The Hornets are working out Austin Rivers, Jermey Lamb, Terrence Ross, Terrell Stoglin, Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Meyers Leonard, Arnett Moultrie, and Terrence Jones today at the Alario Center. Notes and videos will be posted here throughout the day.
Even though Anthony Davis isn’t here, he’s still the talk of the first Hornets pre-draft workouts. In nearly every individual player interview there were questions asked about what it was like playing against Davis and how they thought they would play with Davis. Is he as good as advertised? Will their games compliment his? The answers were fairly standard, with the exception of Zeller.
My first impression of Zeller is that he’s smart, willing to work, and not overly impressed with Anthony Davis. He remarked that Davis scored “only” five points against them. We didn’t get to see much in the actual workout and there wasn’t much said about him in either Monty or Dell’s interview.
Here’s some video from Zeller after the workout–
John Henson, the forward from UNC, had a lot of nice stuff to say about New Orleans, calling it a “great sports city”. He talked about how he really enjoyed his drive from the airport. What?
Here’s some video, and then I’ll let you know what I think of the big man from UNC.
While there is sure to be some speculation about whether or not Henson will be able to physically play with Davis right off the bat in a front court, the reality is not that important. Would they get pushed around if they were out there together for 40 minutes a night? Sure, but trying to win it all this year or next isn’t an ideal move anyway. The next few seasons are about gaining experience and growing talent. In a few years, once they’ve put on some weight and their offensive games have improved, I think you’d be looking at one of the best two-way front courts in the league.
Perhaps most importantly, and this isn’t really being talked about too much, Henson is one of the few players in the draft who would really be able to battle Davis in practice, giving him a long defender to work against every day for the foreseeable future. Getting a top-notch defender in there to work with Davis on a regular basis is, in my opinion, one of the most important moves the organization can make.
Jeremy Lamb 6’5″ guard from UConn
Terrence Ross 6’6″ guard from Washington
Terrell Stoglin 6’1″ guard from Maryland
In another interview Arnett Moultrie said that the Hornets told him they are looking for the best player available and not drafting for need. Monty acknowledged the possibility that they would take another big man despite their being so many on the roster already. “That’s why we brought those guys in, because there’s so many bigs that can go in the top 10, so we’ve got to take a look at all of them.”
Despite there being more potential top-10 selections than in most recent years, Monty threw criticisms at agents who didn’t allow their players to attend, noting that he though they weren’t doing their jobs.
Asked about whether Davis is now the number one guy, Monty instead named Eric Gordon, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, as the best player on the team. Asked about Gordon’s future yet again, Monty expressed dissatisfaction that he was being asked the same questions over and over.
“He has always intimated to me that this is the place where he wants to be,” Williams said. “We talked this weekend and he said he wanted to come down here and work out and see the guys and see the coaches. That’s who he has been since he has been here.”
Gordon was in the gym watching workouts, but was not available to the media. He’s been working out at the Alario Center with Monty in recent days alongside a number of his teammates from last year.
As for Demps, the highlight of his interview was his statement when asked when he would declare Davis as their selection. He claimed he wanted to do “due diligence”, but nobody believed him. Your eyes, Dell, they lie!
41 responses to “Notes and Video From the Hornets Pre-Draft Workouts”
Seems like a good kid.
I would love to see us build with Rivers, Gordon, and Davis.
Something about Henson’s personality and the way he carries himself just screams solid NBA player. Not saying we should or shouldn’t draft him, just an observation. Does anyone else see this?
I agree. He improved a lot every year he was at UNC and was probably the second most valuable guy on that team (behind Marshall, and ahead of Barnes). Henson scares me to death as a prospect, but I think a realistic comparison for him would be Tyrus Thomas if not a little better
I see the comparison, with a couple differences. Henson should measure to be both taller and heavier. Tyrus was more athletic. Henson has a higher basketball IQ and has better offensive skills. I’m still unsure of how good Henson will be as a pro, but I think he will be better than Tyrus
I think Henson will be a good player in the NBA and the kind of guy who can come off the bench and be part of a 7-9 man rotation. I’d love to have him.
My concern goes to whether or not the Hornets can have that much inexperience up front — you’d basically have Emeka and Jason Smith as your elder statesmen.
I think that sounds about right. To me, Henson projects to be a Taj Gibson type of player, with what I expect to be a better offensive skill set. And considering how much of an asset Gibson has been to the Bulls off of the bench, I think Henson could be a valuable piece. We do have a lot of youth on our front line already, so maybe it’d be overkill. I still think someone like Sullinger would be great next to Davis, though I do think it would hamper the quickness of our defensive rotation.
I am not set on anyone at 10. There are so many avenues we can take with Davis aboard. This is a great chance to make a great core
If Rivers will be there at 14, we should trade 10 to HOU for 14 and 16.
I really prefer this strategy beacuse in this draft class if we selected rivers we still could get another really solid player at 16 and it would not be such a reach for point guards other than Marshall and Lillard.
I’m not sure how far Rivers would fall, but I agree: I’d rather him at 14 and an extra pick to either trade or pick up someone else.
I still really want to trade up and get Barnes, but I’m not sure where he’ll go or how much it’ll take to trade up.
Me personally would like to see davis along with another scorer prefferably terrance ross because we already have an undersized scorer with gordon so you throw out there the 6 ft 7 ross with gordon, aminu, davis, and smith/ayon you have a pretty good lineup
Not saying that should be the starting lineup but during the game it would be our most productive
Tyler Zeller took a shot at AD. I love it! #Competitive
Tyler..you signed in with your own name. Oopsies. 😉 hahaah
What was your take on Austin Rivers demeanor?
Wow, not Jeremy Lamb…that kid is absolutely petrified of being interviewed. He is completely nervous. That’s not who we need for a team rebuilding and looking for the new faces of the franchise. Best of luck to him, though.
Is Lamb on drugs?? lol. Hope is workout wasn’t as bad as that interview.
It didn’t help that he seemed to have a cold or some other type of sickness.
Is their gonna be video of the actual workouts ?
We didn’t have access to more than 30 seconds of them, and that was just dumb free throws.
I love Terrell Stoglin’s attitude. He seems like a super nice guy.
Not impressed with Lamb or Ross’ interviews.
I have to disagree with you guys about lamb. if you followed him through college a lot of people talked about his shy and nervous demeanor. I still think he is a quality player and will be somewhat of a rip hamilton type player. but he isnt a fit for the hornets.
I hope the Hornets go after Jerremy Lin in free agency that guy is a beast.
Terrell Stoglin seems like hes stealing lines from NBA 2K11 or NBA 2k12…but really gave the only entertaining interview
hey i read in hoopsworld dat rudy gay is available…how abt we ship the #10 pick,ariza and lance thomas for rudy gay
Can’t do it bruh. That Grizzlies-Clippers series was waiting to be taken over by that guy and he never stepped forward.
You’re crazy if you wouldn’t do that deal as a Hornet fan. I know the Grizz definitely aren’t doing… Although Gay wouldn’t be ideal since he makes so much
The best news was Eric Gordon was there checking out the proceedings and the guys the Hornets brought in. That shows his interest in the team.
I am not sure we take many of these guys if we pick at 10. So the news Gordon was there is better than news of what prospects were there.
Arnett Moultrie would be a great 10spot for the hornets. Awesome BIG to complement Davis and an awesome shooter. So excited to hear Eric was interested in the team! Already bought my 12game package!!!
whoa! I just watched some footage of royce white (iowa st. point forward) and i can’t believe this guy’s versatility. superb ball handling for a big (he actually initiates the offense a lot ala scottie pippen/lamar odom. I don’t know his height/weight measurables, but if this guy is actually considered a 4, and please tell me he is at least 6’8″, he has an incredibly unique skill set. Does anyone know his actual height and true position? I’m impressed. he had some off-court issues while at minnesota which ultimately led to him transferring to iowa st but man oh man. 10th pick. that kinda talent. would love him
Chad Ford latest mock draft has us taking Sullinger at 10! Heres what Mr. Ford is reporting:
Analysis: We’ve been assuming the Hornets would try to fill their hole at point guard here with a player like Damian Lillard or Kendall Marshall, and they might, but the last few days the buzz has been around Sullinger here. I could see why the Hornets would think pairing Davis and Sullinger would be ideal. They complement each other.
Thoughts??
I think Ford (and others) has been too stuck on us immediately “filling the need” at point guard with all his previous mock drafts. This isn’t like drafting in the NFL where you simply address positional needs from year to year. In the NBA, only 5 guys are allowed on the court at one time and usually only 8-9 see significant minutes (sometimes less in the playoffs). For that reason, it’s better to, first, prioritize talent (and the ability to utilize it) combined with team fit -not necessarily positional, but more in terms of scheme and chemistry.
I don’t see Lillard as the Hornets’ future starting point guard. Gordon will be our main scoring guard option and we need someone who can distribute and hopefully knock down a few outside shots. Marshall fits the distributor role much better, and I was impressed with his play in the NCAA tournament, but his lack of speed, outside shot, and defense scare me. These reasons lead me to think we shouldn’t reach on a PG this year if better, more talented options are available at other positions like wings and bigs.
That said, I could see Lillard being a dynamic scorer off the bench and would love to have him in that role, but I don’t know if he’s worth the 10th pick or the expectations of being our answer at starting point guard.
I love Sully as a player but he is a horrible fit for the Hornets.
Arnett Moultrie or Myers Leonard are the best big man options we will have at 10 to go with AD. Both a bit of a stretch that high but they both have incredible potential. If we could trade down… Miles Plumlee would be great for us when Okafor’s contract is up.
I think hirnets should draft rivers or terrence jones, or (even though he didnt workout yet) kendall marshall
Austin Rivers..He’s been Nba Bound since Birth
I think Terrance Jones should be discussed more
not being impressed with one interview is rather arbitrary
Trade down with the Rockets (14 and 16) and grab Zeller, Jones or whichever big falls and take Fournier with the 16th pick. Stash him and let him grow for another year.
I love hearing all this stuff about Dell & Monty involving EJ in discussions, plans and the general organization of the team. From everything I’ve heard, Monty and Dell are making a point of Eric Gordon being our leader for years to come, I think he will flourish in that role.