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Notes: Hornets/Spurs Matchup

The Hornets have signed guard Donald Sloan to a 10-day contract, the team reported earlier today. Sloan most recently played for the Sioux Falls NBA Development League team, and appeared in 33 NBA games during the 2011-12 season, including three games with the Hornets.

During his time with the Hornets, Sloan averaged 4.0 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 rebounds in an average of 13.7 minutes a game.

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The Hornets will host an All-Star balloting event tomorrow, Jan. 8, from 6-7 p.m.at Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership in Marrero (1965 Barataria Blvd.). Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson, Hugo and the Honeybees will be in attendance.

Fans who vote on the day of the event, and show proof, can get their photo taken with the players, and get an autograph.

The event is free and open to the public.

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Hornets Head Coach Monty Williams before the game:

Credit NBA
Hornets Head Coach Monty Williams.

On the rookies hitting the ‘rookie wall’:

It exists. I’m not sure it’s a concern; it’s just part of being a rookie. Some guys hit it early and some guys just play through the seasons and never hit any wall. It’s one of those things where the rookies can go to the vets on the team, and they can help them through it. They need to learn from it. When they get tired they need to just work through it.

On other Hornets players not leaning too hard on Eric Gordon:

I like it when your best player energizes your team, when he’s out there hitting shots. That gives everybody the confidence to play well. When Eric was out, that allowed our younger guys to play and gain experience, and that will make us better down the road.

On the Spurs passing:

They do a great job offensively. We just need to keep our defensive intensity up, and contest all passes and shots. They play off of Tim [Duncan] and Tony [Parker] real well, and they are an unselfish team. That’s what makes them so difficult to defend.

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Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich before the game:

On defending the Hornets with Eric Gordon back in the lineup:

Everything’s the same. It doesn’t matter who the players are you’re playing against. You do what you do, and you do what you practice.

On the Spurs’ evolution into a fast-paced offensive team:

We have a system, but the system’s got to be flexible. You can’t be in the stone age based on who your players are. We’re scoring a lot of points now, and in the past we were just a defensive team. We’ve upped the tempo offensively a significant amount in the last few years because our team evolved into a perimeter team, and a “penetrate and kick out team”... The system’s the same, but the emphasis is different.

On New Orleans’ Grievis Vasquez:

From the outside looking in, he’s a gamer, he’s a lifer, he’s a gym rat. He loves basketball, and he comes to compete every second he’s on the court. He’s a very good pick-and-roll player, he’s got a good runner, he shoots the ball well. He’s got a great intensity about him, kind of like Monty [Williams]. He’s got the same intensity. So, he’s put it all together and done a good job.

Jason Saul served as WWNO's Director of Digital Services. In 2017 he took a position at BirdNote, in Seattle.

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