Macijauskas prefers not to return
By Darnell Mayberry
The Oklahoman
Add Arvydas Macijauskas to the growing list of Hornets who would prefer to not return to the team next season.
Macijauskas,the 26-year-old Hornets guard, was quoted in the Lithuanian press as saying, “There is no way I would come back to the Hornets,” according to the Web site HornetsReport.com.
In the article, Macijauskas expresses his frustration with his scarce playing time and alleged lack of communication with Hornets coach Byron Scott.
Macijauskas, playing in his first NBA season after spending nine in Europe, played in only 19 games this season and averaged just 2.3 points in 7.1 minutes. He voiced his displeasure only once during the season.
That came in early December when he told The Oklahoman: “I’m not playing. And the problem is, I want to play, but the situation here isn’t good for me. Not only not playing but not being active. I came here to play. It’s not good for me to sit on the bench. I thought it would be a good fit to play for the Hornets.”
Soon after seeing the reaction those comments received, Macijauskas lightened his stance for the remainder of the season, talking instead about how he preferred to be a team player and help the Hornets in anyway possible.
Apparently, Macijauskas felt more comfortable expressing himself freely in his native country. Asked if he would return to the Hornets next season, Macijauskas responded: “No way. Definitely not.
“Let the club transfer me, I have no wish of coming back there any time again. Even in the case I would be promised the mountains of gold, I see no sense whatsoever in staying with the Hornets. I did not feel as a part of the team for the entire season.” Macijauskas was quoted in the article as saying he was shocked at how the players departed at season’s end without talking to one another or to Scott or his assistants. The Hornets, however, held an afternoon appreciation party for employees one day after the season finale. Exit interviews between Scott and all his players were also scheduled.
“Everybody went home without even saying ‘see you’ to the coaches,” Macijauskas claimed in the article. “Something strange is happening over there. The coaches did not want to communicate with me. When they fired the GM, everything changed radically. B. Scott is doing whatever he pleases.”
It was former general manger Allan Bristow, who technically resigned due to health reasons, who plucked Macijauskas from Europe last July and signed him to a three-year contract.
Scott was unavailable for comment.
Hornets general manager Jeff Bower, who read the article, said he “didn’t put a lot of weight into anything that was said,” adding that Macijauskas was most likely speaking out of frustration.
“We’re not going to overreact to anything,” Bower said. “Obviously, he remains under contract with our team, and that’s just the way it is.
“I’m sure there’s frustration from Arvydas. There was a great deal of expectations from his country placed on him when he came here. You have to deal with that element as well.”
Scott, however, told reporters one day after the season finale that he had met individually with the team’s trio of shooting guards - Macijauskas, Kirk Snyder and J.R. Smith - and informed them that only one would be returning next season.
With all three under contract for at least one more season, the Hornets would have to include the unwanted players in a trade. Snyder, who started 45 games at shooting guard, seems to be the most likely player retained - partly for his play, but perhaps mostly because of his commendable conduct.
With his latest comments, Macijauskas joins the disgruntled Smith on the list of Hornets who would welcome a new start elsewhere. Smith openly clashed with Scott during the season and was quoted just days after the season ended as saying his offseason trade is “automatic.”
Veteran center PJ Brown also said he might seek a trade to a championship-caliber team in hopes of winning a title in what could be his final NBA season next year.
NEWS LINK
By Darnell Mayberry
The Oklahoman
Add Arvydas Macijauskas to the growing list of Hornets who would prefer to not return to the team next season.
Macijauskas,the 26-year-old Hornets guard, was quoted in the Lithuanian press as saying, “There is no way I would come back to the Hornets,” according to the Web site HornetsReport.com.
In the article, Macijauskas expresses his frustration with his scarce playing time and alleged lack of communication with Hornets coach Byron Scott.
Macijauskas, playing in his first NBA season after spending nine in Europe, played in only 19 games this season and averaged just 2.3 points in 7.1 minutes. He voiced his displeasure only once during the season.
That came in early December when he told The Oklahoman: “I’m not playing. And the problem is, I want to play, but the situation here isn’t good for me. Not only not playing but not being active. I came here to play. It’s not good for me to sit on the bench. I thought it would be a good fit to play for the Hornets.”
Soon after seeing the reaction those comments received, Macijauskas lightened his stance for the remainder of the season, talking instead about how he preferred to be a team player and help the Hornets in anyway possible.
Apparently, Macijauskas felt more comfortable expressing himself freely in his native country. Asked if he would return to the Hornets next season, Macijauskas responded: “No way. Definitely not.
“Let the club transfer me, I have no wish of coming back there any time again. Even in the case I would be promised the mountains of gold, I see no sense whatsoever in staying with the Hornets. I did not feel as a part of the team for the entire season.” Macijauskas was quoted in the article as saying he was shocked at how the players departed at season’s end without talking to one another or to Scott or his assistants. The Hornets, however, held an afternoon appreciation party for employees one day after the season finale. Exit interviews between Scott and all his players were also scheduled.
“Everybody went home without even saying ‘see you’ to the coaches,” Macijauskas claimed in the article. “Something strange is happening over there. The coaches did not want to communicate with me. When they fired the GM, everything changed radically. B. Scott is doing whatever he pleases.”
It was former general manger Allan Bristow, who technically resigned due to health reasons, who plucked Macijauskas from Europe last July and signed him to a three-year contract.
Scott was unavailable for comment.
Hornets general manager Jeff Bower, who read the article, said he “didn’t put a lot of weight into anything that was said,” adding that Macijauskas was most likely speaking out of frustration.
“We’re not going to overreact to anything,” Bower said. “Obviously, he remains under contract with our team, and that’s just the way it is.
“I’m sure there’s frustration from Arvydas. There was a great deal of expectations from his country placed on him when he came here. You have to deal with that element as well.”
Scott, however, told reporters one day after the season finale that he had met individually with the team’s trio of shooting guards - Macijauskas, Kirk Snyder and J.R. Smith - and informed them that only one would be returning next season.
With all three under contract for at least one more season, the Hornets would have to include the unwanted players in a trade. Snyder, who started 45 games at shooting guard, seems to be the most likely player retained - partly for his play, but perhaps mostly because of his commendable conduct.
With his latest comments, Macijauskas joins the disgruntled Smith on the list of Hornets who would welcome a new start elsewhere. Smith openly clashed with Scott during the season and was quoted just days after the season ended as saying his offseason trade is “automatic.”
Veteran center PJ Brown also said he might seek a trade to a championship-caliber team in hopes of winning a title in what could be his final NBA season next year.
NEWS LINK
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