TT Thompson was born in 1991.
This year, he had turned 39.
Professional players usually started declining around the age of 33.
Not many could maintain their form past 35.
And at 39, he was still good enough to be part of a regular rotation. The guy was certainly tough as nails.
After Wang Yi retired, TT had left the Kings and started wandering around the NBA.
He had joined the Cavaliers, played for the Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Thunder, and the Timberwolves, and even spent time with the Toronto Raptors.
In three years, he had bounced around six teams.
It wasn't because he lacked ability.
It was because he was naturally rebellious. Throughout his career, he had always been a thorn in his team's side.
Aside from James and Wang Yi, no team leader had ever been able to keep him in line, so he had gradually become a locker-room cancer.
This year, he had signed a veteran-minimum deal with the Hornets.
Jordan had been impressed by his experience and wanted him to mentor Wemby.
After all, Wemby had played a little too cleanly before.
Once he joined the Hornets, no one else could keep him in check.
Not Wemby, LaMelo Ball, or even head coach Clifford.
With Jordan there to keep him under control, the guy could at least behave himself a little.
But now, old and past his prime, he couldn't run and couldn't jump.
And since he was already a little undersized for a center, facing the 2.22-meter-tall Bond put him at a huge disadvantage.
In just three minutes, Bond had dominated him on both ends of the floor.
Bond had taken four shots in those three minutes, made three, and blocked one.
After the first quarter break, the Hornets took TT out as