Tag: Cody Zeller

James Borrego says he enjoys grouping of LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Cody Zeller

Albeit in a small sample size, Cody Zeller has developed a noticeable chemistry off the bench alongside LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.

Cody Zeller’s return for the Hornets has provided a boost to a team that was desperately lacking size. In the time he missed, the Hornets struggled to keep opponents off the glass, giving up the fifth-most rebounds per game in the league.

While a small sample size, in the three games since his return, the Hornets have improved to an average team in terms of keeping opponents off the glass, ranking 16th.

Following Monday’s loss to the Magic, head coach James Borrego assessed Zeller’s performance through the first three games.

“He looked more comfortable tonight,” he said. “I thought this was probably the best of the few games he’s been back. He looks like he’s getting his legs back, his rhythm. The guys are getting more comfortable with him. I thought he helped us tonight. Much more comfortable. He can run the floor. He puts pressure on the rim. He’s a playmaker at the top of the key. So, yeah, I thought tonight was the best night we’ve seen Cody since you’ve been back.”

More than just his impact on the glass, Zeller has brought another dynamic to a Hornets bench that has already been one of the better ones in the league. Borrego also discussed how Zeller has slotted in alongside LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.

“I think that bench group could be really good,” he said. “I think that’s a good combination of Miles, Cody and LaMelo. That’s a good combination with a few other guys around them. I’m not married to that but for right now, that’s the way we’re going and and I do like that group.”

Through a limited sample size of 34 minutes, lineups featuring Ball, Bridges and Zeller have a net rating of +7.9 with an offensive rating of 116.0. The trio have been apart of two comeback attempts in the last two games, one of those successful in Sunday’s win.

Zeller’s ability to be a rim runner or a pick-and-pop threat not only complements Bridges’ versatility but Ball’s as well. The trio have found ways to work off one another. Whether Zeller returns to the starting lineup in the coming games, a position he held in the season-opener before injury, or remains with the bench, he’s developed a chemistry with two of the more energetic Hornets players.

Hornets News: Cody Zeller exits game vs. Cavaliers with fractured left hand

Cody Zeller exited Wednesday’s regular-season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a fractured left hand and did not return.

Cody Zeller exited Wednesday’s regular-season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a fractured left hand and did not return. Zeller suffered the injury early in the period while defending a shot from Andre Drummond in the paint and fighting for the ensuing rebound.

After leaving the game, Zeller was ruled out by the team with a fracture in his left hand. After the game, James Borrego noted that Zeller is expected to “miss some time” but did not have an idea of a timetable yet.

Zeller is the second Hornet this season already to suffer a fracture in their hand. Gordon Hayward fractured a finger on his right hand in the team’s second preseason game. After missing the ensuing two exhibition games, Hayward returned for the season-opener and was the team’s second-leading scorer.

Hornets eyeing playoff push following additions of Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball

After the acquisitions of Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets are looking at a potential return to the playoffs.

Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo may not consider themselves veterans but despite being 28 years old, the pair of big men represent two of the oldest players on the roster and two of the only players with playoff experience. In fact, as Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer noted, Zeller is the only player remaining from Charlotte’s last playoff team in 2015-16.

Following the signing of Gordon Hayward and drafting LaMelo Ball with the No. 3 pick, the Hornets find themselves as a dark horse candidate to make the playoffs once more. Add in the addition of a play-in tournament this season, giving both the ninth and tenth seeds in the Eastern Conference chances at making the playoffs and Charlotte should be in the mix next season, even if

“I think that’s where we’re headed,” Zeller said of the playoffs. “We’ve made some big moves, obviously, in the last couple of weeks. Adding Gordon obviously helps (as) another veteran guy with experience. I haven’t had the chance to play with LaMelo yet but, obviously, someone who’s taken with the third pick should add a lot to the team. I think we made some big moves.

“I think it’s a little too early to tell but I think it’s definitely a roster you look at on paper and think we should be right back in the playoff mix. It’s exciting to see after a long year last year, obviously. Hopefully, things are looking up.”

Under the playoff format of the upcoming season, the Hornets would have found themselves in the play-in tournament as the 10th seed when the season ended for them in March. Washington’s poor showing in the bubble saw them actually fall below the Hornets in the final standings based on win percentage.

With no departure of note from the team’s roster, the top seven scorers returning and the additions of Ball and Hayward, it makes sense the team could be thinking playoffs now.

“I think every year, every team looks like a team that could be in the playoffs,” Biyombo said. “Now, we just have to go out there and make it happen. I think the young guys, we have the mentality…in the right place and it’s very exciting going into training camp. As we start this, we all got to continue to be on the same page which is important. I think we have a chance but now we just have to go out there and make it happen.

“I’m very excited. It’s a good opportunity for a lot of people, for our young guys and it’s a new year for everybody. I look forward to it.”

The first step in making the playoffs will be the start of training camp on Friday with the team’s first preseason game coming barely a week later on Saturday, Dec. 12. Those will be the first tests of a franchise looking to return to the postseason with new acquisitions in tow.

[lawrence-related id=27394,27355,27302]

New Charlotte Hornets teammate Cody Zeller roasts LaMelo Ball on Twitter

Even if LaMelo Ball and Cody Zeller have been teammates for barely a week, Zeller has already begun roasting his rookie on Twitter.

Despite being teammates for barely more than a week, Hornets center Cody Zeller has already begun roasting his new teammates on Twitter. Zeller, known to be a jokester at least on social media, was blown away by the age of his incoming rookie teammates and, more specifically, the year they were born.

The team’s first two draftees – LaMelo Ball and Vernon Carey – are each 19 years old heading into their rookie seasons. However, it’s the fact that both were born in 2001 that blew Zeller away. After finding out that information, Zeller took to Twitter to share his amazement (h/t Larry Brown Sports).

Zeller will actually be one of the older players on the team after the Hornets officially parted ways with Nicolas Batum on Sunday. In fact, based on the current roster, Zeller is the second-most experienced player behind fellow Indiana-born teammate Gordon Hayward. If this is any indication, the rookies might be in for some good-natured ribbing.

[lawrence-related id=27279,27231,27216]