http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1084516417140730.xml 'I DIDN'T SEE IT COMING' Former Hornets coach Tim Floyd, who says he was shocked at his dismissal, is expected to help Southern Miss coach Larry Eustachy as an unpaid advisor next season ' Friday, May 14, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer In his first public comments since being fired last week, former Hornets coach Tim Floyd said he didn't feel any support from management and was shocked about his dismissal. "I didn't see it coming," Floyd told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday. "We were picked to finish fourth before the season and that was with a healthy Jamal Mashburn and Baron Davis. I really don't feel that we did that bad of a job, given that we didn't have Davis and Mashburn for 48 games and we won only six fewer games than they won a year ago. I'm proud of our effort and proud of our guys." Floyd hasn't returned numerous phone messages left by The Times-Picayune since last week. During last Friday's news conference to announce the firing, majority owner George Shinn read from a prepared statement, thanking Floyd for his hard work. But he emphasized that the NBA is a bottom-line business and it is management's responsibility to create the opportunity for the team to succeed. Under Floyd, the Hornets were eliminated in first round of the playoffs by the Miami Heat after a 41-41 regular-season record. Floyd is expected to help Southern Miss coach Larry Eustachy as an unpaid advisor next season, officials from the school said Thursday night. Eustachy was on Floyd's staff at Iowa State before Floyd took the Chicago Bulls job in 1999 and they remain best friends. "Nothing has been finalized, but Floyd is welcome to advise Eustachy but he wouldn't be able to talk to the players or coach them as a volunteer," said Mike Martinez, USM's assistant athletic media relations director. Under NCAA rules, there are no volunteer assistant coaches in Division I basketball. Martinez said Eustachy has one remaining full-time assistant coaching position that hasn't been filled. On Monday, Floyd attended a Southern Miss alumni function at a Biloxi, Miss., casino. Floyd is a 1977 Louisiana Tech graduate. Eustachy, who was hired by Southern Miss in March, was out of town Thursday night and could not be reached for comment. Forward George Lynch said last week that one of the problems Floyd had was not addressing issues involving Mashburn and Davis. Mashburn did all of his rehabilitation work for a preseason knee injury in Miami instead of New Orleans, and it caused a rift with some of his teammates. Throughout the season and on several occasions in the playoffs, Davis could be seen waving off some of Floyd's plays. In describing what the Hornets need to have next season, Lynch said they should bring in a staff that is point guard oriented because Davis has potential that hasn't been tapped. "The point guard has to have that relationship with the coach and believe in the system," Lynch said. "It's a very tough situation to comment about it," forward P.J. Brown said Thursday when asked about the causes of Floyd's dismissal. "I don't think it went well for Coach Floyd, but I think the biggest thing was injuries. Nobody has control over that." Mashburn missed 63 games because of arthroscopic surgery and a bone bruise, both to his right knee. Davis missed 12 games because of a sprained left ankle. Starting shooting guard David Wesley missed 20 games because of a sprained left big toe. "This is a star-driven league," Floyd told the AP. "Take one or two stars off any team and tell me there won't be a letdown. Anyone that doubts that doesn't know the league." Floyd had two years remaining on his contract, valued at $3.5 million. In the team's response to Floyd's comments, spokesman Harold Kaufman said Shinn, outgoing general manager Bob Bass and assistant general manager Allan Bristow are focused on finding "the best possible head coach for our team." . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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