NBA: One breakout candidate for every team heading into 2018-19

NBA Dallas Mavericks Dennis Smith Jr. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
NBA Dallas Mavericks Dennis Smith Jr. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 28: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts following a play against the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Dean Smith Center on September 28, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Hornets won 104-97. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 28: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts following a play against the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Dean Smith Center on September 28, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Hornets won 104-97. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

Charlotte Hornets

Miles Bridges 

You can call me an overreactor, but I can’t help but give Miles Bridges the loves that he deserves during the first few pre-season games for the Charlotte Hornets. Specifically, during the team’s second pre-season game against the Celtics, Bridges showed out.

In that game, Bridges scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds in 28 minutes. That’s extremely impressive for any player, that much more for a rookie who really isn’t expected to contribute that much during his first season with the team.

With as many big names as the Hornets have, it could be difficult for Bridges to see a ton of minutes early, but if he continues to flash, as he has during pre-season, they’ll have to give him the minutes he deserves.