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Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges wants to be a better defensive player

ByElijah Edwards|
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 12: D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action while Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets defends in the third quarter of the game at Target Center on February 12, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 115-108. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 12: D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action while Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets defends in the third quarter of the game at Target Center on February 12, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 115-108. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Defense wasn’t exactly the strongest suit for the Charlotte Hornets this past season.  Miles Bridges claims he wants to help alleviate that next year.

The Charlotte Hornets had plenty of issues keeping them from being a competitive club this past season, but one of the most glaring was their defense. In terms of defensive rating, only four teams had a worse rating than the Hornets.

Going into his third season, Miles Bridges looks to change that, if the tweet posted on Thursday from the Charlotte Hornets’ official twitter page is anything to go by.

Per the tweet:

"“I want to get better on the defensive end. I want to guard the best guys on the other team.”"

That’s very nice and I, along with numerous Hornets fans, welcome that sort of dedication from the young man. He’ll need to put in some work, though, as Miles had the worst defensive rating on the team last season, allowing 114 points per 100 possessions.

Could Miles Bridges be the defensive catalyst for the Charlotte Hornets?

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At his size, it may be a tough call at times, as Miles swings back and forth between the small-forward and power-forward positions during games, and at 6’6″, is a little undersized already, even at the three.

He has a high motor, though, and is fairly quick for his 225-pound frame, but against the longer, leaner players at his position, he could commonly be at a disadvantage, no matter what. Still, he wouldn’t be the first player to play outside of his physical “limitations”.

I’m not too aware of whether or not NBA players check their own stats and figures that much, but it appears Miles knows he has some growing to do, at least defensively. That sort of initiative is a nice breath of fresh air to his teammates, I’m sure, and to fans as well.

It’s easy to be an armchair critic and say what needs to be done as a fan, but when players say it, it carries a lot more weight. Perhaps a new focus on defense as a team could be what helps turn the tide in Charlotte, as the team will look to avoid missing out on the playoffs for the fifth straight year.

James Borrego learned from a terrific defensive mind in San Antonio, under future Hall of Fame head coach, Gregg Popovich. If anyone can whip the guys into shape on that front, Borrego sure has a treasure trove of knowledge from which to pick.

Ultimately, we’ll have to wait a while until we see if this newfound mentality bears fruit. It certainly needs to if the Hornets want to free themselves from the murky depths of mediocrity. It would definitely be a sight to see if the Charlotte Hornets can become one of the defensive juggernauts in the league, especially if Miles Bridges is at the forefront.

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