Hornets draft prospect interviews, workout 7
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
The New Orleans Hornets held their seventh and final workout for draft prospects at the Alario Center, wrapping up around lunchtime. Heres a sampling of what a few of the participants had to say following their workout for the team:DEE BOST, Mississippi StateQ: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?A: I compare myself to Rondo with my passing skills, but with my all-around skills I would say Tony Parker because hes fast and under control.Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?A: I know a lot. I know they need some guard depth. I know they are a good organization trying to make a new start with young players.Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?A: Im just trying to prove that I can be a leader and a true point guard at the next level.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: I really dont know. I havent had a lot of time to look at that. I try not to really focus on all of that because nobody really knows. Im just really trying to focus on myself and my game right now.MARCUS DENMON, MissouriQ: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?A: I feel like I get compared to a lot of people. But as far as roles, I feel that I can be like a Marcus Thornton or an Avery Bradley, being able to guard the ball but just better offensively.Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?A: I know a lot about the front office, Mr. Demps and Monty, from some people that I trust and people that know a lot about the league have told me that this is a really good organization as far as the people that are running it and its only a matter of time before they have really good seasons because theyre doing things the right way and getting young talent.Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?A: Im just trying to come out and compete. Everyone knows that Im always going to play with toughness and compete every night. In an 82-game season plus the playoffs you need guys like that who are going to leave it all out on the floor every night. My ability to guard and make shots, thats something that whatever level youre playing on, if youre making shots you can have a successful career in this league.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: I feel like Im a sleeper, to be honest. Even with some of my accolades and me being an All-American I still feel like Im being looked over. Im just going to continue to work, continue to come out and leave it on the floor.JOHN SHURNA, NorthwesternQ: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?A: I get compared to a lot of guys. I think a guy who in a similar situation to me coming into the draft is a guy like Landry Fields. Coming from a place like Stanford, he had a lot of success but still flew under the radar. He loves to win and loves to compete so I feel like were pretty similar in those areas.Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?A: I was down here for the Final Four actually to compete in the three-point shootout and the All-Star game, so I know this is a great city with a lot of passionate fans and a great future. Theyve got a great staff here and new ownership so its an exciting time for the Hornets.Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?A: I think I try to improve on everything. I dont think you can ever be satisfied with any of your skills. I want to get better every day. I can always improve on my strengths and my weaknesses. I just love to be in the gym and love to work on my 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: Theres a lot of great players in this draft. I would probably go with a Big Ten guy like Draymond Green. Hes a guy that a proven winner and loves to compete. Hes a friend and another Big Ten member, so Im pulling for him. I hope he does well.
Hornets draft prospect interviews, workout 6
One day before the 2012 NBA Draft takes place on Thursday evening in Newark, N.J., the New Orleans Hornets held their sixth workout for draft prospects at the Alario Center. Here is a sampling of what several of the participants had to say:JUSTIN HAMILTON, LSUQ: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?A: Theres a lot of different players. I compare myself to Spencer Hawes of Philadelphia. I really like watching Al Jefferson from Utah play and seeing his moves and footwork. I like Dirk Nowitzki and the way he shoots the ball. Those guys and Chris Kaman too, are guys who I try to pattern my game after.Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?A: Well I went to school at LSU, so I know quite a bit about the Hornets. I know they just got new ownership and that they have the number one and number ten picks in the draft. They are set up to start with a new, young crew and it would be great to be a Hornet.Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?A: Just consistency and working on my strength and overall physique. Im also trying to show them how well I can shoot.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: Kim English from Missouri. I played with him a lot in these workouts and he is a great shooter and competitor. I think he will rise pretty quickly in the draft.Q: How many teams have you worked out for this month?A: Ive worked out for 14 other teams. The Bulls, Charlotte, Toronto, Heat, Spurs, Utah, Golden State, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Jersey, Clippers the most recent one was with Orlando two days ago.QUINCY ROBERTS, GramblingQ: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?A: My favorite player is Dwayne Wade, I like Mario Chalmers, (James) Harden, guys like that. Guys that play at a hard level and help the team as much as possible.Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?A: I like New Orleans. I knew a lot about them when I was in Charlotte and coming here watching Chris Paul, one of my favorite point guards. Ive learned a lot, I like the city and I like the state of Louisiana. Obviously I came down here from Grambling, so Im just enjoying the process.Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?A: Not necessarily weaknesses, but just being able to come in, provide energy and being able to help the team as much as possible in any way I can. Distributing, setting screens, whatever it is the team might need. Im working on my game every day trying to improve everything, Im just working.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: Ive seen a lot of guys, Im not sure if they were on the draft board or how high they were predicted. Ive worked out with a couple guys that were projected to be in the top five, so I think I am.ROBERT SACRE, GonzagaQ: How did the workout go?A: It was first-class, couldnt be better. It was great. It was good to be back home in Louisiana, to be able to play for my favorite team.Q: Is there a certain energy around this Hornets franchise right now?A: The skys the limit for this team. Guys are looking to get better. I saw Eric Gordon today working out, trying to get better. I think theres a new energy, a new vibe throughout the city and throughout this team. Im excited and I want to be a part of this.Q: Obviously you didnt leave home behind, with a fleur de lis tattoo?A: [smiles] You know I had to represent a little bit up in the Northwest. I just cant be dry, dark, gloomy and grungy like they do it up there.Q: Do you think this team is looking for a center or a big?A: No question. A big would help this team. This team has the No. 1 pick, and I think we know whos going to be picked there. I think hes going to be a great addition to this team. Its looking really exciting for this team.Q: How many teams have you worked out for this month?A: This is my 15th (workout). Ive seen it all.HENRY SIMS, GeorgetownQ: Which players do you compare yourself to in the NBA in terms of your style of play?A: I would say someone like LaMarcus Aldridge, but I feel like I can put it on the floor a little bit more.Q: What do you know about the Hornets and/or the city of New Orleans?A: I know the city pretty well. One of my friends is from the city. Its a lively city and a fun city to be in. Ive been here for two days and Ive really enjoyed the city. I went out to eat and got some good food. I know the team plays really hard, and they may need some help right now but playing hard is the first step.Q: What areas of your game are you trying to improve or prove to scouts that they arent weaknesses?A: Physical strength, and showing the scouts that I can rebound.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.