In the Lane with Licht: The Big Three
October 12, 2006
This late-breaking story: Chris Paul, Peja Stojakovic, and David West are not the Hornets big three.
Don’t get me wrong, they’re certainly the three most important players on the court for this franchise. But, they are not the trio most responsible for the team’s remarkably swift rebuilding.
No, that list doesn’t include a single player.
I’m focusing on the trio most responsible for the money, the roster and the players:
Owner George Shinn (the payroll)
General Manager Jeff Bower (the roster management)
Head Coach Byron Scott (the team)
GEORGE SHINN – Spent over $140 million to improve the team --
The Hornets founder and majority owner has been criticized for failing to pay the price to win; but, there’s plenty of evidence to counter those claims. He paid young star forward Larry Johnson $84 million (at the time the largest pro contract in sports), he gave all-star Baron Davis a maximum value contract following his first all-star season, extended Jamaal Magloire’s deal before he could consider free agency, and he extended Jamal Mashburn’s contract (with a fair value deal) after acquiring him from Miami. The media lashed out at his failure to retain Alonzo Mourning (he was offered over $10 million per season but demanded a trade), He traded Glen Rice and later Eddie Jones in the final years of their deals because he didn’t believe they deserved maximum value contracts (they didn’t).
What Shinn has been able to do is pay reasonable salaries for maximum output. How can you criticize an owner who believed in David Wesley, Bobby Phills, PJ Brown, and Brad Miller?
The point is that this off season the Head Hornet did what had to be done to improve his team.
His front office told him that his best player (Chris Paul) needed shooting help, identified the shooter (Peja Stojakovic), and agreed to pay the price to get him (reported 5-year/$64 million). By the way, didn’t he do the same thing to retain all-stars Johnson and Davis years earlier?
Then he got his super rookie additional help by signing veteran point guard Bobby Jackson as a free agent (reportedly 3 years/$18 million). Although Speedy Claxton departed via free agency Jackson is a better shooter, stronger defender, and used up less salary cap.
In addition, Shinn agreed to acquire 7-1 center Tyson Chandler from Chicago. He has a reported 5 years and $50 million remaining on his contract. He replaces PJ Brown, who is one of the great gentlemen in all of pro sports. Brown is also 37 years old. Chandler, just 24, improves the team’s defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking and is nice long-term investment. The move also makes sense from a practical perspective since Brown is in the last year of his contract, could retire or depart via free agency without compensation.
Finally, he re-signed free agent Rasual Butler, retaining one of the team’s best shooters from a season ago.
Shinn’s financial commitment was the key to the huge off season success.
JEFF BOWER – Orchestrated moves in each of the last two off seasons –
Two years ago Bower was the Hornets Director of Player Personnel. He personally scouted Chris Paul at Wake Forest University numerous times. He knew first hand what a quality individual he was and how special a player he could truly become. You can blame Milwaukee, Atlanta, Portland and Utah for missing on CP3, but give Bower credit for doing the legwork necessary to project stardom.
Paul’s acquisition through the draft was the start of what was to be a multiple-year rebuilding program. The North Carolina native’s instant impact sped up that process, leading the way to an incredible 20-game improvement and setting the stage for this summer’s dramatic and aggressive moves. If the summer of ’05 was an Extreme Makeover for the Hornets then ’06 was Extreme Makeover II.
Bower knew Chris Paul needed more shooters on the floor and targeted the best free agent marksman available. Peja, still just 29 years old, could be in the prime of his career. The three-time all-star has averaged 18.4 ppg and made nearly 40% of his three-pointers during an 8-year NBA career. Point guard Bobby Jackson lessened the impact of Speedy Claxton’s departure via free agency and should further upgrade the team’s outside shooting options. Bower also pushed for the re-signing of free agent Rasual Butler, yet another long range shooter.
The final moves in Bower’s busy summer brought in young, long, athletic center Tyson Chandler from Chicago and underrated point guard Jannero Pargo as a free agent from the Bulls. Chandler isn’t known for his offense and wasn’t acquired to provide it. If the old adage is true that big men take longer to develop then it’s important to note that Chandler also entered the NBA out of high school; had he attended four years of college he would be in his third season, not his sixth. He’s young (24), experienced (5 seasons), and looking for a new start in his NBA life. This could be one of those perfect match.com pairings. Prior to free agency Bower and his staff sought size and athleticism in the NBA draft and set the tone for the entire summer by choosing a pair of big men who certainly fit that criteria. 6-11 Hilton Armstrong was the 12th overall pick out of Connecticut. A four-year player with rebounding and shot-blocking skills, Bower recognized his untapped offensive potential. Jim Calhoun’s supporting cast with the Huskies relegated Armstrong to, at best, complementary scoring status. 6-9 Cedric Simmons was the 15th pick out of NC State. The 20-year-old has uncanny shot-blocking ability and experience in a similar offensive system, having played for Herb Sendek’s Wolfpack.
BYRON SCOTT – Basketball past helped basketball present –
Nobody recognized and acknowledged the team’s strengths and weakness clearer than the head coach, who saw his young unit jet off to a surprising start, make a surprising playoff run, and then fade down the stretch. Still, his Hornets won 20 more games than in their previous season, tops in the NBA. It took guts to part ways with both J.R. Smith and Kirk Snyder in separate deals. Just months earlier, the 21-year-old Smith was thought to be a cornerstone of the franchise’s future, while Snyder’s development during the season was intriguing to follow.
But Smith’s development appeared to stall in late December and his apparent communication problems with Scott seemed to affect his play. For Snyder, while his athleticism could wow you one game, his inconsistency could frustrate you the next.
Moving the two, young shooting guards was imperative once Stojakovic’s signing became official. Clearly the best shooter available in free agency, Peja’s previous relationship with Scott in Europe and Sacramento helped convince him to make this his new home. There’s a mutual respect between the two that cannot be emphasized enough.
Bobby Jackson’s arrival also has a Sacramento connection, although not with Scott. Peja and Bobby played together in the California capitol for five seasons, where they enjoyed their most productive NBA seasons. B-Scott is hopeful that reuniting the two sharpshooters helps rekindle that productivity.
Scott’s version of the Princeton-style offense doesn’t require a hulking, low-post presence since it features an up tempo philosophy and require big men who are athletic and mobile. Tyson Chandler fits that description and gives the Hornets coach a shot blocker and rebounder that they lacked last season. Rookies Armstrong and Simmons also arrive with impressive shot blocking credentials and needed athletic ability in the middle.
Scott certainly didn’t want to lose PJ Brown’s leadership, work ethic and general presence on and off the court, but it was the price to pay to get younger, longer, and more athletic. The irony of the Chicago trade is that Byron usually prefers experience over youth; but, rare is the opportunity to pick up a starting center in this league who has not yet hit his prime.
Adding Jannero Pargo late in the summer further increases the team’s depth behind Chris Paul. Last season the team didn’t have a capable third string point guard. In Pargo the Hornets have a young, offensive minded guard who can work along side any of his backcourt mates. Scott no longer has to hold his breath every time CP3 drives deep into the lane (okay, MOST of the time anyway!).
Byron Scott made a blunt statement about the decision to re-sign Rasual Butler as a free agent. He chose Butler’s shooting ability over Snyder’s undeveloped, overall skills. Sual-Bop started to come into his own in a variety of roles last season, including as a starter at shooting guard for the final 19 games. Scott prefers seeing his streak shooting abilities off the bench.
All of the moves Scott angled for in the off season were made by Bower and approved by Shinn. The Hornets are taller, deeper, more athletic, and more talented than the club that won 38 games last season.
While fans won’t jump out their seats to see them like Paul, Stojakovic and West, the trio of Shinn, Bower, and Scott proved to be as valuable as any threesome in franchise history this summer.
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Bob LichtDon’t get me wrong, they’re certainly the three most important players on the court for this franchise. But, they are not the trio most responsible for the team’s remarkably swift rebuilding.
No, that list doesn’t include a single player.
I’m focusing on the trio most responsible for the money, the roster and the players:
Owner George Shinn (the payroll)
General Manager Jeff Bower (the roster management)
Head Coach Byron Scott (the team)
GEORGE SHINN – Spent over $140 million to improve the team --
The Hornets founder and majority owner has been criticized for failing to pay the price to win; but, there’s plenty of evidence to counter those claims. He paid young star forward Larry Johnson $84 million (at the time the largest pro contract in sports), he gave all-star Baron Davis a maximum value contract following his first all-star season, extended Jamaal Magloire’s deal before he could consider free agency, and he extended Jamal Mashburn’s contract (with a fair value deal) after acquiring him from Miami. The media lashed out at his failure to retain Alonzo Mourning (he was offered over $10 million per season but demanded a trade), He traded Glen Rice and later Eddie Jones in the final years of their deals because he didn’t believe they deserved maximum value contracts (they didn’t).
What Shinn has been able to do is pay reasonable salaries for maximum output. How can you criticize an owner who believed in David Wesley, Bobby Phills, PJ Brown, and Brad Miller?
The point is that this off season the Head Hornet did what had to be done to improve his team.
His front office told him that his best player (Chris Paul) needed shooting help, identified the shooter (Peja Stojakovic), and agreed to pay the price to get him (reported 5-year/$64 million). By the way, didn’t he do the same thing to retain all-stars Johnson and Davis years earlier?
Then he got his super rookie additional help by signing veteran point guard Bobby Jackson as a free agent (reportedly 3 years/$18 million). Although Speedy Claxton departed via free agency Jackson is a better shooter, stronger defender, and used up less salary cap.
In addition, Shinn agreed to acquire 7-1 center Tyson Chandler from Chicago. He has a reported 5 years and $50 million remaining on his contract. He replaces PJ Brown, who is one of the great gentlemen in all of pro sports. Brown is also 37 years old. Chandler, just 24, improves the team’s defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking and is nice long-term investment. The move also makes sense from a practical perspective since Brown is in the last year of his contract, could retire or depart via free agency without compensation.
Finally, he re-signed free agent Rasual Butler, retaining one of the team’s best shooters from a season ago.
Shinn’s financial commitment was the key to the huge off season success.
JEFF BOWER – Orchestrated moves in each of the last two off seasons –
Two years ago Bower was the Hornets Director of Player Personnel. He personally scouted Chris Paul at Wake Forest University numerous times. He knew first hand what a quality individual he was and how special a player he could truly become. You can blame Milwaukee, Atlanta, Portland and Utah for missing on CP3, but give Bower credit for doing the legwork necessary to project stardom.
Paul’s acquisition through the draft was the start of what was to be a multiple-year rebuilding program. The North Carolina native’s instant impact sped up that process, leading the way to an incredible 20-game improvement and setting the stage for this summer’s dramatic and aggressive moves. If the summer of ’05 was an Extreme Makeover for the Hornets then ’06 was Extreme Makeover II.
Bower knew Chris Paul needed more shooters on the floor and targeted the best free agent marksman available. Peja, still just 29 years old, could be in the prime of his career. The three-time all-star has averaged 18.4 ppg and made nearly 40% of his three-pointers during an 8-year NBA career. Point guard Bobby Jackson lessened the impact of Speedy Claxton’s departure via free agency and should further upgrade the team’s outside shooting options. Bower also pushed for the re-signing of free agent Rasual Butler, yet another long range shooter.
The final moves in Bower’s busy summer brought in young, long, athletic center Tyson Chandler from Chicago and underrated point guard Jannero Pargo as a free agent from the Bulls. Chandler isn’t known for his offense and wasn’t acquired to provide it. If the old adage is true that big men take longer to develop then it’s important to note that Chandler also entered the NBA out of high school; had he attended four years of college he would be in his third season, not his sixth. He’s young (24), experienced (5 seasons), and looking for a new start in his NBA life. This could be one of those perfect match.com pairings. Prior to free agency Bower and his staff sought size and athleticism in the NBA draft and set the tone for the entire summer by choosing a pair of big men who certainly fit that criteria. 6-11 Hilton Armstrong was the 12th overall pick out of Connecticut. A four-year player with rebounding and shot-blocking skills, Bower recognized his untapped offensive potential. Jim Calhoun’s supporting cast with the Huskies relegated Armstrong to, at best, complementary scoring status. 6-9 Cedric Simmons was the 15th pick out of NC State. The 20-year-old has uncanny shot-blocking ability and experience in a similar offensive system, having played for Herb Sendek’s Wolfpack.
BYRON SCOTT – Basketball past helped basketball present –
Nobody recognized and acknowledged the team’s strengths and weakness clearer than the head coach, who saw his young unit jet off to a surprising start, make a surprising playoff run, and then fade down the stretch. Still, his Hornets won 20 more games than in their previous season, tops in the NBA. It took guts to part ways with both J.R. Smith and Kirk Snyder in separate deals. Just months earlier, the 21-year-old Smith was thought to be a cornerstone of the franchise’s future, while Snyder’s development during the season was intriguing to follow.
But Smith’s development appeared to stall in late December and his apparent communication problems with Scott seemed to affect his play. For Snyder, while his athleticism could wow you one game, his inconsistency could frustrate you the next.
Moving the two, young shooting guards was imperative once Stojakovic’s signing became official. Clearly the best shooter available in free agency, Peja’s previous relationship with Scott in Europe and Sacramento helped convince him to make this his new home. There’s a mutual respect between the two that cannot be emphasized enough.
Bobby Jackson’s arrival also has a Sacramento connection, although not with Scott. Peja and Bobby played together in the California capitol for five seasons, where they enjoyed their most productive NBA seasons. B-Scott is hopeful that reuniting the two sharpshooters helps rekindle that productivity.
Scott’s version of the Princeton-style offense doesn’t require a hulking, low-post presence since it features an up tempo philosophy and require big men who are athletic and mobile. Tyson Chandler fits that description and gives the Hornets coach a shot blocker and rebounder that they lacked last season. Rookies Armstrong and Simmons also arrive with impressive shot blocking credentials and needed athletic ability in the middle.
Scott certainly didn’t want to lose PJ Brown’s leadership, work ethic and general presence on and off the court, but it was the price to pay to get younger, longer, and more athletic. The irony of the Chicago trade is that Byron usually prefers experience over youth; but, rare is the opportunity to pick up a starting center in this league who has not yet hit his prime.
Adding Jannero Pargo late in the summer further increases the team’s depth behind Chris Paul. Last season the team didn’t have a capable third string point guard. In Pargo the Hornets have a young, offensive minded guard who can work along side any of his backcourt mates. Scott no longer has to hold his breath every time CP3 drives deep into the lane (okay, MOST of the time anyway!).
Byron Scott made a blunt statement about the decision to re-sign Rasual Butler as a free agent. He chose Butler’s shooting ability over Snyder’s undeveloped, overall skills. Sual-Bop started to come into his own in a variety of roles last season, including as a starter at shooting guard for the final 19 games. Scott prefers seeing his streak shooting abilities off the bench.
All of the moves Scott angled for in the off season were made by Bower and approved by Shinn. The Hornets are taller, deeper, more athletic, and more talented than the club that won 38 games last season.
While fans won’t jump out their seats to see them like Paul, Stojakovic and West, the trio of Shinn, Bower, and Scott proved to be as valuable as any threesome in franchise history this summer.
