Should PJ Washington start center for the Charlotte Hornets?

Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego has been experimenting with playing PJ Washington at the center position, this may be the team’s long term answer.

Hornets player PJ Washington had a phenomenal night and faith can be restored that he definitely should be starting for the team, but is he playing the wrong position?

PJ Washington sits at an even six-foot, seven inches and weighs a sturdy 230 pounds. Even though Washington may be undersized by about two inches and smaller by about 20 pounds, Washington seems to thrive when playing the center position.

Against the Atlanta Hawks, PJ Washington had an impressive outing which could have been overshadowed by LaMelo Ball‘s historic night, but I digress. Washington logged 22 points, seven boards, and an insane total of six blocks. Washington through and through dominated the paint and was a glorious rim protector.

There were several points in the game where Washington was THE starting big man and that was when the team played their best ball. Now obviously LaMelo Ball was a surge of energy but Washington’s presence around the rim didn’t affect his ability to switch and guard the perimeter on the pick-and-roll.

Washington logged 36 minutes in the game, switching between the power forward and center positions. Most Hornets fans have been wondering who will end up starting between LaMelo Ball or Devonte’ Graham, but I think the more accurate question is, who will start between Miles Bridges or Devonte’ Graham. Let me explain.

When Washington was stretched to the big man position, the lineup consisted of LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward with Miles Bridges and Devonte’ Graham rotating in and out of the game. Obviously, these two play different positions but I believe James Borrego is testing the strength of a smaller-small ball lineup, with Ball, Rozier, Graham, Hayward and Washington starting or a slightly bigger-small ball lineup consisting of Ball, Rozier, Hayward, Bridges and Washington.

He definitely tested this in the team’s win against the Hawks, where LaMelo Ball got starting minutes, and Graham and Bridges played about seven minutes difference in the late 20-minute mark on the court.

Despite Bridges struggles against Atlanta, I think the answer has been crystal clear so far this season. Bridges should be starting in the four position, moving Washington down the big man slot. Overall Bridges has been the far and away better player, where Graham has had constant shooting struggles since the season tip-off to now. Graham has shot a horrible 27 percent from the field, before his 16 percent performance against Atlanta.

Bridges is only averaging two fewer points per game than Graham in far fewer minutes while shooting incredibly better. Bridges is super talented and athletic and does wonder on the glass. Bridges is explosive around the rim, teaming with LaMelo Ball on some great alley-oops, and he has greatly improved his defensive effort since last year averaging almost an entire steal and over a block per game.

Bridges alongside Ball with seasoned veterans in Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward may be the answer to the Hornets long-term competitiveness and Washington starting at the center is the first domino that must fall.