How NBA veteran Taj Gibson is already leaving an imprint with the Charlotte Hornets

Drenched in sweat and hours before another appearance at Madison Square Garden, Taj Gibson wasn’t about to downplay Tuesday night’s preseason matchup against the New York Knicks.

“It’s amazing, man,” the Charlotte Hornets big man said. “Being able to wear the New York across your chest while I was there, born and raised there, it’s amazing. The crowd, the fan base, the atmosphere... It’s home. I’m just happy to be able to still go compete at the highest level.”

Now entering his 16th season and considered an elder statesman, Gibson represents something new and fresh for the Hornets. For years, the franchise has lacked a true veteran presence, someone who isn’t afraid to lead not only by example, but also verbally.

No one could show the younger players how it’s done, providing them with an experienced road map. But Gibson is being asked to do just that and even the subtle things he’s teaching the team full of twentysomethings can go a long way in changing habits, and reshaping a culture the Hornets are attempting to build under first-year coach Charles Lee.

Similar to what Gibson did while with the Knicks. Where he’s still beloved.

“Yeah, I can see why he’s such a popular guy,” Lee said after the Hornets’ 111-106 loss to the Knicks. “He’s such a phenomenal person. I think he’s added a lot to our locker room. From a human standpoint, I think that his professionalism brings another level of structure and routine, and the guys have a ton of respect for him because of what he has accomplished as a player.

“And so we are so thankful to have him. I think he’s a guy, too, not only has he accomplished a lot, he’s had some really good moments for us. So, he’s been a great addition to our team.”

Through the early stages with his new team, Gibson is often one of the final players off the practice court, continuously putting in extra work. A price tag can’t be put on that kind of characteristic, which the Hornets hope rubs off on the team’s talented young core spearheaded by star point guard LaMelo Ball and swingman Brandon Miller.

“It’s invaluable,” Grant Williams said. “Honestly, every team in the league should have a vet like that, because that’s something that we’re getting — we’re getting younger. We’re getting younger as a league and having guys in the locker room that have been through it, and also having guys who are here and genuinely care for the players and can hoop still too?

“That’s invaluable. That’s something that you can’t teach, that’s something that you can’t talk about. His level of connections and his level of ability to communicate with others, that’s something I think that Charlotte has needed in the past. And now that we have it I’m excited and looking forward to it.”

Gibson already has a nickname.

“That’s Unc,” Tre Mann said. “I mess with him, I call him Unc. O.G., that’s kind of his role. When you are a vet like that … and he’s one of the best in the league at it. That’s why he’s still at it. I love Taj. He’s a great vet.”

So, it’s no coincidence many of the players include Gibson in their daily communication, with some inviting him over to their residence or vice versa. The rapidly-generated camaraderie even took the 39-year-old slightly by surprise and he’s enjoying the quick acceptance.

And his message to them leading into this stretch run before the Oct. 23 season opener mirrors his usual approach: use Thursday’s preseason finale in Indianapolis and the rest of their prep time wisely.

“To be honest with you, every day in practice,” Gibson said, “every little day before we get to scrimmage or play or whatever before the season starts, we are still in training camp in my opinion. We are still trying to grind each and every single day, trying to push each other to the ultimate peak that your body can absorb it. And you just try to go out there and just play,

“Each day we get better, each day we are competing, each day we are getting to challenge each other, pushing the tempo and we are going to walk through the fire together.”

Right into the unknown.

“That’s part of the NBA,” Gibson said. “Every year each team talks about doing something special, but this team, we are just trying to train our minds, train our bodies, walk through the fire together. It’s special right now.”