原文出自 Hornets.com http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/licht_041008.html In The Lane With Licht: October 8, 2004 ROSTER MANAGEMENT 101 Twenty players. Fourteen spots. Eleven guaranteed contracts. What those numbers tell new head coach Byron Scott (he hates me using “new” in front of his title since he’s been with the organization since May…but I’m committed to it through the preseason…sorry coach!) is that he may have plenty of competition for playing time but significantly less competition for roster spots. With Jamal Mashburn already on the injured list for the season there are now 19 players vying for the 12 active roster spots. Additionally, at least one and as many as two injured list spots will be available along side Mashburn. Also consider Scott’s indication on Monday that his first cuts will come as early as today (Friday) and certainly will occur prior to the first preseason game next Wednesday (Oct. 13th) against Dallas and there will be even fewer players competing for those precious few positions on the roster. The first five guaranteed contracts come from the projected starting lineup: Baron Davis – point guard David Wesley – shooting guard Jamaal Magloire – center PJ Brown – power forward George Lynch – small forward The next five guaranteed contracts come from the top reserves: Darrell Armstrong – point guard J.R. Smith – shooting guard Chris Andersen – center David West – power forward Rodney Rogers – small forward The eleventh guaranteed contract belongs to Mashburn. So, prior to the first cuts, there are a maximum of four roster spots remaining for nine players to battle for. Only two of those players will remain on the active roster at the end of October. Who are the most likely candidates? In my opinion they are Alex Garcia, Lee Nailon, and Tim Pickett. Don’t get me wrong. I like the way Junior Harrington plays and I think that Britton Johnsen’s abilities match Byron Scott’s style very well. However, this team has needs and the three players listed above meet certain needs. Garcia was a clear-cut steal from the San Antonio organization. The Hornets claimed him off waivers during the summer as the Spurs were trying to sneak him through just prior to the Bobcats expansion draft. Not only did New Orleans acquire his rights but they didn’t have to use Garcia as one of their protected players for the expansion draft since he was already on San Antonio’s list. He could add athleticism and scoring ability from both guard positions. Being a lefty means he would give Scott a different look out of the backcourt as well. There could be a language problem early this season with the Brazilian who isn’t totally comfortable with English yet. Nailon can score and play three positions. In his previous stints with the Hornets (2000-2002 in Charlotte) he averaged nearly 4 ppg and almost 11 ppg. In fact, during the ’01-’02 season Nailon filled in at small forward and shooting guard due to injuries and proved to be one of the best finishers around the basket. He can be a defensive liability but came to camp in shape and determined to rid himself of the “journeyman” label that has followed him through four NBA seasons (and five different franchises). Pickett is an intriguing possibility. The Hornets second round pick (44th overall) has been described as a bigger, stronger, younger version of Darrell Armstrong. How can a guy with those credentials NOT make your team?! He’s the second Hornets draftee in as many seasons with a college degree (David West was selected in the first round last year), was an All-ACC first team performer last season and got a head start on learning about the next level by participating in the Summer League program. He is primarily a shooting guard, but can fill in at the point. Johnsen is my darkhorse candidate to make the roster because (a) he’s played in the league (20 games for Orlando as a rookie last season), and (b) he has size, 6-10 210, something the Hornets have less of than in previous campaigns. CAMP QUOTES “…I’m impressed with the way camp has started. There’s lots of running. We are obviously much more athletic. We’ll have a lot of options on the floor this season…” --General Manager Allan Bristow “…I’m not going to let anything off the court distract me or the team on the court. I’m going to play my heart out and give it all I’ve got…” --Baron Davis on off court issues heading into training camp “…It’s not a real concern for me. It’s the nature of this business where coaches come and go and players come and go. I’m looking forward to seeing what this team is all about…” ---Jamaal Magloire on playing for his third coach in as many seasons “…We’re a very athletic team, a very fast team. We’ll get up and down the court and that’s the game I like to play…” ---Rookie 1st round pick J.R. Smith assessing the team in his first week of training camp --

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