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Swarm and Sting Round Table Discussion: Charlotte Hornets’ Season Preview

By Jerry Stephens

Jan 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; A ball lays on the court during a timeout in the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Jazz in two overtimes 124-119. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; A ball lays on the court during a timeout in the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Jazz in two overtimes 124-119. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; A ball lays on the court during a timeout in the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Jazz in two overtimes 124-119. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; A ball lays on the court during a timeout in the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Jazz in two overtimes 124-119. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

With the Charlotte Hornets res to get the 2016-17 NBA season underway, we here at Swarm and Sting preview the year ahead for the team.

The Charlotte Hornets are coming off of a surprisingly successful season last year. They will look to build from that in the 2016 campaign and improve in Steve Clifford’s fourth year at the helm. This team proved they could compete with some of the best last year, now they have to prove that it wasn’t a fluke.

Each of us here at Swarm and Sting gave our opinions to five questions that lie ahead for the 2016-17 season. It will be an interesting year but there is optimism surrounding the team in the Queen City. With the improvement over the past few year’s, hopefully the team can continue their development.

1. Where do you expect the Charlotte Hornets to finish this season? Win total? Seed in the Eastern Conference?

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Jerry Stephens (@JR_Steph23):

I think that the Hornets will be slightly worse than last season in terms of their win total. It will be difficult for this team to match or beat 48 wins but I expect them to finish with around 42-45 wins. This team might be as good as last years but the new players will need time to adjust and for team chemistry to reach its pinnacle. I think that 42-45 wins is enough for a top-six seed in the East.

Gabriel Davis (@gabriel_davis):

I agree that the Hornets take a small step back in terms of wins and losses. I think that 41-41 (give or take 2 wins) is this team’s most logical finishing point. With that being said, I have learned to have faith in Coach Clifford, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see this team finish with a top 8 defense and scratch out more wins than I predict. I think the 6-7 seed would be fantastic, and that the Hornets could give their first round opponent a run for their money no matter who they are.

Daniel Purcell:

Over the last couple of years the Hornets and Coach Clifford have done a masterful job of being better than people expect. This year I expect that we will be right there as expected. I expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 45 wins in a heated battle with Miami for the fifth seed in the east. A seeding I expect them to achieve. 44-46 wins and the 5th seed.

Rhett Koonce (@RhettKoonce):

I don’t think the Hornets will make it to 48 wins again. However, I am still expecting a winning recording. I think somewhere around 44-38 sounds reasonable.  That was good enough for 8th place last year, but I think it will land us anywhere between 6th-8th this year.  Regardless, the Hornets will make the Las Vegas prediction of 39.5 wins look foolish.

Russ Heltman (@RussHeltman11):

I’ve tempered my expectations a bit going into this season and I see Charlotte winning 44 games this year. They will be right in the thick of the southeast division title race and they could win and secure a 4-seed. The Vegas O/U of 39.5 is pretty disrespectful in my opinion.

Laieke Abebe (@StrikaNation24_):

I’m hoping for big things out of the Queen City this season. The Hornets have made some good additions to their roster. Overall, I think the Hornets finish 43-39 and 6th in the East. Also, a division title would be moving in the right direction.

Young Kim (@Young_k1m):

I expect a strong season from the Hornets. I’ve seen predictions range from a top 4 seed to a bottom 5 lottery team. I think Charlotte’s defense will be something to fear around the league. If everything clicks with the new roster, I think the Hornets can have a top 5 defense and finish as the 5th seed with a solid 49-33 season.

Deshawn White (@DeDashCray):

I’m a believer when it comes to my team, so I’m thinking that with a healthy squad that we can finish around 4th in the East. We may not win 48 games like last year, but I really think we can win about 42-48 games. The team looked great finishing the preseason, the returning players seem to be getting pretty comfortable with each other again and the newer players are proving useful. Though they still need to get a little better.

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