CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Logic suggested these games were going to be nothing more than blowouts.
When word first broke over the weekend the Charlotte Hornets were potentially going to be minus three starters and a key bench player for this week, the general thought from nearly anyone with an opinion was similar: Uh, oh.
Yes, stronger language could have been used since the prevailing thought centered around the Hornets being on a virtual conveyor belt, all buckled up and prepared for some relentless poundage by the same big, bad Philadelphia 76ers who’ve owned the Hornets as if they were the Spectrum Center landlords. Full-strength Philadelphia versus a team without five key players had the makings of a mismatch, given Ish Smith remained in the league’s health and safety protocols along with LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels.
But in dropping both games by a combined seven points, including Wednesday night’s 110-106 loss, the Hornets were anything but a bunch of Mr. Softees. They were never overly in trouble of getting pulverized by Philadelphia, doing more than enough to keep rapper and ex-Charlotte Bobcats part-owner Nelly entertained courtside, and even led the 76ers again with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.
Based in the harsh reality of a results-driven business where professionals are paid millions to play a game most learned as a child, there is no such thing as a moral victory. There is, however, something beneficial to come out of all this. Despite the Hornets losing their 16th consecutive games to Philadelphia — extending the league’s longest losing streak against an opponent — the experience collected by some buried deep on the depth chart should vastly assist them down the line.
This precious, previously unforeseen on-court time for James Bouknight, JT Thor and Nick Richards can instill determination and give them poise to be better equipped to handle adversity, success and anything else that comes in their direction over the upcoming months.
“I think as you’re growing as a young player, these moments are important because you figure out you belong in this league,” coach James Borrego said, “and you have success and it gives you confidence to keep working and keep growing. It’s hard when you’re not playing, you’re just sitting there. You go, ‘Do I really belong? Where do I belong? Do they believe in me?’ I think this is only going to allow these young players to go, ‘I’m in. I buy in.’ And when they’re not playing at times, they continue to work.”
Thor was the first person Borrego summoned off the bench Wednesday, a sign of just how many bodies the Hornets (14-13) were missing. It also is an indicator of Thor’s progress in his development. The raw, left-handed second-round pick with a long wingspan and decent jumper played significant minutes against a potential playoff opponent, which is a scenario that can’t go unnoticed.
Neither should the Hornets combining for 360 points in the three games without their starting backcourt, winning one game (at Atlanta) and going into overtime in another.
“Coach is doing a hell of a job with those guys, he really is,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers said. “He has them playing right. They’re one of the best cutting teams in the league, one of the better passing teams in the league. It’s funny. I think from the outside people see that Ball is a great passer. I don’t think they’re seeing the job that coach is doing by getting everybody else to pass, and the last two games you saw that.
“They’re a really good passing basketball team. Today they turned the ball over, which helped us. But they’re tough to guard. They’re tough to play.”
Could that be some gamesmanship from Rivers? Perhaps. But he doesn’t stand to gain anything from talking the Hornets up. They are not a division opponent and they’ve had their number seemingly forever. Rivers and Borrego don’t come from the same coaching lineage, either, so there is no obvious ulterior motive.
He was truly giving Borrego his props, akin to Borrego doing that to his young twentysomethings upon them whetting their appetite in their first foray playing meaningful minutes.
“It’s a taste,” Borrego said. “Now, they’re salivating. They go in that gym going, ‘I want to get better. I’ve tasted it now and you can’t keep me off the floor, Coach.’ The lineup may say ‘yes,’ but this is going to give them more fuel, more drive, getting a taste of it. They liked it. I think Bouk liked it. He came in with a different edge and pop this morning.
“JT Thor, same thing. More edge and more pop that, ‘I can do this, now I want more.’ It’s a beautiful thing and you can just see that. They needed this throughout the season so they’re not just sitting there. Where it goes from here, we don’t know. But it’s only going to help them and help us.”
That’s the hidden gem in this whole scenario. Although the absences of some of their top talent is far from ideal, the dramatically increased educational floor time for Thor, Bouknight and Richards is priceless and may be vital to their long-term success.
“Yeah, Nick, JT, Bouknight, they’ve all been playing great for us,” Miles Bridges said. “They’re just getting thrown in the fire. They just came from playing with the Swarm to playing against Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, all these guys. They’ll see De’Aaron Fox next game. Kudos to our young guys. They’ve been doing a good job adjusting to the NBA game and they are going to continue to get better.”
Just a guess, but the 76ers probably agree with that last line word for word.
.jpg?w=600)
