Armstrong’s 20-Point Game Highlights Defeat vs. Cavs
July 12, 2006
LAS VEGAS – A day after Hornets assistant and Vegas Summer League head coach Kenny Gattison wanted to see a concerted effort to get the ball inside on offense, New Orleans/Oklahoma City made sure that its frontcourt players were involved all game Wednesday. Hornets first-round pick Hilton Armstrong was the biggest recipient of the squad’s inside-out approach.
In the Hornets’ 78-70 defeat vs. Cleveland, the 6-foot-11 rookie showed off an array of moves in the paint, finishing with 20 points on 7-for-13 field-goal shooting. The Connecticut product began his productive offensive performance with a nifty left-handed dunk in the lane, part of a conventional three-point play.
Minutes later, Armstrong reeled in a long Ezra Williams pass, gathered his feet and powered in a second slam of the first quarter. He later authored a breakaway dunk in the final minute for his third slam of the afternoon. Overall, Armstrong continued to look increasingly comfortable at the offensive end and showed his above-average ability to run the floor.
A rare negative by Armstrong on Wednesday was the five turnovers he committed. He was also limited to 24 minutes by foul trouble; he was whistled for his fourth personal in the third quarter.
Over three Vegas Summer League games, Armstrong is averaging 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds, while shooting an impressive 60.9 percent from the field. He’s also missed only one free throw in 11 attempts.
Cedric Simmons
The North Carolina State product and 15th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft turned in a relatively quiet outing, totaling seven points on 2-for-6 field-goal shooting and grabbing four rebounds. Simmons played 24 minutes and fouled out in the fourth quarter.
Both of the 6-foot-9 rookie’s baskets came on dunks. His afternoon began in auspicious fashion when he slammed in an offensive rebound just 40 seconds into Wednesday’s game, but that was his lone field goal of the first half.
Simmons added a powerful dunk late in the third quarter off a nice feed from Kirk Snyder. Simmons is averaging 7.0 points and 5.8 rebounds, while shooting 42.1 percent from the field.
LAS VEGAS – A day after Hornets assistant and Vegas Summer League head coach Kenny Gattison wanted to see a concerted effort to get the ball inside on offense, New Orleans/Oklahoma City made sure that its frontcourt players were involved all game Wednesday. Hornets first-round pick Hilton Armstrong was the biggest recipient of the squad’s inside-out approach.
In the Hornets’ 78-70 defeat vs. Cleveland, the 6-foot-11 rookie showed off an array of moves in the paint, finishing with 20 points on 7-for-13 field-goal shooting. The Connecticut product began his productive offensive performance with a nifty left-handed dunk in the lane, part of a conventional three-point play.
Minutes later, Armstrong reeled in a long Ezra Williams pass, gathered his feet and powered in a second slam of the first quarter. He later authored a breakaway dunk in the final minute for his third slam of the afternoon. Overall, Armstrong continued to look increasingly comfortable at the offensive end and showed his above-average ability to run the floor.
A rare negative by Armstrong on Wednesday was the five turnovers he committed. He was also limited to 24 minutes by foul trouble; he was whistled for his fourth personal in the third quarter.
Over three Vegas Summer League games, Armstrong is averaging 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds, while shooting an impressive 60.9 percent from the field. He’s also missed only one free throw in 11 attempts.
Cedric Simmons
The North Carolina State product and 15th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft turned in a relatively quiet outing, totaling seven points on 2-for-6 field-goal shooting and grabbing four rebounds. Simmons played 24 minutes and fouled out in the fourth quarter.
Both of the 6-foot-9 rookie’s baskets came on dunks. His afternoon began in auspicious fashion when he slammed in an offensive rebound just 40 seconds into Wednesday’s game, but that was his lone field goal of the first half.
Simmons added a powerful dunk late in the third quarter off a nice feed from Kirk Snyder. Simmons is averaging 7.0 points and 5.8 rebounds, while shooting 42.1 percent from the field.
