Summer League Important for PJ Hairston
This up and coming Summer League season will be critical for second year Charlotte Hornet PJ Hairston. There is a lot of transition going on in the Hornets roster and much of it is targeting the shooting guard spot where Hairston resides.
More from Charlotte Hornets
- Charlotte Hornets: Return would have provided valuable experience
- Charlotte Hornets: Regrading the 2010 NBA Draft
- Charlotte Hornets win what could be final game of the season
- Charlotte Hornets: Tank now or buzz towards the playoffs?
- Charlotte Hornets travel to face Pistons with focus on the future
No, this year’s Summer League is not make or break for Hairston. He has too much potential to be cut loose based on summer league. However it could be pivotal for how Hairston wants to develop his career with the Hornets from this step forward.
First, Hairston will have to justify getting minutes at the two guard. The Hornets have added Nicolas Batum, the likely starter, and Jeremy Lamb at the position. Unlike Gerald Henderson, who had a different skill set than Hairston, Lamb and Batum are advertised as shooters. They were not brought in to sit the bench.
More from Old North Banter
- Carolina Panthers: Secondary battles to watch in training camp 2020
- Carolina Panthers: 2020 training camp kicks off on Tuesday
- NC Colleges Provide Coronavirus Results from Athletic Departments
- Court alleges Zion’s Stepfather received $400k
- UNC Football gets Commitment from Top Cornerback
Second, Hairston will have to make a case for wing minutes. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the starting small forward, but the space behind him is relatively open. Jeff Taylor is a free agent. Hairston could find additional life and time at the small forward position. That would mean demonstrating more toughness and rebounding in summer league ball.
Live Feed
Betsided
Third, we have the trend towards small ball. While Golden State’s victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers seemed to augur the death of the big man, the Hornets are not going to abandon Al Jefferson any time soon. They will have to match up with teams that do though. Hairston will want to be a part of any equation that means more minutes for wing players.
Fourth, Hairston will have the chance to get his act together. Hairston has had more than his fair share of slip ups and missed practices. What better way to repair that reputation than being first at every practice and ready to go for Summer League coach Patrick Ewing.
It comes down to this for Hairston. He could be a rotational cog or a bench warmer with a DNP – Coach’s Decision on the score sheet. Your ball, PJ.