Bower Comments on Tuesday’s Trade
By: Hornets.com
February 17, 2009
During various interviews Tuesday afternoon, New Orleans GM Jeff Bower spoke extensively about the Hornets’ multi-player trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The following quotes are some of the highlights from Bower’s post-trade comments today. You can also listen to a separate 10-minute interview Bower conducted Tuesday with New Orleans TV reporters by visiting Hornets.com’s audio section.
On some of the factors that affected the decision to make the trade:
The fact that we are 30th in the league in rebounding was a very disturbing thing. Knowing that we were going to have to upgrade that area, we concentrated on acquiring players that could give us some support and some help up front. The fact that we added two players was important because it adds to our overall depth. Both players have skill sets that will fit into our group of players very well and will complement elements that we already had in the past.
Chris Wilcox is a player that is extremely athletic and plays above the rim. He can run the floor and can rebound. He will also be able to capitalize on Chris Paul’s ability to throw the lob; he is very good at that. Joe Smith has length, great shot-making ability, he is a great pick-and-pop player, he has great experience and is a great, great teammate as well.
That combination of those two guys gives us a couple more options for our team for this season. The bottom line was, from everything we looked at, we needed to make a change in order to get a little bit better. We are sorry Tyson had to go because we all thought so highly of him as a person and a player for us. But we felt this was a move that needed to be made at this time.
On another factor behind the trade:
When I watched (Oklahoma City’s) matchups against the Lakers and against Portland to see the size to see how these particular players dealt with that and we studied them for quite a long time. But that was the last piece, watching how they were able to play against other teams that we (may) have to play in the playoffs. We were successful from a long-term salary situation, in that this does give us more flexibility moving down the road, so that’s a plus obviously. The fact of how we can utilize these guys and their talents is a big, big plus.
On how the trade will affect the Hornets’ offense:
Both players are experienced and strong pick-and-roll players. Both players know how to play the NBA game, so the basics and the foundation of their styles will be there. There is always a little bit of a learning curve, but we would like to think it will be shorter or less steep with this group.
On whether Wilcox will be in the starting lineup:
We will let coach decide how that unfolds. I think that the athleticism and open floor play that are his strengths will help our team and will fit with that group. I think Joe is someone who is a really accomplished inside player, both at the 4 or 5 positions, and gives you flexibility at either spot. We still have Hilton, Sean Marks and Melvin up front so it just gives us more options and a deeper front line.
By: Hornets.com
February 17, 2009
During various interviews Tuesday afternoon, New Orleans GM Jeff Bower spoke extensively about the Hornets’ multi-player trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The following quotes are some of the highlights from Bower’s post-trade comments today. You can also listen to a separate 10-minute interview Bower conducted Tuesday with New Orleans TV reporters by visiting Hornets.com’s audio section.
On some of the factors that affected the decision to make the trade:
The fact that we are 30th in the league in rebounding was a very disturbing thing. Knowing that we were going to have to upgrade that area, we concentrated on acquiring players that could give us some support and some help up front. The fact that we added two players was important because it adds to our overall depth. Both players have skill sets that will fit into our group of players very well and will complement elements that we already had in the past.
Chris Wilcox is a player that is extremely athletic and plays above the rim. He can run the floor and can rebound. He will also be able to capitalize on Chris Paul’s ability to throw the lob; he is very good at that. Joe Smith has length, great shot-making ability, he is a great pick-and-pop player, he has great experience and is a great, great teammate as well.
That combination of those two guys gives us a couple more options for our team for this season. The bottom line was, from everything we looked at, we needed to make a change in order to get a little bit better. We are sorry Tyson had to go because we all thought so highly of him as a person and a player for us. But we felt this was a move that needed to be made at this time.
On another factor behind the trade:
When I watched (Oklahoma City’s) matchups against the Lakers and against Portland to see the size to see how these particular players dealt with that and we studied them for quite a long time. But that was the last piece, watching how they were able to play against other teams that we (may) have to play in the playoffs. We were successful from a long-term salary situation, in that this does give us more flexibility moving down the road, so that’s a plus obviously. The fact of how we can utilize these guys and their talents is a big, big plus.
On how the trade will affect the Hornets’ offense:
Both players are experienced and strong pick-and-roll players. Both players know how to play the NBA game, so the basics and the foundation of their styles will be there. There is always a little bit of a learning curve, but we would like to think it will be shorter or less steep with this group.
On whether Wilcox will be in the starting lineup:
We will let coach decide how that unfolds. I think that the athleticism and open floor play that are his strengths will help our team and will fit with that group. I think Joe is someone who is a really accomplished inside player, both at the 4 or 5 positions, and gives you flexibility at either spot. We still have Hilton, Sean Marks and Melvin up front so it just gives us more options and a deeper front line.
