[TimesPicayune] Hornets thinking young?
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Hornets thinking young?
Bristow says team might take high school player with first pick
Saturday, June 12, 2004
By Benjamin Hochman
Staff writer
CHICAGO -- Perhaps a good way to describe Allan Bristow's
quandary is to compare him to the teenager that wants a
video game system for his or her birthday. The kid's
parents happily say the gift is on the way. But, will it
be a PlayStation II or an Atari?
Bristow, the Hornets' assistant general manager, knows
what he wants in the upcoming NBA draft: "We feel like we
need a wing or a shooter, somebody who can play the
perimeter," he said. "All things being equal, we'd like to
get one of those."
But, with the 18th pick, will they be able to select a guy
that can make an instant impact, or will sheer numbers force
them to take one of the litany of talented high schoolers
who probably won't perform at his best for at least a couple
of years? Furthermore, can the Hornets, pressing to advance
in the playoffs for the first time in three years, while also
playing in the mighty Western Conference, afford to gamble on
a project?
"We'd like to have a player that can help us next year, but
that's something that we're constantly discussing," said
Bristow, who is attending the NBA Pre-Draft Camp. "And there
are high school guys in our mix -- I would say there's a
30-percent chance that we're going to draft a high school
guy -- that's the way it works out. We ask that question
every day -- can this player help us next year? Can they
learn and still help us at the same time."
Numerous mock drafts have New Orleans selecting a high
schooler -- notably 6-foot-6 shooting guard J.R. Smith out
of New Jersey. This year, with a record 13 high schoolers
entering the draft (they can pull out by Thursday), the raw
talent is plentiful. But, New Orleans' brass -- and fans --
are quick to point out the last time the team gambled on a
high schooler. Where have you gone, James Lang?
"You can't help but think of the last high school player you
drafted," Bristow said. "But every player is different. I
think you have to look at it that way. If you get burned on
one type of player, you shouldn't always say you're not going
to go that direction."
Bristow also mentioned the team's desire for backups at center
and point guard, something they might be able to take care of
with their second-round pick (45th overall). Bristow said "we
can assume" that the team's second-rounder is in attendance at
the Pre-Draft Camp, as was Lang a year ago.
So the Hornets' officials in attendance, who also include three
scouts and three assistant coaches (Bob Bass is not in Chicago),
have been watching every jumper and every block out, trying to
decipher who in this field could feasibly help the club.
Bristow mentioned numerous players who have caught his eye with
their success this week. Many, naturally, have been putting up
big numbers. Guard Andre Emmett of Texas Tech has scoring
performances of 12, 20 and 20 points. Jackson Vroman, a big man
from Iowa State, scored 17 points twice. And Oklahoma State
guard Tony Allen had a couple of nice games, including one with
eight rebounds.
But, Bristow said, there hasn't been a player here who's stock
has skyrocketed, and for that matter, plummeted, because of his
performance.
"I don't think there's been a big shock," he said.
BASS IN LIMBO: LSU sophomore-to-be Brandon Bass still is undecided
about returning to the Tigers next year following an up-and-down
week in Chicago. In the first of three games, Bass went 2-for-8
for six points, zero assists and four turnovers. In Game 2, he
was 3-for-8, but free throws helped him score 11. But, in the
final performance, he played his best, scoring a team-high 14
points along with eight rebounds and no turnovers.
"With a bunch of people watching me, I just need to be more
relaxed," said Bass, who was officially measured as 6-6 ¼ without
shoes, 6-7 ¼ with shoes and at 246 pounds. "Yesterday, I think I
was thinking too much instead of just playing. Today, I played
better."
"I think this experience has helped Brandon," Bristow said. "You
can tell he's matured physically, he's lost some weight and he's
run the floor well. My recommendation to any guy would be to stay
in school, and hopefully he does stay in school. He's only going
to get better. . . . He, more than any player I've seen, this camp
has helped him the most. Not necessarily helping him move up in
the draft, but in regards to playing experience. I saw his
confidence rise. I think he's going to be a much better collegiate
player going back."
Bass will work out for three more NBA teams next week before making
his decision.
LOCAL LINE: Chris Duhon, who played at Duke and Salmen High School,
had a sub-par camp, going 5-for-18 from the field in three games,
averaging 4.7 points with five total assists and 10 turnovers.
Former LSU forward Jaime Lloreda had outputs of two and five points
in his first two games, but bounced back to score 10 in his final
outing Friday night. He made only one turnover in the three games.
Both players averaged 20 minutes per game.
. . . . . . .
Benjamin Hochman can be reached at bhochman@timespicayune.com or
(504) 826-3405.
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