Hornets’ Clifford Explains Vonleh’s Limited Role

I asked Hornets coach Steve Clifford to offer specifics why he doesn’t play Vonleh in anything but mop-up minutes right now.

”It’s the speed of the game: To play consistent, regular minutes you have to have a comfort level with how the NBA game is played,” Clifford said. “Unfortunately once the season starts you only have certain stretches of the year where you can practice a lot. He’s a 19-year-old who missed all of September, when the foundation was put in, and all of October and is now playing catch-up. The thing that gives him a chance is he’s very gifted and a great worker. But it would be tough for anybody” to catch up quickly after missing his rookie preseason.”

via Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer