February 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
"
As the San Antonio Spurs opened the fourth quarter Thursday night with four quick points to take a seven-point lead, the biggest of the game at the time, Hornets forward Jason Smith called his team together after a timeout and implored them to hold it together. "Defense!" Smith yelled. "Defense!" It wasn't enough, as the Spurs blew open what had been a back-and-forth game for three quarters, winning 93-81 over New Orleans, sending the Hornets to their 19th defeat in the past 21 games."
January 31
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Geoff Calkins
"
The first question was about effort. "Did you see effort out there?" said Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins. Well, no. Unless you count the fat dancing guy. But, then, he brings it every night. Unlike the suddenly soporific Griz. Remember when this team prided itself on work? Remember when they called FedExForum the Grind House? "When we give effort, it's just for a few seconds," said Hollins. The Never Mind House, anyone?"
January 31
Memphis Commercial Appeal
"
When the locker room door finally opened, Tony Allen had a blank look on his face, a statistical report in his hand and was the only Grizzly sitting at his cubbyhole. The rest of Allen's teammates were in the showers, trying to wash away an 83-73 loss to the San Antonio Spurs that drew boos from the FedExForum crowd Monday night and led to a lengthy players-only meeting. The topic of discussion was effort in yet another lethargic showing as the Grizzlies' losing streak swelled to four games."
January 24
New Orleans Times-Picayune
"
Unable to win on their homecourt in almost a month, the Hornets blew an opportunity to end the slide against the San Antonio Spurs when forward Carl Landry missed a last-second 3-point attempt just before time expired. It left forward Trevor Ariza shaking his head in disgust and Hornets Coach Monty Williams unable to find relief after suffering a tough 104-102 defeat Monday night in front of 12,599 at the New Orleans Arena."