Steve Clifford, put JOB in the backup four! He’ll be your X-factor–proficient offensively and exceptional defensively.
Charlotte Hornets’ fans may finally breathe a sigh of relief! Their team has finally pulled a Spur-esk moment by finding a diamond in the rough.
Last February, the Hornets signed basketball journeyman Johnny O’Bryant (JOB) to a short-term contract. After an impressive fifteen-point outing against the Nuggets (see him in action below), Hornets’ GM Rich Cho made another move, signing Bryant to another short-term contract and, eventually, to a 1-year extension.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWmSOijKZcY
Bryant has the build of the ideal stretch four in today’s’ NBA. He’s 6’9″ and weighs 257 lbs. with a wingspan of +7’2. Bulky size gives him the ability to bully down low, while his wingspan allows him to be a rim protector.
And, oh, do the Hornets need help!
Off to a terrible start in 2018, Charlotte is 10-16, 13th in the Eastern Conference (as of December 12). They are struggling at power forward, even after signing veteran journeyman Marvin Williams to a four-year deal worth $55 million. Williams hasn’t lived up to expectations at 8.8 ppg and 4 rpg with 40% accuracy from the field. He has a career-low 1.4 WS at the defensive end.
That’s where JOB comes in. The Hornets could use him in a variety of lineups.
The first is with Cody Zeller. In combination with Kemba Walker, Zeller is currently #1 in the NBA when it comes to the pick-and-roll offense. Inserting O’Bryant in the lineup gives Charlotte a consistent stretch four that Kemba can kick out to while driving in the paint.
JOB could also be used in combo with Frank Kaminsky. Both players are 6’10”+ who can get hot with the tray. Having two sharpshooting big men on the floor simultaneously has worked for the Hornets in the past. In the 2015-2016 season, for example, Charlotte played Kaminsky at the four and Spencer Hawks at the five. By playing O’Bryant and Kaminsky together the Hornets can execute a five-out offensive scheme.
I think the best five for that situation is Walker, Malik Monk, Nic Batum, JOB, and Kaminsky. That lineup poses trouble for opposing defenses because teams would have to contain five three-point shooters.
So, Steve Clifford, take a chance by at least putting JOB in the backup four. I predict that a positive chain reaction will result. He’ll be the X-factor for your second unit–proficient at shooting the three ball and exception on defense.
