By 808Hornetsfan

HornetsNews.com takes a look at the three very important free agents that could be leaving the Big Easy this July. With a key contributer already leaving the team, New Orleans will need to evaluate a few of their own free agents that could help them take the next step towards reaching the playoffs. We start off with veteran SG/SF Devin Brown.

2007 Season: 58 games, 49 starts, 11.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg

There is no doubt that Brown had a career year with Hornets this past season. Signed in mid-December, Devin was supposed to be a key reserve on the injury-depleted Hornets roster. After a few more injuries sidelined guards Chris Paul and Bobby Jackson for a while, Brown stepped in and played tremendously. He averaged 10, 6 and 3 a game during the month of December, and continued his success in January averaging 13, 4 and 3 a game.

Coach Scott was able to rotate Brown throughout the season, either putting him in the starting lineup or moving him to the bench. Brown was also a solid defender on the perimeter, keeping opposing players in check. It seemed as though there was not a thing that Devin could not do for the team in ‘06-07, except maybe go head-to-head with LeBron. Even Brown’s FG percentages were solid, he shot 35% from beyond the 3-point line, and his total FG percentage for the year was 42%.

Brown becomes an unrestricted free agent now that his one-year deal has expired. With the SG position the team’s biggest problem, do the Hornets want to retain Brown for another season? His all-around consistency and production make him much more valuable, and yet he won’t cost as much to sign as other free agent wings such as Vince Carter, Gerald Wallace and Rashard Lewis. Not that Devin is in the same league of skill as those three, but he has played well enough to receive a long-term deal.

If the Hornets do intend to re-sign Brown, the immediate need for a SG becomes a little less important. Brown can succeed whether he’s in the starting lineup or if he’s coming off the bench. His presence will keep the Hornets fresh with playmakers that can do a lot more than just score. Peja Stojakovic’s return would be successful with a guy like Devin able to substitute for him. The other way to look at it is if the Hornets draft a scoring guard/wing with the 13th pick overall. Brown will be a great veteran for that rookie to learn from, as well as a good player to compete with for the starting job.

GM Jeff Bower has made a lot of smart decisions in the past, but this is one of those situations where you just can’t let this type of player walk away. With PG Jannero Pargo already opting out of his two-year deal, Coach Scott will need more depth behind Peja at SG, as well as a starter or reserve at SF. Devin Brown can do both of those things and not cost as much as signing a big-name FA. Bringing him back will also lock Bobby Jackson as a full-time PG rather than a combo guard.

In order for the Hornets to have a successful offseason, they need to do two things… 1.) They need to draft a young shooter that can hit shots from anywhere on the court, and be the team’s best offensive weapon for years to come… 2.) They need to bring back Devin Brown, there’s just no reason not to. I hope Hornets fans agree with me here, and I hope I am correct with my prediction.

Devin Brown: Hornet in 2007

Just for exploration sake, here is what I think are the top players in Hornets history. Our history is not as deep and storied as franchises like the Lakers and Celtics, but people will be surprised by how much talent we have had since our membership in the Association began in 1988. Check it out, and submit your own lists if you’d like:

Point Guard
1. Baron Davis
For his 5 1/2 years in New Orleans, Baron Davis handled his business at the point for the Hornets, scoring when they needed him to and dishing out the flashy passes to his teammates for the assist. Many wonder if he would have done better if injuries hadn’t plagued him after the team moved to New Orleans for the 02-03 season…16.1 ppg 5.6 apg
2. Chris Paul
The jury is still out, but from what the league has seen so far, there’s no doubt that this guy will become one of the best players in the team’s history, if not the best passer…16.6 ppg 8.3 apg
3. Muggsy Bogues
Muggsy, the shortest player in NBA history standing at roughly 5′3, was a great player considering his size and did a lot for the team during their playoff runs of the mid 90’s. He peaked in the 1994/95 season, putting up 11.1 ppg and 8.7 apg as the team went 50-32. No one can doubt this guy’s heart; he wasn’t the best point guard in the league but his longevity considering his lack of height is amazing…7.6 ppg 7.6 apg

Shooting Guard
1. David Wesley
David Wesley holds the Hornets record of most games started with 517. His versatility in the backcourt and his shooting ability was an asset to the team for 7 1/2 seasons, all considering he was an undrafted player…14.6 ppg 5 apg
2. Dell Curry
A sharpshooting guard selected by the Hornets in the 1988 Expansion Draft, Dell Curry was an instrumental part of the Hornets offense. Coming off the bench, Curry averaged between 12 and 16 ppg, shot above 46% from the field in his time with the team, and won the Sixth Man Award for the 1993-94 season. Upon his retirement in 2002, he was the Hornets’ all-time leading scorer and is now 17th all-time in 3 pointers made…13.8 ppg .462 FG%
3. Rex Chapman
“Boy wonder” was the first ever draft pick by the Hornets and became known as a solid scorer in his 13 seasons in the NBA. The 6′4 guard only played four seasons for Charlotte after going on to play with the Bullets, Heat, and Suns…15.6 ppg .429 FG%

Small Forward
1. Glen Rice
Glen Rice was a phenomenal shooter for the three seasons he played with the Hornets, and holds the title of having the highest points per game average in franchise history. Rice is also fourth all-time in three pointers made with 1,559, and astounded the league with his .470 percentage from long range in the 1996/97 season…23.6 ppg .422 3P%
2. Jamal Mashburn
In his four years with the Hornets, Mashburn led the team in scoring, averaging over 20 ppg every year. The 6-8 combo forward had range from all over the court, was a solid rebounder, and was known for making big shots. Mashburn was also one of only three players in the NBA ranked in the top 30 in scoring, rebounding, and assists in the 2000-01 season. Knee injuries led to his downfall in the 03-04 season. He never returned after that…21 ppg 6.5 rpg 4.5 apg
3. Kendall Gill
Selected by Charlotte 5th overall in 1990, Gill gave the team a solid scoring punch and defense at the 2 and 3 positions. He peaked in his sophomore season, averaging 20.5 ppg, 1.95 spg, and 4.2 apg…15.3 ppg 4.6 rpg 1.5 spg

Power Forward
1. Larry Johnson
Selected first overall in 1991, Larry Johnson scored more points in his rookie year than any other Hornets rookie did that would come later on. His versatility at the 4 alongside Alonzo Mourning produced one of the best frontcourts in the league. Grandma-ma would spend five years in Charlotte before being traded to the Knicks for Anthony Mason in 1996…19.4 ppg 9.2 rpg .497 FG%
2. P.J. Brown
Brown never put up big numbers, but the team could always rely on him in the post. In his six seasons with the team, P.J.’s hustle and defense made him a fan favorite, and he always played the role that his team required him to play. You never heard a complaint from this guy, and his mentoring to the younger players was amazing…9.7 ppg 8.8 rpg
3. Anthony Mason
Mase’s defense, rebounding, and scoring ability in the post was an asset to the team devoid of Larry Johnson from 96-00. He is also known for the trade that brought P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn to the team from Miami…13.5 ppg 10 rpg

Center
1. Alonzo Mourning
Mourning was without a doubt the best center (and arguably the best player) to have put on a Hornets uniform at the time. Right off the bat, he showed his all-around defensive and offensive skills in the post, and would go on for three seasons with the team…21.3 ppg 10.1 rpg 3.2 bpg
2. Elden Campbell
In his 4 seasons with the team, Easy E showed his smooth offensive touch in the post and shot blocking skills. In the 1999-00 season, he lead the team with 1.92 bpg…12.4 ppg 7 rpg 1.61 bpg
3. Vlade Divac
To swap Kobe Bryant for Divac was possibly the worst trade in Hornets history, but Vlade was solid for his two seasons with the team. His shooting, passing skills, and shot blocking were assets to the team…11.5 ppg 8.6 rpg 1.85 bpg

Backup point guard Jannero Pargo has announced that he will opt out of the 2-year deal he signed last season and will become an unrestricted FA on July 1. Averaging 9.2 ppg and 2.5 apg, Pargo played in all 82 games for the Hornets and started in 7.

A Word From noballer07
Where is this guy going to go?? He’s had the best season of his career and was in a solid situation. The money was there, the front office liked him and wanted him to stay, and he probably would have gotten an extended contract after next season. But, the Hornets should just move on; they must find a solid backup point guard for insurance to step in when Bobby Jackson gets injured (pretty much a given, I would say). They could probably go into the draft with the mindset of taking a point guard with #43, or they can just look into free agency for a veteran or an undrafted. Pargo was a solid player off the bench and the Hornets need to make sure that they can acquire an adequate replacement.

by noballer07

All of you might have been told at one time or the other in your lives to learn from your mistakes; they only make you stronger. This ‘rule’ so to speak is all too true in the world of sports and in the NBA. Some teams do learn from their mistakes and bounce back. Look at the Miami Heat making the Finals after falling to Detroit in the ‘05 Playoffs. Other teams just don’t seem to do so, (speaking particularly of the LA Clippers and their drafting practices). So, lets take a look at how the Hornets have done in the past, and how they can prevent themselves from repeating a bad decision.

Past Hornets Drafts

2006- C/PF Hilton Armstrong, PF Cedric Simmons, SF Marcus Vinicius Viera de Souza
It’s too early to say anything negative about these guys, and it looks as if we won’t have to in the future. Armstrong and Simmons are two promising post players (one with offensive potential and the other with defensive potential) and Vinicius is a solid perimeter player for his size and is working on bulking up and improving defensively. No problems here.

2005- PG Chris Paul, PF Brandon Bass
Possibly the best first round pick by the Hornets since Baron Davis; Chris Paul has the tools to be a superstar in this league. Brandon Bass has some issues in his skillset and hasn’t been able to win over playing time, but I believe he can do better.

2004- SG J.R. Smith, G Tim Pickett
It’s sad that neither of these picks panned out. J.R. had some issues with obeying Byron Scott and playing defense, so he’s gone, and now in 2007 we’re looking to get another promising young shooting guard. This is their lesson for this draft. Select a competent, hard-working, and motivated individual dedicated to playing basketball and improving himself. This is an issue that has been most described in Nick Young about his occasional lapses on both sides of the ball. Tim Pickett was a poor ball handler and wouldn’t have worked out anyway.

2003- PF David West, C James Lang
The Hornets got their big man of the future here in West, a power forward out of Xavier who did take a while but eventually worked out and became our leading scorer. Lang had some potential coming out of high school, but his weight led to injuries and his departure.

2002- No Picks- Traded for Courtney Alexander
Not a bad trade here, since every player below #17 in the first round besides Tayshaun Prince never actually ended up being solid starters in the NBA. Alexander had potential and was supposed to be the scorer off of the bench, but injuries sidelined him. A trade lesson here.

2001- F Kirk Haston
I will venture to say that this first rounder was the worst pick in Hornets history. Although the front office thought he would be a solid shooter for them, Haston lasted two extremely short seasons with the team struggling with injuries and having a hard time getting playing time. I hope the team never again falls for another one of these shooter-type power forwards. The Hornets traded the 45th pick in the draft for rights to 7′3″ prospect Roberto Duenas, whom we traded to Miami for Rasual Butler.

2000- C Jamaal Magloire
A good pick for the new millennium. Magloire became a solid center in the East, averaging a double-double in 2003-04. But, tensions increased as the team went 18-64 the next season, and he was dealt to Milwaukee for a first rounder that would become Cedric Simmons.

1999- G Baron Davis
B-Diddy was a beast for quite a while with the Hornets, but injuries contributed to the team’s lack of success in the postseason. His attitude is what led him to be traded.
More Lessons

1997- G Kobe Bryant
Never deal with a player with an ego. Apparently Kobe had a list of teams who he didn’t want to be drafted by, and Charlotte was one of them. Complying with his wishes, Bob Bass immediately traded the future superstar to the LA Lakers for the now retired Vlade Divac. Wow. Just think if we hadn’t traded him; how different would the league be now?

1991, 1992- F Larry Johnson, C Alonzo Mourning
This was a pretty formidable lineup in the East, up until tensions began to boil. The Hornets made a Shaq/Kobe-type decision and traded Mourning, a decision they surely regretted.

by noballer07

The final day of the Hornets’ abbreviated workout schedule wrapped up on Friday, as forwards Thaddeus Young (6′8) and Marcus Williams (6′7) and guards Zabian Dowell (6′2) and Ron Lewis (6′4) showed their skills to Byron Scott and the rest of the staff. All of these players are solid possibilities for the Hornets in the first and second rounds, but my main gripe is the fact that they haven’t even tried out a two-guard such as Nick Young and Derrick Byars. Despite this, both Byron Scott and GM Jeff Bower appeared to be quite impressed with the workout of Georgia Tech forward Thaddeus Young, commenting on his athleticism and mix of post up and perimeter abilities on offense. I don’t know what you all think, but I am now fully convinced that he is their guy. He’s even commented that his family is full of Hornets fans and that his uncle is a suite owner at the New Orleans Arena. Although I’m still not sold on Thad Young being the right selection on draft day, I think this might actually work out in the long run. It all depends on how much time Byron Scott is willing to put in to develop this guy, and so far it appears he is interested in putting in quite a bit.

Now, on to the rest of the prospects. I’m glad that they decided to try out Ron Lewis out of Ohio State; he took and hit a lot of big shots for them in the tournament and was one of the main reasons why they advanced to the championship game. IMO, he is too underrated; he has an NBA body (a plus defensively) and has shown time and time again that he can make shots. Yeah, he is an undersized two guard and his ball handling might not be good enough to play point, but haven’t we seen this before? Hopefully the Hornets will consider him on draft day in the second round. The other guard prospect, Zabian Dowell, has done a fair job at the Orlando Draft Camp, but possibly not enough to warrant a selection on draft day. Marcus Williams, a 6′7 guard/forward prospect out of Arizona looks extremely intriguingly offensively, and his ability to play PG, SG, and SF effectively is a plus. He may be a late first round pick and somebody the Hornets could look at if they decide to trade down (hopefully not that far).

Yesterday, the Hornets worked out four prospects projected by many to go in the second round. Guards Brandon Heath, Trey Johnson and Sammy Mejia and forward Dominic McGuire showed their skills to Byron Scott and the rest of the Hornets staff in OKC. In spite of the fact that teams don’t reveal their opinions of or occurrences in the workouts, all I can do is analyze the players and how they could fit in our system.

Let’s go ahead to 6-5 SG Trey Johnson from Jackson State, who IMO was the main player in this workout. In my last blog, I was hoping that they would check him out, and they did. Johnson was a proven scorer at JSU averaging just over 27 points per game and could truly be a sleeper in the second round of this draft. Like I said, this guy has the potential to give any team quality minutes off the bench as one of those ‘instant offense’ players such as our Bobby Jackson and Cleveland’s Daniel Gibson. He may be a little undersized for a shooting guard at 6′5 and his competition may not have been much, but he has potential, no doubt.

The other two guards invited in the workout are also intriguing but not as celebrated. Sammy Mejia is a 6-6 PG prospect from DePaul whose ball handling is only fair and has problems shooting the ball. He showed flashes of potential in college, but has never really completely developed any part of his game. The other guard, Brandon Heath, was a solid scoring point guard for SD State averaging nearly 20 ppg. Heath has a few issues with his game and lacks the vision of a true point, so we probably won’t see him drafted at all on June 28.

Last on my list, but not least, is forward Dominic McGuire from Fresno State. McGuire is generally projected as a mid-second round pick in the draft and has made a living in college as an athletic and defensive combo forward. McGuire is in the mold of players like Trevor Ariza and Danny Granger and should be a nice prospect for teams that need depth at the wing. The Hornets could use him as a replacement to Desmond Mason, and he could bring much needed defense to the squad at the position.

On tomorrow and Friday, the Hornets will be doing private workouts with prospects in OK City. Although no official list has been put out, Draftexpress.com stipulates that the team will be working out SD State point guard Brandon Heath (6-4 200) on Thursday and Fresno State forward Dominic McGuire (6-8 215). Heath is a tweener with skills better suited for the two guard position, and McGuire is a combo forward in the mold of Danny Granger/Kenny Thomas that would be good as a defensive role player at the next level. Stay tuned for more coverage and analysis of the workouts as they come.

By noballer07

The annual Orlando Pre-Draft Camp is heating up as draft hopefuls compete for attention from NBA scouts, many fighting to keep from being undrafted. So, who should the Hornets be paying attention to at this camp?

This year’s pre-draft camp has been filled with solid performances from several players and looks quite competitive. Prospects that have truly stood out include point guard Jared Jordan from Marist, Demetrius Nichols from Syracuse, and Aaron Gray from Pitt. While it would be nice to have the chance to select all of these players, here are a few that I believe the Hornets should be paying attention to:

1. Jared Dudley, F, Boston College 6′7 225
Dudley has looked solid at the camp, and has aroused the attention of scouts by his decision making and smart play. No, he isn’t the most athletic nor does he possess the hottest touch from the outside, but he has a few intangibles that many teams covet. He rebounds, dishes the ball fairly well, and plays solid defense. He could be a nice replacement for Linton Johnson if he doesn’t return. The Hornets might be able to take him in the second round with #43 unless teams don’t pay too much attention to the fact that he doesn’t have a true position.

2. Demetrius Nichols, SF, Syracuse, 6′8 215
Rasual Butler comparisons would not be entirely unreasonable, but Nichols is worth a look, especially if he falls to New Orleans at #43. If he keeps up his hot shooting, he may be climbing the ladder to early second round status, but the rest of his game may hinder his chances.

3. Jermareo Davidson, PF, Alabama, 6′11 220
Davidson is an intriguing prospect at power forward that has shown some of his athleticism and raw talent in the pre-draft camp. The reason why I say the Hornets should take a look at him is because he could potentially give them some of what Chris Andersen gave them before his suspension (minus the headache, of course). He can rebound, block shots, and runs the court like a smaller player. He might not get much playing time, but he could end up pushing Brandon Bass to improve.

4. Trey Johnson, SG, Jackson St, 6′5 220
Trey Johnson has looked pretty good in day three, scoring 16 points off of 6-of-14 shooting. Known as a solid scoring threat in college averaging 27.1 ppg, Johnson can probably be effective putting up numbers for an NBA team coming off the bench at the 2, although his defense is questionable. He could help us out in case Bobby Jackson runs into more nagging injuries next season.

5. Mustafa Shakur, PG, Arizona, 6′3 180
This could be a nice pick for the Hornets if they are looking to snag another point guard. Shakur has had somewhat of a solid showing at the camp and is said by many to be a prototypical pass-first PG. His size, quickness, and length are all aspects to be desired, but his inconsistency in college raises some questions. If the Hornets can’t persuade Jannero Pargo to stay (player-option), Shakur might be a nice prospect to groom and try out as the third guy.

By noballer07
I’m sure everybody has seen LeBron James’ spectacular 48-point game last night against the Pistons. So this leads me to think about the one of the most-asked questions among NBA GM’s- How can my team get to and be successful in the playoffs? Well, the answer to the question isn’t as easy or general as many speculators like to make it seem, as each team has its own needs. But I can tell you the answer is almost clear for the Hornets- they need consistency.

Since the Hornets’ first round playoff run in 2003-04, the team underwent major changes. They were introduced into the Western Conference after the Charlotte Bobcats’ entry into the league, testing their ability to compete. Injuries plagued the team as Jamal Mashburn (their 03-04 scoring leader with 21.6 PPG) was declared out for the season. Baron Davis, the team’s star point guard, requested a trade. Jamaal Magloire ended up sitting out for three months due to injury. The team, and its several different starting lineups, managed to go 18-64 on the season, its worst record since its inception. The next season, the team had ridden itself of Baron Davis, and acquired a promising young point guard in Chris Paul. Despite some further progress, Hurricane Katrina came and destroyed any chance of the team returning to normalcy. The young squad ended up missing the playoffs again, but were closer than before.

Looking back at this past season, the Hornets haven’t had much consistency once again, most evidenced by the injury of Peja Stojakovic and the late falls of Chris Paul, Desmond Mason, and Tyson Chandler. Ever thought that if this team was healthy for most of the season and Stojakovic hadn’t been injured for so long, they would have made the playoffs? I have, and I believe it. Chris Paul has the ability and potential to take them wherever they want to go, but they must stay consistent. I don’t care if they ended up drafting Greg Oden and somehow acquiring somebody like Kobe Bryant; if they don’t stay healthy and as a cohesive unit, they won’t go anywhere next season, or in the seasons to come. It’s time to start now.

By noballer07

Now that the Hornets’ season is long past, and we are nearing the NBA Finals, there is no doubt that the front office is taking a look at a few prospects that will be available in this year’s NBA Draft. Now its true that I’m no NBA GM, and that my ideas are only as good as any old Joe speculating about the Draft, but I believe that I have a basic understanding of the Hornets’ needs and what players might fit.

Now lets do a bit of recap here. The Hornets last year created a big void at SG, giving up on rising star J.R. Smith and trading him to Chicago along with stalwart PF P.J. Brown for Tyson Chandler (good trade, obviously). Now I have been a long standing fan of J.R.’s skills ever since the Hornets surprised me and others by selecting him with the 18th pick in 2004. Since taking over for the departed David Wesley, Smith wowed fans with his raw athleticism and playmaking abilities off the dribble. But, as with many young players in the NBA, he began to lack the drive to keep his starting position the next season, and started to show his unwillingness to play within the offense, putting him in Byron Scott’s doghouse and eventually leading to his trade. This left the team with underachiever Kirk Snyder and little to nothing behind him. The departure of Snyder and arrival of sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic shook up the lineup even more, putting Desmond Mason at the 3 spot and Peja at the 2.

With all of that said, obviously sliding Peja Stojakovic at the shooting guard spot did not pay off, as he suffered a back injury early in the season and hindering the Hornets’ chances at a possible future playoff run. Despite this, the Hornets adjusted, acquiring former Spurs/Jazz guard Devin Brown, who stood out and averaged 11.6 points per game in 58 games. Don’t get me wrong, Brown was an integral part in the Hornets and their staying in the playoff race (although failing to make it), but he still isn’t a solid number one option and there is no depth behind him besides oft-injured Bobby Jackson. The Hornets desperately need a two-guard that can score off the dribble, shoot, play defense, and can eventually start full-time. In this year’s draft, you won’t see many that fit the bill, but there are some.

Here are a few players that the Hornets could look at that fit my description (although not to a tee). Nick Young from USC might be a good pick at 13. He is a solid ball handler that can create his own offense, utilizing a variety of moves effectively. Despite this, his driving and defensive skills might be hindered due to his lack of a strong frame and occasional lapses in motivation. Young would probably give us what we wanted in J.R. Smith without the attitude and with more drive. Another good player for the Hornets that I am high on myself is Derrick Byars from Vanderbilt. A lot of people believe that Byars is more of a late first round pick, but I think his skills and intangibles would not make him being selected at 13 a ‘reach.’ Byars is a solid finisher that can also make his own offense, and has a pretty effective jumper; spot up and off the dribble. His frame allows for good potential defensively, even though he isn’t always as aggressive as he should be. If one would need to compare him with a player currently on the Hornets, I would say Devin Brown except with better range and finishing skills. I think he’d be a solid option in case Brown fails or just doesn’t improve.

If the Hornets are bold, they would probably gamble on Rudy Fernandez, who is definitely more of a reach at 13 than Byars. A lot of folks like to compare his skills to Manu Ginobili, which I agree with as long as he gains about 25-30 pounds to be that effective at the NBA level. I doubt Bower and the rest of the staff would take this risk, as they have neither a long or successful record in drafting and developing international prospects.

Now, to what everyone else says. I can’t tell you how many mocks I have seen that has us selecting either F Al Thornton from Florida State or Thaddeus Young from GT. While I agree that either of these players might be the BPA at 13, but the fact is is that the Hornets don’t need either of them. Maybe it’s just the conservative nature in me? You see, Thornton might not get that many opportunities to show how he can help the offense, with Stojakovic running the small forward next season (barring injury, of course; let us pray) and David West being a solid player at power forward. Let’s also remember that Cedric Simmons is awaiting his turn to show us his defensive skills, and that Hilton Armstrong needs some PT to develop as well. Unless the Hornets figure out some way to put Thornton into the offense in a way that he will be effective while maximizing the talents of the current players (think Reggie Bush and Deuce), then I don’t see this pick being viable. Same thing with Thaddeus Young, even though we could use more depth at small forward (this might take away from Rasual Butler though). Besides, I don’t think Scott wants to gamble on a young, raw player such as he, remembering the J.R. Smith experience.
So folks, this was my first blog post of many to come; I promise they won’t be as long . Whatever the Hornets decide to do, I will respect their decision and hope for the best.