Although it hasn’t yet approached the international media frenzy that often surrounded Yao Ming before chronic injuries prematurely ended his career, there’s nevertheless a growing crowd in front of Hornets forward Gustavo Ayon’s locker as he travels to each NBA city. Monday night’s grouping of Spanish-speaking print and electronic journalists, who descended upon the New Orleans Arena for an event in which two natives of Mexico were expected to play in an American professional game for the first time, seemed to almost outnumber the local press in the pre- and postgame dressing room access.
That Charlotte Bobcats reserve forward Eduardo Najera was inactive because of a sore knee didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of those wishing for a moment of Ayon’s time, speaking in Ayon’s native tongue.
As Ayon has steadily blossomed into a reliable NBA player, exhibiting the skills he developed playing nearly two seasons in Spain’s premier professional league for Madrid’s Fuenlabrada, the desire of Spanish-speaking media to chat with the unassuming 6-foot-9 power forward has increased almost exponentially.
And there will no doubt be a crowd tonight as the Hornets host the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since last season’s playoffs.
Emilio Peralta, the Hornets’ Spanish-language radio broadcaster (830-AM), sometimes serves as Ayon’s interpreter when the language barrier gets in the way, as it did Monday. Though Ayon can understand some English, he seems reluctant to answer questions using a language he hasn’t mastered.
“We’re outnumbering you tonight,” Peralta said of the Spanish-speaking media.
Although Ayon’s game is still evolving, he has exhibited the type of skill set that will make him a valuable asset to the Hornets. He has proven to be an adept passer, has a dangerous reverse layup from either side of the basket and is adjusting well to New Orleans’ offensive and defensive schemes.
Does Ayon feel as though he has becoming more acclimated to the NBA game since he became the starter in Jason Smith’s absence?
“It has been great. The coaches and the team and everybody has really welcomed me,” Ayon said through Peralta’s interpretation. “Everybody has made me really comfortable. It has been a great year for me. I’m really happy.”
Aside from New Orleans’ 73-71 loss to the Bobcats, in which Ayon scored two points and couldn’t seem to get into an offensive flow, he has provided the Hornets with a viable power forward option while Smith (concussion), and backup Carl Landry (MCL sprain), recuperate from injuries.
He had three assists off passes inside in a win at Minnesota on March 10, drawing praise from Coach Monty Williams.
“Gustavo’s passing was really, really good,” said Williams, who has been patient with Ayon’s limited English but grown to appreciate his abilities. “He knows where guys are on the floor. If you put me in another country and ask me to go do a job, even if it’s basketball, I’m going to struggle. He just hasn’t struggled. He has sacrificed a lot to come here and play.
“He has got a lot going on in his life. (His wife) is expecting a baby. … he’s the guy for us. Everybody loves him because he plays hard, and he has a great spirit about him. He’s just going to get better. Fortunately for me, it’s good he doesn’t speak English well, because he doesn’t need to understand everything I’m telling him all the time because I might mess him up.”
Ayon has 73 assists in 34 games. Seven times as a starter he has scored in double digits, with three double-figure rebound efforts and the Hornets are 6-11 with Ayon in the starting lineup.
Has he always been the type of passer he has proven to be, and what aspect of his game does he believe needs the most refinement?
“I’m not thinking about passing the ball,” Ayon said. “I don’t consider myself a good passer. I wait for the game to come to me, and if there’s an opportunity to make a pass, I will — but I’m not thinking about it.
“I think I need to be a little more offensive with the rebounds and play better defense.”
Williams admitted Ayon still has some difficulty comprehending some American basketball terminology, such as “cut back door,” and Williams hasn’t yet learned the Spanish equivalency for that basic move.
“But his feel for the game, I think, covers up for what he doesn’t understand in English,” Williams said. “He just has a great feel for the game, unselfish. Sometimes I want him to be a little more aggressive with the ball around the basket, but he’s just an unusual player who can fit in with anybody.”
And has become the object of international attention.
KAMAN NOT FOCUSING ON DEADLINE: Despite being rumored as the Hornet most likely to be traded, center Chris Kaman said he doesn’t want to go anywhere and would like to continue playing for New Orleans.
“Right now, at this point, I’m feeling comfortable and have been playing pretty solid for the team,” said Kaman, who was told in January to stay away from the club while it sought to make a trade, only to be asked to return a week later. He has started the past 15 games at center in the absence of Emeka Okafor, who is out with a sore left knee.
“We’ve been winning a little bit more games,” Kaman added. “It’s not the season we anticipated or everybody wanted to have, but at this point we’re trying to do what we can to win, and I’m happy where I’m at.”
There has been speculation nationally that with former Los Angeles Clippers coach and general manager Mike Dunleavy negotiating for a group looking to purchase the Hornets from the NBA, Kaman might not be traded by Thursday’s 2 p.m. deadline because of Dunleavy’s possible involvement in Hornets’ basketball operations once a sale is consummated.
Kaman said Dunleavy’s presence in any capacity might influence his future thinking if he’s not traded.
“At this point, whether he’s here or not here, I think I’ve proven myself,” Kaman said. “I feel comfortable in the position I’m in. I have a good relationship with Mike; I played for him for seven years. He’s a great coach who understands how to coach. I don’t think he’s into coaching at this point, but if everything goes well for his situation he might be in more of a leadership role, getting guys in and out, presidential stuff. So it’ll be interesting to see what aspect he takes on.”
Williams said he knows that General Manager Dell Demps is working the telephones, but added he isn’t thinking about what might transpire.
“Trades and all of that, Dell and I will talk about that later today if something comes up,” Williams said. “He’s working. I don’t know what he’s doing as far as scenarios are concerned or if there’s a scenario. I’m not sure right now. We talked (Monday) night, and there was nothing to talk about.”
Williams said he has enjoyed having Kaman on the team.
“He has given us a different dimension that we didn’t have, a big who can score the ball and rebound,” Williams said. “I enjoy having a guy who can put the ball in the hole. As a coach, you’re thinking you’re going to have the same team no matter what because trades are so hard to pull off. I’m thinking he’s going to be here. Until it changes, that’s my mindset.”
What do you guys think about this.
NEW YORK, March 18, 2012 – The New Orleans Hornets today assigned second-year guard Xavier Henry to the Iowa Energy, the Hornets’ NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment marks the 53rd time an NBA player has been assigned to his NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 NBA season and is the first assignment of Henry’s career.
NEW YORK, March 18, 2012 – The New Orleans Hornets today assigned second-year guard Xavier Henry to the Iowa Energy, the Hornets’ NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment marks the 53rd time an NBA player has been assigned to his NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 NBA season and is the first assignment of Henry’s career.
