The Charlotte Hornets have struggled as of late, dropping four in a row after an encouraging 5-3 start to the season, but they might get another weapon back for their Eastern Conference tilt against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Forward Nicolas Batum, who found himself out of the preseason and first 12 games of the regular season with a torn elbow ligament, has been ramping up activity and recently took part in five-on-five practice with the team — a genuine sign of encouragement for those who awaited his return for the Hornets.
“There were a lot of smiles out there, to see him back in a uniform,” forward Marvin Williams said, according to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. “I bet he got an assist to everybody he played with today. There were a couple of times when he hit me wide-open and I wasn’t expecting the ball.”
“He kind of whispered to me on the way back (up the court), ‘Have your antenna out.’”
Nicolas Batum is a Swiss army knife that holds this group together, providing scoring, rebounding, defense, and making plays for the team — a talisman-type asset that can make or break the fate of a team like the Hornets.
The 6-foot-8 Frenchman has been keeping tabs on the Hornets throughout his recovery, namely on center Dwight Howard, who he's still yet to develop a chemistry with.
“That’s the guy I watch the most during the games. I’ve played with the other (core) guys for two years,” Batum said. “I only played half a (preseason) game with Dwight, so I’m trying to get to know him more on the court.”
Yet the swingman was encouraged by his run in practice, but noted it'll take some games to get in full conditioning.
“The first five minutes were pretty good, and then I thought, ‘Ah,’ and was catching my breath,” Batum said.
The Hornets are slated to take on the Cavs on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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