Head Coach Stan Van Gundy
(On tonight’s defense against the Hornets)
“We really didn’t come out well defensively but once we got going into the rhythm of the game we got better defensively.”
(On the energy level coming into tonight’s game after the loss the other night)
“I thought we got better pressure on the ball, I thought we did a better job helping and a little better job closing out. It was good response by our guys after being challenged last night. It wasn’t me yelling and screaming at them, they knew and they watched the film and they wanted to change it. It’s a group that is buying in and trying to do the right things. We just have to get more consistency and get it from night to night.”
(On going to the line 30 times)
“We were attacking the basket both on drives and going to the basket. If you are in the paint all the time then you have a chance to get to the line.”
(On the double team defensive strategy against Al Jefferson)
“He is so good. He is a great low post player and we wanted to try to get the ball out of his hands. They (Hornets) hit the eight out of their first ten and PJ Hairston was on fire. Then you are looking like ‘great plan,’ but we stuck with it and we did a better job. They probably got a little tired as the game wore on and missed some shots. It ended up working out.”
Pistons guard D.J. Augustin
(On playing well as a starter)
“You get more opportunities the more you are out there, the more of a rhythm you get, the more comfortable you feel with your game. Any player that plays more minutes just gets better and better.”
(On how important this win was)
“Usually Charlotte is right there where we want to be for those spots in the playoffs. We are kind of battling. We know it’s going to come down at the end to us, them and Miami possibly. Every game is very important to us against Charlotte. They are a good team. We know we have to bring it every night against them.”
(On the team’s energy)
“We had a great practice the other day. It carried over into the game today. We want to finish strong before we go into this break. It would be a good test and a good win for us tomorrow against the Spurs.”
(On the team shooting well from the free throw line)
“We have been playing games in practice, free throw games. I think that’s helping guys with their confidence at the line, just stepping up and making big free throws.”
(On the team overcoming their poor start to the season)
“We just stuck with it. We stayed together as a team. You are going to go through ups and downs in this league. We knew that, but we stayed together at the same time. At the same time, we don’t want to look at the playoffs right now, we just want to stay focused on what’s in front of us and when that times coming we’ll be ready.”
Pistons forward Greg Monroe
(On the team double-teaming Al Jefferson)
“We definitely came into the game knowing we were going to double Al (Jefferson). That’s something we worked on. We kind of got him off his rhythm a little bit. It was great team defense tonight.”
(On the team’s energy)
“I think everybody did a great job of just attacking. I think we didn’t settle a whole lot tonight. Everybody was trying to get into the paint and get to the rim.”
(On maintaining a big lead in the fourth quarter)
“It definitely was good since we play tomorrow. It was good to just be able to get that quarter off and be able to get a little bit extra rest going into tomorrow’s game.”
(On getting the win tonight)
“It was very important for us. We are in the hunt right now. We are jockeying for position. There are a lot of games left, but these are the games right in front of us that mean a lot. We have to come with that same focus every game at this point.”
Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford
(Overall on tonight’s game)
“Obviously, tonight we had nothing, we had no juice, and to guard that team, at that skill level, the offensive energy shooting on the floor, you have to be at the top of your game. Even in the first half, the reason that we were close at all is because we made a whole bunch of three’s. We are going to half to defend and rebound, in which we have not done in the past three games now. This is where we are at, what happened yesterday and what we have to do to get ready for the next challenge. Our next challenge is Oklahoma City, I think we have a tired team to be honest with you, because we gave little effort out there today, and that is not that group of guys. They are disappointed; we had a couple of game, for the most part even we lost ten in a room we were playing our butts off. Effort has been the strength; it has been the number one thing of this team of why we have been competitive. If you ask other people in the league that is why they respect the guys that we have here. Sometimes when you lose so many people you are asking guys to play in many roles that are very challenging for them. Then if you play the schedule that you have played, the quality of competition with the amount of effort guys have put into these games to get from ten and twenty four to get to where we are at, I think they have done a great job and that is what I just told them, and I know we did not look like it tonight, or the other night, we have a good team that can be a playoff team, and can be hard to play against in the playoffs, when we are locked into the right things. We are going to have to be great on defense which we have shown we can do, really with a lot of different line ups, we have to be smarter on offense and more organized, which I believe will help when we get another point guard, and we can stop mixing and matching and let guys play in their normal positions. Again that is something you can do for three, four, five games, and that is not going to last forever. That is just not the way it is, guys need to play, they have done a good job. I am disappointed in the last three games, but I am going to look at like we have gone from out of the race to putting ourselves in the race, and here is the bottom line. In this league it is about one thing, and that winning the playoffs. This team has never won a second round series; it would be great to get there. You play the regular season to get the playoffs. I do not care if you are seventh or eighth, it does not matter. Cause let’s be honest I have been in places where you play to be the top seed. That is not our goal. I want us to get in, I want us to be playing in a way where no one wants to play us. I want us to be confident, to play well, and I believe we can get there.”
(On the new trade)
“I have always liked Mo Williams. When I was in Orlando and he was in Cleveland, he was an All-star in the Eastern Conference Final. He is a good pick and roll player, he plays with really good offensive pace. He has been around a lot of big games. Troy (Daniels) is a skilled player, I like him, he is high chartered and I believe he has a future, how we are going to use him I will figure that out in the next ten days.”
Hornets center Al Jefferson
(On tonight’s loss)
“We just couldn’t make shots in the third quarter. They made shots and we were missing. For whatever reason, we didn’t have it tonight. We’ve just got to put it behind us and get ready for the second half of the season.”
(On what Coach Steve Clifford told the team after the game)
“(He said to) get our mind together over the break and come in ready for three days of good practice. From here on, out every game counts.”
(On the extended All-Star break)
“(It will be good) to get Biz (Bismack Biyombo) and MKG (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) back. They’re our energy guys who want to set the tone, especially on the defensive end. We’ve got one of my best friends coming to the team, Mo Williams, and I feel like he’s that guy that can help with leadership in the locker room and also help us with a lot of scoring. But most of all, we’ll be about three, three and a half weeks from our guy Kemba Walker coming back. That’s going to really help us big-time.”
(On if the team needs a break)
“I’m pretty sure every team in the league is a little tired and beat up, so that’s why you can’t hold that as an excuse. A few games ago everybody was happy, then we let two slip away and we just didn’t shot up tonight. That’s how quickly things can change for us. But opposite, it can go back good for us. We’ve got a tough schedule coming up and we’ve got to be mentally prepared for it. We’re going to have three good days of practice and get the new guys involved and have enough time to get a little rest and get our bodies healthy for the next 30 games.”
Hornets guard P.J. Hairston
(On the extended All-Star break)
“I think it will be good for us. I’m not going to use injuries as an excuse because we’re all capable. We’re NBA players and we can win games without players that are missing. But the break will good for us so we can regroup and get our minds together and start off strong.”
(On how he plans to spend his break)
“I’ll be here, so I’ll probably end up getting reps up, lifting weights and doing a lot of cardio to try to stay in shape.”