The Charlotte Hornets already featured one of the better bench duos in the league prior to the return of Cody Zeller. Adding him to the mix of Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball gives Charlotte a strong core of the bench.
That core played a big role in Sunday’s comeback effort against Orlando and helped make Monday’s game competitive at the end. Following the game, Borrego spoke about the trio of Zeller, Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball.
“It’s always good,” Terry Rozier said of having a strong bench after shootaround on Wednesday. “The more bodies, the better. We’re a team that, the way we play and the style we play, we want to play fast. We have a lot of guys that can get out there and do that. I think we’re happy with everybody’s improvement and the rotations. We just have to put some wins on the board.”
Bridges has consistently been one of the Hornets’ best players this season, ranking first in net rating among players who have played 10 games for Charlotte. In his brief four games this year, Zeller has a net rating of +2.9, ranking above Bridges’ rating of +2.6.
Ball’s net rating has fluctuated this season along with his play, typical of a rookie, but the trio of Bridges, Ball and Zeller have a net rating of +7.9 in 34 minutes. Only Devonte’ Graham has a net rating above zero alongside Bridges and Ball this season.
As the Hornets round into form, having a fully healthy bench could prove to be a difference-maker for the team as they look to move back to .500.
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