Hornets happy for Biyombo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NBA in the tenure started Queen City.
The Charlotte Hornets, who were nicknamed the Bobcats back then, acquired him as a raw rookie in a draft-night trade in 2011.
The mere mention of Biyombo’s name brought a smile to the face of Hornets point guard
Walker and Biyombo joined the Bobcats at the same time and spent their first four seasons together.
“Biz, that’s my guy since Day One,” Walker said. “Of course, we had a lot of memories here in Charlotte. He’s evolved. He’s become a better player over the years, and that’s through all of his hard work. I’ve seen how hard he’s worked on his game when he was here, so I can only imagine what he does now.”
Biyombo signed a oneyear deal to join the Toronto Raptors in 2015.
After a successful season in Toronto — a season in which he played superbly during the Raptors’ playoff run — Biyombo cashed in by signing a four-year deal with the Magic worth a total of $68 million.
Biyombo started his fourth consecutive game when the Hornets hosted the Magic on Friday night at the Spectrum Center, because the Magic’s
remained out with a sore right Achilles’ tendon.
Biyombo is a limited player on offense because of his poor shooting and his difficulties catching the ball cleanly, but he has provided a boost lately. His ability to roll to the hoop on pick-androlls has helped the Magic’s new small-ball lineup.
Having a forceful roller forces weakside defenders to leave their area and run into the lane to block the roller’s path to the hoop. Collapsing the defense, in turn, creates opportunities in the Magic’s drive-and-kick game, especially with open weakside 3-pointers.
“I know a lot of people talk about the things that aren’t his strengths offensively,” Hornets coach
said. “But he knows how to play NBA offense, and he does a lot of things that help his teammates get shots.” here Shooting guard
is making progress as he recovers from surgery on his right thumb.
Meeks did some shooting Friday.
“It’s a little stiff, but it’s not too bad,” Meeks said.
Meeks dislocated his thumb during a loss in New Orleans on Jan. 18.
He underwent surgery six days later.
He could be able to practice in about a week, Magic coach said. light Hornets forward
confirmed Friday that the Magic expressed an interest in him during last summer’s free-agency period.
The Magic coveted Williams for his leadership qualities, his ability to play both forward positions and his 3-point shooting.
Williams said Magic officials contacted his agent, but Williams added he never met with Magic officials face-to-face because he was determined to remain with the Hornets.
“I let it be known early in free agency that this is where I wanted to be,” Williams said.
“I wanted to play for Coach Cliff. I wanted to be back in a Hornets jersey playing with my teammates, and I was very happy and very grateful that it got done.”
Williams and the Hornets agreed to a four-year deal worth a total of $54.5 million, including a player option for the fourth season.
With Williams unavailable, the Magic wound up signing forward to a one-year, $15 contract. million
Friday was designated “National Mario Day,” in honor of the Nintendo videogame character,
On Friday morning, someone in the Magic traveling party wished
a “Happy Mario Day,” and Hezonja thought it was a joke.
About 90 minutes before tipoff, Fox Sports Florida’s
asked Hezonja about the day.
When Marchitelli explained that the designation actually exists for a videogame character, Hezonja responded with a smile.
“That’s only in America, I guess,” Hezonja said. “That’s crazy. I’m going to remember that one now.”