Okafor isn’t winning over new teammates

[spectre]

Yahoo Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. – Less than a week before the start of the season, the New Orleans Hornets still don’t know what to make of new center Emeka Okafor(notes). He has yet to play or even practice with them, and his prolonged absence has some team members privately shaking their heads.

Okafor has missed all seven of the Hornets’ preseason games because of a strained toe on his right foot. He isn’t expected to play in Friday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Clippers and his status for Wednesday’s season opener against the San Antonio Spurs remains in doubt.

An NBA source told Yahoo! Sports that Okafor was cleared to play by the Hornets’ medical staff two weeks ago and by his own doctor a week later. Most of Okafor’s teammates know he has been cleared and are eager to see whether he works out with them for the first time over the weekend.

“He better practice Sunday or he could lose some guys,” one Hornet said.

Prior to the Hornets’ shootaround on Thursday morning, Okafor acknowledged he has been medically cleared to play “based on how I feel.” He said he hopes to practice on Sunday.

“He might have been cleared medically, but from a mental standpoint he is not cleared,” New Orleans coach Byron Scott said. “In his mind, he says he’s not ready. When you have a guy that says he is not ready, the worst thing you can do is force him to get out there.”

Hornet's Report - Okafor

Contrast that with:

Chandler's recovery ahead of schedule

[Keetch]

I wasn't ready to go to work yesterday as this paper cut on my left index finger really had me considering how I could sit all day at my computer.

I just didn't think I could work and so thought it best to not push myself.

Fortunately I was still able to make my yoga class, followed by a nice Pilates session. So it all turned out for the best.

[Keetch]

I'm just happy we got "Mr. Glass."

[ohara831]

This is a very interesting turn of events. Honestly, I did not see something like this coming. Mental, not physical? That really surprises me. But at least we seem to have been the ones who came out with the real "gamer".

[Ampsportsduo]

This is a very interesting turn of events. Honestly, I did not see something like this coming. Mental, not physical? That really surprises me. But at least we seem to have been the ones who came out with the real "gamer".

Is it possible this is precisely why EO is a "he is what he is" player? This seems like the off-sesaon equivalent of "Damnit Mek, just dunk the damn ball!"

[teej]

Hope Shinn doesn't need the ticket money from the playoffs

[Ampsportsduo]

I wasn't ready to go to work yesterday as this paper cut on my left index finger really had me considering how I could sit all day at my computer.

I just didn't think I could work and so thought it best to not push myself.

Fortunately I was still able to make my yoga class, followed by a nice Pilates session. So it all turned out for the best.

You get an A from Larry.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

Emeka Okafor's Prolonged Absence

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14132


Emeka Okafor was publicly blasted by his former head coach in Charlotte on more than one occasion for being very particular about his body. He's one of those guys who doesn't go unless he's absolutely 100 percent. While that can sometimes prevent re-aggravation of injuries, it's also something that tends to irritate coaches, especially old school coaches like Larry Brown.

Okafor was traded to the New Orleans Hornets in the offseason in a move that Brown likely didn't shed any tears over. It was also a trade that had many folks in New Orleans excited. However, Okafor did not play in any of the team's eight preseason games and hasn't practiced with the team, either, save one walk-through. This puts the Hornets in a tough place heading into the season given the fact the Hornets haven't had a chance to get used to Okafor's presence on the floor.

Things could get worse very quickly, too, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports

{"(Okafor) better practice Sunday or he could lose some guys," one Hornet told Spears late last week.}

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of their new teammate, huh?

The Hornets are in a tough spot heading into this season with a lame duck coach in the final year of his contract in Byron Scott. The last thing this team needed was a player who was supposed to be an upgrade over the oft-injured Tyson Chandler missing the entire preseason.

This season has slow start written all over it for New Orleans. And given the various situations and circumstances surrounding the Hornets heading into the campaign, a slow start could be catastrophic.

[spectre]

http://www.bobcatsplanet.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9768

[BobCatsFanInTx]

Sorry I missed this Spectre. I would not have posted this if I had seen your thread.

Today is exactly 1 week since my mom and best friend passed away at 66 years of age. I guess I am a bit off due to that.

You can always have this thread deleted.

I am just trying to find some sort of normalcy in my life again. I am not looking for sympathy I am just explaining how I miss certain things and the such at this time. I was bad to begin with but I imagine I will be much worse for a time.

Bare with me.