Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets’ Shaky Defense, Cat Barber Goes Off in Swarm Win
Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
The Charlotte Hornets were able to bounce back from their recent loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers as they held Devin Booker in check and defeated the Phoenix Suns. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at how the team’s shaky defense can turn things around, Cat Barber‘s huge double-double in Greensboro’s win over Westchester and dad shames son’s grades at Hornets-Cavs game.
How the Hornets’ Shaky Defense Can Get Back in the Game (CharlotteObserver.com)
"Defense continues to be the part of the Hornets’ overall game that confounds Clifford. As he has after so many games since the Hornets’ fast start back in November, he pinned Friday’s loss against the Cavs on a defense that wasn’t necessarily lacking in physical effort. It was more between the ears."
Defense. Defense. Defense. That is the one thing that Steve Clifford has preached religiously since he arrived in Charlotte. Over the past three years, players have responded and the team has been top-10 defensively each season. Even though the 2016-17 campaign is much of the same, the Hornets’ fourth-quarter defense has fallen off.
While they are still a solid defensive team ranking in the top-10 in opponents points per game and defensive rating, they have struggled late in games to defend effectively. Their defensive rating in the final period of games is only 18th best in the NBA this season. That speaks to the players not being smart and focusing like Coach Clifford pointed out.
Cat Barber Goes Off in Greensboro Swarm Victory Over the Westchester Knicks (Dleague.NBA.com)
"The Westchester Knicks (18-29), the official NBA Development League affiliate of the New York Knickerbockers, dropped its final road game of the season in a 122-119 loss to the Greensboro Swarm (18-30), the Charlotte Hornets’ affiliate. Rasheed Sulaimon was Greensboro’s top scorer with 29 points; Car Barber just one-point shy with 28 and a notched double-double including 12 rebounds."
Cat Barber has proved to be a valuable acquisition by the Swarm this season. Since trading for him, Greensboro has gone 7-10 (which isn’t bad considering their record this year) and the point guard is averaging 18.2 points per game and 5.6 assists per game with two double-doubles. His 28-point, 12-assist game against the Knicks was one of his best games with the Hornets’ D-league affiliate.
More importantly, the Swarm picked up a big win in their second to last home game of the season. Not only did Barber go off but Rasheed Sulaimon also did with 29 points. Not to mention, Cheick Diallo who scored 26 points. Big games from the Greensboro trio.
Dad Shames Son’s Grades at Hornets vs Cavs Game (BleacherReport.com)
"As the father shared with everyone, his son Thomas must improve his grades in order to accompany his old man to an NBA arena. If the accompanying emoji was any indicator, the father did not enjoy doling out the tough love."
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Poor Thomas. I do feel bad for the dad’s son because he missed one heck of a game but I also commend the dad for being a good parent and show that there are consequences for not getting good grades in school. Maybe the sign was a bit too far for some but I think it helped get the point across to Thomas. Hopefully, he gets his grades up and can make it to the next game.