Well, I am one of the ones who has felt that Boki could play in this league and become a very effective 3rd or 4th option. I still feel that way. I am not ready to throw in the towel on him just because he hasn't cut it in NO after a few weeks. I may indeed be wrong about Boki but for me at least, it is still too early to proclaim that he can't play in this league. Sorry. I still think that when he gets his confidence back and is given significant minutes that he will start producing. I really don't think he has been given significant minutes in NO, although I thought he would get more than in Houston.
He's a good 3rd or 4th option, if your first three options are Casey Jacobsen, Jackson Vroman, and George Lynch.
From the New Orleans Times-Picayune: OAKLAND, CALIF. -- Sure, they have the NBA's worst road record at 2-22. And they've lost five in a row away from New Orleans Arena. But as the Hornets (8-37) embark on a four-game, six-day road trip, they are confident that they can thrive. Well, at least split. "I expect us to win two of these four games, and I think our guys expect that," said Hornets coach Byron Scott, whose team plays tonight at Golden State (12-33), Saturday at Utah (15-31), Tuesday at Seattle (31-13) and Wednesday at Portland. "That's our mind-set, that's the way we've got to think. We need to believe in our hearts that we're going to win two games. We don't care which ones. We just want to make sure we get two of them." For two of them, the Hornets won't have forward Lee Nailon. Nailon, who averages 15.7 points per game, will sit out tonight and Saturday with a left groin injury. "We got to give him a chance to let it heal more -- it's been bothering him for the past couple of weeks," Scott said. "This will give him four or five days to recuperate." "That's one of our biggest scoring options right there," said point guard Dan Dickau, who has averaged 8.8 assists in the past five games. "If he's not able to knock down that 16-footer, which is a big part of our offensive attack, then it's going to be tough for us." Replacing Nailon should be a familiar face -- if your season tickets are near the Hornets' bench. George Lynch, whose lackluster play and nagging foot injury kept him on the sideline, is penciled in as the starter tonight. Lynch started the first eight games and played in every game except one up to Dec. 22. But since then, he has played twice. In Detroit on Jan. 12, he played three minutes. Then, on Wednesday in New Orleans, he replaced Nailon in the first quarter and tallied 25 total minutes, scoring five points. "It was either bring George back or play Lee even longer," said Scott, who has been displeased with backup small forward Bostjan Nachbar of late. "I put George out there (with the starters in Thursday's practice), and he would be the obvious choice to start after the way he played against Dallas." Scott said he is hesitant to put 6-foot-6 newcomer Casey Jacobsen at small forward, despite his athleticism, because "our offense is hard enough to learn from one spot." That, Scott said, might have been what has hurt Nachbar, who has been dabbling with both the two and three position. But rookie guard J.R. Smith might see some action at small forward -- he has played there sparingly in the past. Whatever lineup is out there, players must hold each other accountable. At Thursday's practice, Scott brought up an interesting point about his struggling club. With the vociferous Baron Davis on the injured list, the Hornets seem to lack a verbal commander. Said Scott of his team: "At times, I think they're too nice to each other. You got to police each other as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes, as a player, you have to get on your teammates. All you're trying to do is tell them that you want them to do better." Most of their opponents on this road trip have been vulnerable of late. The Warriors are without three key cogs in injured Troy Murphy and Speedy Claxton and suspended Cliff Robinson. The Jazz is slowly getting back into the swing since the return of Andrei Kirilenko, and it sits in the cellar of the Northwest Division. The Blazers are a "Jekyll-and-Hyde team," according to Scott, and they have won three of their past 10. But the Sonics? They're still tops in the Northwest Division. "All teams," Dickau asserted, "are beatable on this trip."
10 pts on 4 of 8 shooting and 1 3pter in 20 minutes tonight v Warriors with 8 minutes to go in a close game
Lee Nailon apparently is the victim of a groin pull and didn't play last night, hence the extra minutes for Bostjan. DaDakota, have you been messing with Lee's groin? Cut it out - and heal, groin, heal!
What is he up to like 5.5 ppg now....too little too late I think. He needs 19 more points just to get back to even. Lee Nailon...a curse on your nether regions !!! DD
Holy Crap!!! Boki plays 23 minutes of pure Garbaaage time and scores 21 points!!!!!! 125 points in 20 games. wow....he's up to 6.25 ppg On one hand, it's looking up. On the other, a 21 pointer and his average is still that low...wow.
Boki calls your 19 and raises you a deuce. Boki with a blackjack tonight against the Jazz in a loss http://www.nba.com/games/20050205/NOHUTA/livestats.html Bostjan Nachbar 24MIN 6-8FGM/A 4-5 3GM/A 5-5FTM/A 21PTS
Wow, I am now 5 pts down in my bet....I still think it was a fluke but at least it is far more interesting. DD
You cursed Lee Nailon and it actually came to pass. O never want to on your wrong side again PS. Way to go Bokimon.
Congrats to Nachbar on the 21pt game! Looks like with Lynch coming back Nachbar had to either step up or be burried on the bench. Probably knows this is his last chance so he stepped up. Good deal!
It's going to be good for his morale. I feel he is anxious on the court most of the time which prevents him from doing well. I hope he will get better.
