Hornets forward Miles Bridges, a restricted free agent this summer, says he wants to spend the rest of his career in a Hornets uniform, per Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Bridges recently appeared on The QC Hornets’ Nest, Boone’s podcast for the Observer. Here are some highlights from the chat:
On his desire to stay with a rising Hornets squad long-term, hopefully forever:
“If I could, I’d pull a Dirk (Nowitzki) or a Kobe (Bryant), you know. I love being in Charlotte. I love the fans, I love the atmosphere and I want to be a part of something that’s building, you know. I feel like we’re building something and eventually we want to win a championship. That’s the goal.”
On improvements he hopes to make going forward:
“Defense. Do better at defense, do better at leading. Staying more consistent during games. My body language, that type of stuff. Mental stuff. I feel like I could be more consistent there. And just being more consistent as a leader. Even when things are going bad, I don’t put my head down. I’m the one to pick everybody up.”
On his partnership with LaMelo Ball:
“I love playing with ‘Melo. I knew from the first preseason game that we were gonna be a good group of guys in the game together. I love playing with him. He’s elevated his game, I’ve elevated my game. We push each other. It’s just a brotherhood for me and him. It’s like my brother.”
On LaMelo’s passing ability:
“I played with Kemba (Walker) and Devonte’ (Graham) and those guys are great scorers and they can pass, but Melo, he’s a great passer. He finds people even when you’re not looking. So, it’s great playing with him.”
On Charlotte making a playoff push in the second half of the season:
“It’s gonna be fun for us. We’re just gonna have to double down on everything that we’ve been doing to make this playoff push. The fans haven’t seen the playoffs in a long time so we want to give them that and we want to experience it for ourselves. We’re definitely gonna be more locked-in coming in after the All-Star break and leading up to the All-Star break.”
Bridges has been a breakout star this season, averaging career-highs in several categories, including: 19.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steal. He’s played in 50 games (35.8 minutes) to this point, with a shooting line of .486/.316/.784.
Hard not to love what Cha’s doing
Id slow roll this year, pick up Plumless option to match/move and make a big move come the offseason via trade
They are a Nice piece away but I don’t think that piece exists in the next 6 days. Save the assets for the summer and there’s some very interesting options possible
I would deal Plumlee and get a sure thing upgrade.
Sabonis for Plumlee, Ish, Kai, and two 1sts.
I hear ya, just think that “thing” will cast a wider and more obtainable net in the summer- Id worry about the Hayward/DS redundancy as well. I like DS just wonder if it’s the right fit for him and/or the Hornets
Lebron James hopes to play entire career with Cavaliers.
Lol this reads like an Onion headline
He’s just trying to get his money. He’s having a solid yr. He’s a rotation player to me. His value will never be higher. Not a fan
Hornets should reach out to Pacers for Myles Turner and Jeremy Lamb. I would like to think that Heyward, Martin and two first round picks gets the job done. Pacers have said all along they’re not interested in rebuilding rather retool their roster.
Hornets Rotation: 1. Ball 2. Rozier 3. Bridges 4. Washington 5. Tuner 6. Oubre 7. Plumlee 8. Lamb 9.Smith 10. Richards
Pacers Rotation 1. Brogdon 2. Duarte 3. Levert 4. Heyward 5. Sabonis 6. Holiday 7. Craig 8. Stephenson 9. Washington 10. Brissett
Until He is traded.
He should stop signing LeMelo’s Panini cards