Bogues' status with Hornets hasn't become any clearer

Tuesday, October 21, 1997

By John Delong

JOURNAL REPORTER

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

So what is Muggsy Bogues' role with the Charlotte Hornets shaping up to be?

As the Hornets prepare to meet the Indiana Pacers tonight in their fifth exhibition game of the preseason, that question remains unanswered -- and nobody's sure how quickly the answers will come.

Bogues played 17 minutes -- his longest stint of the preseason -- in the Hornets' 106-102 loss to Minnesota in Roanoke, Va., on Sunday night, and for the most part, he played well.

But Bogues hardly saw that as a ringing endorsement that he's back in Coach Dave Cowens' plans. And Cowens is still remaining noncommittal about how the point guard situation will evolve.

If you get the impression that the soap opera is continuing, you're probably right.

''I'm just trying to take it one day at a time,'' Bogues said Sunday night. ''My knee is fine -- I've been feeling fine since last February. So it's a coach's decision at this point, and all I can do is try to take advantage of every opportunity I get.

''I'm not going to sit here and lie and say I'm happy about it. But I'm not going to be negative. It's a totally different training camp than I've gone through in my career. I've learned a lot of things about a lot of people and how you can be treated.''

Bogues, who came into camp four days late after first refusing to take an MRI as required by the team, had played only 19 minutes combined in the Hornets' first three preseason games.

Although the Hornets close all but the final few minutes of practice to the media, there were reports that Bogues hasn't been getting much playing time in scrimmages at practice, either.

The combination raised a serious question -- did that mean that Cowens had no plans for Bogues, with David Wesley pencilled in as the starter at point guard and Tony Delk and Corey Beck also capable of playing the point? Or was Cowens merely looking at others in the preseason, knowing what Bogues can do?

After Sunday night's game, Cowens indicated that Bogues was still in his plans, but he didn't give a ringing endorsement by any means.

Asked if Bogues was pencilled in to be the backup to Wesley, Cowens said: ''Well, I mean, primarily, yes, that's what I'd say. That's what we talked about all along. But I can't say right now one way or the other what we're going to do. I just decided to play him tonight instead of Corey Beck and see what happened.''

And what did Cowens think of Bogues' play Sunday night and in the preseason in general?

''I don't know, he's doing all right,'' Cowens said. ''He doesn't have the greatest body language right now, but he's probably doing a decent job.''

Bogues, who finished with two points, six assists, two steals and two turnovers in 17 minutes against the Timberwolves (hitting his only field-goal attempt), said he still doesn't feel like he's in a groove because of his lack of playing and practice time.

''I'm not in any type of basketball flow right now,'' he said. ''No rhythm right now, no feel for what you want to do. So, it's a different type of role.''

He made it clear he's not happy with the way the situation is being handled.

''My skills haven't diminished,'' he said. ''My game hasn't changed. It's the coaching staff's choice to play who they want. But we have no conversation with each other. So, I'm just trying to deal with this like I've dealt with everything else in my life. Things are not going well for me, but I'm still a peaceful fellow.''

Bogues also apparently feels that his plight is not being conveyed to the public the way it should be through the media.

''I've been laying back all season long and just trying to stay real to myself and try to keep my mind as positive as much as possible,'' he said. ''I know exactly what's going on, and I find it ironic for you guys (media) to put out what you're all putting out. But that's fine.''