A note to Edison Chouest
Posted 04-11-2010 at 09:19 AM by saintsfan1976
Lots of talk regarding Edison Chouet becoming the new owner of our NOLA Hornets. Before we get too excited about a Louisiana billionaire (are there more than one of these?) taking over - as well as the possibilities of keeping the team AND Chris Paul in New Orleans. Let's take a look at what really ails this team. A look at why the Hornets haven't sniffed success since taking the Spurs to a game 7.
Look, all the money in the world doesn't mean squat if you can't put the right coaches and players on the floor and he Hornets have the worst coaching staff in the league.
1. Fire Jeff Bower.
As GM, It's his inflated contracts to mediocre players that's landed the Hornets where they are today. Let's not forget that he is the man who fired player/fan-favorite Byron Scott (former NBA coach of the year). As a coach, it's clear - in the way the Hornets have finished this season with losses to Memphis, Washington and New Jersey - that they have no desire to win under him. His chickens have come to roost, now it's time to jettison this guy to the next cast of "biggest loser".
2. Bring in Avery Johnson.
Avery quit playing to focus on coaching. He was tutored by the great Don Nelson. Under Johnson, the Mavericks closed out the 2004–2005 season with a 16–2 run and a first-round playoff victory over the Houston Rockets, before bowing out to the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the playoffs. Johnson was named the April 2005 NBA Coach of the Month, only one month after becoming a head coach for the first time.
Avery has the same fire and determination that Chris Paul has. He's a player's coach and a guy who knows how to win and manage players.
3. Sign a true center.
And Okafor, you are NOT. No offense Emeka, but CP3 was at his best with a true 7 foot shooting center. IMO, Emeka has always been too small for the C position - but he has the speed and skills to dominate the power fwd position. I'd love to see us draft Donatas Motiejunas from Lithuania. Think Dirk and Gasol potential, but needs the motivation a coach like Avery Johnson could get the most out of. Sign Chris Bosh.
4. Peja Stojakavic is not a starter in the NBA.
Look the NBA is a long season and not even the greats can withstand injuries. But Peja is having the types of injuries (back & abdominal) that older players suffer from extended playing time. Besides, he's due $15 million. Sign Kyle Korver from Utah.
5. Every successful team has an impact 6th man.
What happened to James "shutdown" Posey? But maybe you were just a product of the system in Boston, but we're not seeing the same James as we saw in the green and white. Maybe Avery Johnson could use him more effectively?
So Edison, why we may not be familiar with how you made your money we hope that you use it to fix our team wisely - something George Shinn never seemed to understand.
Look, all the money in the world doesn't mean squat if you can't put the right coaches and players on the floor and he Hornets have the worst coaching staff in the league.
1. Fire Jeff Bower.
As GM, It's his inflated contracts to mediocre players that's landed the Hornets where they are today. Let's not forget that he is the man who fired player/fan-favorite Byron Scott (former NBA coach of the year). As a coach, it's clear - in the way the Hornets have finished this season with losses to Memphis, Washington and New Jersey - that they have no desire to win under him. His chickens have come to roost, now it's time to jettison this guy to the next cast of "biggest loser".
2. Bring in Avery Johnson.
Avery quit playing to focus on coaching. He was tutored by the great Don Nelson. Under Johnson, the Mavericks closed out the 2004–2005 season with a 16–2 run and a first-round playoff victory over the Houston Rockets, before bowing out to the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the playoffs. Johnson was named the April 2005 NBA Coach of the Month, only one month after becoming a head coach for the first time.
Avery has the same fire and determination that Chris Paul has. He's a player's coach and a guy who knows how to win and manage players.
3. Sign a true center.
And Okafor, you are NOT. No offense Emeka, but CP3 was at his best with a true 7 foot shooting center. IMO, Emeka has always been too small for the C position - but he has the speed and skills to dominate the power fwd position. I'd love to see us draft Donatas Motiejunas from Lithuania. Think Dirk and Gasol potential, but needs the motivation a coach like Avery Johnson could get the most out of. Sign Chris Bosh.
4. Peja Stojakavic is not a starter in the NBA.
Look the NBA is a long season and not even the greats can withstand injuries. But Peja is having the types of injuries (back & abdominal) that older players suffer from extended playing time. Besides, he's due $15 million. Sign Kyle Korver from Utah.
5. Every successful team has an impact 6th man.
What happened to James "shutdown" Posey? But maybe you were just a product of the system in Boston, but we're not seeing the same James as we saw in the green and white. Maybe Avery Johnson could use him more effectively?
So Edison, why we may not be familiar with how you made your money we hope that you use it to fix our team wisely - something George Shinn never seemed to understand.
Total Comments 7
Comments
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Avery is not a players coach, he is a hard ass that nearly drove Devin Harris insane during his time with Dallas. I feel that alot of his antics with Harris were needed, but that same stuff wont and shouldnt fly with CP3.
Moving Peja is a good thought, and should be very easy considering he is in the final year of his contract, and 15 million coming off the books with make alot of owners mouth water.
Bosh is a dream trade, but if you trade for him why not try to also bring in Greg Oden by moving David West out to Portland, if he can finally stay health then youve got something, and if not you still got a lottery draft pick to work with.
I know alot of this is just a pipe dream, but I feel the hornets can make some moves with the new owner, gm, and head coach. The team has a ton of opitions now, and CP3 wont have to the carry the load much longer.Posted 04-12-2010 at 03:16 AM by SoulStar
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Tanks for the comment Soulstar.
But, Devin Harris and CP3 don't belong in the same conversation. I wouldn't think Avery Johnson needs to 'coach up' a player like Paul. He'd only help foster the enthusiasm Paul already possesses.
I think Peja has played his last game for the Hornets - and the worst part is he has zero trade value...
Bosh a dream? Why not - especially if we have Chouest money to play with.
Oden, man I don't know... Even though I'm not a David West fan, I like that he's at least on the floor (and not just laying there) lolPosted 04-12-2010 at 08:41 AM by saintsfan1976
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Oh Peja has ton of trade value, much like Josh Howard had trade value....his contract is coming up this year, and people will want to get that money off the books.
I know Rudy Gay would make a lovely addiition to the Hornets, and a Sign and Trade for Peja will help out greatly.
Having an owner with Deep pockets helps your team keep its players....on the other hand, Bosh will be a free agent and with the Soft Cap the Hornets couldnt sign him out right. Thats why you have so many other teams *Nets, Knicks, Clippers* Dump players contrats and take on players that have contracts that are nearly up.
Here is a list of players that I think the hornets should go after either via trade.
Chris Bosh
Rudy Gay
Michael Beasley
Greg Oden
Joe Johnson
Brandon Heywood
The hornets can move peja with a combo of West, Collinson, or Posey and pretty much have a shot at picking up anyone that falls into the sign and trade range of free agents.Posted 04-12-2010 at 01:34 PM by SoulStar
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Peja is a shell of his former self. I'm afraid he won't opt out bc we owe him 15mill. And sorry, but there's no way a team gives up Rudy Gay for Peja. No way.
But why would you want to trade Collison? Probably one of the best additions in recent years???Posted 04-13-2010 at 07:12 AM by saintsfan1976
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If raptors want Collison and Peja for Bosh and a draft pick I say pull the trigger, Collison is going to be a good point guard, but the only problem is that we still have a excellent and young point guard in CP3.
Hell if you could move Collison for Beasley or Gay I say do it. I dont see the point of having both of them in the game at the same time. Collison is not a Shooting Guard, and CP3 isnt either.Posted 04-14-2010 at 12:16 AM by SoulStar
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Peja cant opt out, and your not trading Peja for Bosh.....You would really be trading for the 15 mill that he's owed in the final year of his contract. Bosh can walk away free and the Raptors wont get a damn thing for them, this way they will at least get some value for him via a Sign and trade deal.
Peja isnt a player anymore, he is really a chip to cut down a teams salary overnight, and thats something alot of teams are trying to do with the salary cap dropping from 75 million to 69 million in this upcoming year.
A prime example of this is the Wizards this year....they pretty much unloaded 3 big contracts this year to cut cost.
They traded Butler, Stevenson, and Heywood to the Dallas Mavs for Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, Singleton, and Quinton Ross.
Josh Howard had two years left on his contract, but a team option to void the final year of that contract, the rest were all final year contract players. Thus by making this trade the Wizards just saved 35 million a year for the next two years by making the trade. The Mavs have taken on those long term contracts the Wizards didnt want to pay.
You also saw the Wizards do this with the Cavs in the Jamieson *just signed a five year contract* trade for Zelgastus *who was in the final year of his contract*, the wizards then worked out a buyout of Z's contract and got out of paying 45 million that was due to Jameinson in a matter of weeks, and gave Z 5 million on the spot to walk away.Posted 04-14-2010 at 12:37 AM by SoulStar
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Great points Soulstar - thanks for the clarification. That's the ONLY way we'll be able to dump Peja.
This just in: Avery Johnson is interested in coaching the Hornets....hmmmmmm
Posted 04-26-2010 at 07:39 AM by saintsfan1976
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