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Buzz City Beat: Cody’s Move is Paying Off for the Charlotte Hornets, Chat With Roberts

By Jerry Stephens

Nov 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Zeller (40) shoots the ball against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Raptors defeated the Hornets 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Zeller (40) shoots the ball against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Raptors defeated the Hornets 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Welcome to Buzz City Stings, Swarm and Sting’s daily roundup of the best Charlotte Hornets’ stories from around the web.

Buzz City Stings is your daily destination for the latest and best news from around the internet about the Charlotte Hornets. After an extended five-game road trip, the team returns home to host the Los Angeles Lakers. In this edition, we look at Cody Zeller‘s move to center, Brian Roberts‘ second chance with the Hornets, and the NBA All-Star Game coming back to Charlotte.

Zeller’s Move to Center is Paying Off

“Cody Zeller’s unplanned move to center is paying major dividends for the Charlotte Hornets. When Al Jefferson went down last season with an injury, coach Steve Clifford asked the 7-foot, 240-pound Zeller to fill in by shifting from power forward to the 5 spot. Zeller played so well that Clifford decided to keep him there even after Jefferson returned. “It was kind of a freak thing how it happened and I don’t think anyone was planning on it,” Zeller said Monday. “But I’m glad it worked out that way.” The Hornets liked what they saw from Zeller so much last season they rewarded him with a four-year, $56 million contract in the offseason.” (whig.com)

Zeller’s course in the NBA and with the Hornets hasn’t been direct but after moving to the center position, he finally found a major role with the team. As a power forward, Cody was sort of stuck in limbo but as a center, he carved out a niche as a quick and athletic five in this league. This probably wasn’t the expected plan when Charlotte first drafted him back in 2013 but it’s safe to say that it has worked out for both sides.

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Roberts’ Second Chance With the Hornets

“When I am not playing as much I have to be ready when my number is called,” said Roberts, a native of Toledo. “That is my image with this team and throughout the league. … I try to stay ready and be a professional.”

“I need to stay ready before and after the game, whether it is getting extra running in or playing one-on-one (with a teammate) before the game or an off day. I try to stay in that competitive mode and try to stay in shape,” he added. “I am blessed to be in my fifth year in the league.” (MyDaytonDailyNews.com)

Brian Roberts, a former Dayton Flyer, and current Charlotte Hornet, is one of Steve Clifford’s favorite players. Coach Clifford values a smart third-string point guard who knows the system well and doesn’t make mistakes and Roberts fits that mold. That is the main reason why he was given a second chance with the team. While he hasn’t been needed all that much just yet this year, I’m sure he would like to keep it that way because him being used more often, probably means an injury occurred to either Kemba Walker or Ramon Sessions. There is something to be said about players who know their role and play it well like Brian does.

Charlotte’s All-Star Game Set For 2019?

“If North Carolina’s state legislature repeals House Bill 2 on Tuesday, it’s likely, if not inevitable, that the NBA will bring the All-Star Weekend to Charlotte in 2019. The NBA pulled the event out of Charlotte for 2017, on the belief that provisions in House Bill 2 were discriminatory toward the LGBT community. When the NBA chose to move the event to New Orleans, Commissioner Adam Silver said repeatedly the league would reserve the 2019 All-Star Weekend for Charlotte if HB2 is repealed.” (CharlotteObserver.com)

Next: What We Learned From Five-Game Road Trip

It was devastating when the All-Star Game was taken away from Charlotte this season because so many people were looking forward to it. From strictly a basketball fan perspective, it would be great for the NBA to bring the ASG to Buzz City in 2019. Only time will tell what happens next in this situation.

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