Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410070021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: FORT MILL, S.C. LENGTH: Medium
That doesn't include the NBA club's fresh and gleaming practice facility, an arena that proves that George Shinn is making money, despite all of the talk about dollar distribution in the league.
The Hornets take their first dribbles this morning as training camp opens at the $5 million, privately-funded building, just down the road from Jim and Tammy Faye's temple of doom.
There were no signs of a potential lockout Thursday afternoon as the franchise began its seventh season by opening the doors for media day. And the only reminder of a strike was neighboring Knights Castle, Charlotte's Triple A baseball park that shares Shinn land with the Hornets' new house of plenty.
A 72,000-square foot building won't make a difference for the Hornets this season. The 1-foot, 9-inch shortening of the three-point goal distance won't make a measurable improvement, either.
Charlotte won 18 of its final 26 games last season after stars Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning returned to health. Still, they finished 41-41 and failed to make the playoffs after reaching the NBA's final eight the year before.
``This year should be a little different,'' said Alan Bristow, in his fourth season as the Hornets' coach. ``I think we're going to have more of a working attitude, more focus, because of what happened last season.
``After what we did two years ago, we had a glorious summer last year. Then, in a matter of a month, we saw what could happen. It showed us how fragile things can be in this game.
``Last season was a good precaution. It shows it's not going to happen by us showing up.''
Bristow's team will be taken seriously, even if his every word isn't. For instance, he also said that if the NBA had been using a 22-foot 3-point shot when he was playing, he'd still be playing.
That isn't just a stretch. That's like saying Muggsy Bogues is 7 feet.
The Hornets begin camp with 18 players, including six rookie free agents, among them former Virginia Tech forward Thomas Elliott, who played last season with Miami - in the USBL. Bristow and Dell Curry, the NBA's Sixth Man Award winner last season, are the Hokies sure to be around next month, however.
Charlotte's opening roster is 91.67 percent obvious. Eleven of the 12 spots appear certain, with rookie forward Darrin Hancock, the club's only 1994 draft pick, likely for the last spot.
It's from the bench that Hancock may occupy where the Hornets could be helped immeasurably, however. Bristow has added experience and NBA title teachings in assistant coach John Bach, 69, who spent the last eight seasons with Chicago.
A club that since its inception has needed a second point guard dealt for Washington's Michael Adams. A more sizable addition than the former Boston College playmaker, however, is the man who will become the first Hornet inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
Then, again ...
``I think I wore out my welcome in Massachusetts,'' said a laughing Robert Parish, the former Celtic great and Charlotte's new backup pivotman.
That means the Hornets' centers will be 'Zo and Zero-Zero. But numerically, Parish was anything but a free agent. The Hornets are paying ``The Chief'' a guaranteed $5.5 million over two seasons to be more than a tutor.
``Robert and Michael are the kind of players we needed at the positions where we needed help,'' Bristow said. ``We hope the maturity rubs off, but we want more than that.''
Parish, told that he's often called ``ageless,'' smiled and said, ``That's not true. I'm 41.''
Adams will be age 32 during the season. Forward David Wingate is 31. Curry, about to become a father for the third time and starting his ninth NBA season, is 30. Backup big man Kenny Gattison is 30, an age Bogues will reach in January.
Yes, it's a very crucial season in the history of a franchise that has sold out 235 consecutive games. The Hornets figure to play a nine-man rotation - if the NBA plays.
``We don't have a history of striking,'' Parish said of a league in which he's the elder statesman in more ways than one. ``Hopefully that will continue.
``And hopefully, we'll continue to act like adults and sit down and work out our differences.''
Now, there's a thought that hopefully won't be perishable.
by CNB