Hornets: Winning Games and Taking Names, Malik Monk has found his groove
Charlotte Hornets guard Malik Monk is in the midst of arguably the best stretch of his career, showing key improvement in multiple areas on the court.
It’s something that Charlotte Hornets fans have been waiting three seasons for. It’s something that some, including myself, questioned would ever happen. Malik Monk may be turning the corner in his development, as he has had a four-game stretch of really promising play.
Now, I know, it’s only four games, but it’s still a really positive development. Monk is playing the best basketball of his career and is earning the trust of the coaching staff. After all, they did run a set play for him to get the game-winning shot against Detroit last night.
He’s hitting clutch buckets, he’s dunking on people, finishing crazy alley-oops. Malik Monk looks like a much different player than the version we have seen during his first two NBA seasons.
In the past four games, Monk has averaged 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. The Hornets lone win during that four game stretch was last night against Detroit, but they competed in each game, and Monk was a big reason as to why they were able to stay with teams.
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This is the level of play that Charlotte Hornets fans were expecting from the 11th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
We always knew that Monk can score the ball, but what you love to see here are his all-around numbers. He’s doing other things on the court now, consistently staying active and engaged on both ends of the court.
His playmaking, in particular, has been really impressive not only in these last four games, but throughout the entire season thus far. Even if it doesn’t lead to a made basket, Monk is finding guys in the right spots. He’s taken a huge leap in that department.
Going into the season, Monk needed to improve his defense, decision making and strength. I’d say he’s improved in all three of those areas during the 2019-20 season.
The added strength came during the off-season, but the defense and decision making have been pleasant surprises. By no means is he elite in either category, but the improvement should not go unnoticed.
I was a big believer in Monk coming out of the draft, and even after his first two disappointing seasons, but I was beginning to have doubts after a slow start to the 2019-20 campaign. This is a make-or-break season for him, and if he can continue playing like this, the franchise and fan base will be thrilled.
Confidence is a big thing for all players in the NBA, and I think Monk is playing with a ton of it. He has a pep in his step all of the sudden.
With Dwayne Bacon struggling for the Charlotte Hornets, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Malik Monk make a serious run at the starting shooting guard spot. The opportunity is there for him, he just has to grasp it.
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Has Malik Monk turned a corner? Maybe. All I know is that in the last four games, I’ve seen a major difference in his game. There’s still a lot of season left to be played, and a lot of time for Monk to prove himself as a third-year breakout.