[外電] Veterans' injuries let free agents get a look
原文出自 nola.com
http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/109808257510170.xml
Veterans' injuries let free agents get a look
Nailon, Garcia make most of opportunity in preseason games
Monday, October 18, 2004
By Benjamin Hochman
Staff writer
Although the Hornets' roster cutting has been put on hold
because of injuries, to famously quote West Virginia's
infamously incarcerated billionaire Martha Stewart -- "It's
a good thing."
It's a good thing because coaches are getting to see more of
their six remaining free agents in practice and in preseason
games.
"They get a little bit of a longer look," Hornets general
manager Allan Bristow said. "I always feel like the longer
those guys get a chance to prove themselves, the better off
they are."
The contending six are guards Alex Garcia and Junior Harrington
and forwards Lee Nailon, Tremaine Fowlkes, Britton Johnsen and
Nate Williams, all of whom have seen plenty of action in the
first three preseason games. While teams historically don't
have 18 players deep into training camp, the Hornets can afford
to keep these guys around because of their slew of injuries.
Guard David Wesley (right hamstring), forward Rodney Rogers
(right hamstring) and post players Jamaal Magloire (left ankle)
and Chris Andersen (back spasms) are sidelined, so suddenly
there is little rush to trim the roster. New Orleans has
until 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 to set its roster to 12 active players,
with up to three additional players on the injured list. Eleven
Hornets, including the erstwhile All-Star Jamal Mashburn, have
guaranteed contracts.
"I think that we're pushing it back more then trying to force
the issue early, mainly because of the injuries," Bristow said.
"Right now, everything's sort of put on hold."
A wrench in the preseason has been the slow progress of Rogers,
who has spent more time on a stationary bike than on the court.
While coaches and brass hoped to watch Rodgers assimilate into
the Hornets' scheme during the preseason, his void at small
forward -- playing behind starter George Lynch -- has given
the free agent forwards an enticing opportunity. Namely Nailon.
Nailon, 6 feet 8, has played in two games and is second on the
Hornets in points per game (15.0) and minutes per game (26.5).
He showed some silky-smooth jump shooting late in the Dallas
game with the score close, and his hustle and defense have
drawn attention.
Nailon has made 14 of 22 field-goal attempts for 63.6 percent
shooting, third on New Orleans. His versatility -- if necessary,
he can be placed at shooting guard or power forward -- makes
Nailon, 29, an intriguing possibility.
"I think I'm a lot more mature," said Nailon, who was drafted
by the Hornets in the second round (43rd pick overall) of the
1999 NBA draft and played two seasons in Charlotte and the
preseason in New Orleans in 2002. "When I was first on the team,
I was fresh out of college. I had a lot of room to improve, as
well as now. With the new coaching staff and the style of play
that I like, I'll just continue to go with this team and have a
great season."
The other forwards vying for roster spots include Johnsen, who
has showed flashes of being a hustling rebounder and scored 11
points in 34 minutes at Chicago. Nate Williams, a rookie out of
Georgia State, played in the second and third preseason games,
with scoring totals of six and nine points. Fowlkes has been
battling a left thigh bruise, limiting him in the first three
preseason games.
"I hate to put one in front of the other," said Bristow, whose
team has five remaining preseason games. "As we go down the
stretch here, without having seen Rodney fit in because he
hasn't played, it leaves the door open for players at that
position."
Alex Garcia has shot 4-of-15 but has yet to turn the ball over
in 31 minutes, and he has been making strides at point guard,
Bristow said.
"Looking at (Nailon and Garcia), it looks like every time they
continue to get on the floor, they don't make the mistakes they
made previously," Bristow said. "Those two guys have been good,
along with the other ones."
And so the Hornets will continue to evaluate their free agents,
while keeping a close eye on their injured players.
The Hornets did not practice Sunday following three preseason
games in four days, but injured players such as Andersen and
Rogers spent time with team trainers at the Alario Center. The
Hornets will return to practice this afternoon and then host
Philadelphia on Tuesday in a preseason matchup at 7 p.m.
. . . . . . .
Benjamin Hochman can be reached at bhochman@timespicayune.com
or (504) 826-3405.
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