Charlotte Hornets should seriously consider bringing back Bismack Biyombo
What has Bismack Biyombo meant to the Charlotte Hornets lately?
“Everything!” teammate Marvin Williams asserted. “Remember Toronto Biz? That’s what he’s been.”
Williams meant Biyombo in the spring of 2016, when he was so impactful with the Raptors in the playoffs that he earned a four-year, $72 million contract with the Orlando Magic. That’s the deal the Hornets absorbed when they traded for Biyombo two summers ago: The one that expires after this season, when Biyombo makes $17 million.
It seemed a given the Hornets would move on from Biyombo when that deal is done. But the way he’s played lately, is it far-fetched to think they’d consider bringing him back?
I don’t think so. In back-to-back starts with Cody Zeller injured, Biyombo totaled 32 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks in home-and-home victories over the Detroit Pistons.
The Hornets have finally made strides defensively. They held the Pistons scoreless in nine of Detroit’s last 11 possessions in a 110-107 victory. Biyombo’s block at the rim of Pistons center Andre Drummond’s last-minute shot was the signature play of this game.
Obviously the Hornets wouldn’t pay Biyombo a salary similar to what he makes now. But as starved as they are for rim-protection, wouldn’t you have to keep an open mind to bringing him back?
‘My home’
Biyombo spent his first four NBA seasons in Charlotte, mostly as a long-term project. He always had major potential defensively, but his offense was so limited that the franchise chose not to make him a qualifying offer to restrict his free-agency in 2015.
Biyombo signed a one-year “make good” contract with the Raptors, and man did he make good: After Toronto center Jonas Valanciunas got hurt, Biyombo was a terror, averaging 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 20 playoff games.
Biyombo was never that with the Magic, and had a limited role last season back in Charlotte. But he holds deep affection for the place where the NBA began for him.
“I love it here. This is my home -- I started here,” Biyombo answered, when I asked if he’d be receptive to playing in Charlotte beyond this season. “Seeing the organization move in the right direction, seeing guys succeed (matters).
“When Kemba (Walker) and I came in, we had the worst record in the league” -- 7-59 in 2011-12.
Back then, Biyombo’s offensive skills were so limited that assistant coach Rob Werdann was literally assigned to teach Biyombo how to properly catch the ball. Now he’s grabbing in lob passes for dunks, making ball-fakes for trips to the foul line and even hitting the occasional mid-range jump shot.
Back each night
If Byombo is still improving nine seasons into his career, it’s a statement about his work ethic. Every off day he returns to Spectrum Center early evening for a 45-minute session with assistant coach Nate Mitchell.
Sometimes it’s drilling. Sometimes its film sessions. Either way, the object is to have a better understanding of what head coach James Borrego needs.
Biyombo said if he looks more offensively capable now, it’s a reflection of him drilling into detail; exactly when to set a screen or participate in the fast break.
But his value will always be defense first.
“His presence on the defense overall has been the main factor. And he’s playing extremely hard,” Borrego said.
“He runs the floor and puts a lot of pressure on the rim...He’s had a physical mentality and an urgency about him.”
What’s not to like about that? Maybe something worth a new contract in the town Biz calls home.
This story was originally published November 30, 2019 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Charlotte Hornets should seriously consider bringing back Bismack Biyombo."
