http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1091008554111980.xml Wesley getting ready to work Guard will try to ward off another challenge Wednesday, July 28, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer David Wesley paced the court and spoke loudly, so the 325 kids at the Hornets' basketball clinic Monday at the Alario Center could hear him. Wesley, the team's starting shooting guard, was asked about Shaquille O'Neal and if Wesley would trade star point guard Baron Davis for the Lakers' star, Kobe Bryant. Wesley made his quickest response to that question: "I wouldn't want to see Baron get traded for anyone," he said. Wesley had plenty to offer, but his most important message wasn't about players in the league. It was to let the kids know that no matter how tall, short or talented they may be -- to keep working. It's not only a message that Wesley frequently speaks about, he lives by it. He said his ability to outwork players has kept him in the league for the past 11 seasons, and has helped him overcome competitive challenges for his starting job the past two seasons. "Every year it's another person and another situation," Wesley said Monday. "I'm here, and I don't want to go anywhere else. I don't want to come off the bench. But if they outplay me and I end up coming off the bench, that makes us a better team. "I'm going to work to keep my job as long as I am here. Whoever takes it is going to have to work his . . . off." When training camp begins in October, Wesley will be facing his most competitive battle for his job since he joined the Hornets for the 1997-98 season. For the past two training camps, he competed against Courtney Alexander, who missed the entire 2003-04 regular season after rupturing his Achilles' tendon in a preseason game. This season, Wesley could be competing against four players. Hornets coach Byron Scott wants to build his team around young and athletic players who can run with Davis. They now have several players on the roster capable of playing that style. The team used its selections in the June draft on two shooting guards: high school player J.R. Smith, who was selected in the first round, and Tim Pickett, who played two seasons at Florida State. Earlier this month, the Hornets signed restricted free agent Morris Peterson, who plays shooting guard and small forward, to an offer sheet. The Hornets are waiting to see if the Toronto Raptors will match their offer. Toronto general manager Rob Babcock said a decision will be made by team's the board of directors by Friday as to whether the Raptors will match the offer sheet the Hornets extended to Peterson. Babcock said he will recommend the board to match the three-year, $15 million offer. If Toronto does match the offer, the Hornets are likely to pursue another free agent who can play shooting guard and small forward. Hornets general manager Allan Bristow said the Hornets will make a decision next month on whether to re-sign Alexander, who continues to recover from his injury. "There is an unknown, like what's going to happen and what's going to be expected," Wesley said. "But I'm going to be at practice every day, and competition is what I like." Bristow said he hopes Smith and Pickett can learn from watching how hard Wesley works. "At this point in his career, he should take pride that there are a lot of younger players coming in who he can lead and be a big part of their development," Bristow said. Wesley is coming off one of his most disappointing seasons, mainly caused by a sprained left big toe that forced him to miss 20 games. In the playoffs against the Miami Heat, he played with a sore right big toe after injuring it during the final week of the regular season. Wesley's 14-point scoring average was his lowest since the 1999-00 season, when he averaged 13.6. At the end of last season, Wesley was rumored to be one of the players the Hornets were going to leave unprotected for the expansion draft. But the team protected Wesley. "He has the quality that it takes in order to be a pro," Bristow said. "He's had a terrific career, and he's done a marvelous job of really being one of the most consistent players in Hornets history. He's always in great shape and he has very little wasted motion when he's on the floor. He's going to put his energy into making something positive happen." After Wesley spoke and posed for pictures during the morning session of the Hornets' basketball clinic Monday, he worked out in the team's weight room. "The one thing I can say about the Hornets is that this is the first situation in my basketball career where I felt they came and got me," he said. "Aand for the last seven years, I'm still the same person, and I couldn't be more happier with my situation. From talking to Coach Scott, a lot is going to be expected. So I'm preparing to give a lot." . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or at (504) 826-3405. --

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