http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1088582376127890.xml Seasoned addition joins Hornets' mix Wednesday, June 30, 2004 John DeShazier De-emphasize the peaks of Willis Reed's career that lift his name to heights few have reached -- such as election to the NBA Hall of Fame, being chosen one of the 50 greatest players in history and winning a couple of titles as center with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973. As wonderful as those accolades are, what the Hornets need from Reed, who was presented as vice president of basketball operations Tuesday, is the expertise he compiled in 15 years as a front-office executive for the Knicks and New Jersey Nets. Whatever Reed learned during his years with New Jersey, as he helped the Nets rise from laughingstocks to two-time Eastern Conference champs, and New York can be put to use with the Hornets. The addition of Reed should be viewed as the latest positive move for a team that has made several this offseason. "We're headed in the right direction," Coach Byron Scott said. The Hornets seem to be running a fast break from the way the team previously has been run. With Reed, who attended high school in Lillie and starred in college at Grambling State, the Hornets have a wealth of basketball experience in the decision-making positions. All the team has to do is use it. "Willis will be involved in all basketball decisions," General Manager Allan Bristow said. "We're going to tap his knowledge." The collaborative effort of former coach and player Bristow, former general manager, coach and player Reed and former player and current coach Scott should be effective. Each has contributed to the success of an organization and occupied the hot seat in decision-making. They should have a clear idea of what does and doesn't work, or at least be able to brainstorm and form such an idea. "I think he is very knowledgeable about the game," Bristow said. "He's been around the game his whole life. The contacts he has made are invaluable." For the Hornets, perhaps the most important contact is the one made with Scott. During Scott's first three years as Nets coach, Reed was the team's senior vice president and Scott's sounding board. And while Scott emphasizes that Bristow also is a source he will tap, it's clear he achieved a comfort level with Reed. "You always need somebody to talk to, and he was somebody I could talk to," Scott said. "(Hornets majority owner George Shinn) asked me about Willis, and I told him everything I could. It was a very good relationship, and he is a guy that gives me security. He's a guy I can talk to, and he won't pull any punches. I'm not a coach that's afraid to ask these guys what do they think, what do they see." Here's what you see in Reed: A 6-foot-10, 62-year-old legend who says this stop will be his last. He said he will eventually retire and live in Louisiana. But first, there's the matter of helping produce a champion in New Orleans. "I know the NBA, I know the talent level -- that's where I'm best," Reed said. "I can make suggestions to (assistant coach) Kenny Gattison, things he can do with (center Jamaal) Magloire to make him a better player. I'm here to do those kinds of things. "The other side of my job is to help the New Orleans Hornets become a more significant name in the community. That's how I envision it. "It should be a fun job. To me, a fun job is having a good team." . . . . . . . John DeShazier can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3410. --

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