原文出自 nola.com http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/109938223396800.xml Hornets' attitude adjusted Tuesday, November 02, 2004 John DeShazier The Hornets ride into this season on an adrenaline wave, noticeably more pumped up than last year. Granted, there's no such thing as a team that doesn't greet each new season with high hopes and optimistic talk. Before basketballs are tossed for real, even the Clippers believe they're close to halting a skid that extends almost as long as the franchise's existence in Los Angeles, and the Bulls dream that a seven-season rebuilding project is nearing completion. Still, the Hornets' players seem more prepared than ever, practically oozing confidence, though almost every preseason prognostication measures them to be the fourth- or fifth-place team in the newly formed, five-team Southwest Division. "This is different than all the other years," P.J. Brown said. "We have a coach (Byron Scott) who pretty much is the most demanding guy I've had since I've been here." Don't ask for a prediction on the season, because one won't be coming from here. Just accept, for now, that the Hornets will be better and improvement will be visible. "Attitude," assistant coach Kenny Gattison, the lone holdover from Tim Floyd's coaching staff, said when describing the difference. "Everything done is with a purpose -- every sprint, every layup, every shooting drill. "The biggest thing is we've got a core group of veterans that feel like we maybe underachieved a little last year." Did they ever. The Hornets entered last season promoting themselves as a team ready to win the Eastern Conference and play for the NBA title. In the end, they caved in a first-round playoff series against frisky Miami, and the overmatched Floyd was fired after one season. Top to bottom in the organization, anyone possessing an ounce of professional pride should have been embarrassed by what happened. But right now, it doesn't look like the team is headed for the same shame. It's a long season, of course, and the Hornets might be a tweaked ankle and wrenched knee short of disaster. Even if all goes well and everyone remains relatively healthy and performs to expectation, there's no guarantee that'll be good enough to keep them out of the lottery. But early indications are that Scott won't tolerate a dive. No one on his staff will. "This staff consists of four ex-players, and three guys (Scott, Jim Cleamons and Darrell Walker) have been head coaches in the NBA," Gattison said. Scott, Cleamons and Walker also have won NBA titles as players and/or coaches. "These players can't think of anything or do anything we haven't thought of or done," Gattison said. "Our practices have been harder than in all of the five years I've been here," Brown said. "These guys (on the coaching staff) are championship guys. If they don't know how to get us to the Promised Land, nobody can." Almost nobody figures they will this season, some doubt the seasons beyond. Last season left a bad taste in a lot of mouths, which helps explain why the Hornets are expected to be little more than punching bags this year. "(Some) have got us picked 13th (in the 15-team) West," Gattison said. "That's a direct backlash from the way this team performed last year. That basically says we've got the same guys in the same uniform, so expect the same thing." "I like that," Brown said. "Nobody is counting on us to do anything, and that's OK with us. We're going to come out and surprise some people. We really believe that." Crazy as it may sound, they might be right. . . . . . . . 最後一段真熱血 衝阿!!!!!! John DeShazier can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3410. --

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