New Orleans Pelicans Blog – Page 66 – NBA Blog

Trevor Ariza finding his groove for Hornets

John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports:

Since New Orleans Hornets Coach Monty Williams began encouraging him to attack the basket more, forward Trevor Ariza appears to be coming out of a dreadful shooting slump.

After enduring an 0-of-18 stretch on 3-pointers last month, Ariza is beating more defenders off the dribble for dunks and making clutch shots.

Ariza helped the Hornets upset the Boston Celtics 83-81 at TD Garden on Friday with a 3-pointer with 1:34 remaining that gave New Orleans an 80-77 lead. The win ended a seven-game road losing streak.

On Saturday in Washington, Ariza had a season-high 22-point performance in the Hornets’ 92-81 victory against the Wizards, sealing New Orleans’ first back-to-back road victories since it started the season 3-0 away from home.

Ariza made 10-of-16 shots, which included a dunk over Wizards 7-foot center JaVale McGee in the fourth quarter.

Sister, cousin of Willie Green killed in car crash

The AP reports:

The sister and cousin of New Orleans player Willie Green were killed early Monday when their sport utility vehicle sped from a Detroit area freeway and slammed into a tree a few hours after the Hornets’ overtime loss to the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Family members identified the victims as Tamara Green, 30, and Ben Green, 27, said Troy police Lt. Robert Redmond.

The pair and other relatives had attended the game to watch Willie Green, a college star at the University of Detroit Mercy, play against his hometown professional team. They had stopped at a nearby restaurant after the game.

Hornets score just 23 first-half points vs Sixers

The New Orleans Hornets apparently were mislead and thought that today’s game in Philadelphia against the 76ers was being played with golf rules, with victory going to whoever scores the fewest points.

In the first half, the Hornets shot just 14.3% (6-of-42) and missed all five of their three-point attempts. They scored just 13 points in the first quarter and 10 in the second.

Chris Paul was solid with 10 points on four shot attempts. But fellow starters Marco Belinelli shot 1-of-6, Trevor Ariza 1-of-9, David West 1-of-6, and Emeka Okafor 0-of-5.

The Sixers shot 45 percent and were led by Andre Iguodala’s 10 points.

NBA hopes to keep Hornets in New Orleans

January 20, 2010: Chris Paul and David West of the New Orleans Hornets in action against the Memphis Grizzlies during an NBA game in the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA. Tyler Kaufman/CSM.

The AP reports:

The man picked by the NBA to oversee the Hornets after the league’s impending takeover of the franchise said Tuesday that his assignment is to make the club more attractive to a buyer who would keep the team in New Orleans.

Jac Sperling traveled to New Orleans to begin his role as the NBA’s administrator for what will be the first team owned by the league after the NBA board of governors’ anticipated approval of the purchase in the coming weeks.

Sperling, a sports attorney who is also vice chairman of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, was born and raised in New Orleans. He was appointed by NBA Commissioner David Stern.

“I grew up here. [Stern] asked me to help,” Sperling said. “Read into that what you want, but I think the commissioner, he’s been very positive about this city going back to when the team was awarded in 2002, [then moving the team back from Oklahoma City] after Katrina … and also the awarding of the 2008 All-Star game.

“We’re in a difficult spot, yes, but I think his selection of me is a further indication of what is in his mind. He wants to try to make this asset more attractive so perhaps a local buyer will step up.”

AP Source: NBA has a deal to buy Hornets

The AP reports:

New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn has agreed to sell the club to the NBA and the transaction could be completed within a couple days, according to a person familiar with the decision.

The league has lined up New Orleans-born sports attorney Jac Sperling, vice chairman of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, to be the NBA’s administrator of the team and oversee its sale to a more permanent owner, the person told The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the move hasn’t been publicly announced.

Current Hornets President Hugh Weber will continue overseeing day-to-day operations of what will be the first NBA team to be owned by the league, the person said…

Attendance for Hornets games has been lower than the club hoped, despite a 13-7 record. Through 10 home games, average attendance has been 13,865.

If it doesn’t pick up, the Hornets could have the right to break their lease at the New Orleans Arena after this season. The lease runs through 2014, but the team is allowed to break it if average attendance falls below 14,735 during a two-year period.

Hornets unveil gold Mardi Gras alternate uniforms

The New Orleans Hornets unveiled their new gold alternate uniforms today at an event at the New Orleans Arena prior to the Hornets home game against the San Antonio Spurs that featured five lucky fans who found a golden ticket as part of the Hornets “Hunt for Gold” scavenger hunt. The five winners were given the opportunity to help launch the uniforms by being the first to own and wear the new gold jerseys and debut their photos and comments about the uniforms on their personal social networking sites.

“Our Mardi Gras gold uniforms proudly pay tribute to our hometown of New Orleans by not only displaying NOLA across the chest of the jersey, but also wearing one of our signature colors that represents the culture, heritage and celebration that makes up our great city,” said Hornets President Hugh Weber. “It was important for us to allow our fans to be the first to debut these uniforms because they play such an important role in our team’s success on and off the court.”

The alternate uniforms will be worn for the first time on Friday, Dec. 10 as the Hornets host the Oklahoma City Thunder and again at home on Sunday, Dec. 26 as the Hornets take on the Atlanta Hawks. The Hornets will also sport their Mardi Gras gold uniforms for every Saturday game throughout the rest of the season.

The Hornets’ Mardi Gras gold uniforms also feature purple and Creole blue pinstripes and trim on the sides. NOLA is written in Creole blue across the front of the jersey and each player’s name is in purple across the top back. The Fleur de Bee logo adorns the top neck of the jersey and is featured on either side of the shorts.

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Hornets trade Peja Stojakovic, Jerryd Bayless to Raptors for Jarrett Jack, David Anderson and Marcus Banks

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired Jarrett Jack, David Anderson and Marcus Banks from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Jerryd Bayless and Peja Stojakovic.

“We are excited about the players acquired today and feel that our short-term and long-term goals will benefit from this move,” said Hornets General Manager Dell Demps. “Peja has been a valued contributor as a Hornet for years and we wish both Peja and Jerryd all the best in their future and thank them for their recent contributions in helping us get off to a strong start.”

“Acquisition of another emerging talent and the creation of additional salary cap flexibility in the coming years were the key drivers in making this deal,” said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. “Our plan of developing our existing young players and acquiring future assets remains our focus in retooling this Toronto basketball team.”

Anderson (6-11, 247) has appeared in 11 games for Toronto this season, averaging 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.6 minutes of play. Originally a second-round draft choice (37th overall) in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, his draft rights were traded to the Houston Rockets for cash and future considerations on August 12, 2009. The 30-year old played in 63 games for Houston last season before being traded in the offseason to Toronto, averaging 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds. The Australia native played 10 seasons in Europe before coming to the NBA. He played in Spain, Russia and Italy during his professional career, winning the Euroleague Championship in 2001, 2006 and 2008. He also played for Australia in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.

Banks (6-2, 205), has appeared in 348 career games (37 starts) for Boston, Minnesota, Phoenix, Miami and Toronto with averages of 5.9 points and 2.1 assists in 16.0 minutes of play. The UNLV product has appeared in three games for the Raptors this season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.0 assists in 7.3 minutes of play. Banks was a first-round draft choice (13th overall) in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bayless (6-3, 200) was acquired by the Hornets on October 23, 2010 from Portland in exchange for a conditional, future first-round pick. He appeared in 11 games for New Orleans, averaging 4.5 points and 2.5 assists in 13.5 minutes of play. The Arizona product has appeared in 138 career games (11 starts), with averages of 6.6 points and 2.0 assists.

Bayless, 22, is in his third NBA campaign. He was selected 11th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He is a career .820 per cent (297-362) free throw shooter. He netted a career-best 31 points in his first career start December 23, 2009 at San Antonio.

Bayless averaged 13.5 points, 3.8 assists and 27.7 minutes in six postseason outings with Portland last season. In 138 career games (11 starts), the former Arizona Wildcat has averaged 6.6 points, 2.0 assists and 15.3 minutes.

Stojakovic is in his 13th season in the NBA. The three-time All-Star has appeared in 777 regular season games and 76 postseason contests. He has averaged double figures in scoring in 11 of his 12 seasons, with a career-best 24.2 points in the 2003-04 season when he garnered second-team All-NBA honours.

Stojakovic played eight seasons with Sacramento (1998-2005), part of the 2005-06 season with Indiana and the past five campaigns with the Hornets (2006-2010). He owns a career regular season average of 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 34.0 minutes. In postseason play, he has contributed an average of 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 36.3 minutes.

One of the top three-point shooters in league history, Stojakovic has placed in the Top 10 in made three-pointers four times and twice in three-point field goal percentage. In 2003-04, Stojakovic made a league-high 240 three-pointers and finished sixth with a .433 (240-of-554) three-point shooting percentage.

February 24, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..New Orleans Hornets Peja Stojakovic goes to the line for some free throws, Stojakovic had 11 points against the Bucks tonight..Milwaukee Buck won over the New Orleans Hornets 115-95. Mike McGinnis/CSM.

Mavericks beat previously undefeated Hornets

The AP reports:

Jason Terry scored 26 points, including the go-ahead jumper in the final minute, and the Dallas Mavericks handed the New Orleans Hornets their first loss of the season, 98-95 on Monday night.

New Orleans, which had been off to a franchise-best 8-0 start, got 22 points from Chris Paul, but only two came in the second half.

Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and 10 rebounds to help the Mavericks stretch their winning streak to four games.

Peja Stojakovic added 17 points and Emeka Okafor pulled down 14 rebounds for New Orleans.

Hornets release Joe Alexander

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have released forward Joe Alexander.

Alexander did not appear in a regular season game this season. He averaged 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in six preseason games (one start) with the Hornets.

The third-year pro has career averages of 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 67 regular season games.

The Hornets roster now stands at 14.

Emeka Okafor a big part of early-season Hornets success

Steve Aschburner of NBA.com reports:

Look, no one is going to mix up the reasons for New Orleans’ swift start. Paul is back, healthier than the heavy brace on his left knee makes him appear, playing like the league’s MVP over the first two weeks. “Best pick-and-roll player in the game right now,” Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles said, who can “mesmerize” opponents.

David West is profiting again from Paul’s return and drawing rivals’ best big defenders (or two). Williams, in steering a team to a 6-0 start built entirely on victory margins of nine points or less, has matched the work of Red Auerbach with the Washington Capitals in 1948-49. Others have been helpful, too, from Marco Belinelli’s shooting to Jerryd Bayless in relief of Paul to the overlooked likes of Willie Green and Quincy Pondexter.

But Okafor ranks high on any list of reasons for New Orleans’ early success, considering how far he had fallen. Through his first five pro seasons, Okafor had toiled — on the court sometimes, in rehab other times — for a Charlotte club that never reached the playoffs and, in fact, lost 122 more games than it won in that time. In July 2009, he was traded to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler, and while he played in 82 games for the third consecutive season — no small feat with back issues red-flagged even before he left UConn — Okafor’s production waned (10.4 points, 9 rebounds a game).