[外電] ROSTER MANAGEMENT 101
原文出自 Hornets.com
http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/licht_041008.html
In The Lane With Licht: October 8, 2004
ROSTER MANAGEMENT 101
Twenty players. Fourteen spots. Eleven guaranteed contracts.
What those numbers tell new head coach Byron Scott (he
hates me using “new” in front of his title since he’s
been with the organization since May…but I’m committed to
it through the preseason…sorry coach!) is that he may have
plenty of competition for playing time but significantly
less competition for roster spots.
With Jamal Mashburn already on the injured list for the
season there are now 19 players vying for the 12 active
roster spots. Additionally, at least one and as many as
two injured list spots will be available along side
Mashburn. Also consider Scott’s indication on Monday that
his first cuts will come as early as today (Friday) and
certainly will occur prior to the first preseason game next
Wednesday (Oct. 13th) against Dallas and there will be even
fewer players competing for those precious few positions
on the roster.
The first five guaranteed contracts come from the projected
starting lineup:
Baron Davis – point guard
David Wesley – shooting guard
Jamaal Magloire – center
PJ Brown – power forward
George Lynch – small forward
The next five guaranteed contracts come from the top reserves:
Darrell Armstrong – point guard
J.R. Smith – shooting guard
Chris Andersen – center
David West – power forward
Rodney Rogers – small forward
The eleventh guaranteed contract belongs to Mashburn. So,
prior to the first cuts, there are a maximum of four roster
spots remaining for nine players to battle for. Only two of
those players will remain on the active roster at the end
of October.
Who are the most likely candidates?
In my opinion they are Alex Garcia, Lee Nailon, and
Tim Pickett. Don’t get me wrong. I like the way Junior
Harrington plays and I think that Britton Johnsen’s
abilities match Byron Scott’s style very well. However,
this team has needs and the three players listed above meet
certain needs.
Garcia was a clear-cut steal from the San Antonio
organization. The Hornets claimed him off waivers during
the summer as the Spurs were trying to sneak him through
just prior to the Bobcats expansion draft. Not only did
New Orleans acquire his rights but they didn’t have to
use Garcia as one of their protected players for the
expansion draft since he was already on San Antonio’s
list. He could add athleticism and scoring ability from
both guard positions. Being a lefty means he would give
Scott a different look out of the backcourt as well.
There could be a language problem early this season with
the Brazilian who isn’t totally comfortable with English
yet.
Nailon can score and play three positions. In his previous
stints with the Hornets (2000-2002 in Charlotte) he
averaged nearly 4 ppg and almost 11 ppg. In fact, during
the ’01-’02 season Nailon filled in at small forward and
shooting guard due to injuries and proved to be one of the
best finishers around the basket. He can be a defensive
liability but came to camp in shape and determined to rid
himself of the “journeyman” label that has followed him
through four NBA seasons (and five different franchises).
Pickett is an intriguing possibility. The Hornets second
round pick (44th overall) has been described as a bigger,
stronger, younger version of Darrell Armstrong. How can a
guy with those credentials NOT make your team?! He’s
the second Hornets draftee in as many seasons with a
college degree (David West was selected in the first
round last year), was an All-ACC first team performer
last season and got a head start on learning about the
next level by participating in the Summer League program.
He is primarily a shooting guard, but can fill in at
the point.
Johnsen is my darkhorse candidate to make the roster
because (a) he’s played in the league (20 games for
Orlando as a rookie last season), and (b) he has size,
6-10 210, something the Hornets have less of than in
previous campaigns.
CAMP QUOTES
“…I’m impressed with the way camp has started. There’s
lots of running. We are obviously much more athletic.
We’ll have a lot of options on the floor this season…”
--General Manager Allan Bristow
“…I’m not going to let anything off the court distract
me or the team on the court. I’m going to play my heart
out and give it all I’ve got…”
--Baron Davis on off court issues heading into training camp
“…It’s not a real concern for me. It’s the nature of
this business where coaches come and go and players come and
go. I’m looking forward to seeing what this team is all about…”
---Jamaal Magloire on playing for his third coach in as many
seasons
“…We’re a very athletic team, a very fast team. We’ll get
up and down the court and that’s the game I like to play…”
---Rookie 1st round pick J.R. Smith assessing the team in
his first week of training camp
--
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