Buzz City Beat: Batum Unlikely for Eurobasket 2017, All-Star Game Back to Charlotte?
Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the latest and best news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.
The Charlotte Hornets will look to continue their playoff push and grab their fourth straight win as they take on the Washington Wizards. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at Nicolas Batum unlikely to play for France this summer, the possibility of the All-Star Game returning to the Queen City and Frank Kaminsky argues for college athletes.
Nic Batum Unlikely to Play for France in Eurobasket 2017 (Sportando.com)
"Nicolas Batum may miss the upcoming Eurobasket 2017 to rest. The Charlotte Hornets forward already decided but he will announce his final decision after the NBA season with the Hornets."
Nic has participated in international play with France for every summer since 2009. Whether it be Eurobasket tournaments, FIBA World Cups or Olympic play, Batum has represented his home country. His history with the national team suggests that he will play again this summer.
Although, he could take the offseason to rest and recover his body while also spending time with his family as he is now a father. The Hornets would probably like it if he sat out and rested but players take great pride in being able to play for their home countries. We will have to wait for his decision after the season is over but either way, Batum’s choice wouldn’t surprise me.
NBA Board to Discuss Charlotte as All-Star Host (APNews.com)
"A person with knowledge of the plans says the NBA will discuss whether to bring the 2019 All-Star Game to Charlotte at its Board of Governors meeting this week."
The Queen City was supposed to host the 2017 All-Star Game but after the controversial HB2 was passed, the NBA pulled the events and decided to move the festivities to New Orleans. It was a major blow to not only Charlotte but to the Hornets who were looking forward to hosting the event. The city hasn’t been home to the ASG since 1991 so a return is well overdue.
With HB2 being repealed and replaced with a compromise law, the NCAA and NBA may now consider bringing major events back to North Carolina. It will be interesting to see what happens with the 2019 All-Star Game as the 2018 one is already set for Los Angeles. Whatever the case is, Charlotte is definitely a contender, especially after Adam Silver expressed interest for the game to be held there in 2019 if HB2 was changed or repealed. (USAToday.com)
Frank Kaminsky and Dan Dakich Argue About College Athletes on Twitter (BleacherReport.com)
"Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky took exception to an opinion Dan Dakich expressed on Monday about college athletes and the issue of whether or not they should be paid."
Next: Kemba Doing Everything to Make Playoffs
Like many Twitter debates, this was not a good one. Granted, 140 characters probably isn’t enough to make a solid argument but to me, Frank got the better of Dakich. Dan just sounds like a “get off my lawn” guy at this point.