Power forward Maxiell looking to extend career with Hornets

Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford offered Jason Maxiell high praise Monday when he compared Maxiell’s approach to that of third-string point guard Jannero Pargo.

Clifford always holds up Pargo’s attitude as an example to the other players. Maxiell, a forwardnhoping to earn the last of 15 roster spots this preseason, is reminiscent of that.

“I’ve always liked him,” Clifford said. “He’s a hard-playing, professional guy. He’s a no-nonsense, I-know-where-I-am-in-the-league guy who wants (to play in the NBA) another year.”

“It’s almost like talking about Pargo.”

Maxiell appreciated the comparison. An undersized power forward at 6-foot-7, Maxiell played eight seasons with the Detroit Pistons and last season with the Orlando Magic.

The Hornets needed another big man, more a practice player than anything else, particularly while rookie Noah Vonleh recovers from sports hernia surgery.

Maxiell came to training camp without a guaranteed deal because he sees opportunity.

“I need to stay healthy and play my spot,” Maxiell said after practice Wednesday at UNC Asheville. “This isn’t so much about whether I play 10 minutes a game, but more how I fit into that spot.”

Pargo fits because he doesn’t expect to play, but stays ready in case he’s needed. Clifford said it’s not easy finding veterans who can check their egos that way .

When Maxiell came in for a workout last week in Charlotte, Clifford could tell he would accept that job description.

“It’s both maturing in life and maturing in basketball,” Maxiell said.

“Respect your coach, your owner and your teammates, and help the other guys to understand this is a career. It’s not just playing basketball, it’s getting to a place where you can do other things after basketball.”

Running start: The Hornets had excellent attendance at voluntary workouts in September, which Clifford says is speeding along installation of the offense and defense at training camp.

Coaches are limited in what they can do in those workouts (nothing more involved than 3-on-3 games), but Clifford said the new players picked up enough concepts before coming to Asheville that he’s scrimmaging more than in last season’s camp.

“You can actually do a lot of base organizational things (in September),” Clifford said. “The full-team things you can’t do, but you can break things down in a way that saves a lot of time.”

Here and there: Wednesday was the last of two-a-day practices at UNC Asheville. The Hornets will practice Thursday morning, then conduct a clinic with 75 Asheville school children Thursday afternoon. Friday brings a morning practice followed by a return trip to Charlotte. ... Clifford spoke about what he likes best about center Al Jefferson: “He totally accepts the responsibility of being the best player, and that’s a big thing.” ... North Carolina coach Roy Williams visited with former players Marvin Williams and P.J. Hairston at Wednesday’s practice.

This story was originally published October 1, 2014 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Power forward Maxiell looking to extend career with Hornets."