Can Jeremy Lamb be the secondary closer the Charlotte Hornets need?

After his game-winning bucket against Detroit on Wednesday night, Jeremy Lamb could be the secondary closer the Charlotte Hornets need.

Boy, Jeremy Lamb had himself a game to remember for the Charlotte Hornets against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.

It may not have been his best game overall, scoring 13 points on the night to go with four rebounds, but he came up big when it mattered most, hitting the game-winning shot to put Charlotte in front with less than one second remaining on the clock.

In the midst of a breakout season, Lamb is averaging 15.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in just 28.3 minutes. His improvement has been a major storyline for the Charlotte Hornets this season, and he may be turning a corner in terms of clutch play, too.

Kemba Walker has absorbed practically all of the pressure when the game is on the line for the past few seasons now, and while he’s been a real clutch and exciting player for Charlotte, they could use someone to take some pressure off of him down the stretch.

That’s where Jeremy Lamb enters the equation.

Now, I don’t want to get ahead of myself after one game-winning shot. It’s not easy being a fourth quarter player in this league, and he still has a lot to prove. However, I truly do believe Lamb can be the secondary closer for this team down the stretch of a close game, and I believe he could thrive in that role.

Lamb is the complete package. He can create his own offense, shoot a three-pointer in your face or use those long strides going to the basket. He’s learning how to draw contact and he’s also one of the better rebounding guards in the entire league.

His length defensively is important, and he just looks like a different player this season. It’s clearly evident that Lamb is playing with a ton of confidence at the moment.

He’s always had the tools, he just hasn’t quite put it together throughout his career. That is, until now. With his improved offensive game and confidence, he’s a guy you can (and should) throw the ball too late in a close game and have him make a play.

Teams will be continue to focus mostly on Kemba, simply because, like I said earlier, he’s been the only closer for this team for so many years now. If Lamb can make plays down the stretch like he did against Detroit, it’ll be a huge bonus to the Hornets, who have actually been improving in clutch play recently.

I’m not just talking about making a game-winning shot, by the way. You’ve got to bring it for a full 48 minutes, and kick it into another gear once the fourth quarter begins.

Tony Parker is another player who has had great moments for the Charlotte Hornets this season. However, at 36-years old, you’re looking towards him more for veteran leadership rather than being a closer.

Lamb has all the tools, and he made a big statement against the Pistons on Wednesday. He’s also gained the trust of the players and coaching staff, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if we see Lamb continue to do work in the clutch as the season progresses.