So what’s with the Batman and Robin title? There was an article on Bleacher Report that referred to the 2 in college as such because it seemed like Lamb was always there to help Walker when he was struggling to carry the team. Bobcats/Hornets fans understand Kemba and the Batman comparison. Many times, Kemba has taken over games when he had to. He has never been afraid to take the big shot when it came down to the wire. Fans also know that it didn’t always work out for Walker. The same situations were true while he was at UConn. Kemba had Jeremy Lamb when UConn went on their tear to the NCAA championship in 2011. Kemba couldn’t win by himself, so Jeremy Lamb was his Robin. He was the only other player scoring in double digits for the team. So, as I always state, basketball is a team sport and one person can’t win games. A few points I wanted to make about these 2 in college. Lamb had the better FG% with 48.7% and 3pt% of 36.8% while Walker was 42.8% fg% and 33% 3pt%. I will state that the similar percentages have actually slumped for Kemba in the NBA (39.5% fg% & 31.8% 3pt%). Again, I attribute Kemba’s lower numbers to a lack of help in scoring the basketball . When you have to take so many shots, if they aren’t falling, it’s going to hurt you.
Flash forward to the present and Walker and Lamb are together on the Hornets. Do I think Lamb starts at shooting guard? No. Coach Clifford has repeatedly stated that Nic Batum will start at the 2. I believe, however, depending on matchups, we will see a player rotation in the back court where MKG comes out, Batum slides to the SF position, Lin comes in at SG and they run for a little bit. Then you will see Kemba get the rest, Lamb comes in at SG, MKG returns at SF, and Batum gets rest. At this point in the rotations, I believe you may see Kemba come in to give Lin a break, at which point you have the “Batman and Robin” back court. I could be completely wrong on this. I’ve sat and watched Jeremy Lamb highlights, and I am surprised where teams have valued him. I was surprised that Charlotte got him for so little. I’m a firm believer in bad fits on teams. I believed that Lin was a horrible fit on the Lakers, and I believe that Lamb was trapped in a bad spot in Oklahoma. Don’t get me wrong though; Lamb and Daniels will both be battling it out for playing time during training camp. It will all come down to what rotations fit best. I also know that in watching Jeremy Lamb highlights, I’m also NOT seeing things he has done wrong on the court. That’s why they’re called highlights.
Maybe I’m just an overexcited fan, but I look at what talent that has been brought in and this is the first time in a long time that I really feel good about the Hornets and their back court depth. We have 6’1” Kemba Walker, 6’3” Jeremy Lin, & 6’6” Aaron Harrison that can play the 1 or the 2. I failed to mention 6’1” Brian Roberts as a PG, but I believe with the addition of scorers to the team, his game is one that will thrive as a distributor and a scorer. I do believe he may become a last option at the point guard spot though. Then I look at 6’8” Batum who can play the 2 or 3 position, 6’5” Jeremy Lamb, 6’4” Troy Daniels, and even 6’6” PJ Hairston who can play the 2 or the 3 position. Looking to the frontcourt…well…that’s another article.
For now, I’m excited to have Jeremy Lamb on this team and he could be a key component that the Hornets needed in the back court, a diamond in the rough, that makes this team truly sparkle this season.
Guess we’ll all just wait and see.
And as always…
Let’s Go Hornets!
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