Charlotte Hornets: Willy Hernangomez deserves playing time
With limited playing time this season, the Charlotte Hornets have been getting production Willy Hernangomez when he plays.
The Charlotte Hornets continue to be on a losing streak, and make very limited changes to their rotation. While the team has centers that do not offer much, maybe it’s time that the team gives someone else a chance.
The Hornets have a former All-Rookie on their bench that has received inconsistent minutes this season. Since Willy Hernangomez has received limited playing time, he’s averaged 3.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
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This may not seem like a lot, but he’s been playing well at the end of games. During the fourth quarter of the loss to the Utah Jazz, Hernangomez saw a significant amount of minutes.
Even though he was getting “garbage time,” Hernangomez still managed to finish the game with 15 points and six rebounds, while also shooting a perfect 6-6 from the field. Hernangomez finished with one made three-pointer, and some impressive makes from the post.
The offense is there with Hernangomez on the court, but his defense is the issue. Fans know that Hernangomez lacks awareness and rim protection, but at this point, is making a simple change off the bench going to hurt?
As the Hornets continue to lose games, there is not hurt and giving someone else a chance. I still believe that Hernangomez has a lot of potential, but he needs the playing time to prove it.
The Hornets are the worst rebounding team in the league, and I think Hernangomez could help them there. In three games where Hernangomez finished with eight or more minutes, he averaged seven rebounds per game; that’s more than Bismack Biyombo’s and Cody Zeller’s average.
Consistent playing time from Hernangomez would help the Hornets in the rebounding category. Hernangomez at one point was able to grab sixteen rebounds in a game with the New York Knicks.
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Hernangomez seems like a better rebounder than Zeller off the bench, but taking Zeller out of the lineup would hurt as well. Unless he plays power forward off the bench, I’m not sure how he’s going to get playing time.