Charlotte Hornets Have a Never Say Die Mentality
The Charlotte Hornets’ playoff chances are fading but don’t tell them that because they will continue ’til fight to the very end.
With only nine games left in the regular season, the Charlotte Hornets‘ chances to make the postseason are down to 7.1%. (ESPN.com) Their odds aren’t great but they were worse a few weeks ago and when many teams might’ve called it a season, Steve Clifford’s side decided to step up and make things interesting. Now, they are only two games back of the eighth-seeded Miami Heat.
The only problem with the Hornets’ playoff chances is that they are in a four-team race for the final spot in the Eastern Conference. Along with the Heat, Charlotte’s up against the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons for the eighth seed as all four sides are within two games of each other with a couple of weeks left in the season. Despite their dwindling odds and the improbable circumstances, Kemba Walker and company will continue to battle as long as they have at least a 1% chance at getting in into the postseason.
Their fight may be futile and the Hornets will probably come up short when the year is over but there is still something to be said about a team that didn’t roll over and tank. Many teams that are on the outside looking in of the playoffs gave up a few months ago. Many would argue that Charlotte should’ve done the same in order to get a better draft pick but this organization has worked hard to create a winning culture.
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They are only five years removed from the worst season in NBA history. The franchise has a black cloud of losing surrounding them for over a decade. Things are finally starting to look up for them but it’s been tough to remove that losing stigma. By not giving up, it shows the players and the fans that this team, while having a disappointing season, will still do their best to make the playoffs. Winning and losing goes much deeper than the just on the surface level.
The Hornets’ fight for the postseason will probably end up being a little too late as they will likely run out of games in their pursuit of the final playoff spot. Over their last five games, Charlotte’s 4-1. That is their best five-game stretch this season since late December.
Plain and simple, it will not be easy for them to make the playoffs. Their final nine games of the season come against teams that are either in the playoffs or who are battling for a playoff spot. Also, not holding tiebreakers against the Pistons and Bulls will come back to haunt them if they end up tied for the eighth seed.
Like I said, it is improbable that the Hornets make the playoffs this season. Despite all of the things going against them, Charlotte has yet to give up. They have actually fought harder than ever before just to be in the conversation for possibly stealing the final spot.
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That is a “Never Say Die” mentality if I’ve ever seen one. Not only is the team creating a winning culture but they are also actually winning games at the same time. Who knows how it will end because anything can happen in the NBA and maybe, just maybe, the Charlotte Hornets will squeak into the playoffs.