The Charlotte Hornets are all-in on socks, apparently.
With tip-off against the Toronto Raptors set for 7 p.m. on Sportsnet One, the Hornets seem far more concerned with underwear for your feet than providing updates on a handful of players with uncertain statuses. Now, to be fair, their Stance socks are some of the best in the league, and your boy’s tootsies would look fresh up in a pair…
THOSE SOCKS. 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/IwUKuVqgAB
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 17, 2015
But a sock drive run by Cody Zeller?
Bring a new pack of @Hanes socks to the game tonight you could win tix to an upcoming game! https://t.co/yIRxiJb9Cq pic.twitter.com/iwWd4GXlWl
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 17, 2015
Even if this is a long-standing promotion, it’s a weird one. And feet are gross, so I’d rather talk about something else. Moving on then.
The dynamite does not go Batum
Nicolas Batum and Aaron Harrison were both listed as doubtful for the game due to illnesses. Batum left Wednesday’s loss to the Orlando Magic after 20 minutes of action because he was feeling under the weather, and context clues suggested he wouldn’t play Thursday.
He won’t, though Harrison is available, per Hornets PR. Harrison has played 23 minutes this year in five games and is still trying to establish himself as an NBA talent.
Batum is a huge loss for the Hornets, as he’s been playing the best ball of his career after the team invested substantially in him this offseason (they surrendered intriguing prospect Noah Vonleh and veteran stalwart and Raptor-killer Gerald Henderson). He’s averaging 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals while knocking down 39.4 percent of his threes, capably taking on the larger role that was envisioned for him, locking down opposing wings, and generally improving the play of the team at both ends.
In theory, that is. The Hornets have actually been 2.9 points per-100 possessions better with Batum on the bench, though that may have something to do with a quality second unit behind him and him drawing the toughest assignments – his absence is great news for DeMar DeRozan.
Jeremy Lin draws the start in Batum’s place. He’s averaging 10.5 points and 2.9 assists in a smaller role than he’s accustomed to, but the Lin-Walker pairing has outscored opponents by 4.6 points per-100 possessions on the year. Expect DeRozan to post Lin up often if they’re matched together, though P.J. Hariston (see below) figures to share that assignment.
The Line
And speaking of context clues around Batum’s status, the line has swung from Raptors +1 to Raptors -3 over the last 24 hours. That’s a pretty major swing and speaks to Batum’s value, even in light of the on-off court data. The Raptors are well-rested after two days off (despite injuries of their own), against a Hornets team that played last night, travelled, and is missing two of their starters.
Other Hornets notes
Hairston also left Wednesday’s game, in his case due to a sore foot rather than an illness. Unless he has the gout, which I guess would count as both. There was no update on him pre-game, which I take it to mean he is available. The up-and-down sophomore
Al Jefferson is recovered from a calf injury but is now serving a senseless five-game suspension for something players should no longer be suspended for. The next CBA needs an 8-Ball & MJG provision, where the league agrees to relax and take notes while the players take…you feel me. When several states have decriminalized or even legalized a drug, one that’s less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, suspensions for recreational (or unofficial therapeutic) use seem archaic.
And speaking of MJG (I’m killer with the segues today), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist remains on the shelf (again) after undergoing shoulder surgery.
These absences mean the Hornets rotation will look something like this tonight:
PG: Kemba Walker, Brian Roberts
SG: Lin, Troy Daniels, Harrison
SF: Hairston, Jeremy Lamb
PF: Marvin Williams, Frank Kaminsky, Tyler Hansbrough (don’t miss you in the slightest, boo)
C: Zeller, Spencer Hawes
The Hornets are going to be forced to go small in the backcourt but could perhaps answer by going big-small, playing Williams at the three on DeRozan alongside two traditional big men. In any case, they’re out their two most commonly used lineups and eight of their top 10, meaning they have just two options that have played even 30 minutes together.
That’s a tough situation for head coach Steve Clifford, but considering how well he has this team playing on both ends despite perceived roster limitations, the Hornets can’t be counted out. Not even close.
Raptors notes
Delon Wright was not recalled from Raptors 905 to join the parent club for the back-to-back, to my surprise, nor did Bruno Caboclo. With DeMarre Carroll and Jonas Valanciunas travelling but not yet playing, the Raptors, too, have a somewhat thin roster.
PG: Kyle Lowry, Cory Joseph
SG: Terrence Ross, Norman Powell
SF: DeRozan, James Johnson
PF: Luis Scola, Patrick Patterson, The Theoretical Notion of Anthony Bennett
C: Bismack Biyombo, Lucas Nogueira
This is a winnable game smack between an embarrassing but understandable schedule loss and a difficult matchup on the second night of a back-to-back tomorrow. It’s the best chance to ensure a 1-2 record on the trip.
