Byron Scott Thinks the Nuggets are Playing Dirty

by Marcel Mutoni

Many felt that the Nuggets/Hornets would be the most entertaining of all the matchups in the first round of the Playoffs, and it may very well end being just that. It could also end up being one of the more contentious.

The Hornets’ head coach, Byron Scott, isn’t too happy with the way Denver played against his team in the series opener; he thinks they’re being a little dirty with their tactics.

From the AP:

“I can appreciate anybody that plays hard, but when you get to the point where you’re being a little dirty, that’s the thing that kind of aggravates me,” Scott said Tuesday.

“Being that I played in this league, I know how tough that is. But when you get to the point where you’re being a little dirty then I don’t appreciate that – and I don’t respect it.”

Dahntay Jones, the man who drew coach Scott’s ire with his physical defense on Chris Paul, doesn’t sound too concerned: “I’m not trying to be annoying, I’m just trying to put pressure on (Paul) and play hard,” said Jones. “People don’t like it when you play hard, people don’t like it when you’re physical.”

If he plans on returning to New Orleans with a tied series, Byron Scott might want to instruct his team to try some of those “dirty” Nugget tactics tonight in Game 2. They seem to be working out OK for them.