New Orleans Hornets Thread.

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It is reported that the New Orleans Hornets are expected to waive Rashard Lewis via a contract buyout and the latter not minding it.

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Anthony Davis Jr.

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The New Orleans Hornets have extended a qualifying offer to shooting guard Eric Gordon. Hornets drafted Anthony Davis at first overall and Austin Rivers at tenth overall.

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Anthony Davis Jr.

Austin Rivers with Davis

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New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon has accepted a max contract offer from the Phoenix Suns worth $58 million over four years. The Hornets can match that sheet, but Gordon stated in an interview that his preferred destination is Phoenix. That could force the Hornets to severe ties with Gordon.

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New Orleans Hornets have matched the offer of the Phoenix Suns for Eric Gordon.

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The New Orleans Hornets have acquired forward Ryan Anderson from the Orlando Magic in a sign and trade deal. Anderson has signed a four year contract worth $36 million. As a part of the deal, the Hornets will send center Gustavo Ayon to the Magic.

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Anthony Davis Jr. was added to the New Orleans Hornets Summer League camp in Las Vegas. The team will be comprised of 11 rookies like Austin Rivers, Darius Miller and Darko Planinic.

Also the Hornets are showing some love to Al Farouq-Aminu who will be playing in the London Olympics as he lead Nigeria to a podium finish.

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The New Orleans Hornets have traded point guard Jarrett Jack to the Golden State Warriors for the draft rights of Bosnian forward Edin Bavcic.

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Ryan Anderson is formally introduced by the New Orleans Hornets.

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It seems that Hornets are really converting Austin Rivers into a full fledged point guard. So if they re-signed Eric Gordon, the back-court is determined. I once thought last June that the Hornets are grooming Rivers into a sixth man scorer, but Rivers seems to be too good for such a role; one that may even hold his career down.

It will not be easy converting the offensive oriented Rivers into a point guard. In his one year at DUKE, Rivees the premiere combo guard. The challenge for him is to translate his tunnel vision into floor vision. That entails being more of a fast reader of moving pieces aside from just the simple driving lanes or gaps in the defense. Looking at Rivers' arsenal, his quickness and dribble would sure serve him.

Then there's calling the right play as the floor general, like Monty Williams' H/Lo Pick and Roll offense that involves Rivers and a partner that sets the pick. Imagine Rivers calling up Anthony Davis Jr. for the pick and roll or Rivers pairing with Ryan Anderson for the Pick and Pop. If the screen is done right, Rivers can be given a wide lane to attack the basket.

Imagine the scenario wherein Rivers calls a high pick. Anthony Davis Jr draws up and sets a middle pick. Then Davis falls back as Ryan Anderson comes from a ball screen in the opposite side. Rivers drives to a hard right towards the paint, the rotating Davis finds himself open after he worked his way under the circle, getting a clean look on the rim with his defender still catching up as Rivers threads the ball. Bam! Dunks it home.

It will be an interesting season for the Hornets. I for one will be watching Rivers, Davis Jr. and Lance Thomas.

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Eric Gordon will be returning with the New Orleans Hornets as the team matched the four years, $48 Million offer sheet of the Phoenix Suns.

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Anthony Davis has signed an endorsement deal with NIKE.

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New Orleans Hornets will play Orlando Magic on Oct. 7 in Mexico City

The NBA announced Thursday the New Orleans Hornets will play the Orlando Magic in a preseason game in Mexico City on Oct. 7 at the newly launched Mexico City Arena as part of NBA Mexico Game 2012.

It will be the Hornets' first preseason outside the United State since 2008 when they played in Berlin, Germany and Barcelona, Spain. The Hornets, when they were based in Charlotte, also played in Paris, France and Bologna, Italy prior to the ’1994-95 season.

The game marks the NBA’s 18th visit to Mexico City and the league’s 20th game in Mexico overall, the most NBA matchups held in any country outside the United States and Canada.

“NBA Mexico Game is an important part of our 2012 international games schedule and a great opportunity for us to connect with our fans in Mexico and across Latin America,” said Philippe Moggio, NBA Vice President, Latin America. “As the most frequent international host for NBA games, Mexico will again provide a great showcase for the game of basketball as the New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic put on an exciting show for our passionate fans at the new Mexico City Arena.”

-NOLA

The Hornets will clash against Dwight Howard / Gustavo Ayon and the Orlando Magic.

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The New Orleans Hornets have participated in a three team trade on which the Hornets received center Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick.

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The New Orleans Hornets have signed veteran guard Roger Mason.

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The New Orleans Hornets and head coach Monty Williams have agreed to a four year contract extension.

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Hornets' Anthony Davis eager for first NBA camp

METAIRIE — Although Anthony Davis has shared the court with some of the greatest basketball players in the world, he does not see himself as an NBA player quite yet.

“I just feel like a guy who’s just playing basketball right now,” the Hornets rookie and top overall draft choice said. “Until I play an NBA game, then I (can’t) consider myself an NBA player.”

With training camp opening next Tuesday, Davis stopped by the Saints’ training headquarters, which is now in the process of becoming the headquarters for the Hornets under new owner Tom Benson.

Davis brought his gold medal with him, and acknowledged his experience playing for the U.S. at the London Games should put him ahead of the NBA rookie curve.

“My game developed more than what I expected just by playing the Olympics and being around them guys,” Davis said. “But there’s still a lot to learn and a lot more to do so I’ve got to continue working.”

Davis is staying away from offering any expectations for how the Hornets might do this season. He knows they have talent in not only him, but 10th overall draft pick Austin Rivers, not to mention veterans Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson.

Davis also will have help in the paint from 7-footers Robin Lopez and Jason Smith.

“We’re rebuilding so that’s going to be tough,” Davis said. “But I think we’re going to have a great team this year.”

Hornets coach Monty Williams preaches a defense-first philosophy, which the 6-foot-11 Davis expects to suit him well as a shot-blocker who can play power forward or center in a zone defense.

Davis said one of his priorities is to bulk up in the hope he can become more effective guarding the post against physical and bigger players.

“It’s a physical game. Very physical. I definitely got to stay in the weight room,” he said.

Davis said he has already added weight to the 220-pound build he had while winning a national title with Kentucky last spring.

“I’m not sure how much. Just feel it,” Davis said, cracking a playful grin. “Feel like I’m Superman.”

Being a top overall pick generally brings with it pressure to perform right away, but Davis said he is not worried about that, partly because of Williams’ philosophy that the job of young players is to learn and develop, not carry the team.

“Coach Williams does a great job of taking that pressure off of me and putting it on the team and organization,” Davis said. “We’re all young guys. I’m 19 years old going into a grown man’s league. I think he does a great job taking that pressure off of one player, not just me. Eric, Austin, Robin, everybody on the team and just trying to put it on the organization and team as one.”

-shreveporttimes.com

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Rookie Anthony Davis had 22 points, 9 rebounds and blocked a shot to lead the New Orleans Hornets over the Charlotte Bobcats 97-82.