Fansided

8 players who could use a change of scenery

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks for a passing lane during the first quarter of a basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks for a passing lane during the first quarter of a basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) shoots the ball over Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) during the second half at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Cavaliers won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) shoots the ball over Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) during the second half at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Cavaliers won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Al Jefferson – PF/C, Charlotte Hornets

The two most surprising teams in the NBA through a month and a half have been the Golden State Warriors and the Charlotte Hornets. For the Dubs, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and company have introduced basketball fans to a new level of dominance, and it’s been so much fun that nobody seemed upset that the season’s end appeared already decided in mid-November.

For the 14-9 Hornets, it has been a shock for two reasons: (1) this team was a borderline playoff miss in the weak East last year, and their roster looked worse this year, and (2) they are winning in spite of their roster make-up rather than because of it. With Michael Kidd-Gilchrist out long-term, the team entered the season with a glut of frontcourt players – Big Al Jefferson, Cody Zeller, Tyler Hansbrough, Spencer Hawes, Marvin Williams and rookie center Frank Kaminsky – and a motley collection in the backcourt and wings – Kemba Walker, P.J. Hairston, Jeremy Lamb and new arrivals Nic Batum and Jeremy Lin. It has been Williams, Zeller and largely the backcourt that has propelled the Hornets to their start.

Having Batum on the court (with no MKG around) has helped tremendously with the Hornets’ spacing and range, as have the team’s rangy bigs – Williams in particular, but also Hawes and Kaminsky. As a result, Walker is starting to find space to drive in the lane. The team is scoring efficiently, quickly and importantly off of assists, in sharp contrast to their slower, isolation-based offense from a year ago.

This leaves Big Al. He has been sitting out due to injury and drug-related suspension, and has been a reason why the Hornets offense is flourishing. He is highly skilled and refined on offense; he is also slow and poor on defense. He’s the right man for someone, but the wrong man for Charlotte.

Big Al’s new home: New York Knicks

Robin Lopez is a defensive sparkplug, but he’s also a liability on offense. Jefferson would provide the Knicks with some offensive refinement at the five spot, particularly considering that the Knicks’ Triangle operate mostly out of half court sets.

Next: Kyle Singler

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