With Al Jefferson out for two to three weeks with a left calf strain, Cody Zeller has filled in nicely for the Charlotte Hornets.

The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Detroit Pistons on Monday night behind Cody Zeller’s stellar play. He dropped 20 points and six rebounds in the game. He also held the league’s leading rebounder and one of the most dominant big men in the game, Andre Drummond, to only nine points and nine rebounds.

When it was announced that Al Jefferson would be sidelined with a left calf strain for two to three weeks, it was a bit of a scare to the Charlotte Hornets team that had been playing some really good basketball to start the season. Jefferson has been an important piece to the team over the past few years but has been utilized less and less this year because of the better talent on the team.

Cody Zeller was Jefferson’s likely replacement when he went down but there were still questions about Zeller’s play and if he could do the job for the Charlotte Hornets. Cody is a former first round, fourth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He is a legit seven footer who is more athletic than Jefferson.

Zeller is really rounding into form for the Charlotte Hornets this season. He is a better interior defender than Big Al and he has also provided some good offense for the team. He is averaging 14.3 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game in the three games that Jefferson has missed.

But over the last two games, Cody Zeller put up 17 points and eight rebounds against the Chicago Bulls and 20 points and six rebounds against the Detroit Pistons. The Charlotte Hornets won both of those games and Zeller shot over 55% from the field.

I think the questions have been answered about Cody and if he can fill in for Big Al. Zeller has been huge for the team on both sides of the ball and his athletic ability brings a new dimension to the team that is lacking without Jefferson. Cody Zeller’s ability to finish at the rim with his athleticism. Also his strength and quickness allows him to defend big players like Pau Gasol and Andre Drummond. Zeller may be the answer for the Charlotte Hornets in the future. His play this season definitely puts the thought into the team’s mind to let Al Jefferson walk at the end of the season rather than re-signing him to a lucrative contract after he is already 31 years old.

Jefferson will likely be out another week of two so keep an eye on Cody Zeller’s play because he is becoming one of the Hornets best big men and is earning himself some major points and minutes with the Charlotte Hornets front office and coaching staff.