James Posey arrived in New Orleans as a free agent this past summer after collecting yet another championship ring – this time with the Boston Celtics. But even now with Hornets, the ninth-year forward can't help but keep tabs on his old boys.
"Yeah, I check them out. They are the defending champs. They are the champs until someone beats them," Posey told HOOPSWORLD.
Posey can only hope the next time he meets the Celtics - outside of their regular season meetings on December 12 in Boston and February 11 in New Orelans – is at the NBA Finals.
"That's what I told them – me versus them in the Finals. That would be a nice ending to the season."
At this point in the season though, there may be a little snafu with Posey's reunion and ultimate destination. After an amazing success story last season when New Orleans went 56-26 and advanced to the second-round of the playoffs, the Hornets are currently sitting on a .500 record at 5-5. It's clear the team is still trying to figure out how to stage an encore.
"We're just trying to work at getting better. We still have room to improve and that's what we are trying to do," Posey added.
Ten games does not a season make. While New Orleans snuck up on the entire league last season, the secret is out. It's no wonder some pundits picked the Hornets to represent the Western Conference at the NBA Finals this season. That's why General Manager Jeff Bower and head coach Bryon Scott brought Posey into the fray – to help them reach that end goal.
"I know how to approach the game. I know it's all about winning at the end of the day. I know that I am a winner and that's how I go out and play the game. For the most part, they brought me here because they like the way I play the game and my approach to what I've done."
On the season, Posey is averaging 10 points and 3.9 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per game and ranks twelfth in the league in three-point field-goal percentage (47%). Yet while Posey has found a home alongside the likes of Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler and David West in the "Big Easy" it is his championship experience with Miami and Boston that remains invaluable.
It's no wonder Posey was perhaps the most coveted free agent this past offseason.
For Posey, the focus now is contributing as he did with the Celtics and helping spread Coach Byron Scott's message of what it takes to be called a champion in this league.
"He's done it as a player and a coach as well," Posey added. "As a coach, when you tell players who haven't been there they really can't see it. They understand it. But since I've been there, relaying the message is easy to take."
At times, Posey can't believe he's been in the league for nine years, especially after stops in Denver, Houston, Memphis, Miami and Boston. He's learned a lot along the way, attributing much of his success to his first taste of the postseason with the Memphis Grizzlies (in 2003-04, 2004-05). Posey knows that was a step to get him to get him to where he is today – complete with two rings to show for his hard work.
"I've been blessed to be put in those situations to be on a team that has won," Posey admitted.
Will this be another one of those situations in New Orleans?
