TNT’s P.J. Carlesimo discusses struggling New Orleans Hornets

Oklahoma City’s former NBA team, the New Orleans Hornets, are on track for an early elimination from the NBA playoffs. The Hornets lost to Denver 108-93 Wednesday night. Former Thunder coach P.J. Carlisimo provided the commentary for TNT’s telecast. Some of Carlisimo’s comments:

On Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups: “I think sometimes Chauncey gets tired of hearing about the young guards in the league. Very few of the young guards, in fact none of the young guards, have accomplished what Chauncey has.”

On Nuggets guard J.R. Smith, a former Hornet: “(The maturation) is happening a little slowly. (J.R. Smith) is coming along, but you’ve got to realize he’s only 23. As George Karl says, he’s a good/bad player, but a lot more good. J.R. Smith is improving with his ball skills, he still turns it over occasionally when he tries to go to the rim. Everybody plays him, they get into him and try to take away his three, the middle game and the finish, that’s what he’s got to develop.”

On Hornets center Tyson Chandler playing with an ankle injury: “The margin for error is not quite the same because (Tyson Chandler) is not quite as explosive. It used to be Chris Paul threw it up in the air and he would go and get it, but he’s got to be a little careful now.”

Studio analyst Charles Barkley on Hornets point guard Chris Paul having to do too much for his team: “It’s unfair to Chris Paul because he has to do so much. Chris Paul is too little to have to get everyone on offense involved. He (has to) make David West, (Tyson) Chandler and (Rasual) Butler go (on offense) and guard Chauncey Billups at the same time…that’s physically impossible.”

And Barkley on Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen’s Mohawk: “(Birdman’s) hair looks like Tweety Bird.”

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