New Orleans Hornets guard Jannero Pargo is the latest player who opted not to play in NBA this coming season. According to reports, Pargo signed a one-year deal, worth almost $4 million with the Dynamo Russia of the Russian League. Pargo joins a growing number of NBA players lured out of the league with higher salaries and contract flexibility.

Josh Childress of the Atlanta Hawks started this “movement” when he signed with Greek club Olympiakos few weeks ago. A string of NBA players soon followed his bold decision and left the NBA for European ball clubs. Carlos Arroyo, Earl Boykins, Carlos Delfino, Jorge Garbajosa, Bostjan Nachbar and Nenad Krstic have all signed deals with several teams in Europe. Nachbar is also under contract with Dynamo.

Jannero Pargo, a valued sixth man of the Hornets, is a six year NBA veteran out of Arkansas. He averaged 8.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Hornets last season.

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I wasn’t able to watch the Hornets-Spurs game so I had no idea about the Horry-West incident. I logged on to the net and checked out videos to see what’s up with the buzz. So here’s what I got:

After seeing the video, I thought it was intentional given the fact that the Spurs in general is a dirty team (just kidding). Jokes aside, I really think that the bump was intentional. I know it’s the playoffs and hard hit and bumps are bound to happen, but this shot was different. David West played with back problems and Horry was aware of that. West was backpedaling and then out of nowhere, Horry’s forearms lands squarely on West’s lower back. In addition to that, West was trying to deflect Ginobili’s pass and his feet were not on the ground when Horry bumped him. West could’ve easily lost his balance and dropped hard on the floor, risking serious injuries.

Let’s take another look:

Oh and before I forget, the Spurs fans only made it worse. I think they know that their team is rough (or dirty) and they were actually happy to support it. The Spurs fans were chanting “Horry, Horry, Horry” while David West was grimacing with pain. Classy.

photo credits: Hornets 247

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Chris Paul’s 30 points and 12 assists powered the New Orleans Hornets for a 102-84 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Not many people thought that the Hornets will play in the playoffs, but here they are doing some damage against the veteran Spurs in the second round.

David West, who was instrumental in the game 1 victory struggled tonight. West managed to notch a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds but shot 2-11 from the floor. Peja Stojakovic picked up the slack and drained 5 treys and finished with 25 points. Morris Peterson contributed 12 points while Tyson Chandler added 11 boards and 2 swats.

The Spurs didn’t have an answer for Paul’s offensive onslaught. The perennial Tim Duncan managed to put up 18 points and 8 rebounds but got little help from his teammates particularly Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Both guards struggled in the game and combined for 9-24 shooting. Ginobili finished with 13 points while Parker had 11. Brent Barry made four 3-pointers and chipped in 14 points. Only four Spurs players finished with double figure scoring and none of them broke the 20 point barrier.

The Hornets will be looking for a steal in the tough home-court of the Spurs when the series heads to Alamodome in San Antonio on May 8.

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