Hornets.com’s 1-on-1: Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen
March 23, 2007
Thomsen
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Hornets.com’s Jim Eichenhofer interviewed Sports Illustrated NBA writer Ian Thomsen prior to Friday’s Hornets game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the New Orleans Arena.
Hornets.com will return to its format of interviewing opposing players and broadcasters on Sunday when the Hornets host the Houston Rockets.
Sports Illustrated writer Ian Thomsen
Q: What are some of the reasons behind your visit to New Orleans for tonight’s Hornets-Lakers game?
A: We’re doing a story, hopefully for next week’s magazine, on the Hornets and the All-Star Game being in New Orleans next season. We’re (addressing) how is it all going to work out? How feasible is it to have the events here? That’s why we’re here.
As far as the Hornets being here (permanently), there still are a lot of questions. It’s going to be a very small city to be able to maintain and support two pro teams. It’s going to be a very interesting experiment. A lot of it will have to do with how well the city continues to recuperate.
In my own opinion, I don’t think the All-Star Game is going to be that big of an issue. I think this city will be able to handle it just fine, and it will be a big success.
Q: Did you get a chance to see New Orleans during your stay?
A: I took a tour of the city and went on the Gray Line Katrina Tour. It was very thorough and very sad to see.
This is my favorite city in the country and I always love coming here, but this was my first time back since the storm. I just love walking around the city. I know it was usually more crowded in the French Quarter in the past, but it’s still amazingly vibrant. I went to high school in Mobile (Ala.) and used to come here all the time. I just hope it comes back.
Q: Now that we’ve gotten the pleasantries out of the way, it’s time to attack our list of “either/or” questions. Do you expect the Hornets to qualify for the playoffs or miss the postseason?
A: It’s 50-50 right now. If they do, I’m not really sure what it means. A team with that kind of record making the playoffs, they’ll be lucky to win a game in the first round against Dallas. Would they be better off getting (a) higher (pick) in the draft? That’s a legitimate question.
Maybe it will help them build momentum for next season if they do make the playoffs, but for someone like me, I don’t know if it ultimately matters, because they’re not going to last very long (in the postseason).
Q: What’s your assessment of Byron Scott’s coaching job this season? Thumbs up or thumbs down?
A: Thumbs up. The fact that we’re talking about them in the playoffs (means a positive assessment). I never understood the criticism that he receives that goes back to his days with New Jersey. I think his teams always do a pretty good job of getting the most out of what they’ve got. I think that’s the case again this year, too. You had Chris Paul miss all of those games, and Peja Stojakovic as well. Most teams, if they lost their top two players for that long a time, you wouldn’t even be talking about making the playoffs.
Q: Hornets first-round picks Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons haven’t gotten a lot of playing time this season, particularly in recent weeks. Should Hornets fans be patient or concerned?
A: I remember doing the NBA mock drafts last year, and I had a hard time figuring out who they should take with those picks (No. 12 and No. 15 overall). Those were sort of “no man’s land” spots in the draft.
I don’t think you should expect a lot from guys who get chosen in those spots, especially early on. If they turn out to be solid players, that’s great. If you look at someone like David West (a No. 18 pick), and the player he’s turned out to be, he’s the exception. That doesn’t happen very often.
I think if one of them (Armstrong or Simmons) turns into a real player, the Hornets should be happy.
Q: Are Chris Paul’s injuries a case of bad luck or reason for concern?
A: Everyone should always be concerned about injuries, but there have been so many in the league the last few years. It’s something that every player these days seems to go through. I wouldn’t worry about Chris Paul; I don’t think there is anything really unique about him or his injuries.
Q: Will Desmond Mason re-sign with the Hornets this summer or sign elsewhere?
A: That will be interesting to see. It’s not clear-cut to me. It will have to do with how they think they can replace him if that’s what they want to do, and where George Shinn wants to take the team financially – he’s already invested a lot of money in other contracts. That’s going to be a very nuanced question for them to answer.
Q: Is Tyson Chandler’s huge breakout 2006-07 season a preview of the rest of his career or a one-time fluke?
A: It better be what he’s going to do the rest of his career. He’s a high-energy player. As long as he plays with that energy, I think this is what he’s going to do. This should be his new standard and who he is as a player. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t continue how he’s playing this season.
