Prep roundup of Week 9 football action
October 30, 2012
Hospital offers training tips with half-marathon looming
October 30, 2012
A new chapter in New Orleans Hornets history will begin this week.
After close to a month of preseason games, our local NBA franchise will begin its 2012-13 regular season tonight when they take on the San Antonio Spurs in the New Orleans Arena.
Tip-off for that game is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on NBA-TV.
The season opener will mark the official debut of rookie phenomenon Anthony Davis, whom the team drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
The lanky 6-foot, 10 inch power forward said he cannot wait to get to work trying to revive the franchise and city that have shown him “nothing but love” to him since his selection.
“A lot of love,” Davis said to the team’s official website. “Walking down the street, I’ve had people say, ‘What’s up? You’re the man, come save us.’ I’ve been signing autographs and taking pictures with a lot of people and getting to interact with people. New Orleans is a great city. Fans here are very passionate.”
It’s easy to see why the Hornets’ faithful are excited about Davis.
The tall, lanky power forward has a proven track record as a winner. In one season with Kentucky, Davis scored, rebounded and blocked his way to the NCAA Championship.
His efforts made him the consensus No. 1 pick in last year’s draft.
The Hornets’ poor 2011-12 season, combined with NBA Lottery luck earned New Orleans the right to pick the ferocious big man.
So far, it’s been a match made in heaven, as Davis averaged 13.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in the preseason.
“We have added an incredibly talented, athletic big man with great length who is also a proven winner,” New Orleans Hornets coach Monty Williams said. “In getting to know him, he’s also a high-character kid and someone I look forward to helping develop further.”
“Anthony is an incredible person and very talented basketball player,” general manager Dell Demps added. “We look forward to him being a part of the sustained success of our franchise on and off the court going forward.”
Aside from Davis, the Hornets also retooled the rest of its roster in this offseason.
At guard, the Hornets traded away last season’s starting point guard Jarrett Jack and will replace him with first round draft pick Austin Rivers.
A talented combo-guard from Duke, Rivers has a lot of potential to be a successful player.
He’s experienced growing pains in the preseason, though – shooting just 26 percent from the field and 12 percent from behind the 3-point line.
Williams said Rivers and Greivis Vasquez must protect the basketball and be efficient this season.
That’s something the Hornets struggled with all preseason. They turned over the ball 26 times in an Oct. 24 home loss to the Rockets.
“We have to take care of the ball,” Williams said. “We are playing defense more than we need to. I don’t think we have ever had this many turnovers since I’ve been here.”
But Williams and the rest of the Hornets’ staff don’t believe the early struggles will be a lingering problem.
On one hand, the coach points to star guard Eric Gordon, who missed the entire preseason with knee soreness. Having him back in the lineup will provide a boost to the team.
They also believe Rivers will just be better as he matures.
Williams said when the Duke guard was drafted that he has what it takes to be a star.
“He is a stand-up young man and brings the type of character and talent we are looking to add to this team,” Williams said.
If the team protects the rock, they will likely find success in the paint.
In addition to Davis, the Hornets also brought in elite 3-point shooting power forward Ryan Anderson and bruising center Robin Lopez.
Both players were acquired in offseason trades.
The duo will provide protection for Davis, who will be able to roam the paint and create havoc on defense.
The Hornets’ early schedule is loaded with home games. The team will play four of its first five games in the New Orleans Arena.
In addition to tonight’s game with the Spurs, the Hornets will also play a home game with the Jazz on Friday.
New Orleans Hornets coach Monty Williams talks with guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Charlotte Bobcats in New Orleans, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. The Hornets won 97-82. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
