http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1087977425244370.xml Bower, Gattison retained Hornets, Newman unable to reach deal Wednesday, June 23, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer The Hornets announced Tuesday that two assistants from fired coach Tim Floyd's staff would be retained -- Jeff Bower, who was promoted to director of player personnel, and Kenny Gattison, who became the first addition to new coach Byron Scott's staff. Last season, Gattison and Bower were hired within the same week as Hornets assistant coaches. A year later, they are the only holdovers from Floyd's staff. As the team's director of player personnel, Bower will assist Hornets general manager Allan Bristow on personnel decisions, college scouting and evaluation of draft prospects. Gattison will remain an assistant coach. Scott begins his first day of work today in preparation for Thursday's NBA draft. "I've known (Gattison) since we played together in Vancouver (1995-96), and I know that his coaching talents are well-suited to help prepare this team to play at the level I'm expecting," Scott said in a statement Tuesday. Scott was interested in hiring New Orleans native Donald Newman, but a team source said Tuesday that a contract agreement could not be reached. Scott must fill two remaining assistant positions. A possible candidate is Larry Drew, who was an assistant on Scott's staff in New Jersey. "It was a very comfortable situation to know what to expect out of him as far attitude toward the game," Gattison said of Scott. "When you've been in the fire with somebody, you know what their mentality is and how they are going to respond when they are pushed. I think Byron is going to bring a new sense in terms of urgency. "It's all about winning. It's a players' league. We all know that and understand it. It will come down to mutual respect, and Byron will get that the first day he walks through the door." Bower has been with the Hornets for nine years and was the team's general manager from 2001-03, after which he became an assistant coach. He spent the 2000-01 season as assistant general manager. In 1995, when he joined the Hornets, he was an advance scout before being promoted to director of advance scouting before the 1997-98 season. Bower also was an assistant during the 1998-99 season after the resignation of Coach Dave Cowens. "I have a lot of pride to be able to work for the Hornets for nine years in different jobs," Bower said. "I've learned an awful lot from Bob Bass. . . . We're all moving forward with the same goals and same approach, and I think that's a great thing to be a part of." The Hornets have been undergoing changes since their first-round playoff elimination by the Miami Heat last month. Bass, the executive vice president of basketball operations/general manager, announced his retirement, effective a week from today. Last week the Hornets chose Bristow as general manager. The restructuring of the Hornets' basketball operations staff will include one more hire in the front office, and Hall-of-Famer Willis Reed is the front-runner, according to team sources. The Hornets want a trio to form a committee that will oversee personnel matters. Bristow said the primary reason he wanted Bower included in the decision-making is experience. "He knows this team as good as anyone who has been associated with the Hornets," Bristow said. "I think it was a natural fit, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him, and I think we will work well together." HORNETS WORK OUT NELSON: St. Joseph guard Jameer Nelson worked out for the Hornets on Tuesday. Nelson, a 6-foot point guard, was the consensus national Player of the Year as a senior after leading St. Joseph to a 27-0 regular-season record. "You've got to be impressed with his quickness," Bristow said. --

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