The Charlotte Hornets fell to the Portland Path Blazers 102-97, however there was some positives to remove from that sport. Regardless of being shorthanded, lacking LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges due with accidents, Nick Smith Jr. stepped into the beginning lineup and performed nicely. Ending with a team-high 17 factors, Smith was a continuing surge of offense for the Hornets. Stepping in for an injured Brandon Miller, Smith has discovered a strategy to develop in his new position because the beginning capturing guard.
Hornets’ Nick Smith Jr. displays on his latest stretch of video games
After being inserted into the beginning lineup, Smith stored it actual about his previous couple of video games.
“I’m beginning to get actual comfy simply getting the arrogance from my coaches and my teammates,” Smith mentioned. “Primarily simply taking part in extra video games, getting extra reps with the blokes and stuff like that, it’s been useful. …I work onerous, so I all the time believe in what I can do as a participant. It’s simply bringing all of it collectively, being assured, slowing down at occasions. I’ve nonetheless received a methods to go, however I simply go on the market and play. I like the sport and I work onerous at it, so I really feel like should you put the work in, it’s going to translate.”
Nick Smith Jr. has scored double digits in three of his final 4 video games. With all of the accidents that the staff has confronted not too long ago, he is managed to benefit from a tough scenario. The Hornets wanted somebody that may step up and create for themselves and that occurred to come back within the type of Smith. In postgame, he talked about that “the sport has slowed down” for him, which is regular for a second yr participant.
Associated Charlotte Hornets InformationArticle continues beneath
Nick Smith Jr. can do extra than simply rating the ball
Smith additionally dished out a career-high six assists, which was additionally a team-high. In opposition to the Trailblazers, his cut up choice making was on show. Figuring out when to attain or move the ball is significant for any participant and it seems to be like he is getting the hold of it.
“I really feel like final yr I used to be extra of a catch and shoot man. Like I mentioned, confidence and realizing my position on this league, realizing what I can do on this league, I can inform my confidence is beginning to develop into a factor the place I don’t suppose as onerous once I do stuff on the market.”
Together with his sport rising, it provides one more fascinating piece alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. One other succesful scorer that might play on or off ball is all the time good to have within the holster for a staff. The Hornets additionally received Mark Williams again within the lineup persistently over the previous couple of video games. Their younger core is able to take a leap at any time when all the important thing guys are wholesome.