Hornets’ Miles Bridges not shocked by fast start, but teammates are: ‘It’s definitely not easy’

As someone who’s been around basketball for decades — and entrenched in the NBA for a solid chunk of them — Steve Clifford has a pretty good handle on reasonable expectations.

That’s why Miles Bridges already re-establishing himself at an elite level barely two weeks after he returned from suspension even raises the eyebrows of the Charlotte Hornets coach.

“It’s really surprising to me that he has that type of rhythm, the rhythm that he has and the way he’s played,” Clifford said. “He’s worked very hard. It’s the only way you do it: work out, get into rhythm.”

Still, few could’ve envisioned Bridges would be this polished this soon. He’s made things look effortless at times, whether it’s rim-rattling dunks, long-distance jumpers or doing what he can to help shore up the league’s worst-ranked defense.

“It’s definitely not easy,” Gordon Hayward said. “I think credit to him for staying with his work while he was out. He’s still getting adjusted to everything, to the game and all that. It’ll get better, some of the nuances with the game and some of the things that don’t show up in the box score are things he’ll get better at because he hasn’t played in awhile.”

Such as remembering when to help another man defensively. And rotations. Floor spacing, too.

“But certainly he’s done a great job so far just being out there and providing us with some scoring punch,” Hayward said, “defensively guarding the other team’s one of their biggest wings. He proves that versatility to be able to guard bigger wings, guard smaller guards, play ‘5’ for us sometimes. So, it’s been good.”

That’s also how Bridges describes it.

“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I’m getting used to everything. I wish we could deal without injuries. But I’ve just got to come in and try to help us win some more games.”

Averaging 20.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists through his first seven games, and shooting 51% overall and 45.3% from 3-point range, Bridges energizes the Hornets offensively. That’s not driving him, though.

One of Bridges’ main goals this season is to land a spot on the NBA’s all-defensive teams. It’s a lofty ambition and he accepts the challenge it brings.

“That just brings the best out of me, guarding guys,” Bridges said. “Julius Randle, he had a good game (Tuesday) but I try to get guys below their average and play my hardest on defense because defense turns into offense. So, I just want to keep on guarding, keep getting better.”

It’s just me being more vocal. I’m usually the loudest person out there on the floor, so it’s just me being able to be right about everything and then talking to everybody. That will help.”

Which should benefit the Hornets, who could use all the assistance they can get.

“He brings a ton of energy,” Clifford said. “Obviously, physicality, but he scores, he rebounds, you are talking about the guy that was the leading rebounder, leading scorer on the team two years ago. And I think he’ll play better and better.”

Gordon Hayward ‘turning the clock back’

Yes, Gordon Hayward still has hops.

Hayward has found himself on the receiving end of more than a few alley-oops this season. Apparently, there’s still a little bit of spring in those 33-year-old legs.

“Yeah, yeah,” Hayward said. “Turning the clock back a little bit.”

Scoring-wise, Hayward isn’t quite matching his career average of 15.5 points. He’s a shade below being two points off that number, but he’s collecting more rebounds and his assist distribution has also increased from his usual career marks.

There are nights he may need to open up the offensive arsenal, especially without Ball’s services.

“It’s a constant adjustment,” Hayward said. “I’m trying to get us some good shots by being more of a playmaker recently, but certainly I’ve got to be aggressive as well and I haven’t done that as much. So, I probably need to do that more.”

Bryce McGowens’ growing mentality

Perhaps no one is taking more advantage of their newfound increased role than Bryce McGowens.

Constantly thrust into the lineup because of the Hornets’ bevy of injuries, the second-year guard quickly emerged as a nice piece for Clifford to use in a variety of situations. McGowens posted a season-high 14 points and sank a career-best four 3-pointers in the Hornets’ loss to Brooklyn.

Suffice to say, he’s come on strong after getting nicked up in training camp, forcing him to play catchup as he nursed a sprained ankle. But McGowens’ gradual progression has been extremely noticeable.

“I feel like with guys out,” McGowens said, “it gives me an opportunity to step up and of course show what I’m capable of and can do on the offensive and defensive end and just knowing I’m hitting my shots and getting to my spots and defensively just being in the right spot. That’s confidence in my game and it’s just continuing to build on that.”

McGowens is still striving for consistency, understanding it’s one of the things that separates players. hat kind of effective production is

Having more outings like he did against the Nets when given the chance will further boost the mentality he’s adapting in 2023-24.

“You are playing against the best players in the world and you’ve got to have confidence,” McGowens said. “I feel like players can smell blood. So, coming out with that confidence and that fire is huge.”

Nick Smith Jr.’s development

With others ahead in the pecking order at the season’s outset, Nick Smith Jr. must wait his turn to be frequently summoned off the bench. But the rookie guard proved he can carve out a niche on the team in both instances this season where he got catapulted into the rotation due in part to the unavailability of his good buddy Brandon Miller, who’s one Miller’s absence.

He’s a spark plug on the court, displaying a high-energy motor that serves as a good chance of pace. Overall, in his last two outings, he’s averaging 8.5 points in 9.4 minutes per game, draining 75.0 percent of his attempts — including all five he hoisted beyond the arc.

Those numbers are validation for the things he’s been doing behind the scenes.

“Confidence I’d say is probably 75% of the game,” Smith said. “You can work on your game, but if you don’t go out there and believe in your abilities to go out there and do what you work on, it ain’t going to work. So, I feel like it’s just being more comfortable out there and knowing your role, and just knowing what you need to do and knowing the game plan. Just being ready if it comes to you.”

Until then, Smith is focused on figuring out how he best fits in. He’s ensuring he puts in time and effort working at the intricacies involving playing point guard and shooting guard, hoping it will allow him to keep elbowing his way into the rotation as much as possible.

He’s driven to keep improving.

“Just developing, I’d say,” Smith said. “We do a lot of stuff after practice, before practice. Just developing and just believing in my coaches. Basically just going out there and doing the game plan for real, just trying to stay ready at the ‘1’ or the ‘2.’”