原文出自nola.com http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1107674534142200.xml Scott: Lynch's character shows during dry spell Sunday, February 06, 2005 By John Reid Staff writer Before Wednesday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks in which George Lynch played 25 minutes and scored five points, Coach Byron Scott had not used him in 14 of the previous 15 games. But Lynch did not complain to Scott, who said before a Jan. 24 game against the Miami Heat that Lynch was no longer in his eight- to nine-man rotation. "In my younger days, I probably would have complained," Lynch said. "But when you get older, you learn to be a team player. You just have to be ready when your name is called." He said he remains ready and is now needed, because starting small forward Lee Nailon is suffering from a groin injury. Lynch started Friday night's game against the Golden State Warriors and Saturday night against the Utah Jazz. Earlier this season, Lynch struggled to defend players and make open shots. He blamed the problem on returning too soon from a sore right foot that forced him to miss five games in January. "I tried playing, because we had so many guys hurt, and we were shorthanded," Lynch said. "It was an experience I've learned from, and the next time when I'm hurt, I'm going to sit out, because it only makes things worse." When Lynch struggled, Scott used Nailon and Bostjan Nachbar at small forward. Nachbar has struggled in the past few games, and Scott decided to bring Lynch off the bench against the Mavericks. "You have to respect and admire George, because he sat there and took it and didn't complain about not playing," Scott said. "He came to practice every day and did his job." ROOKIE HONORS: It took 19-year-old rookie J.R. Smith two months to stop feeling tense when he faced All-Star caliber players such as Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady. He said he was unsure whether he could defend or make an impact offensively against them. Now after going through the grind of playing 40 games, Smith is playing with more confidence. He proved it last month when he averaged 8.4 points in 16 games to earn the league's Rookie of the Month award for the Western Conference. "I'm confident, because I've seen everybody play now at least one time," Smith said. "I'm no longer worrying about what happens next week or the day after that. I'm just playing, and I'm not worrying about anything else." Smith is the third rookie in Hornets' franchise history to earn the honor. In the Hornets' six wins last month, Smith averaged 12 points. His best game was against the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 8 when he scored a career-high 23 points in a 121-117 overtime victory at New Orleans Arena. Smith's weakness continues to be on defense, but Scott said he has made progress. WHAT'S AHEAD AT THE ARENA: After a four-game road trip, the Hornets return home to play Golden State on Friday night. After traveling to play the Orlando Magic on Feb. 13, they host the Washington Wizards on Feb. 14 at the Arena. --

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