Old North Banter
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Five takeaways from the Hornets’ California road trip

By Luke Tucker

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Cody Zeller #40, Malik Monk #1 and PJ Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets defend against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on October 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Cody Zeller #40, Malik Monk #1 and PJ Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets defend against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on October 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Head coach James Borrego deserves a lot of credit

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: Head coach James Borrego of the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of a game at Staples Center on October 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: Head coach James Borrego of the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of a game at Staples Center on October 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Six games into the 2019-2020 season, the Hornets sit at 3-3 and inside the top eight in the Eastern Conference. A simple glance at Charlotte’s .500 record wouldn’t indicate anything spectacular, however, James Borrego has been exactly that thus far. With a roster lacking a single star, or even an All-Star-caliber player, the Hornets have put up a fight in each game, and resemble nothing of a “tanking” team.

Prior to the season, Borrego made it clear that his top priority this season was going to be growing and developing the organization’s young players. Whether in Charlotte or with the Greensboro Swarm, Borrego insisted that the youngsters would receive valuable on-court experience. The Hornets have already reaped benefits of the 25-and-under club, with five of those players averaging more than 10.0 points per game.

Young guards Devonte’ Graham and Dwayne Bacon, who weren’t even close to being considered elite prospects, have found unanticipated amounts of success under the second-year head coach. PJ Washington, an early Rookie of the Year candidate, has thrived in Borrego’s system, despite being commonly overlooked during the draft process. Perhaps most important to Charlotte’s early success has been the fact that everyone is “bought in” to what Borrego wants to accomplish.

Simply by watching them play, it’s easy to tell that the Hornets play hard and that their head coach gets the best out of them. There’s a lot of season still to go, but the job James Borrego is doing is already standing out.

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