原文出自nola.com http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1097648750263270.xml Smith faces first test Top pick's focus will be on defense in preseason opener Wednesday, October 13, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer It's been a week of adjustment for Hornets first-round draft pick J.R. Smith, and that will continue tonight in the preseason opener against the Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Arena. Smith, who was a high school senior just six months ago, will start at shooting guard in place of injured David Wesley, sidelined with a strained right hamstring. "It gives the rookie a chance to really get his feet wet, and we'll see what he can do," Hornets coach Byron Scott said after Tuesday's practice. "He's getting better and has a very high basketball IQ, and that's a good sign." The area that Scott wants to see improvement in is Smith's defense. Scott said Smith has had a tendency to relax a little defensively when the ball doesn't go to the player he's guarding. Scott told Smith he can rest on offense, but not defensively. "The quickest thing that I've learned is probably playing hard when you're tired," Smith said. "The thing that I have to improve is keep playing defense, so I don't let my man get the best of me." Offensively, there will be some set plays in which Smith will handle the ball while starting point guard Baron Davis runs off screens to get open. "In our offense, both guards have to know both spots (point guard and shooting guard)," Smith said. OBJECTIVES: Winning is always important, but the preseason is mainly used by NBA coaches to evaluate players and to see if certain plays will be run effectively. That's a priority for Scott. "I want to see how our transition defense will be and how we'll get up and down the floor offensively and execute," Scott said. "I want them to go out there and enjoy themselves and just play hard. "I'm excited and I think, for the first week of practice, we've made a lot of progress. But we want to see how much progress we've made playing against another opponent." Scott will be evaluating several newcomers, including second-round draft pick Tim Pickett and rookie free agent Nate Williams. "Nate is a guy that has to show us and also Tim, even though he is a second-round pick," Scott said. "Then we have Lee Nailon and Tremaine Fowlkes. We've got a bunch of guys playing for a spot, and we don't have that many spots. They understand how important it is to show what they can do in games." Most of the Scott's plays will be simple, so opponents won't be able to scout much before the regular season starts next month. "I will be very vanilla," Scott said of his game plan. COURT TIME: Scott said Davis and starting center Jamaal Magloire will play between 18 to 20 minutes against the Mavericks. But veteran P.J. Brown is expected to play a little longer because of his new dual role. He is expected to start at power forward but also get some time at center behind Magloire and backup Chris Andersen. "He is another guy who can play the five spot (center), and it gives me a lot of options that I can go to," Scott said. Brown, who likes the new role, worked exclusively at center during the final 30 minutes of practice Tuesday. "I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to give me a few more opportunities to score, and luckily big Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) is gone from the Western Conference," Brown said. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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