When the Charlotte Hornets signed Matt Bullard as a free agent in August, it seemed to be a solid acquisition - one of the front office's best moves of the off-season.
Bullard, 6-10, is the kind of player that makes any bench stronger. He has carved out a niche over the course of his 11-year NBA career as a deadly outside shooter, and he has long had the temperament to handle the uncertainties and drawbacks that come with being a reserve.
Plus, he's a classy guy and a proven winner, with a championship ring from Houston's 1994 title run.
But three weeks into the regular season, Bullard is the perfect example of the Hornets' struggles.
He is averaging 1.6 points and shooting an ice-cold 19 percent from the field on 4 of 21 in the Hornets' 4-5 start, playing an average of 9.9 minutes a game. He has already gone through one stretch where he missed 11 straight shots over a six-game span.
He didn't even get off the bench in losses to San Antonio and Philadelphia recently, as Coach Paul Silas looked elsewhere for ways to get more bench production.