NBA Media Day: 5 uncomfortable storylines to keep an eye out for

NBA Media Day: Charlotte and its beat reporters navigate the Bridges situation.

It feels like it’s been a long time since former Charlotte Hornets star Miles Bridges was arrested on allegations of domestic violence and child abuse, but for the team itself, adjusting to life without Bridges begins now. This seems quite trivial in the wake of the real-life ramifications of his actions, but that’s been covered at length since the initial incident took place.

Now, the Hornets have to come to grips with the fact that their leading scorer won’t be on the team. He’s not injured, he wasn’t traded and no one is coming to take his place — Bridges is simply gone, and Charlotte has to completely recalibrate the way it operates right now and while building for the future. Navigating that is going to be difficult, which makes NBA Media Day an important test for both the team itself and the journalists who cover it.

How will reporters tackle these important questions while remaining sensitive to the issue? Has the team’s leadership prepared its coaches and players on how to discuss this problem? On one hand, it might be something that everyone wishes to avoid. But on the other, this team has to face the facts starting in training camp.

Basketball will never be more important than real life — even when the game is embedded into your life and career. With that said, Bridges’ absence is going to have a drastic impact on the team’s season, so this will be a true test of the Hornets’ beat reporters and their journalistic expertise.