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3 things James Borrego can do to improve the Hornets

By Rucker Haringey

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 3: Head coach James Borrego of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 3: Head coach James Borrego of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets’ Malik Monk celebrates during a 137-100 win against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, April 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
The Charlotte Hornets’ Malik Monk celebrates during a 137-100 win against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, April 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

3. Improve Malik Monk

It’s fair to say that Malik Monk struggled in his rookie season under former Hornets coach Steve Clifford. The former Kentucky star will need to be a point of emphasis for Borrego.

When the team drafted Monk they hoped, at the very least, he could give them immediate scoring punch off the bench. Unfortunately, that didn’t really materialize in the guard’s first season. He never found a groove or a consistent role under Clifford. That led to a largely ineffective rookie campaign.

Monk will have to significantly increase his scoring output if he wants to remain an integral part of the Hornets future. Averaging 6.7 points per game just isn’t going to cut it. He needs to get more shots up and convert more buckets in Borrego’s first season.

Borrego will need to walk a fine line between empowering Monk and demanding more focus. He never really got along with Clifford and that was definitely a factor in the former coach’s dismissal. Monk needs to feel less pressure on the floor if he’s going to become a productive offensive player.

On the other hand, Borrego also has to continue to demand more defensive intensity from Monk. He’s never going to be a lockdown defender but he can’t be a turnstile either. It’s going to take a delicate balance from Borrego to get the most out of the talented 20-year-old.

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