It probably feels like eons ago, considering the amount of unexpected twists and turns that have transpired over the past half year.
But leading into training camp, the Charlotte Hornets’ backup center position was essentially already sewn up much to the chagrin of more than a few fans. When coach Steve Clifford declared Nick Richards as the player who had shown the most improvement, giving him the early upper hand over rookie Mark Williams back in September, eyebrows raised. The skeptics were out in full force.
During the past five months, though, Richards has proved the doubters wrong and been an integral part of the rotation.