Hornets Respond To Cowens’ Style
When Dave Cowens became head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, he told the people in basketball country that the pro team would play “hard ball.”
As if a Cowens team could play any other way.
He led the NBA in collecting floor burns as the quintessential Boston Celtic, and expects the Hornets to play every game as if it were a dockfight. The Hornets? Defense was not exactly a buzzword with them, as Charlotte last season was as squeezably soft as Charmin.
When the Hornets used “Hard Ball” as a marketing slogan, Cowens was not pleased. “I told them that it shouldn’t have anything to do with me. I don’t play anymore,” Cowens said. “You want a slogan or a mantra it should be real and reflect the personality of players. I’m just a sophisticated fan.”
Some sophisticated fan. Cowens probably will be denying his impact on the Hornets all the way to the playoffs, and maybe even en route to an awards podium housing the NBA’s coach-of-the-year trophy. In a time when a coach’s imprint on the pro game is overlooked and unappreciated, the Big Red Head has had an obvious affect on the Hornets.
The Hornets obviously bought into Cowens’ hard-sell, as they are mirroring the intense image their coach was known for.
On the courts
The New Jersey Nets pulled off another upset Sunday, dominating the boards, running out to an early double-digit lead and never letting the New York Knicks back into the game to win 89-74.
The victory in New York came less than 48 hours after the Nets had one of the most surprising wins of the NBA season, a one-point victory over the Chicago Bulls.
At Inglewood, Calif., Nick Van Exel made a 3-point shot with 2:58 left in overtime to put the Los Angeles Lakers ahead for good in a 98-90 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
The Lakers moved within two games of Pacific Division-leading Seattle, and into third place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of Houston.
Clifford Robinson scored 26 points and the Portland Trail Blazers extended their league-best winning streak to nine games with a 106-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in L.A.