Hornets Draft Workouts: June 15, 2006
Edmond, Oklahoma – Projected by many draft experts as top-15 picks and potential Hornets, Connecticut’s Hilton Armstrong and North Carolina State’s Cedric Simmons squared off during draft workouts Thursday morning.
Unfortunately, Armstrong’s workout was cut a bit short when he caught an inadvertent elbow in the nose from Simmons. Armstrong held an ice pack to his nose, missing the running portion of the workout.
Additionally, Wake Forest guard Justin Gray sustained a pulled groin earlier in the workout and was forced to the sideline.
“I think that was planned, so they could get out of running,” Hornets head coach Byron Scott jokingly told reporters of the injuries. The ailments meant that only Gray and Oral Roberts product Larry Owens participated in 40-yard dash testing.
“I was impressed with both (Armstrong and Simmons),” Scott said after the workouts. “I was really looking forward to this day, knowing that we’d have the two of them here. I was interested to see if they could do anything outside the paint. They are both great athletes and can jump out of the gym.”
Hilton Armstrong
(on his game)
“I’m a quick, agile guy who plays a lot of defense. I can dribble and shoot, and a lot of (NBA) teams are starting to see that. Those are some of the things I didn’t get to do much in college. I play hard every game, and not everyone does that.”
(on how he’d fit in with the Hornets)
“They need a big man. I’m strong and love to bang inside. I love to play physical, especially coming from a Jim Calhoun-coached team. That’s all he teaches is toughness. I can get down and dirty, or I can step out and shoot.”
(on his rising draft status)
“At UConn, everybody was a star. The ball didn’t come to my side too often, and I was probably the last guy on that team there that people had heard of. But I’m not mad about it. I’m just happy to be in the position I’m in right now where I have a great opportunity (to be a first-round pick).”
Justin Gray
(on the Hornets)
“I knew about this organization back when I was in Charlotte. I grew up a Hornets fan. They made great strides this year. I was proud of (former Wake Forest teammate) Chris (Paul), and I was cheering them on last season.”
(on his draft status)
“I’m hearing I’m a second-round draft pick or going undrafted. You can’t let those things affect your game or affect you mentally. If you want it bad enough, you’re going to get it – that’s how I look at it.”
(on Wake Forest alums in the NBA)
“Josh Howard was the last pick of the first round, and look at his success now. Everyone knew Chris (Paul) was going to be a great player, but who knew he’d be Rookie of the Year? It’s been great watching those guys.”
(on what it would be like to play with Chris Paul in the NBA)
“It’d be a great opportunity. We played together so much that we can read each other’s mind on the court. With his ability to get into the lane and my ability to spread the floor, it’d be a great combination.”
Larry Owens
(on getting to work out for the Hornets)
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity to come here and try out and show my talent. It feels good to play against some of the top (draft prospects). I can learn from them and find out what I need to do differently. It’s a blessing and honor to be here. Not everyone gets the opportunity to do this. At first I was nervous, but after I got the ball in my hands I calmed down and just played.”
(on his basketball future)
“I just want to go to as many workouts as I can and get my name out there. I hope teams can see my aggressiveness and that will turn into being a late second-round pick, or (an) overseas (career).”
Cedric Simmons
(on how he’d fit with the Hornets)
“At N.C. State, we used the Princeton offense, and so do the Hornets – or at least something similar to the Princeton offense. I think I’d be familiar with the (offensive) sets and everything and be able to pick up things quickly.”
(on what he wants to show NBA scouts)
“That I can shoot a face-up jumper, because that’s not something I got to do too much in college. It’s really not that consistent yet, but it’s getting there. I’m getting more confidence in it.”
(on accidentally elbowing Hilton Armstrong during a 2-on-2 drill)
“I felt really bad about injuring Hilton. I got him in the nose, and I was like, ‘Man, that’s not good.’ I just hope they don’t think I’m a dirty player [Simmons grins].”
Unfortunately, Armstrong’s workout was cut a bit short when he caught an inadvertent elbow in the nose from Simmons. Armstrong held an ice pack to his nose, missing the running portion of the workout.
Additionally, Wake Forest guard Justin Gray sustained a pulled groin earlier in the workout and was forced to the sideline.
“I think that was planned, so they could get out of running,” Hornets head coach Byron Scott jokingly told reporters of the injuries. The ailments meant that only Gray and Oral Roberts product Larry Owens participated in 40-yard dash testing.
“I was impressed with both (Armstrong and Simmons),” Scott said after the workouts. “I was really looking forward to this day, knowing that we’d have the two of them here. I was interested to see if they could do anything outside the paint. They are both great athletes and can jump out of the gym.”
|
(on his game)
“I’m a quick, agile guy who plays a lot of defense. I can dribble and shoot, and a lot of (NBA) teams are starting to see that. Those are some of the things I didn’t get to do much in college. I play hard every game, and not everyone does that.”
(on how he’d fit in with the Hornets)
“They need a big man. I’m strong and love to bang inside. I love to play physical, especially coming from a Jim Calhoun-coached team. That’s all he teaches is toughness. I can get down and dirty, or I can step out and shoot.”
(on his rising draft status)
“At UConn, everybody was a star. The ball didn’t come to my side too often, and I was probably the last guy on that team there that people had heard of. But I’m not mad about it. I’m just happy to be in the position I’m in right now where I have a great opportunity (to be a first-round pick).”
|
(on the Hornets)
“I knew about this organization back when I was in Charlotte. I grew up a Hornets fan. They made great strides this year. I was proud of (former Wake Forest teammate) Chris (Paul), and I was cheering them on last season.”
(on his draft status)
“I’m hearing I’m a second-round draft pick or going undrafted. You can’t let those things affect your game or affect you mentally. If you want it bad enough, you’re going to get it – that’s how I look at it.”
(on Wake Forest alums in the NBA)
“Josh Howard was the last pick of the first round, and look at his success now. Everyone knew Chris (Paul) was going to be a great player, but who knew he’d be Rookie of the Year? It’s been great watching those guys.”
(on what it would be like to play with Chris Paul in the NBA)
“It’d be a great opportunity. We played together so much that we can read each other’s mind on the court. With his ability to get into the lane and my ability to spread the floor, it’d be a great combination.”
|
(on getting to work out for the Hornets)
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity to come here and try out and show my talent. It feels good to play against some of the top (draft prospects). I can learn from them and find out what I need to do differently. It’s a blessing and honor to be here. Not everyone gets the opportunity to do this. At first I was nervous, but after I got the ball in my hands I calmed down and just played.”
(on his basketball future)
“I just want to go to as many workouts as I can and get my name out there. I hope teams can see my aggressiveness and that will turn into being a late second-round pick, or (an) overseas (career).”
|
(on how he’d fit with the Hornets)
“At N.C. State, we used the Princeton offense, and so do the Hornets – or at least something similar to the Princeton offense. I think I’d be familiar with the (offensive) sets and everything and be able to pick up things quickly.”
(on what he wants to show NBA scouts)
“That I can shoot a face-up jumper, because that’s not something I got to do too much in college. It’s really not that consistent yet, but it’s getting there. I’m getting more confidence in it.”
(on accidentally elbowing Hilton Armstrong during a 2-on-2 drill)
“I felt really bad about injuring Hilton. I got him in the nose, and I was like, ‘Man, that’s not good.’ I just hope they don’t think I’m a dirty player [Simmons grins].”
