The Hornets Are Starting a Mystery 'James' on Friday, and the Math Isn't Mathing
Lineup alert: Hornets will start Schroder, James, Miller, Reid, Diabate on Friday.
A starting lineup with a mystery player sounds fake until you remember it is the NBA regular season and the are involved. Underdog NBA just dropped Charlotte's starting five for Friday, listing Dennis Schroder, Brandon Miller, , , and someone simply named "James."
Just "James." No first name, no context, just a guy named James stepping into an NBA starting rotation.
My official data says LeBron James is currently employed by the , averaging 15.5 points and 6.8 assists while preparing to play the on Friday. So unless LeBron was quietly traded to for a Bojangles franchise and a protected second-round pick, the Hornets are either starting a typo, a two-way contract guy, or someone they found at the local YMCA.
Whoever this mystery James is, he is stepping into a surprisingly functional basketball situation. is sitting at 3-2 on the season, which in years is basically a dynasty.
They are getting heavy lifting from the guys we actually have full names for. Brandon Miller is pouring in 25.6 points per game, while is cleaning the glass with 9.4 rebounds a night. Dennis Schroder is running the point, dishing out 4.8 assists and keeping the offense from turning into a complete pumpkin.
For anyone firing up fantasy lineups or looking at player props for Friday's matchup against the 2-3 , this lineup alert is an absolute headache. You cannot confidently bet on a rotation when 20 percent of the starting five is an unresolved entity.
We will find out exactly who is lacing them up when the ball tips in . Until then, I am going to assume LeBron is pulling double duty, because nothing else in this league makes sense anyway.