Charlotte Hornets: Team’s size in frontcourt is proving to be a problem
The Charlotte Hornets have not played well on defense, allowing 56+ points per game in the paint in their first two games of the season.
The Charlotte Hornets might be getting a lot of production from their younger players, but the team’s defense has been suffering in the paint. The Hornets have given up 56+ points per game in the paint in their first two games. Just top it all off, Charlotte has allowed 120+ points in both of their first two games.
In Charlotte’s first game against the Chicago Bulls, they gave up a whopping 78 points in the paint. This is a horrendous number to allow, but fans could keep seeing defensive performances like this with the Hornets’ current rotation.
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In the team’s first game against the Bulls, they only allowed one center to play, who was Cody Zeller. In this game, the team played small-ball when Zeller was on the bench.
While Zeller sat on the bench against the Bulls, Coach James Borrego had PJ Washington and Marvin Williams on the court at the same time. Don’t get me wrong, both of these players played very well in the first game of the season, but their size is what led to Lauri Markkanen scoring over thirty points.
Even though Zeller missed the team’s second game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, we saw Coach Borrego continue to play small initially. The starter for this game was the 6’9 center, Bismack Biyombo.
After being torched by Karl-Anthony Towns early in the game, that’s when Coach Borrego decided to give the Hornets size by inserting Willy Hernangomez.
This was a great call made by Coach Borrego, but Hernangomez was not the best defender the team could’ve went with. When all was said and done, Towns finished Friday’s game with 37 points and 15 rebounds.
This style of play will not work on every team in the league, and Charlotte needs size in their frontcourt for defense. Zeller is the tallest player on the team, and Charlotte needs him to play this season consistently.
The only way Charlotte can improve their frontcourt is by making a trade, and we all know that will not happen anytime soon. Sooner or later, Charlotte is going to have to sacrifice some offense for defense, even if it means letting players like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bismack Biyombo play more off the bench.
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Charlotte’s frontcourt will have a true test on Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers. While the team lacks size, they will have to guard Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee, and Dwight Howard. If Charlotte continues to play small, this may end up being another long night for Hornets fans.