James Bouknight finally got the ball through the hoop. The Hornets hope it’s the start of a surge
.JPG "Charlotte Hornets guard James Bouknight (2) dribbles in the first half of a NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)")
Determined to be aggressive from the moment he checked in, James Bouknight fired up his first attempt a little more than a minute after stepping onto the State Farm Arena court.
The shot met the same fate as the previous 10 the Charlotte Hornets guard had hoisted through the team’s first two games. It clanked off the rim.
But within two minutes of that misfire, Bouknight finally experienced a long-awaited breakthrough he’s desperately yearned for since the preseason. A controlled drive to the basket drew the third foul of the game on Atlanta star guard Trae Young, forcing the Hawks’ dynamic playmaker to the bench late in the first quarter of the Hornets’ stunning 126-109 victory .
It also sent Bouknight to the free-throw line, allowing him to do the precise thing the Hornets implored over the past few days while chirping in his ear.
“Most of the players on the team have been telling me to get to the line,” Bouknight told the Charlotte Observer. “That’ll get me going. So I was able to get to the line and that was it.”
Bouknight broke his desert-like shooting streak seconds later, sinking a step-back 3-pointer that catapulted him to a 10-point performance. And boy was it needed. For Bouknight and the Hornets.
He played a huge part in the Hornets reversing a 13-point first-quarter deficit in the improbable victory, taking advantage of playing time necessitated with LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and Cody Martin sidelined by injuries.
“It felt good,” Bouknight said. “We needed someone to step up with Terry and Melo out and I think I did a good job.”
By knocking down 3 of 9 attempts, including nailing 2 of 4 attempts beyond the 3-point arc and both free throws, Bouknight finally erased all those zeroes that were stacking up in each of the statistical shooting columns.
Perhaps it could be a springboard.
“He was in the middle of that run where we got going,” coach Steve Clifford said. “He had the good drive and he had the good pull up three down in their front bench with Nick Richards when he went bang-bang and gave us a lot of good momentum.”
Clifford’s confidence hasn’t waned one bit with Bouknight. He often talks him up in explaining the tantalizing talents that led to the Hornets drafting him No. 11 overall in 2021, a year prior to Clifford’s second tour of duty with the franchise.
Playing for such a supportive coach has been particularly meaningful to Bouknight.
“I don’t think he kind of believes in me – I know he really does. And, it feels good to play well,” Bouknight said. “It always feels good. Of course, I had a tough week. But I’m trying to put that behind me and keep going forward.”
Bouknight was referring to the scrutiny that’s accompanied his driving while impaired arrest in the early hours on Oct. 17. He’s also facing impending speeding citations he’s received since his arrival in the Carolinas in 2021, according to court records.
Those serious charges coupled with the rough patch he’s been immersed in have made for a difficult stretch for Bouknight. Asked how he can get things back on track on and off the floor, Bouknight said it’s important to be cognizant of what those closest to him suggest.
“Just keep listening to people in my circle, people who want to help me be great,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that are going to put me down out there. There’s a lot of people that are going to have negative things to say – including people in Charlotte. But I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. The people here have high hopes for me and see me every day and they see what I do, so they know what it is. I’ve got them. That’s my team and I’m sticking with them.”
The feeling is reciprocated. Many of the Hornets consider the 23-year-old to be like a brother and they aren’t about to abandon him. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.
They’re intent on inspiring instead of taking a preachy approach.
“It’s everything I feel like because I’ve been down, missed a couple of shots,” Jalen McDaniels said. “A couple of games of bad games, my teammates were always encouraging like, ‘Man, you are good. You can do this.’ So I feel like it’s us doing the same thing with Bouk. It’s like, ‘C’mon bro, keep your head up.’ Stuff like that.
“Just encouraging him because he’s a young player. He’s got a bright future, so you’ve just got to keep encouraging him and keep working.”
Bouknight is appreciative that his mates have his back. Their guidance is becoming essential.
“I think it means everything,” he said. “I think everybody need people to help them get through whatever they are going through. And I’ve got my team and my support.”
For one night, Bouknight could exhale rather than lament a gaggle of missed opportunities. There’s still plenty of things to polish and he’s nowhere near where he wants to be.
That’s why he’s not ready to proclaim his scoring touch has returned just yet.
Perhaps it will happen soon.
“Hopefully,” Bouknight said. “Yeah, let’s just leave it at that. Hopefully.”
