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Hornets resolve Armstrong hang-upThe Hornets had planned to announce the signing of Darrell Armstrong as their backup point guard on Monday. But when contract complications forced the team to postpone a scheduled news conference, Armstrong didn't worry. He spent a relaxing night in New Orleans, confident that he would be joining the Hornets the next morning. "If you know my path where I got to the NBA, it's all about being patient," said Armstrong, who went undrafted, then spent three years in developmental leagues before signing with the Orlando Magic nine seasons ago. "The contract was going to get done." It did. Armstrong was introduced Tuesday in a press conference that went off without a hitch. Hornets vice president of basketball operations and general manager Bob Bass said the team was forced to delay Monday's press conference because changes in the contract required league approval before Armstrong could be signed. The league attorney assigned to review the contract had left the office by the time the changes were finalized, said Glenn Schwartzman, Armstrong's agent. Bass and Schwartzman both declined to discuss specific changes to the contract. Armstrong, a nine-year veteran, signed a two-year deal. Via New Orleans Times-Picayune New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Dates with destinyDarrell Armstrong always did have a way of creating an extra spark at TD Waterhouse Centre. Opening night with the Orlando Magic this season could reach a new excitement level when Armstrong -- one of the most popular players in franchise history -- adds to the mix, arriving now as a point guard with the New Orleans Hornets. Maybe this is why he signed with the Hornets. You just knew he couldn't stay away very long. The NBA released its 2003-2004 schedules Tuesday, providing the Magic with a home-heavy start, a late West Coast trip and an opening night return of Armstrong, whose departure this summer after nine seasons caused considerable debate. "I hope the fans give him a standing ovation on opening night," said Magic Coach Doc Rivers. "I know I will. He gave everyone here a reason to believe." Although the Magic opted not to re-sign him -- going with a younger, quicker point guard this season -- Armstrong, 35, is likely to bring the same all-out, head-first style that often left him in the laps of the front-row spectators. Orlando Magic, New Orleans Hornets Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Armstrong still unsigned by HornetsUnspecified contract complications Monday prevented the Hornets from introducing free agent Darrell Armstrong as their new backup point guard. The team had scheduled an afternoon news conference to make the announcement at New Orleans Arena, but after an hour and 15-minute delay, team spokesman Harold Kaufman said the signing would be delayed. "There are some items that need league approval contractually, and we hope to have this matter settled quickly," said Kaufman, who did not take questions or elaborate specifically about the contract problem. "We hope to have this matter settled quickly," he said. "They are in the final stage of negotiations, but the contract has not been signed." After the news conference was canceled, Hornets executive vice president and general manager of basketbal operations Bob Bass was not available for comment. He was contacted at home Monday night, and declined to say whether Armstrong had passed or failed his physical examination. Via New Orleans Times-Picayune New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Hornets Jul 2003 Archive
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