原文出自 nola.com http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/109808257510170.xml Veterans' injuries let free agents get a look Nailon, Garcia make most of opportunity in preseason games Monday, October 18, 2004 By Benjamin Hochman Staff writer Although the Hornets' roster cutting has been put on hold because of injuries, to famously quote West Virginia's infamously incarcerated billionaire Martha Stewart -- "It's a good thing." It's a good thing because coaches are getting to see more of their six remaining free agents in practice and in preseason games. "They get a little bit of a longer look," Hornets general manager Allan Bristow said. "I always feel like the longer those guys get a chance to prove themselves, the better off they are." The contending six are guards Alex Garcia and Junior Harrington and forwards Lee Nailon, Tremaine Fowlkes, Britton Johnsen and Nate Williams, all of whom have seen plenty of action in the first three preseason games. While teams historically don't have 18 players deep into training camp, the Hornets can afford to keep these guys around because of their slew of injuries. Guard David Wesley (right hamstring), forward Rodney Rogers (right hamstring) and post players Jamaal Magloire (left ankle) and Chris Andersen (back spasms) are sidelined, so suddenly there is little rush to trim the roster. New Orleans has until 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 to set its roster to 12 active players, with up to three additional players on the injured list. Eleven Hornets, including the erstwhile All-Star Jamal Mashburn, have guaranteed contracts. "I think that we're pushing it back more then trying to force the issue early, mainly because of the injuries," Bristow said. "Right now, everything's sort of put on hold." A wrench in the preseason has been the slow progress of Rogers, who has spent more time on a stationary bike than on the court. While coaches and brass hoped to watch Rodgers assimilate into the Hornets' scheme during the preseason, his void at small forward -- playing behind starter George Lynch -- has given the free agent forwards an enticing opportunity. Namely Nailon. Nailon, 6 feet 8, has played in two games and is second on the Hornets in points per game (15.0) and minutes per game (26.5). He showed some silky-smooth jump shooting late in the Dallas game with the score close, and his hustle and defense have drawn attention. Nailon has made 14 of 22 field-goal attempts for 63.6 percent shooting, third on New Orleans. His versatility -- if necessary, he can be placed at shooting guard or power forward -- makes Nailon, 29, an intriguing possibility. "I think I'm a lot more mature," said Nailon, who was drafted by the Hornets in the second round (43rd pick overall) of the 1999 NBA draft and played two seasons in Charlotte and the preseason in New Orleans in 2002. "When I was first on the team, I was fresh out of college. I had a lot of room to improve, as well as now. With the new coaching staff and the style of play that I like, I'll just continue to go with this team and have a great season." The other forwards vying for roster spots include Johnsen, who has showed flashes of being a hustling rebounder and scored 11 points in 34 minutes at Chicago. Nate Williams, a rookie out of Georgia State, played in the second and third preseason games, with scoring totals of six and nine points. Fowlkes has been battling a left thigh bruise, limiting him in the first three preseason games. "I hate to put one in front of the other," said Bristow, whose team has five remaining preseason games. "As we go down the stretch here, without having seen Rodney fit in because he hasn't played, it leaves the door open for players at that position." Alex Garcia has shot 4-of-15 but has yet to turn the ball over in 31 minutes, and he has been making strides at point guard, Bristow said. "Looking at (Nailon and Garcia), it looks like every time they continue to get on the floor, they don't make the mistakes they made previously," Bristow said. "Those two guys have been good, along with the other ones." And so the Hornets will continue to evaluate their free agents, while keeping a close eye on their injured players. The Hornets did not practice Sunday following three preseason games in four days, but injured players such as Andersen and Rogers spent time with team trainers at the Alario Center. The Hornets will return to practice this afternoon and then host Philadelphia on Tuesday in a preseason matchup at 7 p.m. . . . . . . . Benjamin Hochman can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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