CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Normally, James Borrego can be found on the basketball court with his team for practices or games. Lately, he's been at home. As for his family, well...

"They're definitely tired of me,” Borrego said. “Tired of my voice, tired of my cooking."

Obviously, he's kidding. This is an unusual time on the calendar for an NBA head coach to be around his family so much, and while he is relishing the chance to be with his wife and children, Borrego would like to be back at work, leading his youthful Hornets toward improvement. 

The challenge to keep his players ready is difficult, as no one knows when the call to return will come. Borrego says it's especially tough for most of his roster, as 11 of his players are 25 years old or younger

"Obviously, there's not a ton a lot of these guys can do, especially the young guys,” Borrego continued. “They live in apartments by themselves. You can be very disengaged at a time like this, so making sure they have what they need. Making sure they are mentally sharp."

The Hornets' strength coaches are working to give the players workout plans while they are on this prolonged break...but that can only fill so much time. 

In the interim, the ESPN documentary “The Last Dance" was the program of choice over the weekend. The 42-year-old Borrego knows of those Chicago Bulls teams, but predictably, his eyes are trained on the Bulls legendary coach at that time

"I'm fascinated by the Phil Jackson piece in all of this. How he managed these egos, this roster. There's a lot to navigate through there as a head coach."

And even though Borrego now works for Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, could he have coached him?

A smiling Borrego quipped, "I would have loved to try."