| Andersen’s Ban Leaves Hornets With Big Hole In Middle Authored by J.T. Magee - January 27, 2006 - 8:18 pm
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After three trades in the past two days were announced, two involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets were dealt with a big blow with the ban of Chris “Birdman” Andersen. It is unknown what caused the ban, for the time being. The only question now for the Hornets is how do they replace him?
While Andersen was not by any means considered a great player, he’s an active defender and solid rebounder. He is, or shall I say was, one of the highlight reels and a fan favorite. With him gone, NOK is now dealt with an even bigger hole down low, with no true center. Even before Andersen’s ban, the Hornets had no real center. PJ Brown has been manning the 5, but now what can they do?
There are a few options for the Hornets, although none are great. The first option that comes to mind is a trade. They have a lot of swingmen that have produced in the minutes that have been given to them. Rasual Butler has become a nice 3-point threat. Kirk Snyder has started to gel and play well in the starting lineup. Desmond Mason, inconsistent, has been a solid contributor for Head Coach Byron Scott. You can’t forget about J.R. Smith, the very talented shooting guard who has been put in Scott’s doghouse for showing a lack of effort in practice. They even have a small Lithuanian riding the pine who can shoot the lights out.
But who do they trade? Smith has the most value, but he’s too young and talented for the Hornets to deal just for a short-term gain. He is also on his rookie contract, so NOK would not get equal value for him. Mason has been too good for the Hornets to deal. His defense would be missed in the starting lineup. Snyder has some value since he’s become a starter, especially showing off his defense, blocking nine shots since he became a starter. Butler can give a playoff team some much needed offense, especially from the 3-point line. So, who do they trade? Do they even need to make a trade?
They do not need to make a trade, but here is one name that will never be seen as a blockbuster deal but one that can make an impact with both teams. The Hornets are in need of a center. He should be young but capable of playing between ten and 15 mintues. He must be an effecient playyer, one that has produced in the minutes that were given to him. It wouldn't hurt if this player was quouted by his head coach as a player who is good, and this is coming from a coach who doesn’t usually play his rookies. His name?
Jackie Butler. It may strike some of those that follow basketball oddly because he's young and unproven. But look at this quote from Knicks Head Coach Larry Brown regarding Butler:
“Jackie can play. He’s got the best feel of the game of anybody I’ve been around that young with that size. He needs to get his weight down and continue to work, but you can’t teach the things he can do. I’m surprised he blocked [Manu] Ginobili on dribble penetration. He got a couple of rebounds in a crowd. He makes great interior decisions. It’s nice to see.”
That's the thing, though. He fits the Hornets bill instantly. Coming into the season, the Hornets were an unproven team, one coming yet another year without the playoffs. Even though they made the palyoffs the year before that, that was when Baron Davis still donned a Hornets uni and they were playing the Dwyane Wade-led Miami Heat. Because of the season they had last year, everyone wrote them off. THey didn't have anything to play for. So why not play like you have nothing to lose? And that's where Butler fits in.
He is indeed unproven, but you have to be highly thought of if your head coach, in case Larry Brown.. Butler may not be getting playing time, but that is because he is playing behind Curry as well as Jerome James, who the Knicks unfortunately have to play because of his salary. Butler can play. He’s played in 19 games this year, but he’s played ten or more minutes in only nine of them. In those nine games, he’s averaged:
13 minutes, 6.5 points, 57.5% FG, 61% FT, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 offensive rebounds, .33 assists, .66 steals, .44 blocks, 1.2 turnovers, 2 personal fouls.
Looking at those numbers, they may not look like much. Sure, he’s getting a lot of turnovers in those minutes, but I’d rather have a guy that’s showing that he’s active and has his hands on the ball. The only turnover I can think without the ball is an offensive foul. Aside from that, you have to have your hands on the ball in order to commit a turnover. The two personal fouls stick out, but again, he’s been active in the minutes he’s been getting. One can look at these numbers and not think much of them, but average them out over 40 minutes, and you have, taking into account that the percentages stay the same:
20 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4 offensive, 1.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.35 blocks, 3.6 turnovers, 6.1 personal fouls.
Look a little better? The turnovers and personal fouls are even more evident, but he’s been efficient and active in the minutes he’s given. But these are only in the nine games he’s received at least ten or more minutes. Most of the Knicks personnel are high on this undrafted kid in his second year, but since the knicks do not have a lot of draft picks in the future, a second round pick or two may very well get the job done.
At this point, the hornets do not need to make a trade, but if they want to go after a young kid who’s efficient, Butler is the kid. They will eventually make a trade, but there are a couple of options that they have before they have to go that route. One is signing someone from the D-League or another lower league, like the ABA, where Eric Chenowith, a former NBA player, has become one of the best center prospects out of the lower leagues. Hiram Fuller, from the D-League’s Florida Flames, is averaging 12 point and about ten rebounds. There aren’t very many options, but they are out there.
One more option is for Scott to give some of the players on his bench, like Jackson Vroman and Maciej Lampe more playing time to see what they can do. Their minutes will be limited, but at least they can give PJ Brown ten minutes of rest per game. They may be low risk/low reward players, but at this point, considering what the Hornets have gone through, there’s nothing to lose. The one guy to keep an eye on is Lampe, who is only 20 years old but is the tallest player on the roster. He’s a very talented player, but he hasn’t had his chance. His left foot may not be fully healthy, but it’s worth seeing what he can do. I’ve already stated my case for Lampe earlier in the season, so my views are a little bias as to why he should get some pt.
Overall, the Hornets are now even more depleted more now than they were. They lose a solid post presence and quality shot blocker. Who do they replace him with? Do they go small for the rest of the season and hope they can contend for the playoffs? Or do they just ride it out and see how many triple-doubles Chris Paul, the biggest stud for a rookie point guard, can achieve? These questions may be answered in the near future, but for now, let’s just hope the Hornets can deal with another blow and play through this latest setback. |
