No buzz for this Hornet
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There were 11 names revealed on Christmas Day in the second returns of All-Star fan balloting for Western Conference forwards, but not his. The only endorsement the 2008 All-Star has is
Such is the life of Hornets forward David West, the NBA's least-known All-Star - and he wouldn't want it any other way.
"I would rather people just see a tall dude and keep it moving," West said. "I'm glad I don't have to deal with that."
Lost in the hype surrounding LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony, West entered the NBA with no fanfare as the 18th overall selection by the Hornets in 2003. It wasn't until point guard Chris Paul arrived in New Orleans two years later that West started becoming noticed.
West is not a vocal guy and doesn't appear to be the friendliest, either. But looks can be deceiving as the 6-foot-9-inch, 240-pounder is cooperative with the media, approachable, and known to give it to you straight. And the New Jersey native's effective yet non-descript post and perimeter games won't make him a regular on "SportsCenter." While West is one of four Hornets shown on the side of New Orleans Arena, Paul is the true face of the Hornets. West says he has passed on more publicity and some endorsements and would rather just lace them up.
"It's not something that I miss," said West, about the lack of endorsements and attention. "I'd rather just play ball. It's not really something that really affects me or bothers me.
"I think it has a lot to do with personalities and the way some guys are. I'm just not out there selling myself like that because I don't choose to do that. I'd rather be the way I am. Play in some shoes and call it a day."
But after averaging more than 17 points and 7 rebounds for three straight seasons entering this one, there is no question he is one of the premier power forwards in the NBA. West averaged career bests of 20.6 points and 8.9 rebounds last season and is averaging 19.5 points and 7.1 rebounds through 21 games this season.
"I don't do anything flashy," West said. "I don't try to focus as much on what I can't do. I focus more on what I can do and just try to do that well. That formula has been working for me and that's what I will continue to do."
Last season, West was not among the top 11 vote-getters in All-Star fan balloting. But the Western Conference coaches gave West the ultimate respect by naming him as a reserve.
"I felt like it was something that I put a lot of work into in the game of basketball," said West of his first All-Star appearance. "To be recognized was huge. I felt proud."
Last February's All-Star Game was in New Orleans, and Paul and Hornets coach Byron Scott seemed to be the toast of the weekend. But West did what was asked of him and scored 6 points in the game.
With all due respect to Reggie Bush and the Saints, there is no athlete more popular in the Big Easy than Paul, who was on the gold medal-winning US Olympic team in Beijing. As for West, he can still go shopping without being bothered and live the life of the average tall man despite being an above-average NBA player. The thought of it brings a smile to his face.
"The NBA is a lifestyle where it's kind of hard to stay under wraps," West said. "I prefer to try to remain as close to that as possible. I just like being that way. I like going in and out of the grocery store and people not knowing who I am. Go out to eat. Go walk in the mall. Things like that.
"I would rather not be identified. I don't know where it comes from. I'm just comfortable in that space."
UConn center told the cons
Rukia Thabeet turned to a fellow African, Dikembe Mutombo, last spring when looking for advice as to whether her son, University of Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet, should go to the NBA after his sophomore season. Mutombo told her Hasheem should put in at least another year with the Huskies before going pro because he wasn't a definite lottery draft pick. The native of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, followed the advice and now seems poised to be a high selection in the 2009 NBA draft if he decides to leave after his junior year.
"I talked to his mom when he was considering going from college to the NBA this year," said Mutombo, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo and current NBA free agent who has drawn some interest from the Celtics. "Any African kid that wants advice from me I will give it to them. I want to see more African kids come into the NBA.
"I told him to wait. His family passed the message on to him. During the last draft he would not have been drafted high. But now the door is open for him to possibly be the No. 1 draft pick."
The 7-foot-2-inch, 261-pound Mutombo averaged 15.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game as a senior at Georgetown before being the fourth overall pick (by the Nuggets) in the 1991 NBA draft. Through the first 10 games this season, the 7-3, 265-pound Thabeet averaged 14.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks.
"[Thabeet] can block shots like me," Mutombo said. "He reminds me of myself. I want him to be the next great shot-blocker from Africa. First Hakeem Olajuwon, then me, and then [Thabeet]."
"I don't think he'll be ready to play in a game for a month still," said Warriors coach Don Nelson. "And that could be even when he starts to practice. I don't know. I'm really not sure."
Ellis was expected to take over for Baron Davis (who left for the Clippers in free agency) at point guard for the Warriors after signing a six-year, $66 million contract in the offseason. The 6-foot-3-inch, 180-pounder seemed deserving after averaging a career-high 20.2 points, 5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals, while shooting 53.1 percent last season.
But the Jackson, Miss., native has been sidelined since having surgery for a Grade 3 left ankle sprain he suffered Aug. 21 in a moped accident, about which he initially lied to the Warriors. The Warriors suspended the 23-year-old Ellis Oct. 11 for 30 games without pay for violating the terms of his new contract.
Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin said Ellis's recovery is going smoothly.
"There is a healing process on both sides, mentally and physically," Mullin said. "The key is having him totally healthy. When that happens, it will be smooth sailing. Trying to come back early physically is not a smart thing to do. When [he returns], we'll wait and see. But I don't think you can deny that there is a process on both sides."
When asked if he still hated the Celtics after being part of a Christmas win over them, Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic said, "More than that. I can't even imagine what more than hate is. You have to go to vocabulary and find out." Vujacic has refused to wear anything green since the Celtics beat the Lakers in last spring's Finals . . . Without going into detail, Celtics president Danny Ainge said, "There is a lot of [trade] discussion throughout the league, which can mean something or nothing." . . . The Hornets lost to the Lakers and Magic last week. When asked what New Orleans needs to do to get to the next level, Hornets forward James Posey said, "We just have to keep working. We can't get bored with the process. We have to continue to get better. It's a mind-set, as well. It's a way you approach the season. It's a way you approach every game."
