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P.J. Hairston in the starting lineup for the Charlotte Hornets doesn’t make sense. When the team’s best defensive player, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, had shoulder surgery that has kept him out for the season, Hairston was called upon to fill his spot in the rotation. He has failed the Hornets in every way imaginable and been their biggest disappointment during the first half of the 2015-16 season.
In 19.6 MPG, Hairston’s scoring just 6.1 PPG, while shooting 36 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from downtown, with a stunningly low PER of 7.85 and a team-low offensive rating of 98. The most debilitating part about Hairston’s offensive game is his unfortunate shot selection. Despite his poor shooting from beyond the arc he takes nearly four three-point shots per game for a grand total of 148 on the season. 60.6 percent of Hairston’s attempts are on catch and shoots, with 78 percent of his shots coming after touching the ball for less than two seconds and 69 percent of his shots coming without any dribbles, according to NBA Stats. In summation, he’s extremely predictable and easy to guard.
It’s not like Hairston has had to work to get his shot off either. A majority of his long distance attempts — shots greater than 10 feet — have been uncontested, with 31.8 percent coming with the closest defender within 4-6 feet and 27.1 percent coming with the closest defender within 6-plus feet. Yet, he’s still struggled, shooting just 34.7 percent on the former and 27.1 percent on the latter. So, why is this guy on the court?
The reason that is always given to justify him being in the lineup is his defense. Hairston was supposed to step into MKG’s role as the defensive stopper. However, every statistic imaginable would disagree with that assessment. Hairston has the second-worst defensive rating on the team, allowing 107 points per 100 possessions, with a defensive real plus-minus of minus-1.29, and most importantly he is crushing the team when on the court. In the 782 minutes that Hairston has played the Hornets have their worst defensive rating, allowing 108.5 points per 100 possessions, with a vast improvement in the 1,307 minutes he’s off the court, surrendering just 98.5 points per 100 possessions, the team’s best mark.
The former first-round pick has not only been a monumental disappointment, but he’s been a burden the Hornets have had to deal with all season long. As his deal is expiring at the end of the season, Hairston had a great chance to save his career in Charlotte and he failed. With Kidd-Gilchrist’s imminent return to the lineup, we may never hear from Hairston in Charlotte again.
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