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The Hornets' 2012 draft workouts continued Monday afternoon at the Alario Center. Workout No. 2 featured a quartet of perimeter players. Here is some of what they had to say following their workout:
JEREMY LAMB, Connecticut
Q: What was your impression of the workout?
A: This was my first one. It was intense. It was good to play against Austin Rivers and Terrence Ross. It was fun. I had a little rough time and couldnt knock down shots, but I tried to stay in there and people tried to encourage me. It was a good first workout.
Q: What are your impressions of this team, Monty Williams and the Hornets organization?
A: You can tell they really work hard. Coach Williams is a good coach he was really out there pushing us and coaching us, making us better. The whole organization is real genuine. He has a good staff around him.
Q: What would it be like for a shooter to play with Anthony Davis? He would be a nice teammate to have, right?
A: Oh yeah, definitely. People have to help off of him and he attracts double-teams, so being a shooter, that would open up things for me. Ask all the Kentucky players. They won a national championship congrats to them.
Q: What are some of the things youre trying to work on going into the draft and next season?
A: Just taking the ball off the dribble, knocking down shots and taking it to the rim.
Q: Who are some of the NBA players youve been compared to in terms of style of play?
A: People have said I could be like a Rip Hamilton or Ray Allen. So maybe one of the two.
AUSTIN RIVERS, Duke
Q: How do you think you performed?
A: I feel great. I think I had a great workout. Monty (Williams) and those guys really pushed us, and I think I got a lot better in that one little workout. I learned a lot of new things, and Im just going to move forward with a lot of confidence knowing that I got that first workout out of the way.
Q: What did you think you did well today?
A: I just think I went hard today in every drill and I competed. I showed my ability to make plays with my ball-handling not only scoring, which everyone knows I can do, but also with my passing. Little things like that, I think goes a long ways.
Q: Do you think you are a one or a two on this level?
A: I think I can be both just because of my ballhandling ability. Im obviously a scorer, so I can play the two next to someone like Jarrett Jack or if Im in the game with Eric Gordon I can play the point. I think that is a strength to be able to play both positions.
Q: Monty tells stories about you from when you were a kid, and now that you are here and you have that logo on your chest is it starting to hit you that you are finally here?
A: Yeah man it is weird. It feels like yesterday that he was at my house teaching me how to shoot a basketball. Just because of where my dad is he has always been a family friend. So now that he is looking at me for his team, it is just a weird situation but it is fun. He is a great coach, and one thing I like about him is he pushes his players and he will never go easy on anyone and that is a good thing.
Q: Monty is always talked about as a great teacher. How do you feel about him as a coach who teaches the game?
A: No doubt. He said it right before the workout. He said he was going to push us and he was going to coach us the whole workout, not just have us shoot five shots here and five shots there because that doesnt prove anything. He has us out there and is coaching us through the workout, and that is a good thing because you want to be coached by a teacher like that because the team is going to do well and you are going to get better as a player and a person off the court.
TERRENCE ROSS, Washington
Q: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?
A: Its hard to say, I try to compare myself to a lot of people. On footwork, Paul Pierce. Intensity and killer instinct, Kobe (Bryant) and I think athletic-wise Im similar to J.R. Smith.
Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?
A: Its my first time to come to New Orleans, I dont know much about it but playing and working out for them (Hornets) today, I got a lot of feedback from them so I know that they like to get up and down, like to push the ball and they want to win. Being here with these guys its a great opportunity.
Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?
A: Ballhandling and getting stronger.
Q: Who is your draft sleeper, a guy who is not getting much publicity right now but has a chance to be a very solid player in the NBA?
A: Its hard to say, its a really deep draft so I feel like theres a lot of guys that havent been seen yet. So its hard to single one person out. I think there are going to be a lot of guys that will surprise some people, well have to wait and see with how it all unfolds.
TERRELL STOGLIN, Maryland
Q: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?
A: I study a lot of players. I take things from Chris Paul, try to take things from Russell Westbrook because of how explosive he is. I like watching Derrick Rose, (Rajon) Rondo because he gets his teammates involved and I want to do that more, so I just take a lot from a lot of point guards.
Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?
A: I learned a little about New Orleans, it seems like a fun place. The organization is more like a family, thats something I like about it.
Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?
A: I want to show people that Im a playmaker. I have a label as a scorer because I scored in college, but Im a point guard and I want to show I am a point guard.
Q: Who is your draft sleeper, a guy who is not getting much publicity right now but has a chance to be a very solid player in the NBA?
A: Probably Terrence Ross. Hes a great player. I worked out with him in Los Angeles and hes a great player so I feel like he will have a great impact in the league.
Q: What do you hope to get out of playing in NBA Summer League?
A: The way the NBA is and the NBA game. Ive played against a lot of pros, but just being in the Summer League is a different environment. Im looking forward to it.
Hornets draft prospect interviews, workout 2
Monday, June 4, 2012
Hornets draft prospect interviews, workout 1
The Hornets commenced 2012 draft workouts on Monday morning at the Alario Center. Workout No. 1 featured a handful of big guys, all projected by various websites to be picked in the first round. Here is some of what they had to say following their workout in front of the Hornets' basketball operations staff:
JOHN HENSON, North Carolina
Q: You mentioned that the Hornets are probably going to draft Anthony Davis. What would it be like to play with him?
A: If they decided to pick me, there would be a lot of blocked shots. [smiles] Hes obviously the No. 1 player. Were somewhat similar. I think it could be a great start for the future.
Q: You played against Anthony Davis in December. What would a pairing with him be like?
A: There would be a lot of defense. It would be interesting to see both of us play at the same time (together). Its all up to the Hornets, and hopefully I showed them what I can do.
Q: How do you think you performed?
A: I think I did well. We were all kind of nervous and probably moved a little too fast, but we all calmed down and had a good workout.
Q: What parts of your game are you trying to work on to improve?
A: Obviously strength, but also facing up (to the basket) and driving and shooting. Im trying to work on everything.
Q: What do you know about the city of New Orleans?
A: I know there are a lot of good places to eat, which I need to do (to put on more weight). I forget the name of the place I went to last night, but it was really good. If I have a chance to come back down here, Im going to try all of the restaurants I can. I can put on more pounds. Ive been working on that slowly but steadily. Also there are a lot of things to do here and great sports fans here. Its a great sports city.
Q: Who do you compare yourself to in terms of style of play?
A: I cant even tell you that, just because there are so many different players. Obviously blocking shots is what I do well. I just want to carve out my own mode and be a staple at the next level.
TERRENCE JONES, Kentucky
Q: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?
A: Its hard to say. Right now, Im just trying to be me and do whatever the coaches ask me to do to win. The main thing I like doing is winning. I changed roles a lot in Kentucky for the better of the team, whatever coach asked me to do. Being able to guard two or three positions and being able to take my man off the dribble and being versatile is what I do best.
Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?
A: I know theyll hopefully be getting Anthony (Davis, his college teammate last season at Kentucky). They already have a lot of players with a lot of talent like Trevor Ariza, Jarrett Jack, Eric Gordon, (Carl) Landry. Theyre a great team thats building. At the end of the season, winning eight games, that was a great start to carrying over to next season.
Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?
A: Everything. At Kentucky, we limited ourselves for the better of the team and had our team chemistry so good that you didnt care about how many points you scored. I just want to show a little bit of everything.
Q: Who is your draft sleeper, a guy who is not getting much publicity right now but has a chance to be a very solid player in the NBA?
A: Of course Im going to say Terrence Ross because thats who I grew up with and who Ive known for a very long time.
Q: What do you hope to get out of playing in Summer League?
A: Just to get better. It will be my first little taste of the NBA. Trying to get better and more experienced and learning from the coaching staff. Just getting better.
ARNETT MOULTRIE, Mississippi State
Q: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?
A: The players I want to compare myself to are players like Kevin Garnett or Jermaine Oneal, guys who have a great skill set, but I want to bring my own style of play to the league.
Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?
A: I know the city of New Orleans has great food. I see that their fan bases stand behind their teams, in basketball and football. I know the Hornets are always looking for guys that are willing to come in and work.
Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?
Q: Myself, I think Im a very talented and well-rounded basketball player, but obviously I think I need to get stronger, and I could develop a better back-to-the basket offensive game.
Q: Who is your draft sleeper, a guy who is not getting much publicity right now but has a chance to be a very solid player in the NBA?
A: Myself. [smiles]
Q: Which NBA player are you most looking forward to playing against next year?
A: KG. Probably someone like Kenneth Faried. I like to play against guys who have high motors. It makes you compete.
Q: What have you been doing since your season ended to prepare yourself for draft workouts and draft night?
A: Ive been in (Los Angeles) the past month, going three times a day, six days a week at Impact Basketball with Joe Abunassar.
Q: Other than yourself, which prospect do you feel had the best performance during this workout?
A: I think we all did pretty good.
Q: If there is one prospect entering the draft this year that you could play with, who would it be and why?
A: Anthony Davis. I think that if (the Hornets) would take me at the 10 spot, they would have a nice future in the frontcourt.
TYLER ZELLER, North Carolina
Q: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?
A: Probably (Pao) Gasol, if I had to pick one. He can spread the floor with his jump shot but also score in the post, just kind of a big body.
Q: What do you know about the Hornets and New Orleans?
A: I didnt know a lot about New Orleans the city much before coming here, but learning a lot the last 24 hours. The food and restaurants were extraordinary and the Hornets I know a few of their players, I watched them quite a few times this year and I know they made a run toward the end of the year, just couldnt quite make the playoffs. Theyve got potential to be a great team and it will be interesting to see how they are next year.
Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?
A: I think a lot of it is going to be just adapting to the NBA. My jump shot is something that Id like to be able to extend further out just to be able to spread out defenses, but its something thats going to be adapting to the NBA, what works and what doesnt, trying to figure that out and trying to make whatever does work better.
Q: Who is your draft sleeper, a guy who is not getting much publicity right now but has a chance to be a very solid player in the NBA?
A: A kid that Ive been working out with, Jared Cunningham (Oregon State) hes a fantastic player. Im not sure where hes at in the draft right now but hes a very athletic person, he can shoot the ball and it will be interesting to see where he goes.
JOHN HENSON, North Carolina
Q: You mentioned that the Hornets are probably going to draft Anthony Davis. What would it be like to play with him?
A: If they decided to pick me, there would be a lot of blocked shots. [smiles] Hes obviously the No. 1 player. Were somewhat similar. I think it could be a great start for the future.
Q: You played against Anthony Davis in December. What would a pairing with him be like?
A: There would be a lot of defense. It would be interesting to see both of us play at the same time (together). Its all up to the Hornets, and hopefully I showed them what I can do.
Q: How do you think you performed?
A: I think I did well. We were all kind of nervous and probably moved a little too fast, but we all calmed down and had a good workout.
Q: What parts of your game are you trying to work on to improve?
A: Obviously strength, but also facing up (to the basket) and driving and shooting. Im trying to work on everything.
Q: What do you know about the city of New Orleans?
A: I know there are a lot of good places to eat, which I need to do (to put on more weight). I forget the name of the place I went to last night, but it was really good. If I have a chance to come back down here, Im going to try all of the restaurants I can. I can put on more pounds. Ive been working on that slowly but steadily. Also there are a lot of things to do here and great sports fans here. Its a great sports city.
Q: Who do you compare yourself to in terms of style of play?
A: I cant even tell you that, just because there are so many different players. Obviously blocking shots is what I do well. I just want to carve out my own mode and be a staple at the next level.
TERRENCE JONES, Kentucky
Q: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?
A: Its hard to say. Right now, Im just trying to be me and do whatever the coaches ask me to do to win. The main thing I like doing is winning. I changed roles a lot in Kentucky for the better of the team, whatever coach asked me to do. Being able to guard two or three positions and being able to take my man off the dribble and being versatile is what I do best.
Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?
A: I know theyll hopefully be getting Anthony (Davis, his college teammate last season at Kentucky). They already have a lot of players with a lot of talent like Trevor Ariza, Jarrett Jack, Eric Gordon, (Carl) Landry. Theyre a great team thats building. At the end of the season, winning eight games, that was a great start to carrying over to next season.
Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?
A: Everything. At Kentucky, we limited ourselves for the better of the team and had our team chemistry so good that you didnt care about how many points you scored. I just want to show a little bit of everything.
Q: Who is your draft sleeper, a guy who is not getting much publicity right now but has a chance to be a very solid player in the NBA?
A: Of course Im going to say Terrence Ross because thats who I grew up with and who Ive known for a very long time.
Q: What do you hope to get out of playing in Summer League?
A: Just to get better. It will be my first little taste of the NBA. Trying to get better and more experienced and learning from the coaching staff. Just getting better.
ARNETT MOULTRIE, Mississippi State
Q: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?
A: The players I want to compare myself to are players like Kevin Garnett or Jermaine Oneal, guys who have a great skill set, but I want to bring my own style of play to the league.
Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?
A: I know the city of New Orleans has great food. I see that their fan bases stand behind their teams, in basketball and football. I know the Hornets are always looking for guys that are willing to come in and work.
Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?
Q: Myself, I think Im a very talented and well-rounded basketball player, but obviously I think I need to get stronger, and I could develop a better back-to-the basket offensive game.
Q: Who is your draft sleeper, a guy who is not getting much publicity right now but has a chance to be a very solid player in the NBA?
A: Myself. [smiles]
Q: Which NBA player are you most looking forward to playing against next year?
A: KG. Probably someone like Kenneth Faried. I like to play against guys who have high motors. It makes you compete.
Q: What have you been doing since your season ended to prepare yourself for draft workouts and draft night?
A: Ive been in (Los Angeles) the past month, going three times a day, six days a week at Impact Basketball with Joe Abunassar.
Q: Other than yourself, which prospect do you feel had the best performance during this workout?
A: I think we all did pretty good.
Q: If there is one prospect entering the draft this year that you could play with, who would it be and why?
A: Anthony Davis. I think that if (the Hornets) would take me at the 10 spot, they would have a nice future in the frontcourt.
TYLER ZELLER, North Carolina
Q: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?
A: Probably (Pao) Gasol, if I had to pick one. He can spread the floor with his jump shot but also score in the post, just kind of a big body.
Q: What do you know about the Hornets and New Orleans?
A: I didnt know a lot about New Orleans the city much before coming here, but learning a lot the last 24 hours. The food and restaurants were extraordinary and the Hornets I know a few of their players, I watched them quite a few times this year and I know they made a run toward the end of the year, just couldnt quite make the playoffs. Theyve got potential to be a great team and it will be interesting to see how they are next year.
Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?
A: I think a lot of it is going to be just adapting to the NBA. My jump shot is something that Id like to be able to extend further out just to be able to spread out defenses, but its something thats going to be adapting to the NBA, what works and what doesnt, trying to figure that out and trying to make whatever does work better.
Q: Who is your draft sleeper, a guy who is not getting much publicity right now but has a chance to be a very solid player in the NBA?
A: A kid that Ive been working out with, Jared Cunningham (Oregon State) hes a fantastic player. Im not sure where hes at in the draft right now but hes a very athletic person, he can shoot the ball and it will be interesting to see where he goes.
