NEW ORLEANS HORNETS FAN ZONE

Hornets Basketball News, Schedule, Pictures and Players

After spraining his right ankle in Sunday's exhibition opener against the Golden State Warriors that forced him to play only five minutes, Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler did not practice Monday.

Although Chandler complained of soreness, he plans to participate in Tuesday's practice. But Chandler's status for Wednesday's exhibition game at Indiana has not been determined.

Eliot Kamenitz/The Times-PicayuneJulian Wright will chat with you today.

New Orleans Hornets fans will get an opportunity to chat with one of the team members today as second-year man Julian Wright will be available for a short chat beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Julian will join The Times-Picayune's Kevin Spain at the Alario Center today after the team workout.

Ask him about the preseason win against Golden State, about the upcoming trip to Europe or about the much anticipated season to follow up last year's great run, or whatever's on your mind.

We'll start taking your questions a little after 1 p.m.

Until Sunday night, the last time James Posey played in front of a crowd, it ended with him winning a NBA championship with the Boston Celtics.

Four months later, Posey made his Hornets debut during Sunday night's 106-103 victory against the Golden State Warriors in their exhibition opener in front of 14,691 at the New Orleans Arena.

Byron Scott found just enough to fuss about last preseason to keep the Hornets on their toes, just enough lackadaisical play and lapses on defense to caution his team about thinking it simply could flip a switch and turn on the intensity when the regular season started.

It seemed to be wasted air. The Hornets did flip the switch last season, and it stayed on all regular season as New Orleans won a franchise-record 56 games.

Two weeks after the Golden State Warriors made LSU's Anthony Randolph their first-round draft choice, Randolph got to celebrate again: his 19th birthday.

After one season at LSU, where Randolph played 31 games, he declared his intention to turn professional, making himself available for the draft after averaging 15.6 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Tigers.

With a payroll exceeding $65 million, Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower has a lot riding on the players he has signed to multiyear, guaranteed contracts. If something unforeseen happens, such as a major injury to a starter, or if Hornets Coach Byron Scott needs to strengthen his bench by acquiring a free agent, Bower would have limited options.

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneBackup point guard Mike James, acquired from the Houston Rockets last season, is the fourth-highest paid player on the Hornets' roster.

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneHornets coach Byron Scott says, 'field-goal percentages can't be 47, 48 percent. That's the biggest emphasis we've had in training camp.

The Hornets are ready to take the next step in preparing for the regular season, opening their seven-game exhibition schedule tonight at the New Orleans Arena against the Golden State Warriors.

After adjusting last season as a rookie, New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Julian Wright expects to make a bigger impact this season.

He hopes it begins with Sunday night's preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors at the New Orleans Arena. If Saturday's practice is an indication, Wright may shine. He made a halfcourt shot just before the 24-second clock expired during a scrimmage.

Shooting guard Rasual Butler and forward/center Sean Marks will not play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors at the New Orleans Arena because of injuries, New Orleans Hornets Coach Byron Scott said Saturday.

Butler has a strained groin. Marks, who had a MRI exam performed Friday, has a strained right calf.

"Sean is more cautionary,'' Scott said. "He is getting better, but we want to make sure that thing is completely healed and the same thing with Rasual.''

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneHornets Coach Byron Scott and point guard Chris Paul are seemingly a match made in heaven. 'He's more than just my coach. He's my friend,' Paul says.

Heading into their fourth season together, Hornets Coach Byron Scott and All-Star point guard Chris Paul still can't agree about the game they love.

Scott won't give an inch, and Paul is equally as stubborn. Both scoff at the idea the other is right.

So they move on, refusing to concede, talking trash, verbally sparring through the media.

"I can bowl with him, " Scott said, nodding his head in the direction of Paul. "He can't golf with me. There's a difference. At least I can give him some trouble in that bowling alley, but he has no chance on that golf course."

Like hell.

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneThe Hornets are gearing up for their preseason opener.

With so much going on in the New Orleans sports community, it's easy to lose sight of things.

That's where NOLA.com comes in. David Gladow offers a weekend preview of sorts every Friday at 1 p.m. in the form of a live chat with the New Orleans community.

Want to talk about the Hornets' offseason moves or the upcoming Saints game? Want to vent your frustrations over Tulane or LSU? This is your time to sound off. Send in your questions and comments, and Dave will touch on your hot topics every week.

By the time the Hornets return from their European sojourn, they should be able to hold practice in their new practice facility at the Alario Center.

Studies have determined humidity in the 30,000-square foot building, probably through the air conditioning system, damaged the two hardwood floors.

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneMike James, acquired from the Houston Rockets last season, hopes to be Chris Paul's primary backup this season.

Hornets Coach Byron Scott has a difficult decision to make.

He's in no hurry, though, he says, to reach a conclusion on just who will be this season's reserve point guard, the player who'll spell All-Star Chris Paul, the player who'll replace departed Jannero Pargo.

Scott will take the team's entire training camp and preseason and, perhaps, even the early portion of the regular season to decide if Mike James or Devin Brown is best suited for the backup position.

So far, he's pleased with both.

Practicing for the first two hours Thursday before NBA-TV cameras that telecast the workout live on the network, the Hornets went through three intense 4-on-4 scrimmages that, at times, displayed an aggressiveness not ordinarily seen in a routine training-camp practice.

Backup center Melvin Ely had an ice bag over his left knee because of slight swelling on Wednesday, but he participated in the entire practice at the Alario Center. Since camp started last Saturday, Ely has rolled an ankle, got poked in the eye and suffered bruised ribs but he has not missed a practice.

"I think after the first day, it breaks your body down,'' Ely said. "The whole goal is to fight through it and that's what coach expects. Despite all the little injuries that I've had, I haven't missed a day. With the running and the physical play, it's always competitive.''

Forward-center Sean Marks has a slight calf strain that has limited his practice time. He rode a stationary bike for the final 15 minutes of practice.

Susan Poag/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott is hoping Hilton Armstrong will make an impact with the team this season.

As a third-year player, New Orleans Hornets backup center Hilton Armstrong has a lot riding on this season. Most importantly, he hopes to receive a contract extension from the Hornets, but that will largely depend on the progress he makes. After five training camp practices, Coach Byron Scott has seen progress but said Armstrong still lacks confidence.

The Hornets play their preseason opener on Sunday night against the Golden State Warriors at the New Orleans Arena and Scott expects Armstrong to make an impact.

Rusty Costanza, The Times-PicayuneMorris Peterson arrived at Hornets camp in better shape this season, and says he knows Coach Byron Scott's offense better as he prepares for his second season in New Orleans.

Hornets shooting guard Morris Peterson was back at it Tuesday, putting up jump shots after a three-hour practice while his teammates were in the locker room.

Since last Saturday's opening day of training camp, Peterson usually has been the last player to leave the court at the Alario Center. He has continued to work out past practice, making 100 to 150 shots, a majority from 3-point range.

The Hornets' exhibition opener Sunday night against the Golden State Warriors is four days away, but Coach Byron Scott already has rotation plans in mind for several positions, especially point guard.

Starting small forward Peja Stojakovic was held out of practice Monday after having fluid drained from his infected big toe. Stojakovic is expected to return to work on Tuesday, Hornets Coach Byron Scott said.

Backup center Melvin Ely continues to have difficulty avoiding injuries. He had to leave practice briefly Monday morning after getting poked in his eye. On Saturday, he rolled an ankle and also got hit in the ribs that has required him to wear a protective pad for the past two workouts.
"He got poked in his eye a couple of times, but he finished practice,'' Scott said. "Everyday it's something.''

A decision will be made later week whether the two damaged NBA regulation size courts in the new 30,000-square foot expanded portion of Alario Center can be salvageable or will have to be discarded, Alario Center General Manager Greg Guthrie said.

The Hornets have exclusive use of the facility, but they have had to conduct training camp in the old gym at the Alario Center because of the damaged courts. The Alario Center expansion project was completed this summer and cost $8.7 million. The two courts cost $260,000.

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneMelvin Ely and the Hornets are back at work.

The New Orleans Hornets' training camp is in full swing, so join Jimmy Smith, beat writer for The Times-Picayune and ask him your questions about the team.

We'll go live with Jimmy from the Alario Center at noon. We'll start taking questions around 11:30 a.m. or so.

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul got his first taste of sideline sitting at Sunday's second training camp practice, but still managed to see more action than Coach Byron Scott planned.

Paul, coming off a full summer of competing with the USA Basketball team that won the Olympic gold medal, did not take part in any of the three 5-on-5 half-court scrimmages that took place in the 3 1/2 hour workout at the Alario Center.

The Hornets were unable to conduct their opening day of training camp Saturday in the new 30,000-square foot expanded portion of the Alario Center that includes two NBA regulation size courts and four wireless scoreboards.

Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman said the courts are warped and they did not know the cause of the problem. Alario Center officials could not be reached for comment after the Hornets completed their practice.

After complaining of minor soreness in his big toe last week, Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler was held out from participating in most of the conditioning drills Saturday.

Chandler did participate in a five-on-five halfcourt scrimmage and some other halfcourt work, but he spent a significant portion of the practice on a stationary bike, Hornets Coach Byron Scott said.

Hornets owner George Shinn remains hopeful a deal can be reached with Cox Sports Television and satellite provider DirectTV to televise Hornets games this season.

Shinn said on Friday he spoke with Rod Mickler, the regional vice president of Cox Sports Television, who indicated to him they were close to reaching a deal agreement with Direct TV.

Hornets backup center Melvin Ely hasn't looked at the preseason projections that rank New Orleans as a top team in the Western Conference.

Ely said he is convinced without the need of projections they can exceed the franchise-record 56 games, win their second consecutive Southwest Division title and advance to at least the Western Conference finals.

Michael Democker / Times-PicayuneGeorge Shinn thinks the Hornets can surpass last season.

The defending Southwest Division champion Hornets re-convened on Friday for the beginning of the 2008-09 season, and owner George Shinn wasted no time in expressing ofty expectations of his team's chances this year.

"My opinion, I really believe we'll go farther this year; I believe we'll win 60 games instead of 56, I think we'll win the Southwest Division and I think we'll be the top seed in the West," Shinn said at the team's media day at New Orleans Arena. "I really believe that. You don't expect me to say otherwise?"

AP Photo / Bill HaberTulane got a win last night ... what is in store for the rest of the local teams?

With so much going on in the New Orleans sports community, it's easy to lose sight of things.

That's where NOLA.com comes in. David Gladow offers a weekend preview of sorts every Friday at 1 p.m. in the form of a live chat with the New Orleans community.

Want to talk about the Hornets' offseason moves or the upcoming Saints game? Want to vent your frustrations over Tulane or LSU? This is your time to sound off. Send in your questions and comments, and Dave will touch on your hot topics every week.

Danny Bourque/The Times-PicayuneCan Chris Paul carry the load for the Hornets again this sesaon?

No season in Hornets history has been more anticipated than this one, given the accomplishments of last year when New Orleans came within one victory of reaching the Western Conference finals.

So the defending Southwest Division champions, who report for camp today and begin practice Saturday, have much to prove in 2008-09, including that last year's record was no fluke, that MVP runner-up Chris Paul can continue to carry the load with help from fellow All-Star David West and newly acquired swingman James Posey is a final piece to a championship puzzle.

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that the flagship station in New Orleans will change to KMEZ 106.7-FM. Games used to be on 102.9-FM.

The new Baton Rouge flagship station will be WCDV 103.3-FM.

Eliot Kamenitz/The Times-PicayuneTyson Chandler is still trying to recover from a toe injury.

Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler has been working out at the New Orleans Arena for the past week, but when training camp opens on Saturday he won't be at 100 percent.

Chandler said he is still experiencing some minor soreness in his big toe that kept him from participating as an alternate on the U.S. Olympic basketball team this summer.

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that individual tickets for the regular season will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m.

To get access to purchase tickets before then, the general public should sign up for Bee-Mail, the Hornets free e-mail newsletter, at Hornets.com in order to have access to the Bee-Mail pre-sale which is Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m.

Chuck Cook/The Times-PicayuneTalk Hornets as we get close to training camp.

Training camp begins Saturday, so let's talk New Orleans Hornets.

Times-Picayune beat reporter John Reid will be with you for a noon chat.

What do you want to know about the team as camp approaches? Get your quesions ready for John, and we'll start taking them around 11:30.

Staff / The Times-Picayune

With so much going on in the New Orleans sports community, it's easy to lose sight of things.

That's where NOLA.com comes in. David Gladow offers a weekend preview of sorts every Friday at 1 p.m. in the form of a live chat with the New Orleans community.

Want to talk about the Hornets' offseason moves or the upcoming Saints game? Want to vent your frustrations over Tulane or LSU? This is your time to sound off. Send in your questions and comments, and Dave will touch on your hot topics every week.