http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1102402803107990.xml Scott promises brighter days ahead Dismal start fails to temper his optimism Tuesday, December 07, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer HOUSTON -- It definitely hasn't been the start that Hornets coach Byron Scott expected. As the losers of 14 out of 15 games, the Hornets appear to be moving closer to earning one of the top eight draft spots in the lottery than a playoff berth. Going into tonight's game against the Houston Rockets to battle all-stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, the Hornets are five losses from matching the Orlando Magic's dismal 1-19 start of last season. The Hornets, who have the worst record in the league, have not made any big moves, other than trading backup veteran point guard Darrell Armstrong to the Dallas Mavericks for guard Dan Dickau. But General Manager Allan Bristow hasn't denied having discussions with several teams regarding trade possibilities. In the meantime, Scott must try to win games with the players he has. "Physically and personally, I feel good, but I don't feel too good about our record," Scott said. "There are two things about basketball -- winning and misery. Right now, we're going through the misery part. "I've got a lot of faith in me and what I do. I've got a lot of faith in Mr. (George) Shinn and Allan. The braintrust here, you know, we've been meeting weekly. I've been meeting with Allan almost every day to try and find ways to make this team better. We're going to get this done. I feel it in my heart." Last year's Magic team finished 21-61. But Orlando was able to select center Dwight Howard with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft and improved the team in the offseason by sending McGrady to the Rockets for guard Steve Francis, guard Cuttino Mobley and center Kelvin Cato. When Scott was selected head coach of the Hornets in May, he didn't expect having an easy time with the team's shift into the Western Conference, but landing a possible eighth seed in the playoffs was thought to be a reachable goal. As it turned out, the Hornets started the season with eight consecutive losses; all-star point guard Baron Davis went on the injured list with a inflamed disc in his back and is expected to miss another two weeks; all-star center Jamaal Magloire fractured his ring finger and is expected to miss up to three months. On Monday, Scott received more dismal news: Second-year forward David West is expected to miss between two to three weeks after suffering a bone bruise in his right knee during Saturday's 92-69 loss to the Detroit Pistons at New Orleans Arena. Besides injuries, some of the Hornets' veteran starters have looked too old to keep up with many of the younger and athletic players in the Western Conference. In addition, some of the Hornets' younger players still have not learned all of their responsibilities in the offense. On Saturday, the Hornets gave up 54.4 percent shooting by the Pistons. In last Wednesday's 94-81 loss at Sacramento, the Hornets were outscored 19-0 at the start of the second quarter. "This offense is set up to get back doors, get layups and open shots," guard David Wesley said after Saturday's loss. "Right now, (Byron Scott's) offense is giving us great looks, but we just haven't done well." Despite the setbacks, Scott remains as spirited as he was on the first day of camp. He explains offensive responsibilities repeatedly at practice. He stops play when a mistake occurs. His assistants constantly instruct on the court. The Hornets appear to give maximum effort in games, but they haven't been able to avoid repeated stretches of poor shooting, turnovers and defensive breakdowns. "I think if it wasn't for Coach Scott, our morale and enthusiasm wouldn't be where it is right now," said P.J. Brown, the starting center until Magloire returns. "He's still pushing us and still believing that we can improve. He tells all the time that no matter what our record is, we will give ourselves a better chance of winning if we keep showing resolve." But Scott still doesn't take losing well, not after taking the New Jersey Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals and winning three championships when he played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. It's not the first time, however, that he has experienced a disappointing season as a coach. During his first season in New Jersey in 2000-01, the Nets finished 26-56 during a season in which his team was ravaged by injury problems. But the following season Scott guided the Nets to a franchise-record 52 wins and a berth into the NBA Finals against the Lakers. "I used to tell him all the time to keep smiling and stay positive," said Hornets vice president of basketball operations Willis Reed, who held a similar front-office position with the New Jersey Nets when Scott coached the team. "It changed around, even more than we thought could happen. "Here in New Orleans, I think it's been a very tough start for him because of the injuries. But we're going to live through it and get better. I think he's going to handle things well like he did New Jersey." Scott said he has stayed positive by thinking about his experiences in New Jersey. "To have success, you have to go through some trials and tribulations," Scott said. "Dealing with that experience before, and now dealing with it here, makes it a little easier. All the injuries we had up there is similar to ones we're having right now. That year in New Jersey, we had four or five players from the CBA on the team because of injuries. "We're just going to keep on preaching and teaching as far as what we have to do offensively and defensively. I still feel we're getting better, and the one thing I love about these guys is that they compete hard every night and nobody on this team has quit." . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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