The Hornets announced today that they've hired Robert Pack as Byron Scott's fourth assistant coach. The addition comes just a few weeks after former scout Rob Werdann was hired to replace the disgruntled Kenny Gattison as the Hornets big man coach.
The 40-year-old Pack is a New Orleans native and spent 13 seasons playing in the NBA, including 28 games with the Hornets back in 2002-03. Most recently, he spent a year as assistant coach of the D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The Hornets job is his first NBA coaching gig.
Pack stands only 6-2, but he was known as a high-flyer during his playing days. Video evidence (some bad stuff at the 1:10 mark):
Hornets assistant coaches for 2009-2010:
- Robert Pack
- Charlie Parker
- Paul Pressey
- Rob Werdann
16 masterful comments post your own
Niall Doherty
08/06/09 11:56 AM
Speaking of coaches, I hear Kurt Rambis is talking to the T-Wolves about their head coaching vacancy. If he leaves L.A. for Minnesota, that might make Byron Scott the favorite to succeed Phil Jackson as Lakers coach.
www.ndoherty.com #1
bigindian15
08/06/09 12:16 PM
Holy crap. If he punched someone like that today he'd be kicked out of the league!
#2
Ryan Schwan
08/06/09 12:47 PM
Yeah, he just cracked him in the nose. I love the reaction of his teammate, who didn't really seem surprised or anything, he just put his hand around Pack's waist and tugged at him.
It looks like Rambis is not only talking with Minny, but is the front-runner, too.
www.hornets247.com #3
Caleb462
08/06/09 03:13 PM
Damn he clocked that dude!
Haha, I'm glad we hired him just because of that!
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #4
Juncti
08/06/09 03:57 PM
Just curious, what is the point of so many assistant coaches? There's not that many players on a team, so a head coach and 4 assistants seems like a lot. Almost 1 coach to 2 players.
#5
Niall Doherty
08/06/09 04:10 PM
I think a lot of teams have three or four assistant coaches. The Hornets had three last season, but four the year before that. As I understand it, each assistant has a specific role. For example, Werdann is the big man coach and I'm guessing Pack will mostly be working with the point guards. I believe upcoming opponents are also divvied up between the assistants for advance scouting, so one guy will watch a few hours of tape so we'll know how the Bulls are likely to defend the pick and roll, what out of bounds plays they usually run, etc.
www.ndoherty.com #6
Niall Doherty
08/06/09 04:12 PM
Actually, now I think of it, Pack's main role might be teaching Hilton Armstrong how to go up strong ;-)
www.ndoherty.com #7
MoPeteCP3
08/06/09 08:30 PM
Leave Hilton alone!
#8
saltandcarbon
08/06/09 09:18 PM
DAMN! Dude was bad. Where else was he playing apart from the NBA? Looked like Russia and/or Oz.
#9
untitled1018
08/07/09 04:28 AM
yeah, I don't know ... not that it matters ... but on that punch alone, I wished they wouldn't have hired him ...
#10
Niall Doherty
08/07/09 06:00 AM
Let's not judge the guy too harshly because of one punch. Does anyone wish we hadn't drafted Chris Paul because of that incident with Julius Hodge? Good guys make mistakes sometimes.
www.ndoherty.com #11
untitled1018
08/07/09 08:56 AM
... different situations ... and people ... but good call. I see your point.
Not going to argue.
#12
bigindian15
08/07/09 02:03 PM
LOL CP punched a dude in the stones and got suspended for the NCAA tournament, which his team lost in because he wasn't there. If you wanna blacklist a guy, that'll do it. Sometimes people just let their emotions take over, doesn't make em bad
#13
StefanC
08/09/09 01:54 PM
Any word on how Peja and Mo Pete are doing health wise???
#14
emir
08/09/09 08:08 PM
lol stefan i was thinking about asking the same thing but never got around to it but i still wish we could get some news
#15
Ryan Schwan
08/09/09 09:54 PM
Morris Peterson gave a clinic a couple weeks ago up in Flint, Michigan and said he was feeling good and working out.
I've heard nothing about Peja.
www.hornets247.com #16