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Charlotte Hornets: Why Bismack Biyombo will be a good fit

By Giovanni Spillman

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Bismack Biyombo #8 of the Charlotte Hornets goes up for a dunk against the New York Knicks during the game on January 10, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Bismack Biyombo #8 of the Charlotte Hornets goes up for a dunk against the New York Knicks during the game on January 10, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Bismack Biyombo should prove to be a good addition to the Charlotte Hornets as he enters his second stint with the team.

On July 7th, the Charlotte Hornets were a part of a three-team trade. In this trade, the Chicago Bulls would receive Julyan Stone, the Orlando Magic would receive Jerian Grant and Timofey Mozgov. In return, Charlotte would receive former Hornet Bismack Biyombo and two future second-round picks.

Bismack gives the team added frontcourt depth and there’s good reason to believe that this will be a positive pickup. This trade answered many questions about what the Hornets would do at the five spot. With two years and $34 million left on Biyombo’s contract; it almost foreshadows the team’s future of Cody Zeller.

While Zeller currently has three years and $43.3 million left on his deal, it does not make sense to have multiple centers with large contracts. It is clear that Kupchak is moving into a more youthful, and defensive team strategy. This could spell the end of Cody’s time in Charlotte. Although, there is a chance that the Hornets could hold onto both of them for the 2018-19 season.

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Bismack Biyombo

After three seasons away from the team that drafted him, Bismack has found himself home with Charlotte. While Biyombo was inexperienced and lacking an offensive game, he did make a significant impact with the Bobcats/Hornets. Currently, Biyombo is ranked fifth in all-time blocks for the team with 443. He also is in seventh place in offensive rebounds, which 571 (thirty behind Michael Kidd-Gilchrist).

Many criticize the offensive game of Biyombo, but I beg to differ. While Biyombo has not been the most efficient low-post scorer like Dwight Howard, he makes up for it with his basketball IQ and defensive rim-protection. For example, last season Dwight played a total of 2,463 minutes while also starting in eighty-one games, he was able to rack up 131 blocks; while Biyombo only played 1,495 minutes and started in twenty-five games, he was able to produce 95 blocks. This then raises the question of, What could Biyombo do with more playing time?

Bismack has not been given a chance to be a full-time starter yet, but with such a big contract, it could get him the job. Biyombo has continued to improve his offensive game each year he has been in the league. Last season, Biyombo racked up 183 field goals, while shooting a whopping 52% from the field. He also managed to knock down 102 free throws, at a 65% rate.

Currently, Biyombo has the rest of the off-season to get back into the system with the Hornets and earn his role. There is a lot of potential for Biyombo, as he has continued to improve on a yearly basis. And he’s still only 25-years old. When Biyombo gets more playing time, he produces. If the Hornets decided to start Bismack and have Willy Hernanagomez come off the bench; this would be great for the team when it comes to post-defense.

Notable Stats

Career season-high in blocks: 143 (with Charlotte)

Career season-high in Rebounds: 655 (with Toronto)

Career season-high in free-throws made: 142 (with Toronto)

Career season-high in points: 483 (with Orlando)

Prediction

With Biyombo in the mix-up, he has the potential to become a full-time starter with the team. He has continued to improve each season and has become a dominant shot blocker near the rim. Last season, he averaged 5.7 points and rebounds per game on limited minutes. He also averaged 7.7 points-per-game in the previous seven games of the 17/18 regular season.  With a new coach in Charlotte and scheme, Biyombo can finally have a chance to show the league what he’s made of.

For this upcoming season, if Biyombo gets more than 2,000+ minutes of playing time, I predict him to average: 9.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game; finishing the season with a total of 150+ blocks. These are good numbers to have, especially if he also manages to shoot over 55% from the field over the entire season, and limit turnovers.

Next: Why Willy Hernangomez will have a breakout season

The thing that makes Biyombo better than Howard, is his ability to stay cool in heated situations, which would lead to less technical fouls. Bismack also makes free-throws at a higher rate, than Howard. With Biyombo limiting the things that hurt Charlotte last season, he can become a great starting option for the team. And if he’s not starting, he could be a viable backup.

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