At 3-3 after beating Chicago Saturday night, the Charlotte Hornets are like a lot of NBA teams these days.

They’re pleasantly pleased with some aspects of their start while somewhat disappointed about others.

With the Hornets, the disappointment points almost unanimously in one direction: The team’s rebuilt bench.

In a word, the group has been a disaster.

Only one player averages more than 5.0 points per game and three times in six games, coach Paul Silas’ reserves have failed to produce a double-figure point total.

After botching negotiations with high-scoring Eddie Robinson, who left for Chicago in the offseason, the Hornets spent $7.2 million on Stacey Augmon, $3.9 million on Bryce Drew and $2.73 million on Matt Bullard in hopes of building a strong bench.

Many figured the moves would actually make the bench deeper.

Instead, Robinson is now a starter for the Bulls, while Augmon, Bullard and Drew have all struggled just to get in Silas’ playing rotation.

Their struggles resemble that of Eldridge Recasner, a $5 million free agent signee in January 1999 who has never cracked the playing rotation consistently since he’s been here.

That quartet, which gets paid a combined $18.83 million, have combined for a grand total of 21 points in the first six games this season.

However, Silas is preaching patience with his reshaped bench.

He thinks the highly-paid Augmon, Bullard and Drew will get better with time. He’s been pleasantly surprised with the play of recent acquisition Robert Traylor. He likes second-year center Jamaal Magloire’s progress. And he is hopeful veteran George Lynch will provide a boost when he returns from his foot injury.

"It’s difficult to assess at this point," Silas said of his bench. "I’m a patient guy and I want to give it time. Most people want an instant fix. But there isn’t one. It just takes time."

Via

Charlotte Bobcats

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