The Wizards forced Chris Paul into turnovers and beat the Hornets 101-84 on Sunday night before a sellout crowd of 20,173 at the VerizonCenter in Washington.
The Hornets, now 39-10 and in third -place in the NBA West, go against the lowly Knicks (18-41) on Monday night and are 6-point favorites in Madison Square Garden. Tipoff is 6:30 p.m.
The Wizards held Paul in check, limiting him to 16 points and forcing him into 6 turnovers.
"The Hornets are one of he best teams in the NBA," said Wizards point guard Antonio Daniels. "When you play teams like the Hornets, your room for error is really small. We did some things tonight defensively. We countered their run with a run of our own."
"The turning point of the game was when we really started defending at the rim late in the game and got some stops at the run and in the paint, did a great job defensively," Wizards coach Eddie Jordan told the media after the game/ Jordan posted a season sweep over Hornets coach Byron Scott, for whom Jordan was the lead assistant in New Jersey for four seasons before being hired in Washington in 2003..
This was the Wizards' fourth win in their last five games and their 16th sellout of the season.
Peja Stojakovic scored 17 points to lead the Hornets who had won two straight since a 95-92 home loss to Washington last Monday. Several Hornets were with the Wizards hitting 31 free throws ot their 17. "They made more than we attempted," said David West, who scored 14 points. "You're not going to win a game when its lopsided in terms of free throws. I thought we took the ball to the basket. I thought we were aggressive. I thought we attacked."
Scott didn't think so.
"That's the problem, they think they can't get beat by this team twice," Scott told the media afterwards. "And that's why they got our butts kicked both times. That's to be just point-blank with your guys. I just don't know if these guys respected them enough."
The Hornets have already matched their victory total for last season .
Scott likens his Hornets to a boxer with a great jaw. "People hope we fall on our face," said the coach.
When Scott was ousted as coach of the New Jersey Nets, he was painted as a coach who irritated his players by ripping them in the media. His star guard Jason Kidd all but quit playing for him.
"I don't listen to what people who were doubting me then and I don't listen to people who praise me now," said Scott. "People are so fickle. I just continue to be the person I was."
Scott said he has a different feeling coaching the Hornets. "Just the way these guys get along is something to see," said Scott. "I see how these guys interact on the plane, in the locker room, they remind me of my Lakers teams where nothing swayed their belief and trust. I have more hands-on and decision making with the Hornets organization. I feel a lot more comfortable now.
"I've got the best point guard (Paul) in the league. He reminds me of Isiah Thomas. He has the same voice, smile, baby face, that guy that you look at and say he is such a great guy, but on the court he is an assassin.
"A lot of people are still waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under us. That's something we kind of enjoy. People are still waiting."
Miles and Perrilloux
It is difficult to handle bad behavior by college athletes, particularly when the law is violated. However LSU suspended quarterback Ryan Perrilloux has never been arrested in any of his three suspensions from the team. His latest caper was missing team meetings and classes.
One of the inherent problems is that a head coach has a conflict of interest is this area. He is in charge of disciplining the athletes in his program, but at the same time he has a huge financial stake in keeping these players on the field. Back in the old days when coaches were not multi-millionaires, it was easier to stand on principle.
Some schools have kicked around the idea of taking discipline out of the hands of head coaches when the rule of law is involved. If a guy misses curfew, doesn't go to class or misses practices, that's up the coach. He would be in charge of everything football related. If the police get involved, then the university takes over. Coaches would not like that because they are, by nature, control freaks. But it may be necessary.
First, there were media reports that Perrilloux will miss all of spring practice which reportedly is not true. So then the pressboxers asked coach Les Miles for a clarification. His response? "I'm not going to talk about that. It's a not a distraction with the team. It's a distraction with the media."
Here's the problem that most coaches don't understand. Miles has every right to handle discipline within he confines of his program. But the response to allegedly bad information is not to shut down all information.
Does Miles owe a complete explanation to the media on this? Absolutely not. But a college football program is like a political campaign. If you don't control the message others will control it for you. In today's media culture, an information vacuum is going to be filled by something and it is usually bad information.
D.J. McCarthy
Tigers wide receivers coach D.J. McCarthy interviewed with Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, but was not offered the job. Shanahan instead hired Jedd Fish, formerly of the Ravens. "Stranahan is a great coach and if you have the opportunity to interview with him you take it," said McCarthy. "I've studied his offenses, and I'm interested in one day coaching again in the NFL. I wasn't ready to move anyway. We really like it here at LSU. Plus, if I would've left, it would have been my fourth move in four years. My kids are young. We're settled here."
Wide receiver Jared Mitchell and safety Chad Jones are not the only Tigers football players who participate in other sports. While those two are splitting time with the baseball team during spring drills, LSU kick returner/tailback Trindon Holliday and defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois will be competing for the Tigers track team. Holliday is one of the best sprinters in the country and could qualify for the next Olympic Games. Jean-Francois tosses the shot put. Neither opened spring football practice with the Tigers last Friday. Holliday is not expected to play much football at all this spring while Jean-Francois will be splitting time. Wide receiver Demetrius Byrd will also compete in track this season, but not until after spring spring football.
Miles, on how hard it is for a first-year quarterback to play in the SEC: "All the quarterback has to do is execute the play that is called. He doesn't have to feel that he has to make plays that are over his ability. As long as he relaxes and plays within the scheme of the offense we will be fine. The thing that always happens if you have a great player in a backup position, certainly you would have seen him and how he would have played. The new guy that steps in may have great talent and ability, but he doesn't have experience so he has to develop.
"To compete those guys with the veterans who have come before them and took years to develop is probably not fair. However, what always happens on great teams is that the veterans that play on the offensive line, the perimeter and running back position is a little easier for those quarterbacks to develop because it is a quality football team. The receivers have a way of making a catch on a bad throw and it adds to the confidence and development of that quarterback. it also benefits if our defense plays extremely well. If the defense plays well, it gives a couple more times to punt a couple of times. You rely on the team to develop. You rely on the veternas first. The young guys that are the starters will come up to the speed they're capable of."
WELCOME BANZAI AND MIKE
Hornets center Tyson Chandler said the team needed more bench help and he was happy about the trade to Houston for Bonzi Wells and Mike James although he didn't like seeing Bobby Jackson, Adam Haluska and Marcus Vinicius go.
"Once we get these new guys adapted to our defensive strategies and what we're trying to accomplish on the offensive end, I think we'll be better," said Tyson. "These guys are veterans. They'll adapt pretty well and fairly quickly.
"Our system is definitely a difficult system to adapt to because it's all reads. There aren't necessarily spots you need to be at. It's really all based on all reads. But we'll implement things that are going to benefit them.
"If feel like, going into the playoffs, when you have offensive struggles, it'll help to have a guy like Bonzi Wells to go to in the block, another post-up guy. He's also a big guard who can defend big guards. And then Mike James' quickness and his outside threat is also a good addition. I think the addition of these two guys will pay off in the long run.
"I definitely can separate the personal from the business, but at first it's hard because you are thinking about the friends you are losing.
"I always understand that this is a business. The team is trying to get better, trying to get deeper. To get something good like that, you're going to have to give up something good.I understand the basketball decision of it and I understand general manager Jeff Bower's position. Even if I was the GM, just because I was friends with somebody doesn't mean I would keep them on my team. The ultimate goal is to make the club better.
"But I look at it from both ends. We lost a friend and a great teammate, but on the business side. I can understand it because we got deeper and it will help us in the long run going into the playoffs.
"I felt for Marcus and Adam, too, because they are young and don't know what to expect. Bobby, on the trade side, he went back to the coach that he played for and had success with. Basketball-wise, he's going to be all right. But the other guys they're young and have never been traded. Marcus doesn't speak English that well so going into another city, not knowing anyone and not being able to communicate, that's going to be tough on him.
"I've never been on a team like this and I don't think Bobby had either. Being a tight group really makes a difference on the floor, too. The chemistry carries over. And also, we can get on one another with a level of respect. We're not holding back. I can get on Chris (Paul) about not playing hard or something and he knows it's not nothing personal Becca he knows how much I love and respect him. Anybody can get on me, and if you have respect for each other, then it isn't any problem."
New Orleans Hornets
None of he national NBA writers are predicting a title for the Hornets this season, but many have put them in the second level of contention.
Marty Burke, NBA analyst for SI.com, writes: "Chris Paul is a surprising candidate for MVP. Before the season, Paul probably would have ranked behind Steve, Nash, Baron Davis, Tony Parker and Deron Williams in most people's list of best point guards -- in the West alone. But Paul has elevated his play this season, even out-playing Nash and Jason Kidd in head-to-head meetings.
"Paul's scoring (20.8 ppg), dishing (10.8 apg), pilfering (league best 2.7 spg) and leading like a 10-year veteran instead of a three-year newbie has made the Hornets one of the biggest surprises in the NBA There is no way he will win the MVP this year, but he is definitely put himself in the discussion."
Though the Hornets lack playoff experience, they are desperate for Wells and James to elevate their bench.
SAINTS TRADE FOR VILLA, RE-SIGN HENDERSON, STECKER
The Saints have acquired linebacker Jonathan Vilma in a trade with the Jets and re-signed Devery Henderson and Aaron Stecker.
The team also terminated the contract of linebacker Brian Simmons.
Vilma's trade to the Saints will cost the team a 2009 conditional fourth-round draft choice. That pick could become a third-rounder if Vilma meets playing time and performance requirements. He is a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, but was place on injured reserve on Oct. 27 with a knee injury. He would have been a free agent after next season.
"I enjoyed my four seasons with the Jets and thank them for the opportunities they gave, "Vilma said in a statement. "But his represents a new chapter in my football career and in my life and I am truly excited s\and fortunate to be joining a team that just a little over over a year ago was one win away from appearing in the Super Bowl."
Saint general manager Mickey Loomis said, "In talking with people that are familiar with him, it is clear that he is serious and passionate about the game, that winning is something that is extremely important to him to him and he has leadership skills that he backs up with his play of the field.
"We've consulted with our medical staff and spent time investigating the particulars surrounding the injury. We're confident that he will return to the standard of play that he set through the first 3 1/2 years of his career."
Stecker signed a one-year $1.4 million deal and the terms of Henderson's deal were not released, but the NFL Network reported it was a one-year $2 million deal. Simmons became expendable when the Saints acquires Vilma, 26, from the University of Miami.
Stecker, 32, has been a valuable and versatile running back and special teams player. Filling for injured Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush last season, he rushed for 448 yards and 5 touchdowns and caught 36 passes for 211 yards.
Henderson,a second-round draft choice from LSU. has had an inconsistent career.He has been one of the NFL's most dangerous deep threats, but he also has struggled with dropped passes and lost his starting job last season. He caught 20 passes for 409 yards and 3 touchdowns last season.
Simmons was scheduled to receive $3.3 million in salary this year and $2.7 million next season, which the Saints won't have to pay. The team will be charged about $2 million against their salary cap this year to cover the remainder of his signing bonus.
The Saints, looking for much defensive help this season, are trying to sign free agent cornerback Randall Gay, former LSU and Patriots cornerback. Gay, 25, is scheduled to visit TampaBay next unless the Saints can convince him otherwise.
The Saints have also re-signed defensive tackle Brian Young and center Jonathan Goodwin.
The Jets and Pro Bowl left guard Alan Faneca of LSU agreed to a five-year, $40 million contract, making the former Steeler the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. Faneca's new deal includes $21 million in guarantees. He has been to seven straight Pro Bowls.
Veteran ex-Saints and LSU receiver Edie Kennison, 35, has been cut by the Chiefs.
Donte Stallworth
Former Saints, Eagles and Patriots wide receiver Donte Stallworth signed a seven-year contract with the Browns.
