The Charlotte Hornets are a very young team, and typically with young teams, the experience it has can hurt when it comes down to crunch time late in the postseason. Young teams, while able to have success, often look to veteran players who, while not crucial to play on the court, are invaluable in mentoring roles. The Hornets are one such team.
Veteran forward, Jason Maxiell is highly praised by coach Steve Clifford for his work ethic, his willingness to accept any role he’s placed in, and his mentoring of the team’s young big men, Bismack Biyombo, Cody Zeller, and Noah Vonleh. While not a legitimate starter anymore, Maxiell can still contribute to any young roster, both with his tough defensive mindset on the court, and his knowledge of the game off of it. His willingness to mentor young players was the Hornets’ main motivation for signing Maxiell, but he has performed well when called upon in the wake of injuries to Al Jefferson and Bismack Biyombo, including a seven block game against Washington.
Another notable veteran presence was point guard Jannero Pargo. Though he has since been released from the team due to a back injury, coach Clifford has iterated, on several occasions similar praise of him to that of Maxiell. Pargo was a team player, always had high energy, and was truly an extension of a coach, which may be why Clifford said he could see Pargo coaching after he decides to call it quits as a player. He was always in Kemba Walker’s ear, encouraging him through bad shooting nights, and celebrating him when he sunk the game winner. Pargo, while still able to shoot from distance, became a cerebral player later in his career, and seemed to understand the X’s and O’s with proficiency. Some have speculated he will be added to Clifford’s staff should the circumstances allow when he retires, and I can’t say I wouldn’t like to see that.
Though Pargo is gone, the team is not without a veteran point guard, as they’ve since traded for Mo Williams. Williams has been on many teams, some winners and some losers, and he’s been a great professional through it all. Williams will be able to bring more to the court than Pargo, but still has the encouraging, and intelligent characteristics that Pargo brought to the team. Likely moving to the third point guard spot after Walker returns, it is uncertain if Williams will assume Gary Neal’s former role and play shooting guard alongside Walker, and Roberts, or if he will be relegated to the bench, but what is certain, is that Williams will do nothing but good for the Hornets for the remainder of the season.
The presence of washed up veterans may not sound tantalizing at first, but young teams that haven’t gotten the memo should warm up to the idea of having a few old guys on their team; they help the psychological state of a team when they are losing, and help to make the good times even better. Bringing in these unsung leaders is a great trend being shared among some of the league, though not grasped by all. In case you’re not already sold, just think about how nice it was to watch Jason Maxiell nearly get into a fight with Josh McRoberts is the Hornets’ first meeting with the Miami Heat this season. At any rate, good times are ahead for the Hornets, and these dinosaurs have more to do with it than you might think.
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