http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1089098820164470.xml LEADING BY EXAMPLE Hornets guard Baron Davis is taking a more active role in helping the team any way he can during the offseason Tuesday, July 06, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer Hornets point guard Baron Davis has strived to be a leader since he entered the league in 1999. But it wasn't until this summer that he began to understand what that truly involves. Davis discovered that he must not only excel on the court. He's got to have a positive impact off it. For the first time, Davis isn't spending his entire summer at his offseason home in Las Vegas or in Los Angeles with his grandmother and family. He volunteered to remain in New Orleans, attending several team functions and speaking enthusiastically about his new coach, Byron Scott, and the positive steps the franchise has made since May's first-round elimination from the playoffs. Davis already is working out to prepare for this upcoming training camp. Davis said it's the earliest he's ever started. "It's all a sign of my maturity and learning from last year's experience," said Davis, who is in the second year of a six-year, $84 million contract. "You know, in being a leader, you have to show your face (in the offseason), and you've got to make sure you're involved in making things happen." Last week, Davis didn't pass on a chance to welcome first-round draft pick J.R. Smith to New Orleans. Smith, 18, played at St. Benedict Prep in New Jersey before declaring for the draft. Davis told Smith that he intends to teach him everything he needs to know before training camp, from how to work out to what to expect from players in the league. It all came as a surprise to Smith, who had expected to meet Scott, General Manager Allan Bristow and owner George Shinn but no players. Davis was the only player to attend the news conference. "I'd never anticipated anything like that, because there are a lot of guys who don't do that," Smith said. "Now I know what he's all about just off the first impression. We're real cool." Since Scott was hired May 28, taking the place of fired coach Tim Floyd, Davis has volunteered to appear at more offseason functions than at any other time since the team relocated to New Orleans before the 2002-03 season. Three weeks ago, he was at the Alario Center watching Bristow and several assistant coaches put several pre-draft prospects through workouts. Earlier this month, Davis attended a function for season-ticket holders with Shinn. Last week, Davis attended a team-sponsored media party to welcome Scott and other team officials. "I'm excited. I think we're going to have a good team this year," said Davis, who was the Hornets' leading scorer in the regular season with a 22.9 average. "I'm excited about going to the Western Conference and playing for Coach. I told him, I want to be a positive influence in however he needs me." Scott wants to build his team around Davis to take advantage of his strengths as a scorer and penetrator, and he wants young and athletic players who can run with Davis. "I'm so excited about Baron, I don't know what to do," Scott said. "He's shown so much interest and so much excitement. He's taken that leadership role and the maturity role that a lot of people probably questioned about him. But that's all I've seen from him. "He is just a guy excited about getting better and getting his team better. He's taking an active part, and that's great." . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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