MORE COVERAGE: Training Camp Gallery | James Borrego | Terry Rozier | Miles Bridges | Devonte' Graham
One week ago, Hornets Head Coach James Borrego indicated that the team’s training facilities this summer represented “the healthiest gym” he had ever witnessed in over 15 NBA seasons. Now, it’s time to carry all that work into Day 1 of training camp, the preseason and beyond.
Tireless dedication and continuous repetition have been two major focuses for this team over the last several months. Having lost four key rotational players from one season ago, plenty of minutes are up for grabs right now on a relatively young Charlotte roster.
“It didn’t really look like our first day,” said Borrego after the team’s Tuesday morning practice in Chapel Hill, NC. “This group has been playing together for a while now. They’ve been in the gym so much, they like being around each other. They know where each other is going to be probably more than I expect already at this point.”
Make no mistake, there’s an advantageous level of comfort within this team’s core having been training together for most of the summer, something that shouldn’t be quickly dismissed. And the two main absences, Nic Batum and Willy Hernangómez, were abroad playing several weeks of high-level, intense basketball leading up to and at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
Even Terry Rozier, who was acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics in July, has been settled and working out in Charlotte for over a month now. Going into his fifth NBA season, Rozier will be looking to accelerate his familiarity with a brand-new group of teammates, particularly as the starting point guard and de facto leader.
“With the help of my coaches and teammates, they’ve made it really easy for me,” Rozier said. “Just coming in and learning the terminology – it’s a little bit different than what I’m used to – but that’s on me to get it down. It was a great first day and I’m looking forward to moving forward.”
Miles Bridges and Devonte’ Graham both put in substantial time this summer and are looking to make significant strides as second-year players. Bridges has a decent shot to be the team’s starting power forward on Opening Night, while Graham is penciled in as the backup to Rozier.
“Even with the first-year guys coming in, they look comfortable out there,” stated Bridges. “We’ve got a chip on our shoulder, so everyone is coming in and competing.” Graham added, “I can feel it. We’ve still got the rookies, who don’t really know the concepts yet, but from the guys who were here, we feel really comfortable with what Coach is doing.”
All the players have done an admirable job of pushing each other to get in the gym regularly this summer. If they want to maximize their individual and team potential this season, fostering an environment where everybody is held accountable will be imperative.
Borrego has stressed the importance of competing, improving, establishing an identity and building winning habits throughout the 2019-20 campaign. With the offseason now officially in the rearview mirror and the groundwork having been laid, this young Charlotte Hornets squad is pointed in the right direction.
Notes: Rookie guard Cody Martin (ankle) did not participate in the morning session of practice… Rapper and North Carolina native J. Cole and retired two-time NBA champion and All-Star David West attended today’s workout.