NEW ORLEANS HORNETS FAN ZONE

Hornets Basketball News, Schedule, Pictures and Players

Rusty Costanza/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Hornets players Chris Paul and David West model 1967-68 era New Orleans Buccaneers uniforms that the Hornets will wear on December 10 against the Charlotte Bobcats as part of the NBA's Hardwood Classic Nights.

The New Orleans Hornets will be one of four NBA teams to participate in the NBA Hardwood Classics Nights.

On Dec. 10, the Hornets will honor the 40th anniversary of the New Orleans Buccaneers, a charter member of the American Basketball Association formed in 1967, by wearing the 1967-68 Bucs uniforms during four games this season against the Charlotte Bobcats.

"Basketball has a strong history in New Orleans," Hornets executive officer Chad Shinn said, "and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Bucs is a great way we can pay tribute to the history of that sport in our city."

When the Hornets went through their video review session of last week's loss to Portland, Coach Byron Scott kept rewinding the tape.

Scott wanted his players to see that their energy level during Friday's game was not as high as on Thanksgiving night, when they defeated Denver.

Against the Nuggets, the Hornets pushed the tempo and stayed aggressive. Against the Trail Blazers, the Hornets' offense got bogged down, resulting in numerous forced shots. Those mistakes contributed to a 19-point second quarter that led to a 101-86 road defeat.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneChris Paul was named Western Conference player of the month.

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul was named Western Conference Player of the Month by the NBA today.

Paul averaged 20.3 points, 11.6 assists (that leads the league), 2.8 steals (he has a 98-game streak of having at least one steal) and is making 52 percent of his shots from the field, in 15 games.

The Associated PressNew Orleans Hornets Chris Paul drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers defender Brian Skinner (8) during the second quarter in Los Angeles on Monday.

The New Orleans Hornets are coming off a good stretch where they won four of five. Other than a sluggish effort against Portland, it appears the team has corrected some of its earlier problems.

Now they get ready to take on Shaq and Steve Nash, as the Phoenix Suns come to New Orleans on Wednesday and Memphis on Saturday.

So let's talk about 'em. Times-Picayune beat reporter John Reid will be with you at noon today to talk Hornets.

We'll go live around 11:30 to take your questions.

When Hornets backup forward Sean Marks played last Thursday against the Denver Nuggets, it marked the end of a frustrating six-week period for the nine-year veteran.

Marks, a 6-foot-10 power forward, was signed this summer as a free agent from the Phoenix Suns to bring depth to the Hornets' front court. But instead of contributing, he had been injured since the first week of training camp when he strained his calf muscle while running sprints. After recovering from that injury, he strained his right hamstring during a practice in Berlin, Germany, in preparation for a preseason game against the Washington Wizards.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler needs to do a better job of rebounding.

When the New Orleans Hornets spent two days in Los Angeles following their victory last Monday against the Clippers, Coach Byron Scott said he spoke to former Laker Jerry West.

The Hall of Famer had a little observation about Scott's team.

"Jerry said one difference about this year's team as opposed to last year is that Tyson Chandler is not playing with the energy he played last year,'' Scott said.

Chandler averaged 11.8 points and 11. 7 rebounds last season. After 12 games, he is averaging 8.2 points and 7.9 rebounds.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneHornets guard Peja Stojakovic has recovered from a slump in which he scored fewer than 10 points in three consecutive games.

Until he combined to make 18 of 37 shots for a 17-point average in games last week against the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers, Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic was struggling to live up to his reputation as one of the league's better perimeter shooters.

Instead of knocking down 3-pointers, Stojakovic was marred in one of his worst early-season shooting slumps in his 10-year career. He missed his first eight shots before going 3-of-13 for 10 points in a 93-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Nov. 12 at the New Orleans Arena.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneChris Paul says his relationship with Coach Byron Scott is one of the best in the NBA.

Remember what it was like, Hornets fans, when this team had its share of malcontents and ego-driven individuals who thought they were bigger than the game?

Remember what it was like when Baron Davis and Jamaal Magloire feuded with management over the banning of their personal trainers from the Alario Center practice facility?

Remember what it was like when Davis single-handedly torpedoed the pro coaching career of Tim Floyd, giving up because of "injury" during the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the Miami Heat?

PORTLAND, Ore. - In the past, when expectations weren't so great, the Hornets might have been satisfied getting two wins in a three-game road trip.

In the present, following Friday night's 101-86 Trail Blazers' victory over New Orleans, there was nothing but dissatisfaction spread throughout the visitor's locker room in the Rose Garden.

Even though the Hornets, winners of four straight and coming off a 105-101 victory late Thursday night at Denver, didn't arrive here until 4 a.m. Friday morning, they weren't using that as an excuse for defeat.

Greg Wahl-Stephens, The Associated PressRasual Butler started in place of injured Morris Peterson again Friday night.

PORTLAND, ORE. -- After arriving in Los Angeles at midday Friday, three days after becoming a father for the second time, Hornets center Tyson Chandler wasn't prepared to hand out cigars celebrating the birth of his son, Tyson.

He was, however, ready to play against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Chandler missed Thursday night's game against the Denver Nuggets, but flew to Portland on Friday to rejoin the team.

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers extended their third-quarter run into the first two minutes of the third, eventually reaching 17-0, as they remained unbeaten at home this season in seven games, beating the New Orleans Hornets 101-86 Friday night at the Rose Garden.

The loss snapped a four-game Hornets' winning streak, though the Hornets went 2-1 on the three-game West-Coast road swing.

The Associated PressChris Paul and the Hornets are trying to stay on a hot playing streak tonight against Portland.

The key number for the Hornets entering tonight's game in Portland is "5."

That's how many losses New Orleans has and, to its great fortune, no team in the Western Conference other than the Lakers has fewer losses. Which means the Hornets, even after a 2-5 spill that left their record at 5-5, are in good shape because of the current four-game winning streak that will be put to the test by the Trail Blazers, who join Cleveland as the remaining undefeated teams at home.

The Associated PressDenver's J.R. Smith had 32 points, but it wasn't enough as the Hornets won Thanksgiving night.

DENVER - There was never any questions about J.R. Smith's offensive potential when the Hornets made the 18-year-old high school player their No. 1 draft choice in 2004.
Smith's immaturity and inability to play defense was what often placed him in Coach Byron Scott's doghouse.

But Smith, traded by the Hornets in 2006 in the deal that acquired center Tyson Chandler, took it upon himself Thursday night in the Pepsi Center to keep the Denver Nuggets in the neighborhood against New Orleans.

A trio of Hornets' 3-point shooters - Chris Paul, Peja Stojakovic, and with 19.1 seconds remaining James Posey - were more than enough firepower to offset Smith's game-high 32 points as New Orleans won its fourth straight game, 105-101.

DENVER - James Posey hit a 3-point shot with 19.1 seconds remaining and Peja Stojakovic had a critical rebound of a missed Chauncey Billups shot with 10 seconds while adding two free throws with 7.4 second to go as the New Orleans Hornets won their fourth straight game, 103-101 over the Denver Nuggets Thursday night at the Pepsi Center.

Former Hornets guard J.R. Smith had 32 points in the loss for the Nuggets, including a 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds remaining.

Chris Paul, who finished with 22 points and 10 assists, finished the game off with two free throws and a steal in the final seconds..

The Nuggets hit three straight 3-point shots in a 1:06 span of the fourth quarter to take an 80-78 lead with 8:43 to go, the first time they had led since the first quarter.

Carmelo Anthony, Smith and Linas Kleiza poured in the successive long-range shots that seemed to rattle the Hornets' resolve.

The Hornets started the quarter zero of five from the field, while the Nuggets made four of their first six shots.

The game see-sawed back and forth until the end.

Chris Granger / Times-PicayuneIs Byron Scott getting along fine with Chris Paul and company?

Winning cures all that ails, but for a New Orleans Hornets team still struggling to find its stride, that doesn't appear to be the case (at least not yet).

And now comes speculation from the national pundits that the team is fracturing.

ESPN's Bill Simmons today wrote that he sees a poor dynamic between star point guard Chris Paul and head coach Byron Scott during free throw exchanges, and that the team seemed "detached".

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneHilton Armstrong is finally reaping the benefits of the hard work he has put in since the Hornets drafted him in the first round three years ago.

DENVER -- -- Sometimes in the course of the development of a young player, an event takes place, perhaps a strong move to the basket, a critical rebound or a blocked shot, that causes a light to suddenly glow.

One of those so-this-is-what-they're-talking-about moments.

For Hornets backup center Hilton Armstrong, perhaps that instant of enlightenment occurred during New Orleans' 25-point rout Nov. 20 in Oklahoma City with 3:15 to go in the second quarter.

Ann Heisenfelt, The Associated PressChris Paul and David West have been more assertive, the rest of the Hornets are feeding off of it, and the team appears to be jelling.

LOS ANGELES -- After going through a stretch last week of five losses in seven games, David West and Chris Paul are taking over games in an effort to carry the Hornets to victories. Behind West's 27 points and Paul's second consecutive triple-double (14 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds), the Hornets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 99-87 Monday night to extend their winning streak to three games.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESSNew Orleans Hornets Chris Paul drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers defender Brian Skinner (8) during the second quarter in Los Angeles on Monday.

LOS ANGELES - Hornets forward David West came out aggressive and Chris Paul achieved his second consecutive triple double as the Hornets had little trouble defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 99-87 Monday night at the Staples Center to push their winning streak to three games.

West scored 27 points and Paul had a game-high 17 assists, 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Behind David West's 27 points and Chris Paul achieving his second consecutive triple double, the Hornets came away with a convincing 99-87 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers Monday night in front of 14,956 at the Staples Center.

It was the Hornets' third consecutive victory, matching their longest winning streak since winning their opening three games. Paul scored 14 points, dished 17 assists and grabbed 10 rebounds. Former Hornets point guard Baron Davis scored 19 points for the Clippers.

Paul needs three rebounds to achieve triple double

Chris Paul needs only three rebounds to achieve his second consecutive triple double. Wtih 8:24 remaining, Paul has scored 10 points and dished 14 assists.

Hornets dominate third quarter

The Hornets outscored the Clippers 27-19 in the third quarter to take a 76-65 lead. Baron Davis went scoreless, and David West appeared like he could not miss from any spot. He has 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting after three quarters. The Hornets are looking like they will extend their winning streak to three games with 10:51 remaining in the game and holding a 12-point lead.

LOS ANGELES -- New Orleans Hornets backup point guard Devin Brown participated in this morning's shootaround, but Coach Byron Scott said his status for tonight's game against the Los Angeles Clippers won't be determined until just before tip off.

Brown sprained his right ankle in the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and he did not return after playing only six minutes. Since moving ahead of Mike James as the primary backup point guard, Brown had averaged 12.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in four games.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneDavid West heated up offensively against Oklahoma City this weekend.

After 12 games, the New Orleans Hornets are starting to play a little more like everyone thought they'd would.

Back-to-back wins, dominant play by Chris Paul and David West, and at least 100 points on the scoreboard.

Now, just because all of this came against the worst team in the NBA doesn't mean it wasn't a sign of things to come. Right?

With that said, Hornets fans, let's chat. Times-Picayune beat reporter Jimmy Smith will be with you at noon today to talk Hornets and pro hoops.

LOS ANGELES ---- Earning his fifth career triple-double, Hornets point guard Chris Paul appeared happy after the Hornets' second consecutive victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.

Paul spoke for more than 10 minutes after the game about how well the team pushed the tempo and made shots that led to a 109-97 victory in front of 16,023 at the New Orleans Arena. Paul scored 29 points and had 16 assists and 10 rebounds. Forward David West led the Hornets (7-5) with 33 points.

It was a complete performance, with Hornets point guard Chris Paul dishing assists, making driving layups and grabbing rebounds Saturday night against the struggling Oklahoma City Thunder.

Not only did Paul extend his steals streak to 96 consecutive games after intercepting an Earl Watson's pass with 10:41 remaining in the second quarter, he achieved his first triple double of the season to carry the Hornets to a 109-97 victory in front of 16,023 at the New Orleans Arena.

Chris Paul achieved his fifth career triple double after scoring 29 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the Hornets to a 109-97 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Forward David West scored a game-high 33 points. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 30 points. It was the Thunder 11th consecutive loss.

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Oklahoma City Thunder Coach P.J. Carlisimo fired after 25-point loss to New Orleans Hornets

Continue reading to participate in the chat.

The Associated PressOklahoma City fires P.J. Carlesimo after Friday night's blow out loss to the Hornets.

Losing to the New Orleans Hornets by 25 points Friday night in a nationally televised game, apparently was the last straw for Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti to make a coaching change.

P.J. Carlesimo, who had guided the Thunder to a 1-12 start, became the first coach to be fired this season in the NBA.

The Associated PressChris Paul goes up for a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- It was a simple request, but one that, through the first 10 games of the regular season, had fallen on a dozen pair of deaf ears.

"Energy and intensity," Hornets Coach Byron Scott said he hoped to get that from his struggling team as it returned Friday night to the Ford Center, where about half of them had played two years exiled from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

That the opponent was the young and visibly hapless Thunder, recently transplanted here after spending the first 40 years of their existence as the Seattle SuperSonics, certainly helped.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The New Orleans Hornets snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 105-80.

By the eight minute mark of the fourth quarter, the outcome was no longer in doubt and Coach Byron Scott emptied his bench, putting in Ryan Bowen, who;'d been inactive in the last two losses.

Guard Mike James, who'd been relegated to the bench by the play of Devin Brown, checked in with 7:27 to go.

By that time, many of the sellout crowd of 19,136, only the third sellout of the season for the Thunder, had hit the exits.

AP Photo / Bill HaberJames Posey and the Hornets are struggling headed into an emotional series with Oklahoma City.

Every Friday at 1 p.m., NOLA.com and David Gladow host a sports chat to preview the upcoming weekend in sports.

Hot topics this week are sure to include the New Orleans Hornets and their upcoming "rivalry" series with Oklahoma City, the Saints and their continued shaky playoff positioning, Jeremy Shockey's antics and Supplement-gate, and whether LSU has perhaps righted itself.

Check with us and 1 and chat about your favorite New Orleans area sports topics.

Although cable subscribers in St. Tammany Parish are still unable to watch New Orleans Hornets' games on Cox Sports Television, overall viewership in the metro area has increased by 163 percent compared to last season based on the latest Nielsen ratings.

It is one of the highest viewership increases in the league so far. Since the regular-season opener on Oct. 29 at Golden State, CST has televised nine of the Hornets' first 10 games.

Wow.

And not, at all, in the good way.

New Orleans Hornets starting shooting guard Morris Peterson is expected to miss the next two games because of soreness in his right knee, Coach Byron Scott said after Thursday's practice at the Alario Center.

Peterson missed Wednesday's game against the Sacramento Kings after he complained of soreness. Rasual Butler is expected to earn his second consecutive start at shooting guard on Friday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center.

The Hornets, who are trying to snap a two-game losing streak, play the rematch game against Oklahoma City on Saturday night at the New Orleans Arena.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneChris Paul, fouled here by Jason Thompson, had 20 points and 15 assists, but it wasn't enough for the Hornets to beat Sacramento at New Orleans Arena.

By the end of the third quarter, not one of former Hornets guard Bobby Jackson's three attempts from the field had found the bottom of the net as the Sacramento Kings were battling to scratch out a win. The fourth quarter, however, was a different story.