Charlotte Hornets: 5 keys to making the playoffs
Use the team’s depth to their advantage
If there is one thing Coach James Borrego has done this season it’s tinker with his second unit on a constant basis. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Malik Monk have been two most used players off the bench, but depending on the team they are playing, Borrego has given heavy minutes to Miles Bridges and Willy Hernangomez or to Tony Parker and Bizmack Biymobo.
This has allowed coach Borrego to be true to his veterans in his first season as coach, but he’s also been pushing minutes for young guys like Hernangomez, Monk and even Dwayne Bacon and rookie Devonte Graham.
A 10 or 11 player rotation could be a detriment to some teams, but the Hornets seem to be making it work without making anyone feel left out. Graham tallied a few starts when Jeremy Lamb was out for a few games in early January and Miles Bridges has started three times (with varied success). And Bridges getting the start was the first starting lineup alteration Borrego has made that wasn’t due to an injury.
Veterans like Tony Parker and Marvin Williams are two of the few that have their positions on lockdown within Borrego’s roation. Williams is still a solid 3-point shooter and is averaging 10.3 points per game, giving Borrego a solid stretch-4 for most of the game and doesn’t have anyone in particular pushing him for playing time yet.
Tony Parker has had a nice resurgence from last year’s injuries as Kemba’s backup. Parker has even played alongside Kemba and the other guards, but has been a great anchor for the team’s second unit.
At the center position, Borrego has leaned on veteran Bismack Biyombo, using him over Hernagomez in spots if more rim protection is needed. And with Bridges starting, Batum can play small forward or shooting guard, allowing the Hornets for even more flexibility.
"“I like the mixture of starting Miles, and what it does for both our units. I can mix-and-match a little bit better,” Borrego said post-game."
After the game against the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Observer sports writer Rick Bonnell pointed out the numerous (positive) effects this change to the starting lineup has. It’s a very insightful read, but one of the biggest adjustments is the defensive flexibility that Borrego now has.
"They have been good offensively, far less reliable defensively. The net effect of Batum, Bridges and Marvin Williams all starting is a lineup that is slightly bigger and more versatile defensively. Borrego came into this season hoping to play a lot of switching defense, a major trend in the NBA. He started out switching more, then backed off some to a core group of players who could switch. That group is essentially Batum, Bridges, Williams and reserve Michael Kidd-Gilchrist."
The bench will be even stronger now too. Having Parker and Monk work together always provided a great spark for the Hornets. Adding Jeremy Lamb to that mix deepens that even more. This could allow the Hornets to get a look at what the team could look like without Lamb next year too according to Bonnell.
"I don’t think Lamb’s contract expiring at the end of this season was an incentive for the lineup change, but exploring alternatives should Lamb not re-sign with the Hornets could have side benefit. Lamb adapting to being a reserve again might be the least adjustment this shift entails."
Could putting starting lineup pressure on Miles Bridges be a detriment to the team as the push to maintain their current playoff positioning? Time will tell. But if Borrego continues to use the depth of this team to his advantage, it should result in the team’s first playoff spot in three years.