By Sam Amico
ProBasketballNews.com
Hilton Armstrong will be the first tell you his contributions to the New Orleans Hornets’ remarkable season have been minimal.
In fact, Armstrong isn’t where he nor Hornets coach Byron Scott would like him to be as a professional basketball player. As Armstrong told Pro Basketball News, “I wish I could get on the court a little more. But I have to show that not only do I want to get on the floor, but that they need me to be there.”
Scott described it this way: “It’s been an up-and-
down season for Hilton. He’s a young man who’s
struggled with his confidence and has yet to take
advantage of his opportunities.”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement from the man in
charge. But Scott was quick to add, “It’s not like I’ve
lost faith in him. I still think he’s going to be a good player in this league. It’s just a matter of him understanding of what he needs to do, then do it with confidence.”
Armstrong is a 6-foot-11 forward/center who’s in his second season. The Hornets selected him with a lottery pick in the 2007 draft (No. 12 overall).
He’s never been much of a scorer, dating back to his days at the University of Connecticut (his season high is 11 points). He is averaging just 2.9 points per game, and as of March 26, had not played more than 10 minutes in any game this month.
That said, Armstrong believes he still has time to grow into his role. Here is what else he had to say in a one-on-one interview:
PBN: What do bring to the team?
Armstrong: “Definitely defense. That and a little energy. Now, I need to be more aggressive offensively. It’s hard for me to make that adjustment, because that’s never been my thinking. But I know I can do it. I just have to set my mind to it.”
PBN: When did you realize you could play in the NBA?
Armstrong: “It wasn’t really until my senior year of college. After my junior season, I saw how (former UConn teammate and current Milwaukee forward) Charlie Villaneuva was taken with the seventh pick in the lottery, and I played against him every day in practice. I thought then, ‘I could be just as good as him.’ Charlie being drafted gave me motivation for my senior year.”
PBN: It seems like you were a relative unknown until that senior year. True?
Armstrong: “It is. My first three years in college, I wasn‘t much of a major part of the team at all. But I knew in my heart that I would get an opportunity. And now I’m here, and I kind of feel like it’s like those first few years of college all over again. But just like then, I feel very confident that my chance will come.”
PBN: What about the Hornets' success overall?
Armstrong: “We’re a young team, but we’re a mature team. We have guys who know what it takes to win. Last year, we were up-and-down and still figuring things out. This year, we have them figured out a lot more. We’ve been one of the top three teams (in the Western Conference) all year. Now we just need to finish strong and carry it into the playoffs.”
