Pargo, Bower, Scott Chat with New Orleans Media
Aug. 9, 2006
The Hornets conducted a press conference in their downtown Oklahoma City offices Wednesday to announce the signing of new reserve guard Jannero Pargo. After meeting with Oklahoma City reporters, Pargo joined Hornets general manager Jeff Bower and head coach Byron Scott in a teleconference call with New Orleans media members. Here are the highlights from the 10-minute session:
Question: Jannero, what was it that attracted you to the Hornets?
Pargo: It’s a team that’s on the verge of doing something really special. I definitely want to be a part of that. I have a good friend in Tyson Chandler who was just traded here. They have a great point guard in Chris Paul, who I’m looking forward to learning some things from him, and also teaching him some things I’ve learned throughout the years.
Question: Jannero, I’m sure you’re familiar with Coach Scott’s style of play – he likes an up-tempo pace and an aggressive defense. It would seem that your skills kind of fit in with what he likes to do. Is that the case?
Pargo: Definitely. That was also a big part of my decision, knowing that this is a team that likes to push the ball and get up and down the floor. I think it fits my style of play perfectly. With that said, it was almost an easy choice.
Question: Jeff and Byron, you had been looking for a third point guard for a while. What was it about Jannero that made him the best fit?
Bower: There were a lot of factors. We thought he was the type of player that had the right mentality and played the game with an intensity that we loved. His ability to apply defensive pressure on the ball up court, we felt that was another asset. You add in that we think he was one of the best 3-point shooters available – that falls right in line with the elements we’ve been trying to add. It’s rare that you have a high comfort level with a player as an offensive and defensive player. Jannero brings both of those factors. Plus he’s uncanny with his ability to score points in bunches and in a flurry, (to) come off the bench and change the whole flow of a game. We thought it was the piece that would strengthen an already strong (point guard) position.
Scott: Jannero hit on that when he was talking to the media here. He’s a perfect fit. He’s a young man who played that style of basketball in college and in the pros, (because) what Scott Skiles stressed in Chicago is the same thing I stress here on the defensive end. (Pargo) truly gets after people for 94 feet, and on the offensive end, he’s not afraid. That’s one thing I love about him – he’ll go after guys. You don’t see too many young men – especially (with how much playing time he’s gotten) – have some of the games he’s had. He’s had a game over 30 a couple times. We know when we bring him in we’re going to get big-time energy on both ends of the court. He can play the 1 position or the 2 position and he’s not afraid to guard taller guys, or pick up smaller guys fullcourt.
Question: Jeff and Byron, considering the great improvement of your team by 20 wins last season and all the pieces you’ve added this offseason, would you be disappointed if you didn’t make the playoffs this year?
Bower: We obviously made big strides last year with a 20-game improvement. … We’ve made moves this (summer) that – I don’t think anybody would argue – have increased our talent level and provided some additional depth. The reason we did that was because of how difficult it is in the Western Conference, the quality of teams and the (difficulty) of obtaining one of those playoff spots. We feel we’ve made great progress toward that. Our goal is the same as last year, to maximize the potential and ability of our individual players.
Scott: I wouldn’t go about saying I’ll be disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs; I’ll be disappointed if we don’t improve our record. I think we’ve done everything possible to get better as a basketball team, but that’s on paper. Jeff and I have talked about some of the things we needed to do (to improve), and I think Jeff did a terrific job of going out and getting those guys for me.
You also have to take into consideration that we’re in the Western Conference. … The improvement on our roster doesn’t guarantee us anything. We have to just understand this season it’s going to be a lot of tougher because of a couple things. Number one, it is the Western Conference. Number two, we’re not going to sneak up on anybody. Everybody expects us to be a better basketball team.
Question: Jeff, we know you always listen to other teams and ways to improve your roster. But is it fair to say that you are probably done pursuing anything as far as free agents or trades?
Bower: Along with signing Jannero today, we plan to have our second-round pick Marcus Vinicius signed shortly. That will give us 14 players under contract. I think the best approach right now is to get these guys together and let them learn about each other. At that point, we’ll see what we have. But the biggest thing right now is for everyone to get to know each other.
Question: Byron, how do you see Jannero’s role as far as minutes this year?
Scott: Like everyone else on our team, I expect him to come out, practice hard and earn his minutes. I don’t think he would have it any other way. He’s going to battle every single day.
The Hornets conducted a press conference in their downtown Oklahoma City offices Wednesday to announce the signing of new reserve guard Jannero Pargo. After meeting with Oklahoma City reporters, Pargo joined Hornets general manager Jeff Bower and head coach Byron Scott in a teleconference call with New Orleans media members. Here are the highlights from the 10-minute session:
Question: Jannero, what was it that attracted you to the Hornets?
Pargo: It’s a team that’s on the verge of doing something really special. I definitely want to be a part of that. I have a good friend in Tyson Chandler who was just traded here. They have a great point guard in Chris Paul, who I’m looking forward to learning some things from him, and also teaching him some things I’ve learned throughout the years.
Question: Jannero, I’m sure you’re familiar with Coach Scott’s style of play – he likes an up-tempo pace and an aggressive defense. It would seem that your skills kind of fit in with what he likes to do. Is that the case?
Pargo: Definitely. That was also a big part of my decision, knowing that this is a team that likes to push the ball and get up and down the floor. I think it fits my style of play perfectly. With that said, it was almost an easy choice.
Question: Jeff and Byron, you had been looking for a third point guard for a while. What was it about Jannero that made him the best fit?
Bower: There were a lot of factors. We thought he was the type of player that had the right mentality and played the game with an intensity that we loved. His ability to apply defensive pressure on the ball up court, we felt that was another asset. You add in that we think he was one of the best 3-point shooters available – that falls right in line with the elements we’ve been trying to add. It’s rare that you have a high comfort level with a player as an offensive and defensive player. Jannero brings both of those factors. Plus he’s uncanny with his ability to score points in bunches and in a flurry, (to) come off the bench and change the whole flow of a game. We thought it was the piece that would strengthen an already strong (point guard) position.
Scott: Jannero hit on that when he was talking to the media here. He’s a perfect fit. He’s a young man who played that style of basketball in college and in the pros, (because) what Scott Skiles stressed in Chicago is the same thing I stress here on the defensive end. (Pargo) truly gets after people for 94 feet, and on the offensive end, he’s not afraid. That’s one thing I love about him – he’ll go after guys. You don’t see too many young men – especially (with how much playing time he’s gotten) – have some of the games he’s had. He’s had a game over 30 a couple times. We know when we bring him in we’re going to get big-time energy on both ends of the court. He can play the 1 position or the 2 position and he’s not afraid to guard taller guys, or pick up smaller guys fullcourt.
Question: Jeff and Byron, considering the great improvement of your team by 20 wins last season and all the pieces you’ve added this offseason, would you be disappointed if you didn’t make the playoffs this year?
Bower: We obviously made big strides last year with a 20-game improvement. … We’ve made moves this (summer) that – I don’t think anybody would argue – have increased our talent level and provided some additional depth. The reason we did that was because of how difficult it is in the Western Conference, the quality of teams and the (difficulty) of obtaining one of those playoff spots. We feel we’ve made great progress toward that. Our goal is the same as last year, to maximize the potential and ability of our individual players.
Scott: I wouldn’t go about saying I’ll be disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs; I’ll be disappointed if we don’t improve our record. I think we’ve done everything possible to get better as a basketball team, but that’s on paper. Jeff and I have talked about some of the things we needed to do (to improve), and I think Jeff did a terrific job of going out and getting those guys for me.
You also have to take into consideration that we’re in the Western Conference. … The improvement on our roster doesn’t guarantee us anything. We have to just understand this season it’s going to be a lot of tougher because of a couple things. Number one, it is the Western Conference. Number two, we’re not going to sneak up on anybody. Everybody expects us to be a better basketball team.
Question: Jeff, we know you always listen to other teams and ways to improve your roster. But is it fair to say that you are probably done pursuing anything as far as free agents or trades?
Bower: Along with signing Jannero today, we plan to have our second-round pick Marcus Vinicius signed shortly. That will give us 14 players under contract. I think the best approach right now is to get these guys together and let them learn about each other. At that point, we’ll see what we have. But the biggest thing right now is for everyone to get to know each other.
Question: Byron, how do you see Jannero’s role as far as minutes this year?
Scott: Like everyone else on our team, I expect him to come out, practice hard and earn his minutes. I don’t think he would have it any other way. He’s going to battle every single day.
