New Orleans Hornets Wiretap

Hornets' West The Hero At The Buzzer

The Houston Rockets made a valiant comeback only to have David West send them home losers again.

West scored 15 points, including a jumper with 1.8 seconds left, as the New Orleans Hornets escaped with a 92-90 victory over the Rockets, who have lost four in a row.

The Hornets responded when West got the ball at the top of the key from rookie Chris Paul, who collected 11 points and a season-high 15 assists. West faked a pass to get Houston's David Wesley off his feet before drilling the shot over the outstretched arms of forward Juwan Howard.

"I knew I was going to get the ball," West said. "I knew they weren't going to allow Chris (Paul) to beat them. I got open and froze Wesley with a pass fake, and hit the shot. I won't pass that shot up."

Stromile Swift, who had his best game as a Rocket by collecting season highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds, had a chance to tie the game, but his jump hook bounced harmlessly off the rim as time expired.

"It wasn't good enough, we didn't get the win," Swift said. "I try to come in and bring energy. The effort was there, but we just didn't pull it off."

Via rockets.com


Hornets Selling Shares In Team

New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn acknowledged Tuesday that he is looking to bring aboard investors for a minority stake in the NBA franchise.

Shinn said he has been seeking investors since he bought out Roy Wooldridge's 35 percent share of the team last year.

"Before I left New Orleans, I bought out my partner over a year ago and I was looking to retire that debt and to find investors," Shinn said Tuesday at the City Rescue Mission, where the team was distributing shoes to homeless people.

"I like to have investors. I like to have people I can consult with, talk to, get advice from because it does get lonely at the top when you're by yourself making multimillion dollar decisions."

Shinn disputed a report that he was seeking investors specifically from the Oklahoma City area, saying instead that they could come from anywhere.

"I'm looking for investors, not necessarily in Oklahoma, but all over the country," Shinn said. "There's people all over the country that are interested in investing."

Via ESPN


Suns Interested In Macijauskas

Shooting guard Arvydas Macijauskas could be on the trading block, though he hasn't played enough to draw much interest. Still, the Phoenix Suns are said to be interested.

Macijauskas is taking the safe approach, not demanding anything and waiting patiently for a chance to play. He said last week he doesn't think about any trade scenarios.

"I'm just trying to get better, and I want to help my teammates get better in practice," Macijauskas said. "It's my job. . . . I'm a professional."

Via NOLA.com


Hornets Dec 2005 Archive