Category: New Orleans Pelicans Blog

An MRI revealed today that Hornets forward David West has a torn ACL in his left knee. He is out for the season and the timetable for his return will be announced at a later date.

The injury occured with 22.5 seconds left in the 4th quarter of last night’s OT win in Utah. He did not return to the game.

“Obviously we are very saddened by this news,” Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said. “David is the ultimate warrior and competitor, but an even better person and we know that he will bounce back in time.”

West has appeared in 70 games this season, averaging a team-high 18.9 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have hired Ed Lang as the Chief Financial Officer for the team.  Lang comes to New Orleans following 13 years with the NHL’s Nashville Predators.

Lang will oversee financial operations, human resources, information technology, facility operations, and administrative components for the Hornets, including serving as the primary contact for the NBA in related matters.

“We’re excited to have Ed join our family as he brings a wealth of business knowledge from both the sports and non-sports industries,” said Hornets President Hugh Weber.  “He has an extensive background in finance and business functions, and we know he will be a tremendous asset to our team.”

Lang joined the Nashville Predators in 1997 as one of the team’s first employees, after having been instrumental in assisting former team owner Craig Leipold in securing the expansion franchise.  He began as the organization’s Vice President/CFO and was named Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration/CFO in 2005.  In 2007, he became President of Business Operations for the Predators taking on the responsibilities for the franchise’s business operations, which included ticket operations, sales, sponsorship sales, broadcasting, marketing, communications and development, administration and finances.

“This is a great opportunity to be a part of the Hornets family, and I am more than thrilled to now call New Orleans home,” said Lang.  “This team has such a bright future ahead, and I’m excited to help lead the charge in our business operations side.”

Prior to joining the Predators, Lang worked for S.C. Johnson and Son in Racine, Wis. for 12 years. He served in a variety of business and financial capacities, including venture manager for the office of the chairman, financial support manager, North America professional markets; and financial project manager, corporate financial analysis.

A Cincinnati, Ohio native, Lang is a 1985 Indiana University graduate with a B.S. in finance and received his MBA from Marquette University in 1992. He and his wife, Rita, have two sons, Eddie and Andrew. Lang is an outdoor enthusiast and has competed in numerous triathlons, marathons and cycling events and also enjoys skiing and mountain climbing.

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed guard Jerel McNeal to a 10-day contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

McNeal has started all 40 games with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League, averaging 19.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds. He was a member on both the Charlotte Bobcats and Chicago Bulls’ Summer League rosters then joined the Houston Rockets for the preseason before joining the Vipers.

McNeal went to Belgium to begin his playing career with Dexia Mons-Hainaut after being undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft.  In 14 Belgian league games with the team, McNeal averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 28 minutes per game.

The Chicago native played four years for Marquette University. McNeal ranks first all-time for the Golden Eagles in points (1,985), steals (287) and games played (130). He was a First Team All-BIG EAST selection along with a Second Team All-America selection by the Associated Press his final season. McNeal averaged 19.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals in 35 minutes his senior season at Marquette.

The Hornets roster now stands at 15.

Chris Paul left tonight’s game at Cleveland at the 4:36 mark in the third quarter following a collision with the Cavaliers’ Ramon Sessions.  Paul’s forehead went into Sessions’ shoulder on the play.

Paul was taken from the court on a stretcher after alerting trainers of neck pain. He was fully conscious and did not lose feeling anywhere at any time. Paul was taken to the Cleveland Clinic for precautionary tests.

All tests taken at the hospital were negative and revealed that Paul suffered a concussion.

He rejoined the team at the arena and will accompany them to Chicago on tonight’s charter. He is listed as out.

John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports:

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul said he is trying to move toward not having to wear a brace to protect his surgically repaired left knee.

With the brace, Paul said he doesn’t have the range of motion he desires. In some recent games before the All-Star break, Paul did not appear to have the quick burst to beat defenders to the lane.

He’s worn a brace since the start of the regular season, but did not play with it on during Sunday’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles or during road games last week against Golden State and Portland.

The AP reports:

Police in an Atlanta suburb say New Orleans Hornets’ backup point guard Jarrett Jack has been arrested and charged with drunken driving.

Snellville Police Chief Roy Whitehead said in an e-mail Monday the 27-year-old former Georgia Tech star was pulled over early Sunday by an officer who clocked him at 66 mph in a 45-mph zone. Police say Jack’s Mercedes was also weaving.

New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul has been fined $15,000 for verbal abuse of a game official, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred following the Hornets’ 103-101 overtime loss to the New Jersey Nets at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on February 9.