Jeffery Taylor had started the last 8 games for the Bobcats, since Michael Kidd-Gilchrist went down, and while he has struggled in that role (he has shot 35.4 percent as a starter) you can see how the sophomore could grow into solid rotation player for Charlotte.
However, they have lost Taylor for the year due to a ruptured Achilles, the team announced.
The injury happened in the opening minutes Friday night, he slipped and his ankle gave out trying to make a move with the ball against the Pistons. There was no contact, it was just one of those fluke things.
Maybe Taylor can make it back for the start of next season, depending on his recovery.
This puts the surprisingly good Bobcats in a tough spot — Kidd-Gilchrist is out until January with a broken left hand, now his key backup is gone. They have Anthony Tolliver and Chris Douglas-Roberts but that’s a steep drop off. I guess Tolliver gets the start.
This is a long road back for Taylor (at least he is just 24). He has been a solid defender who is athletic and can finish in transition. He has a potentially nice shot (he has shown he can hit corner threes) but if he has to create his own shot he can be slowed. Hopefully he can come back, find that stroke and become a solid rotation player like it looked like ye was going to become.