Fizer Shines in Hornets’ Vegas Finale vs. Wolves
July 14, 2006
LAS VEGAS – With Hilton Armstrong sidelined due to a sore left groin and Cedric Simmons struggling early to find his offensive touch, six-year NBA veteran Marcus Fizer provided the Hornets with a bright spot in their 73-65 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Displaying the offensive skills and toughness in the paint that made him a NBA lottery pick (fourth overall in 2000), the 6-foot-8, 260-pounder registered 17 points and nine rebounds. The Iowa State product went 6-for-11 from the floor, tallying several hoops on mid-range jumpers.
After collecting the D-League’s most valuable player award for 2005-06, New Orleans/Oklahoma City signed him late in the regular season. Fizer appeared in the final three games of the season, averaging 6.7 points per game.
Meanwhile Friday, Simmons totaled nine points and 12 rebounds, but shot just 2-for-8 from the floor and committed five turnovers, including three offensive fouls. Simmons started the game in promising fashion, draining a 15-foot jumper from the left wing in the opening minute.
Simmons’ other bucket came in the fourth quarter, when he threw down a thunderous dunk. While trying to add to his growing tally of tip dunks during the Vegas Summer League, the 6-foot-9 rookie’s attempt banged off the rim.
Early in the contest, the North Carolina State product deftly swatted a Randy Foye (game-high 19 points) layup attempt.
Notes: New Orleans/Oklahoma City finished its Vegas Summer League competition with a 1-4 record. … Only eight Hornets logged playing time in Friday’s summer finale. The club’s roster was somewhat depleted following the recent trades of Kirk Snyder and Andrew Betts. Armstrong and Brandon Bass did not play due to injury. … Chris Paul attended Friday’s game and sat on the team bench. Paul will take part in USA Basketball training next week in Las Vegas. … New Orleans/Oklahoma City shot just 34 percent from the floor. Excluding Fizer, the Hornets were just 14-for-48, or 29 percent.
LAS VEGAS – With Hilton Armstrong sidelined due to a sore left groin and Cedric Simmons struggling early to find his offensive touch, six-year NBA veteran Marcus Fizer provided the Hornets with a bright spot in their 73-65 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Displaying the offensive skills and toughness in the paint that made him a NBA lottery pick (fourth overall in 2000), the 6-foot-8, 260-pounder registered 17 points and nine rebounds. The Iowa State product went 6-for-11 from the floor, tallying several hoops on mid-range jumpers.
After collecting the D-League’s most valuable player award for 2005-06, New Orleans/Oklahoma City signed him late in the regular season. Fizer appeared in the final three games of the season, averaging 6.7 points per game.
Meanwhile Friday, Simmons totaled nine points and 12 rebounds, but shot just 2-for-8 from the floor and committed five turnovers, including three offensive fouls. Simmons started the game in promising fashion, draining a 15-foot jumper from the left wing in the opening minute.
Simmons’ other bucket came in the fourth quarter, when he threw down a thunderous dunk. While trying to add to his growing tally of tip dunks during the Vegas Summer League, the 6-foot-9 rookie’s attempt banged off the rim.
Early in the contest, the North Carolina State product deftly swatted a Randy Foye (game-high 19 points) layup attempt.
Notes: New Orleans/Oklahoma City finished its Vegas Summer League competition with a 1-4 record. … Only eight Hornets logged playing time in Friday’s summer finale. The club’s roster was somewhat depleted following the recent trades of Kirk Snyder and Andrew Betts. Armstrong and Brandon Bass did not play due to injury. … Chris Paul attended Friday’s game and sat on the team bench. Paul will take part in USA Basketball training next week in Las Vegas. … New Orleans/Oklahoma City shot just 34 percent from the floor. Excluding Fizer, the Hornets were just 14-for-48, or 29 percent.
