TRAINING CAMP ROSTER

Centers: Tyson Chandler, Marc Jackson, Hilton Armstrong.

Forwards: David West, Peja Stojakovic, Desmond Mason, Rasual Butler, Linton Johnson, Brandon Bass, Cedric Simmons, Marcus Vinicius.

Guards: Chris Paul, Bobby Jackson, Jannero Pargo, Luis Flores, Scooter McFadgon.

PLAYER NOTES

--Chris Paul is expected to receive a break from coach Byron Scott during this year's training camp and the preseason following a busy offseason that was largely spent in Asia with Team USA.

"I have to be smart," Scott said. "As demanding as I'm going to be in training camp and this year alone, I still have to be smart. He is a player for us that's our franchise, and he's played a lot of basketball this year. And I have to make sure that I don't wear him out in training camp."

Scott said he would focus only on keeping up Paul's conditioning. When the team scrimmages, however, Scott said he plans to rest Paul and use newcomers Bobby Jackson and Jannero Pargo instead. Meanwhile, Paul said he's not thinking about fatigue.

"I'm not concerned about it," Paul said. "I think a lot of times it's mental. But at the same time you can be thinking one thing and your body's telling you another. So we'll see."

--Although the Hornets acquired Tyson Chandler this summer for his defense and athleticism, Scott wants his new center to be assertive on offense as well.

"We still got some guys that we're trying to develop in the post, Tyson being one of them," Scott said. "With his length, if we can get him to be able to do a couple of things, I don't think anybody will be able to block his shot.

"We have a lot of confidence in his ability, and we're just going to keep working with him to get better. I think it's a whole lot more left in Tyson. We're going to spend a lot of time with him."

Scott issued Chandler the challenge of averaging a double-double in points and rebounds this season. The 24-year-old Chandler has career averages of 7.1 points and 7.7 rebounds.

"He runs the floor so he's going to get layups," Scott said. "I think he can average six points just on tip-ins and running the floor with Chris. And hopefully those other four or five points come from us getting him the ball a few times."

--Second-year forward Brandon Bass has caught Scott's attention early in training camp. This time for good reason, unlike his performance in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Scott praised Bass for his conditioning and basketball IQ, saying both are much better than they were at this time last year.

"Brandon's been pretty good," Scott said. "Watching him in practice, he's probably been the biggest surprise. He came in, in great shape. He is way ahead of pace than he was last year. He's doing a heck of a job right now. I think he's focused. He wants to get (on the court) this year."

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