regular season, punctuated by Wednesday night's 124-104 phlogging in Phoenix. Though all of the above is indisputable, what sealed Bye-Ron's fate in the Bayou; New Orleans was the 1-8 Knicks' sole conquest. Somebody had to pay for such barefaced ignominy, because the Hornets are over the luxury tax and optionless, 10 ..."
Hornets Bounce Head Coach
"The New Orleans Hornets fired Byron Scott only nine games into the season yesterday and replaced him with general manager Jeff Bower. "I told Jeff: 'The genie's out of the bottle,' " Hornets chief operating officer Hugh Weber said. "Nobody can say he doesn't have the right players. ... Jeff has hand-selected this team, and we like the idea that now he'll be held accountable for the results" Scott, who only two seasons ago was the NBA coach of the year, was fired one day after a 124-104 loss at Phoenix dropped New Orleans to 3-6. Bower, who also will remain general manager, immediately moved to name Tim Floyd his top assistant. Jackson waits for trade"
New Orleans Hornets' Byron Scott is first NBA coach fired in 2009-2010 season
"See what happens when you lose to the Knicks? In Byron Scott's case, it helped lead to his firing by the New Orleans Hornets Thursday, as he became the first NBA coach to get pink-slipped in the 2009-10 season. The former Nets coach lasted only nine games, but it's not a surprise, since he went into the final year of his contract - which included Coach of the Year honors in 2008 - squarely on the hot seat after a first-round playoff exit last season. Among their defeats, the Hornets (3-6) lost to the Knicks, who otherwise haven't won in nine games. The Hornets replaced Scott with GM Jeff Bower, but it appears ownership has settled on former Hornets and Bulls coach Tim Floyd to be next in ..."
Chris Paul not happy about Scott's firing
"As Hornets players gathered at the Alario Center on Thursday morning, team president Hugh Weber met with captains Chris Paul and David West to inform them that Coach Byron Scott was fired and his replacement would be General Manager Jeff Bower. Paul wasn't happy with the decision, and he wasn't pleased with being caught off guard by the announcement. He said New Orleans should have sought his and West's input before the decision was finalized. "I felt like maybe somebody would have at least consulted with me and asked how I felt before it happened," Paul said by telephone Thursday night. "It's not to get my approval, but we feel we should know about the decision before it takes place." ..."
Scott's firing catches Paul off guard
"As Hornets players gathered at the Alario Center on Thursday morning, team president Hugh Weber met with captains Chris Paul and David West to inform them that Coach Byron Scott was fired and his replacement would be General Manager Jeff Bower. Paul wasn't happy with the decision, and he wasn't pleased with being caught off guard by the announcement. He said New Orleans should have sought his and West's input before the decision was finalized. "I felt like maybe somebody would have at least consulted with me and asked how I felt before it happened," Paul said by telephone Thursday night. "It's not to get my approval, but we feel we should know about the decision before it takes place." ..."
Hornets no match for Suns
"By the numbers, it should have been no contest. And the numbers didn't lie. The Phoenix Suns entered Wednesday night's game at US Airways Center the No. 1 scoring team in the league, the No. 1 shooting team, and the team with the best 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA. Phoenix didn't need to pad that league-leading 3-point percentage, which entering the game (.471) was better than the New Orleans Hornets' overall shooting percentage (.463). Yet it did anyway. In routing the Hornets 124-104, Phoenix did some of its damage inside, scoring 42 points in the paint, dominating New Orleans on the offensive (15) and defensive glass, outrebounding the Hornets 45-29 and becoming the second ..."
Lakers surprised at timing of Hornets coach Scott's firing met with surprise
"Shock is the wrong word to describe the reaction to Byron Scott's firing as coach of the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday, considering how hot the seat under the former Lakers guard had grown in recent months and weeks. Still, nine games isn't much of a petri dish for evaluating a team, a coach or a season. So there was considerable surprise around Staples Center before Thursday's Lakers-Phoenix Suns game at the quick hook the Hornets wielded in dismissing Scott and replacing him with General Manager Jeff Bower and former USC coach Tim Floyd as his top assistant. "I think we're all surprised," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "It's pretty early in the season, not even 10 games in that this ..."
Sources: Hornets fire Scott
"The New Orleans Hornets have fired Coach Byron Scott and will make the formal annoucment at a 1 p.m. press conference. General manager Jeff Bower will assume coaching duties, according to a league source. Bower is a one-time Hornets assistant, but has never been a head coach in the NBA. A league source confirmed the termination. The Hornets are 3-6 this season. Scott was in the last year of his contract. Scott could not be reached for comment."
Suns take higher flight vs. Hornets
"Careful not to leave the nest of lowered expectations, the Suns have been like baby birds with hardly a peep about their accomplishments. The Suns' offense took higher flight in Wednesday's 124-104 home win against New Orleans. If they hold on to the NBA's best record after playing at the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday night, greater expectations might be cleared for take-off. The Suns' play continues to dismiss preseason concerns about defense, rebounding, depth and perimeter shooting. They are protecting the home court - 3-0 this season (12 consecutive home wins and a 17-3 home record for Alvin Gentry). They are beating the teams they should beat (5-0 vs. sub-.500 teams). But while the ..."
Suns use 40-point 1st quarter to rout Hornets
"Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash combined to hit all eight of their first-quarter shots and the Phoenix Suns used a sizzling opening period to beat the New Orleans Hornets 124-104 on Wednesday night for their eighth victory in nine games. The Suns (8-1) have the best in the Western Conference and are tied with the Boston Celtics for the league's best mark. Phoenix will face its toughest test Thursday night when they face the defending champion Lakers at Los Angeles. The Lakers are 6-1 and will be playing after three days rest. The last time the Suns had such an enviable record at the start of the season was 1980-81 when they began 11-1."
Hornets guard Chris Paul says ankle OK; will play tonight vs. Phoenix Suns
"Even though he was the last one on the floor for Wednesday morning's shootaround at US Airways Center, New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul said his slightly sprained left ankle responded to treatment and he'll play tonight against the Phoenix Suns. Paul tweaked the ankle near the end of the first half in Monday night's blowout win over the Los Angeles Clippers when he inadvertantly stepped on the foot of former Hornets guard Rasual Butler after making a short jumpshot just outside the lane. He played the entire third quarter, but was limping noticably at the beginning of the period, before the ankle loosened up. He and the rest of the New Orleans starters sat out the entire fourth period. ..."
New lineup gives boost to Hornets
"It was, of course, only the Los Angeles Clippers. Nonetheless, the victory-starved New Orleans Hornets, winless in four previous road games, didn't care who the competition might have been Monday night at the Staples Center. Having lost four of their past five games, the Hornets needed a win against somebody. And the pent-up frustrations of the past week were all relieved with a victory that featured the latest edition of a re-tooled starting lineup that seemed to provide the necessary spark that propelled the Hornets to an easy 112-84 victory. Starting Peja Stojakovic at small forward and Devin Brown at shooting guard, along with Emeka Okafor, David West and, of course, Chris Paul, the ..."
Hornets seek to keep new drive going vs. hot Suns
"Now that the Hornets seemingly have discovered a starting lineup with which they can be comfortable, and a new-look rotation to go with it, the next step would seem to be a carry-over performance tonight against the sizzling Phoenix Suns. On Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, Hornets Coach Byron Scott reached back into a relative comfort zone, inserting veteran forward Peja Stojakovic into the starting lineup in place of erratic third-year player Julian Wright, and the result was a fast offensive start that carried over into the rest of New Orleans' performance. "Yeah, you hate to say it, but they say you don't want your offense to predicate your defense," said guard Chris ..."
Scott-L.A. inquiries abound
"Whenever Hornets Coach Byron Scott brings a basketball team to this area, he's usually inundated with questions about his future, and whether that might include the top job with one of Staples Center's tenants. Since Scott spent the bulk of his playing career with the showtime Los Angeles Lakers, ordinarily media questioners want to know if he may be taking over as Lakers head coach should Phil Jackson opt to retire at season's end. That Scott is in the final year of his current contract with New Orleans merely serves to multiply the questions, and this year, playing an unusual back-to-back against the Lakers and on Monday night, the Clippers, Scott has gotten a double-dose of inquiries. ..."
Clippers' momentum is hit by a buzz saw
"The Clipper Youth looked good Monday night. Sharp, even. There they were. The franchise's first-round draft picks of the last two Junes, sitting side by side, looking ready to lead the way forward. Only, forward to a nice restaurant, not the basketball court. Though Eric Gordon might need to copy Blake Griffin and put on a tie to get in the door. Griffin hasn't played this season because of a stress fracture in his left kneecap and Gordon, sidelined by a strained groin, joined him in the row behind the bench, both wearing street clothes. There is no timetable on Gordon's return. What happened next was utterly predictable. The New Orleans Hornets routed the defense-challenged Clippers, ..."
Peterson benched by Scott
"When Hornets Coach Byron Scott met with shooting guard Morris Peterson following Saturday afternoon's practice to tell Peterson he'd been inactive for Sunday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, it wasn't as if Peterson hadn't heard such news before. A year ago, though troubled by injuries, Peterson lost his starting job to Rasual Butler and even when he regained his health, Peterson could not work his way back into Scott's rotation. Sunday night's start, and a defensive matchup against the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, went to veteran Devin Brown. Peterson watched in street clothes. "I guess Coach is doing what he feels is best for the team," Peterson said in the dressing room at the ..."
Bryant, Lakers burn Hornets
"Hornets Coach Byron Scott and guard Devin Brown are frequent golfing companions, sparking the obvious question to both Sunday night. Was Brown beating Scott on the links? Why else would Scott choose this, of all nights, to toss Brown into a potential inferno, making him the starting two guard against the Los Angeles Lakers and their other-worldly shooting guard Kobe Bryant. The query elicited laughs from both. But by game's end, Brown and the rest of the unsmiling Hornets had been torched by Bryant's 28 points -- 26 in the first half -- as the Lakers ran away to a 104-88 victory at the Staples Center, where the Hornets will play the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. Scott made the move to ..."
Lakers continue to come up big
"The streak is dead. Long live the streak. Kobe Bryant could not score 40 or more points for the third consecutive game. He didn't need tonearly that many on the New Orleans Hornets for the Lakers to win with remarkable ease, 104-88 on Sunday night at Staples Center. He merely had to score 28points to get the job done. The Lakers' fifth consecutive victory, and their sixth in seven games to start the season, was a group effort. Bryant led them in scoring for the seventh straight game, but he had plenty of help as the Lakers led from start to finish. Andrew Bynum did not play for the second consecutive game because of a strained right elbow and Pau Gasol sat out for the seventh game because ..."
Hornets have lost their sting
"I'm confused, is this the preseason or the season? And how do you tell the difference? The Lakers were without Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol on Sunday night. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points in the first half, two in the second, and left with 6:58 left, as they rolled over another overmatched little team. Oh, those were the New Orleans Hornets? Right! Light-blue pinstriped unies, Byron Scott on the sideline, Chris Paul, brilliant as ever, David West, Peja Stojakovic . . . Aside from that, they could be cardboard cutouts."
Lakers have something extra in reserve to rout Hornets
"Not that long ago, 19 months to be exact, the Lakers and New Orleans Hornets were enmeshed in a late-season race for the top seeding in the Western Conference. Now the Hornets can't even come close to beating the Lakers -- despite another night of only suits and ties for Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. The Lakers toyed with the Hornets on Sunday night, leading by as many as 27 points on the way to a 104-88 victory at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant didn't need to score 41 points again, settling for 28 on a night when the Lakers cruised despite missing two-thirds of their starting frontcourt. DJ Mbenga had 10 points and 12 rebounds for his first career double-double, and the Lakers' bench was a ..."
L.A. routs New Orleans
"The Lakers went to work in the third quarter, blowing by the New Orleans Hornets in opening a 27-point lead. The Lakers coasted from there, winnnig, 104-88, over on Sunday night at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 28 points. DJ Mbenga had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Shannon Brown came off the bench to score 15 points for the Lakers. So the New Orleans Hornets came out in the third quarter and double teammed Kobe Bryant every time he touched the basketball, apparently with the intent of making the other Lakers beat them. Bryant had torched the Hornets for 26 points in the first half, having his way with them, missing only six of his 16 shots."
Devin Brown set to replace Peterson
"After hinting about it for almost a week, Hornets Coach Byron Scott finally announced a lineup change Saturday. Disappointed with the production at his two-guard spot, Byron Scott said he will start Devin Brown tonight against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and put Morris Peterson on the inactive list. "It's a 2-4 start, and I'm not really getting anything out of Mo at the starting two guard," Scott said after practice at the Alario Center. "It just might be by committee right now; give Devin a chance, then six games from now, maybe give Marcus (Thornton, rookie from LSU) a chance and just go with (the most effective) guy."
Paul's scoring more no new trend
"The on-court demeanor hasn't changed, Hornets guard Chris Paul wants people to know. Paul's in-game countenance, a perpetual scowl, isn't anything new. It isn't a reflection of any dissatisfaction he might feel as New Orleans has broken from the starting gate with a 2-4 record as it struggles to formulate the kind of seamless chemistry that comes naturally to teams that have played together longer than two weeks. "There's no frustration. I'm fine," Paul, a two-time All-Star and one-time league MVP runner-up, said before the Hornets departed for a three-game West Coast road trip that begins tonight in Staples Center against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. "The only thing is I ..."
Raptors fire away in third quarter to defeat Hornets
"With early signs of momentum carrying over from Wednesday night's overtime victory against Dallas, Hornets point guard Chris Paul appeared pleased as he headed to the locker room with his team holding a two-point halftime lead against the Toronto Raptors. However, four minutes into the third quarter, Paul had the same frustrating glare as he did during Monday night's loss to the New York Knicks when the Hornets were thoroughly dominated in the fourth quarter, surrendering 40 points at Madison Square Garden. On Friday night, not even the home-court advantage could save the Hornets as they were undone by the Raptors' franchise-record eight 3-pointers in the third quarter that led to a ..."
Calderon leads the charge
"In the midst of Jose Calderon's slow start to the season, Jay Triano had heard enough of the second guessing. Following an up-tempo Saturday afternoon practice recently, question No. 2,000 about Calderon's laboured start left Triano shaking his head. With a pained expression Triano pointed out: "It's not as if he woke up this morning and became a bad player." Last night in the Big Easy, in Game 5 of an 82-game season, Calderon didn't need anyone to defend his abilities. They were in full view on the court. With even the most faithful of Raptor followers predicting a long night with a red-hot Chris Paul lying in wait for Calderon and the Raptors' much-maligned defence, the wee Spaniard ..."
Raps defence puts brakes on Paul
"A team-high 21 points and 18 assists is a good night at any level, but last night those numbers belonging to New Orleans' Chris Paul were actually good for the visiting Raptors. Paul, who came in averaging 30 points and just over eight assists a game, came out firing last night and appeared to be on his way to another top effort when he took a 17-point, 10-assist line to the locker room at halftime. But some key adjustments by the Raptors saw the visitors hold Paul scoreless for the third quarter and limit him to just three assists as they took over the game. Ask Raptors head coach Jay Triano and it took a consummate team effort to pull it off."
Sharp-shooting Raptors fly past Hornets
"For 12 minutes they were as good as they can be right now, efficient on offence, solid on defence, and if there's a sign the Raptors are on the right course, it came in the third quarter Friday night. Blistering the New Orleans Hornets with an awesome shooting display and holding Chris Paul in check in the second half, Toronto put on a 34-14 blitz in the third frame that led them to a 107-90 victory in front of 15,010 fans. The Raptors made eight three-pointers in the decisive third - a single-quarter franchise record - and held New Orleans to 5-for-17 shooting from the field. In all, the Raptors shot a remarkable 14-for-29 from three-point range."
Raptors' fiery Jose Calderon silences critics
"Jose Calderon knows what was being written and what was being said and what was being suggested. And as the Raptors' point guard pumped his fists and let out a primal scream and showed more outward emotion than he usually does, he was striking out not just at the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night but at the circumstances over the past week and a half that had led to so many questions. He was angry, at himself and the spot he found himself in, and he took it out on the Hornets."
Hornets aiming to build on win
"Whenever New Orleans Hornets Coach Byron Scott sees his team sputtering, he goes into his bag of motivational tactics to try to break the slide. Unlike some NBA coaches, instead of extending the length of practices or overhauling his playbook, Scott gets his point across with harsh criticism that can either make a player feel shattered or motivated. "What you see is what you get with me," Scott said. "I am honest with my guys, and if I don't like something, I'm going to let them know about it. I kind of go by the seat of my paints with my feelings, and the last thing I want to do is hold it in." Scott becomes more demanding when the Hornets are on a losing streak, like this past week ..."
It's no harm, no foul for Paul, Rondo
"The NBA will not take disciplinary action against New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul or Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo for their verbal confrontation after Sunday's game at the TD Garden, league spokesman Tim Frank confirmed Thursday. After the game, Paul sought out Celtics forward Paul Pierce to shake his hand and offer congratulations for his performance. However, before Paul could finish, Rondo came up and bumped him, and that led to the two exchanging words. They had to be separated, and as Rondo was ushered from the court area by a team official, Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau and Paul got into a shouting match in front of the Celtics' bench. Since Monday, the ..."
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