10-06-2007, 12:04 AM
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#19 (permalink)
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,353
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Re: '07 Training camp/Pre-season thread...
Hornets' Armstrong better, stronger
Backup center shows vast improvement
Since big-money backup center Chris Andersen was banned from the NBA, the Hornets have wedged giants into the giant hole that Andersen dug. Marc Jackson. Aaron Williams. Even a pinch of Jackson Vroman.
The results were minimal.
The Hornets now believe they've found a player who can effectively spell starting center Tyson Chandler. On paper, you'd think this guy was the worst of the bunch.
Only 3.1 points per game? Twenty-six games when he didn't even play? What happened -- the Hornets lost Corsley Edwards number?
On the contrary, the Hornets are enthusiastic about Hilton Armstrong, who struggled as a rookie but vastly improved this past summer.
"His post-up game has gotten so much better," Hornets Coach Byron Scott said. "His outside shot has gotten so much better, and he has gotten stronger. Those are the things he needed to do this summer. And he came in better -- much better -- condition than he came in last year at this time. And it has helped him tremendously."
Armstrong was drafted 12th overall out of Connecticut in 2006 but was ineffective in 2006-07.
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Jackson keeps taking some hits
JACKSON KEEPS TAKING SOME HITS: Earlier this week during a scrimmage, Hornets Coach Byron Scott thought Bobby Jackson took a knee to his right thigh that left Jackson grimacing in pain for several minutes.
On Friday, Jackson said he slightly hyperextended his right knee, but it was not severe enough to sideline him. The injury occurred after he tried to penetrate across the lane but appeared to step on the foot of a teammate before falling hard.
Two weeks prior to the start of training camp, Jackson said while working out in Sacramento, Calif., he hyperextended the same knee, but -- like Wednesday -- it was not severe.
During the first two training camp practices, Jackson had a difficult time getting adjusted to the extensive running drills conducted by Scott. During Tuesday's first practice, Jackson was the first player to require time in the training room after experiencing leg cramps.
Jackson, 34, is the oldest player on the Hornets' roster. But for the second consecutive season, he is expected to be a key contributor off the bench as a scorer. Last season, Jackson missed 21 games after five ribs were cracked. In March, he missed six games due to a strained right Achilles tendon.
"I'm getting older, but my body feels good," Jackson said. "I'm not even sore, but I'm trying to pace myself and work on my shot a little more than I did last year."
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