Post by The X-Factor on Apr 19, 2007 23:04:00 GMT -5
The New-Orleans Times
by Jackie Hoff
In a league dominated by big men the New Orleans Hornets have decided the way to beat the bigger teams in the league is by going small and out-running them. This team is the definition of 'Run-n-Gun' with a backcourt that consists of TJ Ford and Earl Boykins 6' and 5'5" and a front court of Allan Houston, Desmond Mason, and Gary Trent 6'6" 6'7" 6'8" respectively.
"We were undersized to begin with, so I figured why not let these guys take it back to the playground days and just let them run wild" said Coach Martinez when asked about the new strategy which has shown positive results having gone 6 and 1 since the line-up change. T.J Ford has seen a jump up in his assists and Earl Boykins has given the Hornets a much needed third scorer. Having Juwan Howard now come off the bench has also seen great results and Howard will now be vieing for a 6th man of the year award if he continues his play. New Orleans has been on fire from the field averaging over 48% from the field and over 45% from 3PT land since going small, but there's also a downside.
Since going to the smaller line-up they also have been allowing over 100PPG but that doesn't concern coach Martinez "It's understandable that we'll be giving up so many points, we're constantly running a fast break offense, it's inevitable, but our goal is to outscore our opponents and create turnovers. We've been creating turnovers in our 6 games we've won. When we do that it allows us to get out in the open floor and do some damage, and that's where I think we can not be beat."
The smaller line-up has forced teams to change up their strategy just for New Orleans and only Detroit has been succesfull in doing so. New Orleans is currently 3 games back from a playoff spot, after a huge 2-14 slide where they went from the 6th seed to among worst in the BBS. If New Orleans sneaks into the playoffs, they will undoubtedly become a headache for any team they face.
by Jackie Hoff
In a league dominated by big men the New Orleans Hornets have decided the way to beat the bigger teams in the league is by going small and out-running them. This team is the definition of 'Run-n-Gun' with a backcourt that consists of TJ Ford and Earl Boykins 6' and 5'5" and a front court of Allan Houston, Desmond Mason, and Gary Trent 6'6" 6'7" 6'8" respectively.
"We were undersized to begin with, so I figured why not let these guys take it back to the playground days and just let them run wild" said Coach Martinez when asked about the new strategy which has shown positive results having gone 6 and 1 since the line-up change. T.J Ford has seen a jump up in his assists and Earl Boykins has given the Hornets a much needed third scorer. Having Juwan Howard now come off the bench has also seen great results and Howard will now be vieing for a 6th man of the year award if he continues his play. New Orleans has been on fire from the field averaging over 48% from the field and over 45% from 3PT land since going small, but there's also a downside.
Since going to the smaller line-up they also have been allowing over 100PPG but that doesn't concern coach Martinez "It's understandable that we'll be giving up so many points, we're constantly running a fast break offense, it's inevitable, but our goal is to outscore our opponents and create turnovers. We've been creating turnovers in our 6 games we've won. When we do that it allows us to get out in the open floor and do some damage, and that's where I think we can not be beat."
The smaller line-up has forced teams to change up their strategy just for New Orleans and only Detroit has been succesfull in doing so. New Orleans is currently 3 games back from a playoff spot, after a huge 2-14 slide where they went from the 6th seed to among worst in the BBS. If New Orleans sneaks into the playoffs, they will undoubtedly become a headache for any team they face.