http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1083490313105300.xml No postseason jitters for West Hornets' Magloire, Heat's Grant getting physical in the post Sunday, May 02, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer Several days before the playoffs began, Hornets forward David West was advised by several of his veteran teammates what to expect in the playoffs. Ten of the 12 players on the Hornets' playoff roster have been to the postseason. But it's a first-time experience for West, the team's only rookie. "I told him it was going to be five times as more intense than what he experienced in the NCAA Tournament," forward P.J. Brown said. "David just listens, he doesn't say much. But he's a student of the game." But West has handled playoff pressure well in the five games of the Hornets' best-of-seven series against the Miami Heat, which New Orleans trails 3-2. He has given the Hornets exactly what they have needed -- an effective scorer in the post and a dependable rebounder. In Tuesday's 96-85 victory, West played his best game. He played the entire fourth quarter and made an impact. His layup gave the Hornets their first lead in the quarter at 77-75. West scored eight of his playoff-high 10 points during the quarter. "It's all about making positive plays," he said. "I'm not thinking any different than before. I go out there carefree, thinking there is nothing to lose and everything to gain." He has averaged 6.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in the series. Those are pretty good statistics for a player who didn't get a vote for the NBA's All-Rookie team. Hornets coach Tim Floyd said the only time West struggled this season was when he returned in January after missing eight games with a sore right knee. "He had a three to four-day stretch where he struggled but after that he was real effective," Floyd said. "He's played well because he's a hard-playing guy who plays without fear." Game 6 is today at noon at New Orleans Arena. BATTLE IN THE POST: One of the most competitive matchups in the series has been at center, between the Hornets' Jamaal Magloire and the Heat's Brian Grant. "He plays hard and is a physical player," Magloire said. "He's one of the better defenders I've come across. I know there is going to be a battle every time I play against him." Magloire is averaging 11.4 points and 9.0 rebounds; Grant is averaging 7.4 points and 8.8 rebounds. PLAYOFF LEADERS: Guard David Wesley entered Friday's game in ninth place among playoff leaders in 3-point field-goal percentage at .471 (8-of-17). Guard Baron Davis is 27th, shooting 32.4 percent (11-of-34). Davis is eighth in assists with a 6.5 average. . VETERAN INFLUENCE: Forward Stacey Augmon is the Hornets' fourth-leading scorer, with a 9.2 scoring average despite scoring just four points Friday. He scored 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting in Tuesday's victory. "His primary help has always been defense. He's even guarded Lamar Odom throughout the course of the season," Floyd said. "He's poised and hasn't regressed in terms of his foot speed." QUICK SHOTS: Magloire combined to go 10-for-10 from the free-throw line in Games 3 and 4 after going 5-of-10 in Games 1 and 2. He made four of six free throws in Game 5. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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