Coaching is a lot of things, but at its essence the job is defining a role for each player that optimizes his abilities.
Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego has done that splendidly with Miles Bridges this season. With rookie LaMelo Ball? Not so much just yet.
The Hornets are 0-2, which leaves fans frustrated. But what seems to really annoy them is the limited playing time Ball, the No. 3 overall pick, is getting. After scoring 13 points in nine first-half minutes — on 5-of-6 shooting — Ball played just 6 1/2 minutes in the second half of a 109-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.