What stood out most about LaMelo's career night
The stat that should have the Hornets even more excited about Ball's potential. Plus, notes on Miles Bridges and Devonte' Graham
There was no need on this occasion.
Almost exactly a year to the day when Hornets coach James Borrego had a few of his players doing double takes in the huddle, all because he was singing during one of the game’s most intense points, Charlotte was back at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
He can still remember how it all played out.
“The building was going crazy and you’ve just got to find a way to way to empower your guys, relax them and refocus them,” Borrego said Wednesday. “That’s what I really learned out of that moment for me. I’m not going to sing to them every single night in the huddle. I’m not going to do that.
“But I think (it’s) having these moments of refocus and clarity for your players in the midst of chaos. This year, it feels a little different because you don’t have the roar of the crowd and the swings that way. But even through the highs and lows of a game or an NBA season, you’ve just got to stay the course, stay poised and really find ways to refocus your guys, and get creative with that. Whether its in a practice or a game or a timeout or a film session. And that’s something I’ve learned here over the years as a head coach.”
But the lyrics to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” never rolled off Borrego’s tongue Wednesday night. It wasn’t a necessity. Not with LaMelo Ball putting in the most efficient outing of his short career and Miles Bridges providing an offensive explosion off the bench.
That spurred the Hornets past the Mavericks 118-99, marking their second straight victory following two season-opening defeats. It was an impressive piggyback to Sunday’s win over then previously-unbeaten Brooklyn.
Seeing their first-round pick toss in a career-high 22 points — which was also a game-high — certainly only provided further encouragement for the Hornets. Ball’s full repertoire was on display, as evidenced by the eight rebounds and five assists. He was in complete control, something that wasn’t the case in the better part of the season’s first two outings.
“LaMelo’s showing growth every single game,” Borrego said.
Ball’s poised play was especially on notice during the first half when his 15 points keyed the Hornets’ bench scoring 42 of team’s 68 points through the initial two quarters, fueling a much-needed boost after the starting unit couldn’t get anything going.
But what stood out most: hitting 4 of 5 shots beyond the 3-point arc. If he can prove he can knock down the outside shot consistently, it’s only going to increase the options for him and his teammates. He has really good court vision and keeping defenders honest with his jump shot could do wonders to open things up even more for the No. 3 overall pick.
“I feel like it spaces the floor,” Ball said. “At the end of the day I was just shooting with confidence.”
Here are a few other things to note heading into the first weekend of January:
BRIDGING THE GAP
Very quietly, Miles Bridges is off to productive start in Year 3.
Bridges admittedly didn’t have a great sophomore campaign with the Hornets, struggling a bit once he was asked to play further from the basket following the addition of PJ Washington. But he’s apparently put that all behind him, posting solid numbers coming off the bench through the season’s first week.
Bridges is averaging 12.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 50 percent (10 of 20) from 3-point range. Against the Mavs, he really put it all together with 20 points and 15 rebounds.
It was also Bridges who single-handedly brought the Hornets back in the closing minutes against Oklahoma City with a barrage of 3-pointers.
“His energy is infectious,” Borrego said. “I’m proud of him, just how he’s handled this season, his role. He impacts the game every second he is on the floor and I’m really proud of him.”
Bridges believes the game is slowing down for him.
“Just my reads,” he said. “There’s a couple of plays where I had the post and I would have spun or shot a crazy shot and I just passed it out and got the offense going, kept it flowing. So I just feel like I’m getting better, my I.Q. is getting better on offense and my defense as well. I feel like I’m doing better at that.”
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH DEVONTE’?
Devonte’ Graham hasn’t gotten into a groove yet.
Last season’s leading scorer is averaging 11.5 points so far and has knocked down just 16 of 52 attempts. That he’s shooting 30 percent (10-for-30) from 3-point range is also a head-scratcher.
“I have been struggling making shots obviously, not shooting the ball well but I don’t pay attention to it,” Graham said. "I know that I am capable of making those shots I am shooting and I am going to keep taking them. Feeling good, though. I have been making plays and trying to find guys, making assists and just trying to do all the little things that I can to help us win.”
With Hayward on board, the Hornets aren’t running their offense through Graham quite as often as they did last season. It’s something everyone is getting used to and Borrego remains confident in his third-year guard. He expects things to turn soon.
“It’s a different role for him,” Borrego said. “The ball is not in his hand so much. He’s not getting as many touches so he’s trying to find other spots on the floor to get his looks. I’ve got no problem with ‘Tae. The shots are good. The shots are going to fall. It’s early. His legs are going to get stronger. He’ll get more comfortable in where he’s getting his shots over time.
“And I think those numbers, it’s just a matter of time before they start to climb. I see nothing in his shot that I’m worried about. His shot selection is there. It’s just about that ball finding the net right now and I’ve got no worries that it won’t.”
WE’RE TALKIN BOUT (NO) PRACTICE
Wednesday marked the beginning of a lengthy stretch for the Hornets. They’ve embarked on a span in which they will play 10 games in 16 days, leaving them with very little time off in between to recover.
But perhaps more notably, that means there will be almost no opportunities to practice. Which, in turn, isn’t going to make things easier on a coaching staff that has to develop the franchise’s young talent. Such as their second-round picks in the November draft — Vernon Carey Jr. and Nick Richards.
The two made their debuts against the Mavs in the fourth quarter once the outcome was well decided. Borrego said the Hornets are going to come up with a plan to work with the younger players as much as possible. That way they could be better prepared should they be called upon for serious minutes off the bench.
“We’ve got to get creative,” Borrego said. “I can’t get everybody reps in practice. I’d have to have a three-hour practice and when we play six games in 10 days, it’s just not going to happen. So we’ve got to get creative. They’re going to practice a little before practice, a little bit after on the road and we’ll do our best to make sure those guys are getting reps.”
“ It was also Bridges who single-handedly brought the Hornets back in the closing minutes against Memphis with a barrage of 3-pointers.”
Think you mean Oklahoma, Rod.
Been a lawwwnnnng time since I've been this excited about Hornets. Love how Coach Borrego's player development is beginning to come together, and these recent (and at the time risky, questionable) acquisitions are working so far in early part of season.
Thanks for starting this blog, Rod!