Hornets247.com

As Monty Williams continues assembling what appears to be a talented group of assistants, one name remains missing. Former Hornets assistant Robert Pack, credited by both Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton as crucial in their development last season, has yet to sign with a basketball team for the coming season.

If Monty's brief track record of cleaning house is any indication, there won't be an announcement that Pack is returning. The Hornets have yet to retain a single coach from last year, in what is likely an attempt to cleanse the locker of of any lingering resentment from last year, and an effort to eliminate the mentality from the Bower era.

While Monty Williams isn't the first coach to completely clean house, and won't be the last, it seems unwise not to retain a coach as obviously talented and familiar with the team as Pack. The New Orleans native is a 13 year NBA veteran and has coached for only a single season. Despite being new to the coaching game, Pack played a huge role in the development of the rookies, both of whom gave the Hornets considerably more than was expected.

Earlier this summer I asked Marcus Thornton about Robert Pack and all of a sudden Thornton, who had been rather emotionless up to that point, seemed genuinely interested in the conversation.

Joe: I wanted to ask a little about Robert Pack and the role he played in your development.

Marcus: Ah man, he was huge. Me and DC will both vouch for him. I hope he's back because he was a big part of our success last year.

Joe: Anything specific?

Marcus: He was just there when we needed him. He brought us in hours and hours before practice and just made us do what we had to do to get better. He was a player once, so he knows what he's doing out there.

The Hornets had no comment when asked about Pack. What do you think? Is it worth it to bring back Robert Pack, or should the team continue it's complete house cleaning?

Two months into the season the media and basketball junkies worldwide are going to be talking about the New Orleans Hornets and Chris Paul as if they just crawled out of the swamp to become one of the better teams in the Western Conference. When that happens remember this post.

You see, the memory of NBA fans can be compared to a stoned elephant, or perhaps a goldfish swimming in Everclear. As soon as something new and flashy comes along or an completely fluke injury occurs to a star player they do a 180 on their stance, sometimes completely contradicting their previous sentiment.

Think about it for a second- Two years ago the Hornets were considered dark horse title contenders. ESPN experts had them as the second most likely team to win the NBA title. They weren't unrealistic though, and had the foresight to essentially predict what would wind up happening.

Continue reading »

With tip off of the NBA finals approaching, and numerous reports of a declined offer, it appears that Tom Thibodeau will not become the next head coach of the New Orleans Hornets. Good riddance. Who wants a guy with no playing experience whatsoever anyway?

Instead Monty Williams, reportedly Chris Paul's top choice, will be offered the position, according to a number of sources.

ESPN’s Marc Stein:

The Hornets don’t want to let their coaching search drag beyond this week and plan to offer the job instead to Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams if Thibodeau, Boston’s defensive specialist, doesn’t accept by Thursday, according to sources.

Continue reading »

Dear Mr. Thibodeau,

I write to you today not as a member of the media, but as a hopeful New Orleans Hornets fan who wants ever so much to see his favorite team bring home an NBA championship.

In an off season in which no less than six head coaching jobs will change hands, it's no surprise that a man with your credentials and personal recommendations is being sought after, especially given the Celtics stifling defensive performances throughout the playoffs. Bravo, might I add.

Now, I'm not here to tell you how great you are, since I really have only come to know the details of your supposed genius rather recently. We can leave that to the writers who have had the privilege of covering your previous and current employers, since they are obviously more qualified than I. What needs to be said is something more relating to the city of New Orleans and the team that the Hornets can be(e).

Continue reading »

The New Orleans Hornets will reportedly extend Tom Thibodeau an offer to become their next head coach. What remains to be seen however, is whether or not he will accept the job, or wait to see what happens in Chicago.

Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report:

"Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau has emerged as the frontrunner for the New Orleans Hornets’ coaching job and an offer could be forthcoming in the near future, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Continue reading »