On Thursday night, every single team added at least one player to their roster. Every team, except the New Orleans Hornets of course. Indiana and Dallas did not draft anybody, but they added veterans in George Hill and Rudy Fernandez. Toronto added a guy who won’t be on their roster next year, but they still added someone who figures to be a big part of their future in Jonas Valanciunas. The Hawks and Grizzlies only had one late second round pick, like us, but they used it. The Hawks grabbed Schwan’s man crush Keith Benson and Memphis took Josh Selby, a guy who was projected to be a potential lottery pick one year ago.
So not every team made a major splash, but at least their team writers and bloggers got to dive into scouting reports and videos so they can try to sell the fans (and themselves) on this new guy being a part of the answer. We didn’t get the opportunity to do that. I didn’t get the chance to debate Schwan in a podcast about the potential of our draftee, Joe didn’t get to interview Dell about him, and 42 didn’t get to write a 2200 word soliloquy about how the drafting of an unknown prospect is akin to the first time he discovered what anti-matter was.
We were robbed of all of that, and you were all robbed of the joy that comes with sharing your opinions as well. It was simply uneventful. But there were still some random happenings and general thoughts that I wanted to throw out there as we head into the final week of the NBA as we currently know it. The lockout is coming, and if the NFL lockout has frustrated you this offseason, this could (and should) be much, much worse. Here are some thoughts:
– Once Charles Jenkins went off the board at No. 44, I could have cared less who the Hornets took with the next pick. Honestly, a lot of the guys that fans wanted in that spot (David Lighty, Scotty Hobson, Rick Jackson, Malcolm Thomas, Jerome Richardson) went undrafted and are still available if the Hornets want to pursue them. I don’t think Jenkins was on the Hornets short list, however, and I think they would have moved it anyway had Golden State not picked him. Guys who they were hoping would fall, but didn’t, likely include: Jimmy Butler, Jeremy Tyler, Trey Thompkins, Malcolm Lee, Bojan Bogdanovic, and David Bertans.
– Speaking of David Lighty, it appears that he has narrowed his choices down to Atlanta and Phoenix. Several teams called him after the draft, and those are the only two that he will visit.
– Remember when the Hornets brought in those 16 players for a workout a couple of weeks before the draft? That could have played a much bigger role in the selling of this draft pick than we realize. If the Hornets like one or two of those guys better than anybody on the board at 45, it was smart to sell the pick. With the money that the Knicks sent over, they can get two of those guys. The minimum contract is right around $473,000. When you go a step beyond that and factor in how much we would have paid the guy we actually picked, you can rationalize this as a 3-for-1 swap of sorts. The Hornets can use the Knicks money (and the money they saved) to sign Patrick Ewing, Jr., Edgar Sosa, and Tasmin Mitchell if they so choose, as opposed to just drafting a random guy at No. 45.
– Based on some of the things I have said in previous points, I am not mad that the Hornets sold the pick, I am frustrated with how much they got for it. Just six picks earlier, the Warriors paid 2 million dollars to draft Jeremy Tyler. It would have been nice if there was somebody on the board that a team liked enough to pay 1 – 1.5 million, but beggars can’t be choosers.
– On the David West front, it looks like we will have a decision in the next day or two. West wanted to talk with Demps this weekend and present some ideas to him, which sounds like a reason for Hornets fans to be slightly optimistic. Of course, West might just be saying this to the media, and in reality he is just biding his time until he tells the Hornets he is opting out, but I will take West at his word on this one. It sounds like West wants some security and he wants to play for an organization that knows where it is going. Demps can offer him one, but he can’t guarantee the other, and that will make signing him to an extension or a new contract difficult unless an owner jumps on board. I think West (and all the players for that matter) believe in Demps and Monty, but the question is whether or not the old regime caused too much long-term damage for that to even matter.
– With all that said, I still think West gives the Hornets a fair shot to retain his services, and when you glance at the NBA rosters post NBA draft, there are not many teams who require the services of a starting power forward. Even fewer teams need a power forward and have the money to offer anything more than the MLE. Barring a major trade, New Jersey and Indiana seem like the only threats and there are questions as to whether either team will even make a run at West, considering the age of their rosters and West’s uncertain future.
– This is random, but it makes sense to me. As I am watching the Dell Demps post-draft interview, I am thinking to myself, “GM’s have to come out and do this for every minor move. They have to explain to writers and their fan base why they did what they did.” Taking that forward, I think of some of the ridiculous trade proposals I see some people make to resurrect their favorite teams with no regard for the other teams in the trade. But remember, that other team has a GM who will have to go stand in front of reporters and give his rationale for making the trade.
So this will be my personal litmus test, and I advise everyone to do the same. Before I propose a trade that will help the Hornets, I will try to visualize the other teams GM standing (or in Dell’s case, sitting and rocking) in front of reporters and fans, telling them how he just made his team better. If I can not do that, I will not waste my time proposing the trade.
– Finally, I have not yet publicly spoken yet about the Hornets247/HornetsReport merger, but I am fully on board and cannot wait to see where it goes from here. What this partnership requires more than anything, is for us to come together as one community that has a goal of celebrating all of our unique voices, as opposed to tearing down others who might have differing points of view. The partnership also requires YOUR constant feedback, so that we can provide the best Hornets coverage on the web.
I am not going to sugarcoat the fact that we think that Hornets fans get the short end of the stick when it comes to local and national coverage. Our goal is to make this a thing of the past, and to turn these two sites into something that Hornets fans can be proud of. If we are doing a good job, let us know and we will keep doing it. If you would like to see something new, chime in. If 42, Joe, or Ryan do something that you don’t like, shoot us an email or comment. I would have included myself there, but as we all know, that just wouldn’t have been realistic.
– Enjoy this final week of NBA, and check back in once David West makes his decision for the latest news, commentaries, and opinions.
28 responses to “Quick Notes and Thoughts from an uneventful week”
Couldn’t agree more with your comment about fan’s ridiculous trade proposals because they never consider if the other team(s) GM would really do that. [That was one of the main point is my journal post “The Key Question for Dell Demps, and All of Us, This Summer” which, unfortunately, is buried out of sight in the Journal cue behind such amazing journal posts such as “Vote for Me”, “Spoke to Bobby Jindal…”, and “Trade Rumor”. That shouldn’t happen. There should be some way to delete the junk journal posts.] It seems like fans just go to NBA trade machine find a trade that benefits the Hornets and fits within salary cap ruies, then they think it will happen. They never stop and say would team x actually do this? And the answer 99.9% of the time is “no”.
Another issue is salary cap reality when it comes to FA signings, which you address very well in the context of the Hornets selling the 45th pick.
If you click the Journal tab at the top, you can see a list of the more recent journals with excerpts. There is a link at the bottom of that page that will take you to older journals, just like on the default blog tab. Same for news…
I saw, but others won’t look that far. And the posts I mentioned don’t seem to be of journal status. They are short, and either off subject or just news (for a second). They have no analysis, and no depth ot length.
You bring up valid points . . .
I see no reason for moving some journals that are `time specific’ down the list once their time has passed.
Also, if there is a reason to move a journal `up’ so that it stays in the eye for a while longer, we could do that
Let me check with the guys and make sure there are no technical issues with this. If they are good, I’ll make some reasonable changes that I think will address your points, but just let me know if I can do more.
Cool?
Agree 504.
But that’s how most fans are. Guys have gotten angry towards me in the past for downing on their trades, and thinking of trades that “don’t help us”. But in all actuality, its all we can really do.
Fans have trouble understanding the business aspect for BOTH sides. Fans only consider what they want.
Why would Orlando just give us Howard? Or Golden State just give us Ellis?
People don’t get this stuff, unfortunately.
Ziko,
Your trades don’t help us in that Howardic fashion . . . just like the ones in real life . . . hmmm . . . what an amazing coincidence . . .
I remember a little journal about trading a shooting guard for a big . . . I also remember a little podcast where someone said we’d make a move for a backup for West.
Amazing, don’t you think?
Journal about trading a shooting guard for a big?
I wrote journals about:
Trading Peja/Thornton/1st rounder to Philly for Iggy.
A package where we trade Peja and Bayless for DJ Augustine, Boris Diaw, and Terrence Williams.
Then I wrote a journal about what our options were looking guards, forwards, and centers.
In each of those, I believe I wrote what IT WOULD TAKE to acquire someone, and also what was REALISTIC to acquire
Realistically, Thornton was our best trading chip. I honestly feel like we COULD have gotten more for him then Landry. But having Landry definitely helped us a lot when West got hurt.
If it wasn’t clear:
You nailed it.
Rest assured that you know what you are doing, and if no one else knows that, I do.
Others do.
Forget the rest. They will learn if they pay attention.
Just know that your work is appreciated and respect by at least me.
I’m also a fan of the SIGNATURE Ziko caps emphasis, just as I’m sure you like my . . . ellipsis . . .
LoL. Thanks 42.
Michael expanded the journal pane to include 10 journals. That will help, eh?
We’re considering some other stuff with the Journals, as well. In the meantime, start thinking about your next one!
Yeah, that’s fine. Thanks, for the efforts 42. (I still think some Journal posts don’t belong in the Journal section.)
Noted. We have journal standards and all . . . it’s just not so easy being the mean ol’ Mr. Red Pen. I’ve had that job before, and it’s not easy.
You keep giving good input in the polite manner you always do, and you’ll end up happy . . . mostly . . .
I had the start of a nice piece a ginned up, actually, discussing the draft, heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, quantum entaglement, and self-dual particles , . . particles that are their own anti-particles . . . along with a pun calling the new kid a muon . . .
Dems da breaks!
i’ve always made trades that made sense for both teams. the question that always needs to be answered is “is it possible?” and that is where the question lies.
The Hornets remind me of a stationary bicycle. You can bust your a** pedaling, but you still move nowhere. Sooner or later that team is either going to fold or move to a more profitable area. Where that is is anyone’s guess. So far only eigth teams in the league make a profit, but I am sure the Hornets can still make money in the New Orleans. Just look at the NFL’s Saints.
The reason for that is because the NFL basically controls all the revenue streams in terms of television. The League evenly distributes all television equally and all the teams benefit. That’s not the case in the NBA. It’s a very unfair system where just the big market teams get most if not all the coverage and revenue while the smaller markets get left out in the cold. Davud Stern has to put his pants on and tell Jerry Buss, James Dolan, Mark cuban, Wyc Grousbeck and all the other big markets that it is time for a change.
Welcome back, JT.
Let’s hope the money-making thing happens.
It will be interesting to find out where the chips fall after the two sides finally agree on the new CBA. This will greatly alter the landscape of the Hornets flexibility with which to work with, because as it stands theres no set cap number in which for the GM ti begin brainstorming potential targets. It would certainly be an opportune time for an ownership group to surface, as the solidarity could do wonders to entice free agents and sway the opinions of current team members that the Hornets are taking the necessary steps to improve the team.
The idea that the pick was sold to make room to sign a few fringe players like Ewing Jr. and Taz Mitchell is an interesting one ( not to mention the signing of Tasmin Mitchell would quickly silence all draft related pessimism in Baton Rouge for sure , like it never happened ) . But I still think from if nothing else a P.R stand point you draft a guy that the fan base can at least get curious about even if he doesn’t make the roster . Benson would have filled that role as would have Matt Howard or Jamie Skeen . Demps has been nothing short of magical thus far though so I will reserve any real disappointment until after the roster begins to take shape.
oh and who is edgar sosa ? we didn’t work out adam morrison did we ? I know the bulls did before the draft.
I see no reason for the Hornets to sign a new contract with Patrick Ewing Jr.. What this player can bring us? We don’t need a cheerleader on our bench.
He’s young, athletic, energetic, long, and coachable. This dude has a lot of upside. Is he ever gonna start for a contending team, most likely not but in a couple years he will be a contributor as an athletic wing defender.
Though we already have Pondexter so its a shame we have 2 young athletic wingers, not much point in keepin both in the years to come unless we trade Trevor while one of them establishes themself as a starter.
On a side note, the combo of pondexter and ewing jr on nba2k11 does major work for me so he needs to stay ;]
He is young? Ewing Jr. is 27 years old and never excelled in the NBA. Do you think he can develop more and become an important player for the Hornets? The problem is this. Some of you believe in fairy tales.
It’s about depth. Plus, he’s been improving his shot every single year after college. If he makes the cut, why the hell shouldn’t we bring him in? He brings more to the table than David Andersen did.
No way.
I agree with everything Eman says. Ewing Jr always gives his absolute best and tries hard. Those are the kinds of guys you want on a team, someone who challenges guys and makes them step their game up even during practice and thats exactly the type of guy Coach Monty wants.
“The partnership also requires YOUR constant feedback, so that we can provide the best Hornets coverage on the web.”
Please scrap the news section for Andrew Smith’s videos and graphic design. It would be so much more compelling than looking at some momo’s random google searches. Let’s keep this site organic.
Big compliment for the young man, especially with only one video seen. Quick to love?
Momo… Sounds like an insult to me…
Not the first time…
And won’t even address who you are insulting either… Don’t worry, I’m sure no one thinks that’s cowardly. Everyone here loves and respects you and truly values your contributions, especially given your conditions.
If I had a little ribbon, I’d give it to you… First place!
At least you read the news, eh? Thanks.
And that google thing . . . yeah, you’re welcome . . . I think everyone remembers me saying that you were doing that with your little comments about who played at what college for a semester. I’m so glad you learned to google. What big boy you are!
Want to give my job a shot? Write a journal. See how easy it is. Walk a mile in the shoes before you judge, yeah?
WHO IS EDGAR SOSA
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=edgar+sosa