Charlotte Hornets’ Midseason Grades: Bismack Biyombo helping in other ways

When one looks at Bismack Biyombo, I know for a fact that they are not looking at too much. But let’s just hear me out, Biyombo is doing a whole lot more for this Charlotte Hornets team than what we are seeing. It’s beyond the statistics; it’s beyond what he’s giving on the court.

It’s what he is giving off the court, and on the bench as well.

Before we go into what he’s doing for the Hornets while on the bench,  it’s important to see what he is actually providing on the court.

Offense

On the offensive end, any points from Biyombo are bonus points. At the break, he averaged 5.6 points per game, 2.2 offensive rebounds per game, and shot a field goal percentage of 56.9% in 33 games. Although he has not hit a three-pointer at all yet (in his lone attempt), it is good to see him put the effort to expand his range as more big men are shooting long distance shots now. But of course, we need to start seeing those shots go in, or if they’re not going to go in, maybe just stick to who you are.

I’ve seen Biyombo work hard in this second stint with Charlotte, he even averaged a career-high 7.4 PPG last season before the shutdown due to the pandemic. Now though, with more weapons on this Hornets team, if you were looking to see even more, you likely won’t get your wish.

Defense

Defensively, Biyombo has been known by many Charlotte basketball fans for being able to block shots. In his first two years, he averaged 1.8 blocks per game. In the first two seasons in his second stint, he’s averaging half those numbers (0.9 BPG), but through the first half, he averaged 1.2 BPG. Biyombo likely won’t get to those numbers he had in the past again, but that would be great to see that presence come back around again, especially when the Hornets are already hurting on the inside, and needing an additional big man to help out.

Mentorship

This is what Biz is bringing to the team the most, mentorship. He has been a great big brother to LaMelo Ball, being that the two have had overseas journeys, and although it looks like they are nowhere in the same realm of name recognition, not many players on the Hornets roster can relate to the journey that Ball has had other than Biyombo. The fact that Biz is able to just go over to Ball and give him that ear as an older brother figure and help him on and off the court in Charlotte is a real intangible that really has helped his adjustment. It’s not just on the court where that advice and that willingness to mentor comes in, it’s off the court as well. He did the same for Malik Monk as well, and that really shows that what he can provide on the bench and away from the in-game action is just as valuable as what can be brought on the court.

Grade and Second Half Predictions

Grading the performance on the court, I give Biz a C. At the end of the day, it’s like I said before, what he gives offensively will be bonus points, and then defensively, his numbers on the blocks are up from the past couple of years, but it is also a case of what you see is what you get. It’s not a bad C at all. Off the court, he gets an A for what he brings to the team for his leadership and mentorship. Helping young players and also being part of a team that’s in the thick of the playoff hunt is an added incentive to stay motivated.

As for the predictions, I expect much of the same to happen. We will see what the Hornets do get some additional help in the middle. As much as he has done off the court, I’m not expecting that much to change on the court.