Charlotte Hornets: What will Bismack Biyombo’s role be in 2019-20 season?
With the NBA regular season starting next month for the Charlotte Hornets, what will Bismack Biyombo’s role be heading into this season?
The Charlotte Hornets are set to begin training camp at the end of September, and they currently have a lot of depth at the center position. With the amount of depth that the team has, who is going to be getting playing time?
One of the centers that the Hornets may use this season is the veteran Bismack Biyombo. Biyombo has played in Charlotte for five seasons; this is a place where he has spent a majority of his career.
Biyombo is set to enter a contract year and his ninth season in the league. While in Charlotte, Biyombo has risen up the Hornets’ all-time statistical leaderboards. As a Hornet, he has averaged 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
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Entering next season, Biyombo will be seeking playing time. He currently has to compete against guys like Cody Zeller and Willy Hernangomez for minutes. Both of these players seem to be more offensively gifted than Biyombo, but fans know which of the three centers is the best defender.
While Cody Zeller was hurt last season, Coach James Borrego entrusted Biyombo with the starting center job. Biyombo started in 32 games last season, and he averaged 5.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
The reason that Biyombo got the start over Hernangomez was due to his ability to guard the paint. Biyombo is ranked #4 all-time in blocks as a Hornet.
Biyombo is currently the shortest center on the roster, standing at 6’9. While his height may be a weakness, Biyombo does not let it affect his shot-blocking. Over his career, Biyombo has amassed a total of 803 blocks and 3,660 total rebounds.
After the season, Coach Borrego addressed the need for defense in the team’s frontcourt. Since then, the Hornets have not signed a player who could help in that area. Currently, the best defender in the team’s frontcourt is Bismack Biyombo.
Since Biyombo is a good defender, this could help him in his case for more minutes. Cody Zeller seems like the clear option for the starting center position, but who plays behind him will be important.
Zeller has missed 82 games over the last two seasons due to injury, and this has greatly affected his production. If Zeller continues to suffer these chronic injuries, then Charlotte must have a decent backup to replace Zeller with when he’s out.
Since Biyombo started in 32 games last season, I see him getting a significant amount of minutes this season. Many fans are hesitant on Biyombo because of his offensive game, but he can significantly help the Hornets with his defensive abilities.
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Unless something huge happens in training camp, Biyombo should be the backup center next season. If Biyombo is going to earn this role, he will need to battle Hernangomez for the minutes. This position battle will be important, as Coach Borrego could just split minutes between the two like he did last season.