Hornets can’t always rely on Gordon Hayward to save them. They weren’t ready vs. Bulls
“Antsy and uncomfortable.”
That’s how Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego described his team in a 123-110 loss to the Chicago Bulls Friday. I’d add indecisive, careless and self-destructive.
The Hornets are good enough this season to be at least be ninth or 10th in the Eastern Conference, and qualify for the play-in tournament. But performances like Friday against a peer will wreck that.
The Bulls are talented offensively but awful defensively. However, Chicago didn’t have to guard much Friday because the Hornets committed 20 turnovers. Actually, it was worse than just that number — many of those turnovers were the live-ball kind that not only lose possession but compromise defense at the other end.
The Bulls scored 26 points off Charlotte turnovers. Few teams are talented enough to overcome that many giveaways. Certainly not the Hornets, whose margin for error is small in a 6-9 start.
This team has more talent and depth than last season. But they aren’t good enough, particularly at the offensive end, to color outside the lines. Either they play disciplined and decisive, or they maintain the pattern they have in a four-game losing streak.
No excuses for Hornets
There were some complications Friday: The Hornets went five days without a game, after Wednesday’s match-up with the Washington Wizards was postponed due to the Wizards’ COVID-19 issues. Also, center Cody Zeller was back from a month-long absence due to a fractured left finger.
But none of that explained away the lethargic, confused way this team performed.
“That definitely doesn’t give us an excuse to have 20 turnovers,” said guard Devonte Graham, who scored a season-high 24 points and added six assists.
“Everybody’s got to come ready to play. Be aggressive. I feel like everybody knows their roles, what they bring to the team. We’ve got to make sure we bring that every night, starting with the starters and trickling down.
“As one of the leaders of this team, I’ve got to do a better job of making sure everybody is ready to go.”
Charlotte’s starting unit has been shaky this season, but the depth has often compensated. Not Friday. Top reserves Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball were bad, combining for as many turnovers (nine) as points. Rookie Ball, the third overall pick, played just 17 minutes, and that was justified; five turnovers isn’t OK.
‘Gordon, go save us.’
Free agent Gordon Hayward was brought in to be Charlotte’s best player. There’s a difference between that and savior.
As Borrego described, the rest of the players can’t say with their actions, “Gordon, go save us.”
Hayward tried to do that in the second half, scoring 24 of his 34 points and taking 10 free throws. It went for naught. Terry Rozier finished with 10 points, half his average, and Graham disappeared in the second half (two points on 1-of-5 shooting).
Hayward was diplomatic when asked about Borrego’s suggestion the other players expected him to save them.
“I’ve got to attack,” Hayward said, adding, “we’ve just got to be better.”
A lot better in correctable ways. Hayward used the word “indecisive.” I’d use something stronger.
Scatterbrained. They’re not good enough to survive that.
This story was originally published January 23, 2021 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Hornets can’t always rely on Gordon Hayward to save them. They weren’t ready vs. Bulls."
