Scott Provides Early Training Camp Player Updates
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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 3: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets runs drills with teammates during opening day of NBA training camp on October 3, 2006 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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October 5, 2006
Hornets third-year head coach Byron Scott discussed the status of several players following Wednesday’s second day of training camp practices at New Orleans Arena. Scott touched on a range of topics, including the early progress of New Orleans/Oklahoma City’s first-round draft picks, as well as the apparent improvement of forward Brandon Bass.
The following are among the comments Scott made to the media in New Orleans.
Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons
“They’re just young. They’re both athletic, and both have had their moments so far in the first couple days… They’re both hard workers and very intelligent young men, so it’s not taking them a whole heck of a lot of time to learn everything. But it’s going to take them some time because it’s a different game than college. This is a much more physical game on this level, and it’s a lot faster. They’re adjusting pretty well so far, but they still have a long way to go.
“They’re coming into a situation where neither one of them is looked upon as a guy who’s going to help us a whole heck of a lot. But I think when the preseason games get going, you’re going to see that be a bit different. I think both of them have a chance to help us this year. (But) it’s obviously not like last year when we had Chris (Paul) coming in and we knew he was going to be a heck of a basketball player.
“These guys have to work a little bit harder because the competition they faced in college was good, but it wasn’t on this level.”
Brandon Bass
“Brandon’s been pretty good. When (the media) asked me about who’ve been the biggest surprises (in training camp)… he’s probably been the biggest surprise. He came to camp in great shape. He’s been in this system for a full year, so he has a better understanding of it. There are still some things he has to learn, but he’s way ahead of the pace he was at last year. He’s doing a heck of a job.
“There are two big differences (in Bass) for me. Conditioning is number one, and his basketball IQ is much better. Plus the experience of being here last season and playing in some games helped him. I think he’s focused and wants to get out (on the court) this year. He’s knows he’s in a battle (to earn playing time).”
Tyson Chandler
“There are a couple reasons he will be better: He’s got a point guard who loves to pass the ball. I’ve already stated to Tyson that I want Tyson to be aggressive with his offensive rebounding, that I want him to try to put the ball back up (after offensive boards). When he runs the floor, he’s going to get layups. I think he can average six points just on tip-ins and running the floor. Then he’s going to add four or five points on us just getting him the ball a few times.
“(When Chandler was on the Bulls), I saw a guy who was a defensive presence and a heck of an athlete. (But) I thought offensively, from what I saw of him in high school, he was much better than what he was showing (in the NBA). I really thought that given the opportunity, he’d be the type of guy who could average a double-double. He understands that and feels comfortable with that. He knows that we’re showing a lot of confidence in him and we’re going to continue to do that.
“(Scott’s goal for Chandler is for the player to average a) double-double. I told him without a doubt he is capable of achieving that.”
Desmond Mason
“He definitely went out this summer and worked on the things we felt he needed to work on. That was definitely trying to change his shot a little bit. He’s come back and (his shot has) changed 110 percent. The hitch is pretty much gone – it’s there a little bit, if you really look – but it’s a 110 percent improvement.
“He’s making shots in practice. The thing I always worry about is that when you’re in the gym by yourself and you’re shooting, it’s a little different than shooting in 5-on-5 and in a game situation. So far he hasn’t had any problems. He’s continuing to work on it.”
Chris Paul
“I’m conscious of (keeping Paul rested to prevent fatigue). I’m going to have to exclude him from (some practice drills). I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep pushing that envelope. I know he wants to go out there and be with his teammates, especially when we start scrimmaging. That’s what he loves the most.
“But I need these other guys to get more reps, and I need Chris to take less reps. He understands that, but he’s a little hard-headed. But from a coaching standpoint, you love that, because you’ve got a guy who loves to play.”
Peja Stojakovic
“Peja shot the lights out today. He’s just making shots. Chris (Paul) came over to me and said, ‘That guy can shoot!’ I asked CP, ‘Which guy?’ He said, ‘The guy who wears No. 16.’ Peja is playing really well.”
Hornets third-year head coach Byron Scott discussed the status of several players following Wednesday’s second day of training camp practices at New Orleans Arena. Scott touched on a range of topics, including the early progress of New Orleans/Oklahoma City’s first-round draft picks, as well as the apparent improvement of forward Brandon Bass.
The following are among the comments Scott made to the media in New Orleans.
Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons
“They’re just young. They’re both athletic, and both have had their moments so far in the first couple days… They’re both hard workers and very intelligent young men, so it’s not taking them a whole heck of a lot of time to learn everything. But it’s going to take them some time because it’s a different game than college. This is a much more physical game on this level, and it’s a lot faster. They’re adjusting pretty well so far, but they still have a long way to go.
“They’re coming into a situation where neither one of them is looked upon as a guy who’s going to help us a whole heck of a lot. But I think when the preseason games get going, you’re going to see that be a bit different. I think both of them have a chance to help us this year. (But) it’s obviously not like last year when we had Chris (Paul) coming in and we knew he was going to be a heck of a basketball player.
“These guys have to work a little bit harder because the competition they faced in college was good, but it wasn’t on this level.”
Brandon Bass
“Brandon’s been pretty good. When (the media) asked me about who’ve been the biggest surprises (in training camp)… he’s probably been the biggest surprise. He came to camp in great shape. He’s been in this system for a full year, so he has a better understanding of it. There are still some things he has to learn, but he’s way ahead of the pace he was at last year. He’s doing a heck of a job.
“There are two big differences (in Bass) for me. Conditioning is number one, and his basketball IQ is much better. Plus the experience of being here last season and playing in some games helped him. I think he’s focused and wants to get out (on the court) this year. He’s knows he’s in a battle (to earn playing time).”
Tyson Chandler
“There are a couple reasons he will be better: He’s got a point guard who loves to pass the ball. I’ve already stated to Tyson that I want Tyson to be aggressive with his offensive rebounding, that I want him to try to put the ball back up (after offensive boards). When he runs the floor, he’s going to get layups. I think he can average six points just on tip-ins and running the floor. Then he’s going to add four or five points on us just getting him the ball a few times.
“(When Chandler was on the Bulls), I saw a guy who was a defensive presence and a heck of an athlete. (But) I thought offensively, from what I saw of him in high school, he was much better than what he was showing (in the NBA). I really thought that given the opportunity, he’d be the type of guy who could average a double-double. He understands that and feels comfortable with that. He knows that we’re showing a lot of confidence in him and we’re going to continue to do that.
“(Scott’s goal for Chandler is for the player to average a) double-double. I told him without a doubt he is capable of achieving that.”
Desmond Mason
“He definitely went out this summer and worked on the things we felt he needed to work on. That was definitely trying to change his shot a little bit. He’s come back and (his shot has) changed 110 percent. The hitch is pretty much gone – it’s there a little bit, if you really look – but it’s a 110 percent improvement.
“He’s making shots in practice. The thing I always worry about is that when you’re in the gym by yourself and you’re shooting, it’s a little different than shooting in 5-on-5 and in a game situation. So far he hasn’t had any problems. He’s continuing to work on it.”
Chris Paul
“I’m conscious of (keeping Paul rested to prevent fatigue). I’m going to have to exclude him from (some practice drills). I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep pushing that envelope. I know he wants to go out there and be with his teammates, especially when we start scrimmaging. That’s what he loves the most.
“But I need these other guys to get more reps, and I need Chris to take less reps. He understands that, but he’s a little hard-headed. But from a coaching standpoint, you love that, because you’ve got a guy who loves to play.”
Peja Stojakovic
“Peja shot the lights out today. He’s just making shots. Chris (Paul) came over to me and said, ‘That guy can shoot!’ I asked CP, ‘Which guy?’ He said, ‘The guy who wears No. 16.’ Peja is playing really well.”
