Hornets Training Camp Day 9: Opening Observations
New Orleans shook off an unsightly start Tuesday night, overcoming a 30-9 deficit after the first quarter to rally for a 94-92 victory over Houston in its preseason opener. What did we learn about the Hornets in their first appearance of 2007-08, albeit an unofficial one? Here are five of Hornets.com’s observations from our initial glimpse of the team... | Read MoreTraining Camp Day 7: Preseason Beckons
Hornets Prep for Preseason OpenerThe Hornets held practices at the Alario Center on Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning, making their final preparations for Tuesday’s preseason opener against the Houston Rockets. The team flew from New Orleans to Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon.
New Orleans will hold a 9 a.m. shootaround on Tuesday morning at the Ford Center. Both teams are expected to start their projected 2007-08 regulars. The Hornets are planning to tip off the game with Chris Paul, Morris Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, David West and Tyson Chandler on the floor, while the Rockets are listing Rafer Alston, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Luis Scola and Yao Ming as their initial five.
The entire Hornets roster will be in uniform, except for Melvin Ely (viral infection), who as of Monday afternoon was not expected to play. Houston was reporting no significant injuries. Following Tuesday’s preseason opener, New Orleans will fly to Indiana to visit the Pacers in Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday, then travel to Phoenix for a Saturday game. All of the Hornets’ preseason games can be heard on radio flagship stations KMEZ (102.9 FM) and WIBR (1300 AM).
Julian Wright Q&AAt the end of another grueling day of training camp, Hornets.com’s Nick O’Hayre caught up with rookie Julian Wright to ask him a few questions about camp and the upcoming season... | Read More
Armstrong Anxious to ContributeAlong with the newsworthy acquisitions of Morris Peterson and first-round pick Julian Wright, the improvement of Hilton Armstrong has been one of the biggest Hornets topics of conversation this offseason. The Connecticut product has been praised by Chris Paul for making major strides since his rookie campaign, when Armstrong appeared in 56 games... | Read More
Heading into Day Four
After each of the long, grueling training camp practices, a couple players have stayed afterward to work on their shots. Rookie Julian Wrightand reserve point guard Jannero Pargo have been staying for at least an hour after each workout shooting outside jump shots.“I'm still a rookie, so I know I have a lot to learn and need to keep working on my game," Wright said of his extra work in the gym. "You're supposed to work on things you need to work on your own time. That's part of being a pro."
Wright, the 13th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, has been viewed by many as a player with great length, as a defensive stopper and as a slasher. The one knock has been his outside shooting (he only took 13 3-pointers as a sophomore at Kansas). However, if you see his form and the consistency with which he has been knocking down the NBA 3, that knock is going away quick.
"I face a new challenge every day," Wright said. "I don't have all the answers, yet. I just go out every day and try to get better and work with the guys here and soak up all that I can.”
After practice on Tuesday, Wright had a mission to make 10-of-15 3-pointers from five different spots. He had a little trouble from the left wing, but breezed through the other four spots.
“It is all a matter of having confidence and following through,” Wright said of his shooting.
Since he signed with the Hornets before the 2006-07 season, Pargo has always been one of the last players to leave the gym.
Whether it is playing shooting games with CP3 or trying to make 10 3-pointers in a row, Pargo shoots. And shoots. And shoots.
“I am trying to get my shot where I want it to be,” Pargo said. “I worked on my game all summer, so I am just continuing that work now.”
"Normally, you shoot shots when you first get in the gym, and you're fresh. But to make shots when you're tired, it's a whole other story."
Day Three Update
With two full days of training camp in the books, the New Orleans Hornets are relieved that at least some of it is over with. Head Coach Byron Scott had promised that this year’s training camp would be one of the toughest the players had faced and the players feel that he’s keeping his word.“It will be much more demanding because I know our potential,” Scott said of the camp. “I think I would be doing myself and these players an injustice if I don’t push them to try and reach that potential. I’m going to push them until I think they can’t take it.”
Both days featured practices that lasted close to four hours with water, Gatorade and bananas being consumed at record pace. Practices focused on running and lots of it. Defensive slide drills, two-on-two, one-on-one, suicides, three-man weave and more suicides dominated the practice floor.
The players knew it was going to be hard, so everyone was in extremely good shape. If they can get through a four-hour practice, they know they can get through the fatigue when they are down two points late in the fourth quarter of a crucial game.
Checking in With Chris Paul
When you see CP3 for the first time this season, you will notice a stronger and more determined player who is ready to be the leader of his team. Chris Paul took it upon himself to urge each of his teammates to get back to New Orleans early so they could start working out early and getting ready for Scott’s training camp. | READ MORE
Checking in on Peja Stojakovic
One of the main questions surrounding the 2006-07 season was Peja Stojakovic. Was he going to be healthy? Could he be the starting small forward? Would he be in shape? After suffering a season-ending back injury early last November, Stojakovic hopes to provide answers to those questions this season. | READ MORE
2007-08 HORNETS TRAINING CAMP ROSTER
| No. | Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Birthdate | College/Country | NBA Exp |
| 12 | Hilton Armstrong | C/F | 6-11 | 235 | Nov. 11, 1984 | Connecticut | 1 |
| 40 | Ryan Bowen | F | 6-9 | 218 | Nov. 20, 1975 | Iowa | 7 |
| 45 | Rasual Butler | F | 6-7 | 205 | May 23, 1979 | LaSalle | 5 |
| 6 | Tyson Chandler | C | 7-1 | 235 | Oct. 2, 1982 | Dominguez H.S. (Calif.) | 6 |
| 51 | Eric Chenowith | C | 7-1 | 270 | Mar. 9, 1979 | Kansas | R |
| 33 | Melvin Ely | C | 6-10 | 261 | May 2, 1978 | Fresno State | 5 |
| 1 | Adam Haluska | G | 6-5 | 210 | Nov. 16, 1983 | Iowa | R |
| 8 | Bobby Jackson | G | 6-1 | 185 | Mar. 13, 1973 | Minnesota | 10 |
| 24 | Trey Johnson | G | 6-5 | 218 | Aug. 30, 1984 | Jackson State | R |
| 2 | Jannero Pargo | G | 6-1 | 175 | Oct. 22, 1979 | Arkansas | 5 |
| 9 | Morris Peterson | G/F | 6-7 | 220 | Aug. 26, 1977 | Michigan State | 7 |
| 3 | Chris Paul | G | 6-0 | 175 | May 6, 1985 | Wake Forest | 2 |
| 54 | Anthony Richardson | F | 6-9 | 210 | July 29, 1983 | Florida State | R |
| 16 | Peja Stojakovic | F/G | 6-10 | 229 | June 9, 1977 | Yugoslavia | 9 |
| 11 | Marcus Vinicius | F | 6-8 | 225 | May 31, 1984 | Brazil | 1 |
| 30 | David West | F | 6-9 | 240 | Aug. 29, 1980 | Xavier | 4 |
| 32 | Julian Wright | F | 6-8 | 225 | May 20, 1987 | Kansas | R |
