<font size="5"><font color="DarkRed"> REGRET ME NOT</font></font> <font size="3"><font color="Sienna">Former Hornets guard Baron Davis is healthy and happy with the Warriors, and his former team isn't looking back either</font></font> Monday, November 28, 2005 By John Reid Staff writer OAKLAND -- Nine months ago, point guard Baron Davis walked away from the Hornets' practice facility for the last time, eager for a new start with the Golden State Warriors after three tumultuous seasons in New Orleans. During his time with the Hornets, Davis, the team's highest-paid player, was askedto be the face of the organization, ready and willing to talk up the positive things happening with the team. But Baron wanted to be Baron, free to say whatever he wanted. When he thought the organization didn't do enough in free agency before the 2004-05 season, he voiced his displeasure and demanded a trade through his agent. When former general manager Allan Bristow established a new team policy banning personal trainers from the practice facility, Davis protested by having his personal trainer stretch him on the concrete sidewalk outside the Alario Center. It was inevitable that Davis and the team would divorce. On Feb. 24, the Hornets traded him to Golden State for guard Speedy Claxton and center/forward Dale Davis, who never reported. Since, neither the Hornets nor Baron Davis have looked back with much regret. Tonight, for the first time since the trade, Davis' Warriors will meet the Hornets. "It just feels great to be wanted and just focused on playing basketball and nothing else," Davis said. "I can't stress this enough . . . the people here have shown me the utmost respect. It's not run like a dictatorship that I was used to. "Pretty much the last three years in New Orleans, I couldn't be myself. I kept feeling like I had to defend myself, and sometimes I would fight back. But there are no hard feelings; I don't hold any animosity toward the owner. But they don't really exist to me in my world." More
Man, everyone (except Warrior fans) seem to be haters against BD. The guy did so much for the Hornets franchise, they had some rough times, so now they say they "never knew" Baron? Wtf kind of crap is that. Baron still has love for his old home, yet they don't show any back.
I'll tell you, I may be from the northeast, but I definitely have love for this guy. He's an exciting player, he's a fun interview, and he seems to jel well with teammates. Can't complain about that. His all around game leaves only his injuries to regret. And nobody else was selling tickets in New Orleans, as we can clearly see now.
Well, I can see how guys like Davis can wear out welcome like that. Davis is confident, proud and has a flavor in his attitute. Those personalities works well when things go smoothly like how his first 3 careers with Hornets. But, those don't go well when things go sour like Davis' last 3 years with Hornets. His personalities probably didn't work well when Hornets were considered as a disappointment, and if those continued for three years, I can really see why some people in Hornets hate him like that. So far, Davis really mashed well with us. One of the reasons must be because things are going so well with us, but he probably also learned to tone down his attitute a bit and get along with people on and off the court. Also, we have a roster of good and young people, and unlike Hornets, Davis happens to be the 'oldest' guy of our young court, so he probably feels some responsiblity to lead our young players as well. I mean, you can tell that Davis is not TO or Sprewell when he donates a lot of money on NO, when he was basically exiled from there. It will be interesting to see how Davis will handle inevitable hardships and blame games in the future...
I think Monty and Baron get along well, Monty doesn't seem too strict and is more open, which Baron probably likes. For example if Baron was under Larry Brown I get the feeling he wouldn't be happy, since with Larry it's either his way or you don't play.
Okay, let's admit it, the Warriors are winning and we are happy. If they were losing and we were stuck with a $60M contract for an injured Baron Davis, our thinking might be different. Or even if he was healthy but shooting 35% and jacking up 3s and the W's were losing, we would probably be grousing. But the W's are winning and there's no grousing. As John Madden said, "winning is a great deodorant."
