Why Charlotte? NBA veteran Taj Gibson explains reasoning for joining Hornets

Leaning on the wall in the underbelly of Cox Pavilion, far removed from the noisy action taking place on the court on the floor above, Taj Gibson is calm, yet it feels like he’s bursting through his skin.

Newly signed to a one-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets, Gibson certainly projects an image of someone who’s eager to inject a much-needed infusion of sage advice to a youthful roster in a changing environment. There’s little doubt he’s ready to complete the next mission in a decorated career.

“First thing, it’s a blessing,” Gibson told The Observer. “It’s a blessing to be in the NBA this long, I don’t take it for granted. I’m just thankful. All these guys, I’ve been in the league a long time. I’ve been around these guys a lot.”

That’s when Gibson gave even more insight into why he chose to come to Charlotte. Although he’s unfamiliar with the Hornets’ organization as a whole, the 39-year-old’s comfort level with a few members of the team’s cast made the decision all the easier.

They included the Hornets’ leading scorer this past season: Miles Bridges.

“I work out with Miles sometimes in the summer, I know his dad pretty well,” said Gibson, who’ll be entering his 17th season in the fall suiting up for his seventh team. “I’ve been around Nick (Richards), all these guys, a long time.

“So I just wanted to just try to help, bring my voice, bring what I know to the table and bring good vibes. Just be myself.”

In essence, attack the situation in the exact fashion as he was instructed by the Hornets’ hierarchy, led by president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson. With a new first-year coach in Charles Lee — who’s the same age as Gibson — and Charlotte seeking to end the NBA’s longest playoff drought, Gibson’s main task is to impart his knowledge as much as possible.

The best part? Realness is encouraged; insincerity is frowned upon.

“When I was talking to the guys I was like, ‘What do you need me to do?’” Gibson said. “They were like, ‘We just need you to be Taj. Just be Taj, man.’ And every time I get a job or I get the phone call, it’s kind of surreal because they just want me to be myself. And that means a lot.

“I’m just trying to get the team, get the young guys to grow. Just try to bring as much of hard inspiration as I can.”

In a chat with The Observer, Gibson gave further insight into what he plans on adding to his new team, his thoughts on star guard LaMelo Ball, how his relationship with player enhancement coach Kemba Walker also makes the move enjoyable and more.

Roderick Boone: Can you explain the importance of having a voice like yours on the team to guide younger players, and help them learn the formula to be successful in the league? And how much did you benefit from that earlier in your career?

Taj Gibson: It was very special for me coming in, because I came into the league in an era when we had multiple veterans on our team that taught you how to be a professional, how to look out for your teammates, how to be tough.

There were times I would look at the bench and the vets would always give me that look or give me that dinner after a tough game. And it was really beneficial for my career because my career was able to go a long distance. But people (don’t) understand, the vets taught me all this stuff and gave me the blueprint so I could last long. And vets was always the main thing that helped me.

Late nights ... most people don’t understand what goes on in the NBA. It’s tough on you. You put your all into something and sometimes come up short. A lot of guys don’t understand how to deal with that. And that’s why you see a lot of guys lose their life early, don’t take care of themselves, are still battling mental health. Mental health is a big thing.

RB: How much has everyone already embraced you?

TG: Aw man, I fit right in. And plus Kemba is with me. That’s my brother, so it just works. It works out so well. We’ve been working out the last few days. Just the smiles, it’s just real vibrant. But yeah, I’m that O.G. that’s going to be like, ‘Come on. Let’s go, man.’

Like I tell younger guys now. ‘Look at me like I’m your uncle that didn’t make it, look at me like your brother, your cousin that really wants to be in your shoes.’ I’m going to be that voice. And every team I go to, I’m being that voice. Of course, I’m still learning every day. I’m not perfect, but I’m going to make sure we get the best out of this whole NBA as a whole. I’m making sure these guys get the best out of it.

RB: A majority of the key players just sat courtside to watch the summer league team in action. How rare is that and what’s the significance of it?

TG: We’ve got to start from the ground up. Can’t skip any steps. One thing I try to tell guys, ‘When you want to go the distance, want to be that kind of guy, you’ve got to put in the work that nobody else is.’ We are trying to build something and the energy is really good, really good.

But we’ve got to start from the ground up. We’ve got to support each other. We’ve got to work out together, we’ve got to try to spend as much time as we can together. Having that conversation of, ‘What you need? What’s going on with you? How you feel? Who worked you out? How’s your knee feeling? Anytime you need extra work I’m going to be with you, brother.’

And that’s the kind of conversations we need and that’s what I’m trying to do.

RB: You know LaMelo’s talents. How can you help him get to the next level?

TG: Just support him. Just be supporting and like I said, just be Taj. I’ve been around a lot of high-powered, high-offensive, high-caliber guys that are guards and he’s special. And he’s already a gem because of how greets everybody, how he speaks. He’s all around.