October 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Two weeks after the Golden State Warriors made LSU's Anthony Randolph their first-round draft choice, Randolph got to celebrate again: his 19th birthday. After one season at LSU, where Randolph played 31 games, he declared his intention to turn professional, making himself available for the draft after averaging 15.6 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Tigers. Ready to make his NBA preseason debut against the Hornets on Sunday night at the New Orleans Arena, his stomach full of gumbo and other Louisiana delicacies, Randolph said he wasn't looking back. "It's been wonderful," said the 6-foot-10, 208-pound rookie forward, who checked into the game for the first time with more than six ..."
October 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Until Sunday night, the last time James Posey played in front of a crowd, it ended with him winning a NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. Four months later, Posey made his Hornets debut during Sunday night's 106-103 victory against the Golden State Warriors in their exhibition opener in front of 14,691 at the New Orleans Arena. It was the Hornets' first time back at the Arena since they finished with a franchise-record 56 wins and came within one victory of advancing to the Western Conference finals before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round. Like last season with Boston, Posey found ways to make an impact after coming off the bench to replace Morris Peterson, who ..."
October 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Byron Scott found just enough to fuss about last preseason to keep the Hornets on their toes, just enough lackadaisical play and lapses on defense to caution his team about thinking it simply could flip a switch and turn on the intensity when the regular season started. It seemed to be wasted air. The Hornets did flip the switch last season, and it stayed on all regular season as New Orleans won a franchise-record 56 games. But that doesn't mean Scott was about to let up when he saw a few of the same preseason shortcomings in 2008 as he saw in 2007, ones that were on display Sunday night at the New Orleans Arena against Golden State in the Hornets' preseason opener. "I still saw enough ..."
October 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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With a payroll exceeding $65 million, Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower has a lot riding on the players he has signed to multiyear, guaranteed contracts. If something unforeseen happens, such as a major injury to a starter, or if Hornets Coach Byron Scott needs to strengthen his bench by acquiring a free agent, Bower would have limited options. Bower said he could only offer a league-minimum contract, which is a sliding scale based on players' experience. The league minimum for a player with 10 years experience is $1.2 million. New Orleans can only offer a league-minimum contract because its payroll exceeds the salary cap by $7 million. If the Hornets were to complete a trade and ..."
October 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Hornets are ready to take the next step in preparing for the regular season, opening their seven-game exhibition schedule tonight at the New Orleans Arena against the Golden State Warriors. The 6 p.m. tipoff, in a game that will pay tribute to several thousand first responders from local fire and police departments and volunteers from the Salvation Army and Red Cross, will be Byron Scott's first opportunity to gauge his players against competition. "I want to see how we play against another team; that's the first thing," Scott said. "The No. 1 thing is coming out of camp relatively unscathed, no major injuries. But in camp, you want to see how certain guys play. "It's more looking ..."
October 4
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Heading into their fourth season together, Hornets Coach Byron Scott and All-Star point guard Chris Paul still can't agree about the game they love. Scott won't give an inch, and Paul is equally as stubborn. Both scoff at the idea the other is right. So they move on, refusing to concede, talking trash, verbally sparring through the media. "I can bowl with him," Scott said, nodding his head in the direction of Paul. "He can't golf with me. There's a difference. At least I can give him some trouble in that bowling alley, but he has no chance on that golf course." Like hell. "Coach knows he'll beat me on the golf course, but he wouldn't have a chance in the bowling alley," Paul said. ..."
October 4
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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By the time the Hornets return from their European sojourn, they should be able to hold practice in their new practice facility at the Alario Center. Studies have determined humidity in the 30,000-square foot building, probably through the air conditioning system, damaged the two hardwood floors. After a meeting this week with representatives of the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, Jefferson Parish, the designer of the heating and air conditioning system, and the building's architect and contractor, it was decided the damaged floor would be shipped back to the manufacturer. The manufacturer will ship two temporary floors that are expected to arrive by Oct. 15 and be in place ..."