Live Chat: Friday sports talk

(06/27/2008)

12:01

We're back to chat with the fans in another Friday Sports Chat. Welcome everyone!

Friday June 27, 2008 12:01

12:04

For those that haven't been paying attention, we've been counting down the greatest New Orleans sports teams of all time. You can see the latest entry here: http://blog.nola.com/gladow/2008/06/greatest_no_sports_teams_of_al_8.html

Not a bad No. 2 selection, if I do say so myself.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:04

12:04

[Comment From stevesteve: ]

Any progress on signing Colston?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:04 steve

12:08

I've heard no word on him at all, and as far as I know, neither has anyone else. I suppose the Saints could surprise us and announce a signing later today, but I'm not expecting it. I think Saints fans can begin to worry about a potential holdout ... not saying it's a definitie, but the lack of word on that front is discouraging.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:08

12:08

[Comment From HUCKABUCKHUCKABUCK: ]

What's up with the Cowboys trading for Joe Horn? I wish they would ask for Devery Henderson instead.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:08 HUCKABUCK

12:08

If Colston holds out, we could use Horn ourselves...

Friday June 27, 2008 12:08

12:09

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

Thoughts on the pick trade to Portland?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:09 Cait

12:12

I don't like it. Now I reserve the right to change my mind should the Hornets go out and sign Ron Artest or someone like him, but I just don't like giving up what turned out to be quite the steal (in Arthur) away to a team for essentially nothing. I know they had a deal in principle, but I might have looked to renegotiate after landing him.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:12

12:13

[Comment From MattMatt: ]

i think it was a half in half trade because if we get a good free agent it will all be good but if we passsed up on a good player CDR and no free agents then it would be dumb

Friday June 27, 2008 12:13 Matt

12:13

[Comment From KCKC: ]

Who do you see the Hornets targeting in Free Agency?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:13 KC

12:13

[Comment From jiggajon33jiggajon33: ]

ANY WORD ON WHO D HORNETS MAY GO AFTER IN FREE AGENCY?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:13 jiggajon33

12:13

[Comment From HUCKABUCKHUCKABUCK: ]

Eddie House would be a great upgrade at the 2 for N.O. He can challenge Mo Pete for the starting spot or come off the bench and play either guard spot. He is a three point threat as well.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:13 HUCKABUCK

12:13

[Comment From UNOPrivateerUNOPrivateer: ]

Is Bo McCalebb going to sign with the Hornets? Or any other team?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:13 UNOPrivateer

12:15

McCalebb could be a nice find for someone as he's the sort of guy who could develop into a solid reserve. Would be nice to see him land somewhere.

I'm not sure about House ... I'd like to see a little more consistency out of him.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:15

12:15

[Comment From JoeyJoey: ]

What about Chris Duhon?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:15 Joey

12:16

Duhon, given his offseason home right down the road, will be the center of speculation until he signs somewhere. If Pargo leaves, he begins to make some sense.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:16

12:16

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

Do the Hornets have enough money to bring in Ben Gordon or Corey Maggetti?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:16 Grant

12:18

Realistically ... maybe. You can never tell with some of these guys, because often times they'll sell themselves short to sign with a contender. That would be the only way to land Gordon, because he should command a large contract. Maggette maybe less so, but either would need to take a pay cut to come here.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:18

12:19

I heard the number $4 million being bandied about yesterday by some of our Times-Picayune brethren, so that might be the number to look at. Who will come for less than $4 million?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:19

12:19

[Comment From HUCKABUCKHUCKABUCK: ]

Chris Lofton didn't get drafted either. This guy has a nice release and can shoot the lights out. He played last season with a health condition and still put up solid numbers. He's very smart, a leader who maybe can play the point.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:19 HUCKABUCK

12:21

Obviously his health scared plenty of teams off. He'll get his tryout somewhere ... and I'd like it to be here. I think as a three-point specialist, he could provide insurance for a sometimes gimpy Peja. Plus you could take your time with him and let him get healthy, given you probably don't need him right away.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:21

12:22

It would be a good PR move too, for whatever that's worth.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:22

12:22

[Comment From jiggajon33jiggajon33: ]

IS THERE A POSSIBILTY THAT HORNETS HIRE AVERY JOHNSON AS A ASSITANT COACH HE MAY HELP GIVE BYRON SCOTT A FEW MORE POINTERS?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:22 jiggajon33

12:25

Nearly a month ago now, the Dallas Morning News wrote an article called: "Does anybody want Avery Johnson and his ego?" It still applies.

For some reason (probably said ego), Johnson has yet to find any takers. But New Orleans makes sense on two levels:
1.) Scott recently lost top assistant Darrell Walker to the Pistons.
2.) Scott does not take bull.

I think Johnson, as an assistant, would be imaginative and a real asset. He needs an anchor (like Scott) to keep his creativity in check.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:25

12:26

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

I think Johnson would well benefit from Scott's mentoring.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:26 Cait

12:26

I'm told we'll experience an outage shortly ... so there may be a 5 min. break or thereabouts in questions and answers. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:26

12:27

[Comment From HUCKABUCKHUCKABUCK: ]

Who wins in a footrace, you or Jimmy Smith?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:27 HUCKABUCK

12:28

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

Dave. Dave can run fast...particularly if there's food at the finish line.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:28 Cait

12:28

I've never actually met Jimmy in person. Provided he is not morbidly obese, he would probably smoke me.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:28

12:28

[Comment From KCKC: ]

Whether the Hornets re-sign Pargo or not they need another ball handler running with the second unit. Duhon makes sense either way because Pargo and James are more 2 guards than points.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:28 KC

12:35

I tend to think of Pargo as a 1, but he does have his moments of completely bizarre decision making. Taking that responsibility away could help his game, but you know he'll be a black hole for the basketball no matter where he plays ... the ball goes in, and it never comes out. Yep, that's Pargo.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:35

12:35

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

Are the Hornets and Chris Paul close to a new deal?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:35 Grant

12:37

I'm told they are, and that it's simply a matter of Paul deciding on how many years to opt for ... this deal can't be signed until July regardless, so it will be awhile before it is announced/finalized, but all signs point to it being a smooth process at present.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:37

12:37

[Comment From jiggajon33jiggajon33: ]

WHICH CONTRACT DO U THINK WILL GET DONE FIRST COLSTON OR ELLIS

Friday June 27, 2008 12:37 jiggajon33

12:38

If I had to guess, I'd say Ellis, but I really haven't heard about any progress with either. I think both will get taken care of by Week 1 though....

Friday June 27, 2008 12:38

12:38

[Comment From HUCKABUCKHUCKABUCK: ]

Trade Colston to the Titans for LenDale White and a second round pick. Vince Young needs a target, the Saints need another bulldozer. Bush can play more wideout. Imagine Bush, Patten, Meachem, and Henderson. Use the second to get Shockey and you're set. JK.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:38 HUCKABUCK

12:39

[Comment From whatuthinkwhatuthink: ]

Colston to the Giants for Shockey and their defensive coordinator.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:39 whatuthink

12:40

I'd hold the phone on any trade talks for Colston ... he is still a MAJOR part of the team's offense, and it's not like 1,000-yard receivers grow on trees (even in today's league). Besides, do you really want to rely on the current "drop patrol" on third downs in 2008 WITHOUT Colston? Me neither.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:40

12:41

[Comment From CaitCait: ]

Shockey and White = black hole of whininess.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:41 Cait

12:41

[Comment From TreyTrey: ]

are you guys serious?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:41 Trey

12:41

I think there's some humor mixed in there somewhere (perhaps the defensive coordinator comment).

Friday June 27, 2008 12:41

12:42

[Comment From HUCKABUCKHUCKABUCK: ]

Are the Saints confident with the current roster going into training camp? Should we expect to see another deal on the first day of camp (something Coach Payton always seems to does)?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:42 HUCKABUCK

12:46

The Dan Morgan retirement threw a monkeywrench into the works, and you're right, Payton does like to mix things up.

Two bits of positive rumor on the injury front lead me to believe the Saints are happy with what they have, however. Lots of people in the organization are very happy with the progress of both Deuce McAllister AND Mike McKenzie (which is the polar opposite of what I'd been hearing to this point, so take it for what it's worth). Still, all reports are that both guys are ahead of schedule in their rehab. So that's good news ... and more reason for the team to potentially stand pat.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:46

12:47

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

Do you think that former LSU star Anthony Randolph can make a pretty big impact his rookie year for the Warriors?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:47 Grant

12:51

I'm leaning toward no, but I suppose it really depends on what your definition of "big impact" is. It'll be half a season until he sees the floor, most likely, and when he does, he'll get thrown around due to his weight. It's going to be a couple of season before he really blossoms.

The one caveat in this is the system Golden State runs. He would seem to be in an ideal position to give a team that likes to run and gun some added energy off the bench. I would not rule out a Julian Wright-like performance .... which would be a great rookie season for him. Expect him to come along slowly though.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:51

12:51

[Comment From GrantGrant: ]

AHH! I'll go crazy if we don't add another LB! Scott Shanle is a one year wonder.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:51 Grant

12:53

It could happen. If the team feels uncomfortable anywhere, it would have to be in the defensive back seven. I'm not ruling it out yet ... just saying it's less likely than in previous years.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:53

12:53

[Comment From BenBen: ]

What is the status on Jason David being shopped around the league? What could we realistically get for him?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:53 Ben

12:54

A bag of coal and an autographed David Hasselhoff album?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:54

12:55

David isn't going to attact very much in a trade scenario. If you really want to get rid of him, you either have to cut him or package him with someone else.

i think he's still in New Orleans' plans though.

Friday June 27, 2008 12:55

12:55

[Comment From TreyTrey: ]

Who's atop your personal list of free agents that you think the hornets should definitely go after?

Friday June 27, 2008 12:55 Trey

1:00

Ron Artest, Ron Artest, and Ron Artest. Did I mention Ron Artest?

I know he's not technically a free agent yet, but he should shake loose, and I just can't stop thinking about having him matched up on a Bruce Bowen or a Manu Ginobili or any other number of players who killed the Hornets offensively last year. Having a guy like Artest in your lineup would allow you to switch out of the double-team mentality on occasion and just go straight man on man ... the possibilities, in my mind, are pretty exciting.

Now who knows if it comes to pass. Realistically, he might be too expensive and I think the team should do its best to re-sign Pargo in any case, but I'm officially putting myself in the Artest camp ... despite his baggage.

Friday June 27, 2008 1:00

1:01

Thanks to everyone for stopping by this week! We'll be taking next Friday off to celebrate the Fourth, but will be back the next week same as ever.

Take care everyone!

Friday June 27, 2008 1:01

1:02

Writer: Dave Gladow, NOLA.com

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