The Hornets travel to Charlotte for a rare late morning game (10 CST). Monty stated both before and after the Grizzlies game that he wants to get the starters more minutes as the preseason winds down, so we can expect to see 25-30 minutes from the likes of Belinelli, Ariza, and CP3.
Regarding Okafor and West, both are listed as questionable, but I doubt West plays. As for Okafor, it would be nice for him to get some time with CP3 in game situations. He had no preseason last year and only got a half of a season with Paul due to injuries last year. Those two developing chemistry is one of the biggest keys to the Hornets season.
The two other storylines to keep an eye on are Thornton’s attempts to break out of his slump, and the fight for the 14th (and perhaps 15th) roster spots. Most assume Jerrells will grab one of those spots, but don’t be so sure. His contract is not guaranteed and the Hornets essentially gave up a draft pick that isn’t a draft pick for him. If he doesn’t show something in these last two games, he could be waived like Shakur, or the Hornets can choose to stash him in the D-League.
As for Thornton, there seems to be a split between Hornets fans over whether to panic or not. It is true that preseason games don’t count, but remember that all these guys started off fresh with Monty. The new coach was not here last season when Marcus was lighting up the scoreboard. He and Demps have to evaluate this team moving forward, not looking back, and if Thornton shows himself to be a player who can only contribute to this team by scoring, then Monty will have no use for him if his shot is not falling.
Again, the game will not be shown on local TV or League Pass, but you can listen to it on radio.
79 responses to “Game On: Hornets @ Bobcats”
Thornton is gonna break out of this funk.
At last I don’t need to stay up still 3 in the morning to watch a game. I watched the last couple of games on a free internet streaming site. If I find such a site (and I get through my company firewall) for this game I will publish the website if anyone is interested.
Do share. 😀
as much as i would love a stream as well. i doubt youll find one.. if the game isnt showed on tv, and its just being radio broadcasted, then how will someone be able to stream it?
but hey, maybe u can sir,,,…
And the people in NOLA won’t get the radio broadcast until 6pm. What kind of crap is that? LOL!
You can listen on NBA.com, with the “Listen Live with LEAGUE PASS Audio” link on the page with the boxscore for the game.
Is the boxscore right? I see David West scored the first 2 points. West is playing?
Yes. Seems active.
Belinelli starting off hot! 3-3 on 3 pointers already.
Dang. I jinxed him. Now he’s 3-4. Haha! But Ariza just knocked one down.
Belinelli!!!!!
The danger of small samples: 14 points for Marco, 4 assists for Paul . . . in 5 minutes!
42-Looks like CP3 is finding Marco early and often. Haha.
His first target was his main man D-West though.
Listen…
http://www.espn1410.com/
I didn’t enter any info. Just clicked on No Thanks.
Thank you!
For some reason I’m really not liking the way Sean Kelley says “Belly-Nelly”. LOL!
Belinelli is smoking this morning!!!
Aaron Gray with more fouls than rebounds. Goodness.
Yeah. I saw that. Don’t worry, he won’t be racking up either for a few minutes.
Time to start driving and getting to the foul line.
Yeah, Queen. That’s basically how the Bobcats are in this.
Right. We have no free throw attempts at all.
Get Willie Green out of the game. I cant see or listen to game, but what I am seeing on Gamecast is truly disturbing.
We went -5 as soon as he came in for Chris to end the first. The second is a little better with Peja in there. Mbenga is turning it over. He needs to settle down.
Gerry V just said Willie Green needs to settle his group down.
V says he likes the CP3/Willie Green combination.
Also when we get to the free throw line we’ve got to make them guys. Make them!
Green 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: West (2 AST) . . . oy vey . .
Strawberry, no assists. -4 on his watch.
can we just trade green as soon as his 60 days is up for an actual pg who wont throw up illl advised prayers so often. chucky atkins? pooh jetter? kevin ollie? sean livingtson. ANYONEEEEEE
Wow. So Strawberry got off the bench before Thornton today? Wowwwwww.
Yeah. That could mean a few things. Thornton has a guaranteed contract and Strawberry doesn’t. It could be that they want a better look at Strawberry. It could also more Thornton is in the doghouse. Or other things that are unfounded, like Thornton is hurt.
Okafor? Him not playing is making me sick.
It’s like Okafor is the teacher’s pet in school, or the favorite child. Dude gets days off and all these perks no one else gets. I wonder whats really going on. I would be upset if I was his teammate.
Here comes Belinelli. Hopefully he can continue his hotness.
Aww come on West!! Now he’s got a tech.
Now the Bobcats have the lead.
17 Bobcat free throws to the Hornets 2 free throws. We have GOT to get to the line.
West headed to the free throw line.
we are at the line and west made the first one. keep it up
watching gamecast and still no Thornton? think their protecting his trade value ? maybe be the 3rd team in the NY for Melo deal
Are they protecting Emeka’s trade value too? What’s up with him?
I find it interesting that Thornton hasn’t played. Something has got to be brewing. I think theres another move in the works soon that involves him, and potentially Peja. We will have to stay tuned. I hope we don;t make a mistake. Defense is important, but a pure scorer is an asset as well in my oppinion.
I would really hate to get rid of Thornton. Maybe he’s been hearing his name in trade rumors and it’s on his mind HARD. I’m sure he loves playing for his hometown.
Enough with the turnovers Hornets!
CP has to get back into a shooting rhythm.
3 free throws for Belinelli. Knock em down man.
I am worried … Pops seems to be undoing every thing he did Monday.
How many turnovers does Paul have. He getting picked by the minute. Somehow I am happy I can only see it on gamecast.
It feels like a trade in the making. But with Peja, Okafor and Marcus in the mix that would have be a major one.
I am perplexed.
I think its major too but I cant figure out for who…what yall think? The only major players out there I see that might be on the trade block is Rip Hamilton, maybe Prince, Melo Anthony, Jamison, Monta Ellis, Vince Carter, Gilbert Arenas, Elton Brand….none of these guys fit with our new defensive mentality. Melo might work but I cant see him coming here. How sweet would it be if we could land Josh Smith!
three team deal sending Melo to the knicks and Galinari to us ?
Paul has 4 TOs berlin.
Man, 3 quarters and no Marcus. I’m really getting worried now. A nearly full season of 20 points per 36 minutes and a 17+ PER can’t just be a fluke.
Something is not right.
Suddendly Bellinelli has 4 fouls.. What is coach gonna do now? Play Green for the whole of 4th quarter? Why has not he used MT before? (Just keep him in the game in case Bellinelli does not perform well/has fouls/gets tired).
it does not make sense.
West got ejected??!!!
lol.
Well I guess if it’s time to get accustomed to these new technical rules preseason would be the time right? LOL.
Peja for 3!!
Does CP3 really need to return? Let’s see what Jerrells can do.
I was thinking the same thing, I don’t understand Monty’s rotations today.
No PT for Pondexter yet today?
Maybe he has read the blog – Pops has picked it up again
Nice of us to give them this 4th chance.
bryon scott i mean monty let thorton play.
I laughed so hard at this i almost pissed my self HAHAH
Overtime?? Are you kidding me??!!!!
Yeah, I’m just messing with you. We all know Deron and the Heat won this one.
Question:
If the Detroit Pistons wanted Emeka Okafor and Marcus Thornton for Tayshaun Prince should the Hornets pull the trigger on that trade? We would still have Peja’s expiring deal, along with Tayshaun’s too, plus a potentially better rotation for 2010-2011.
F-West 6″9, F-Prince 6″9, Smith 7″0, G-Ariza 6″8, G-Paul 6″0
F-Mensah-Bonsu 6″9, F-Stojakovic 6″9, C-Gray 7″0, G-Belinelli 6″5, G- Green 6″3
F-Alexander 6″8, F-Pondexter 6″6, C-Mbenga 7″0, G-Strawberry 6″5, G-Jerrells 6″0
L_Reazy
I can see a Pistons trade happening, but with different parts:
Meka and spare parts (or 3rd team) for Rip and Wilcox. Or Peja for Rip and Wilcox (depending if Pistons want to clear space or overpay a big as opposed to overpaying a SG) Then MT5 gets moved in a different transaction that gets the Hornets back some size.
Prince is too similar to Ariza and I know Monty loves Trevor. But Rip is the kind of guy I can see this new regime being interested in (proven winner, a vet, good bball IQ, etc.)
Who pushed? CP pushed somebody?
Must’ve been Pops with the push. He fouled out.
If CP would make more of his shots this game may be over already. If David West had not have gotten ejected this game may be over already. If we would’ve gotten to the free throw line more, this game may be over already.
Lots of opportunities to end this, yeah. It’s frustrating not being able to see the game and know what the problems really are.
http://espn.go.com/nba/photos?gameId=301020030&photoId=907491
LOL!!!!
Put Jerrells in.
One more to go.
Marco’s hotness from 3 went to waste. 🙁
No minutes for Marcus, Quincy, Joe, and Emeka.
Emeka . . . whatever the reason, he is a special case.
Joe . . . this can’t be good for him.
Quincy . . . maybe this is to explore how we’d play at the 3 with him in D-League.
Marcus . . . maybe he’s just asking Marcus to sit and watch, to play the game in his head. Or maybe he’s trying to make him mad. Or maybe this situation is souring. I don’t know if it’s easier to see him not play or to see him play vastly worse than last year.
@42- If you had to guess, which player(s) will be the last cut?
strawberry if they keep 15…minus alexander if they keep 14
Exactly 1 week away from opening night. Let’s get it together guys.