Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets defeat OKC in third summer league game, Clifford talks state of team

By Jerry Stephens

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 18: Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets yells to his players during their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Spectrum Center on January 18, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 18: Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets yells to his players during their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Spectrum Center on January 18, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at how Treveon Graham and Dwayne Bacon led the Charlotte Hornets past the Oklahoma City Thunder in their third summer league game, Steve Clifford talking about the state of the team and how the franchise has never paid the luxury tax.

Graham and Bacon lead Charlotte past OKC (Sports.ABS-CBN.com)

"Charlotte Hornets 95 def. Oklahoma City Thunder 81. In a game of runs, the Charlotte Hornets landed the first loss of the tournament on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder were up 10 early on, before trailing by as much as 20 in this one."

Treveon Graham continues to be the Hornets’ best player at the Orlando Pro Summer League. The VCU product scored a game-high 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds. He is helping his case to make the team’s final 15-man roster for the regular season. Charlotte’ second round pick and only rookie in summer league, Dwayne Bacon, had his best game so far as he put up an impressive 17 points.

The Hornets improved to 2-1 in Orlando and they will take on the Detroit Pistons in their final game before Championship Day. In their next game, they will take on the Pistons and Luke Kennard who was drafted one spot after Malik Monk. There’s a good chance that Charlotte could be playing for third place on Championship Day.

Clifford talks Hornets, Monk and Dwight Howard (NBA.com)

"Charlotte coach, Steve Clifford joins Matt and Vince at halftime to talk about Dwight Howard, Malik Monk and the state of the Hornets."

During the Hornets’ third summer league game, head coach Steve Clifford sat down with the broadcast crew to talk about the state of his team. After joking with Vince Carter for a bit, Coach Clifford praised the acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Malik Monk. He mentioned how Howard can still be a dominant force on both ends of the floor and how important he will be to Charlotte’s success this season.

He then turned his attention towards the first round pick and commended his ability to score in a multitude of ways. Clifford believes that Malik Monk can be scoring threat right off the bat. Based on Steve’s comments and the moves made by the Hornets this summer, it’s safe to say that they are in a good place entering the 2017-18 season.

Team has never paid the luxury tax (Twitter/ @AlbertNahmad)

"The Wizards are one of three teams (Pelicans, Hornets) to have never paid the luxury tax in their history."

Next: MCW to play Jeremy Lin-type role for Charlotte

It’s pretty crazy to think that the Hornets have never paid the luxury tax. While some may see this as good cap management, I see it as a combination of poor drafting and inability to get top free agents. If you look at the best teams around the league, they have all been forced into the luxury tax one way or another. Charlotte has not yet reached that point but they are getting close. I’m not saying they should spend recklessly or pay a large tax bill like the Cavs but if the opportunity is there to sign top players and give big extensions to your best guys, then sometimes it is worth going a bit into the luxury tax to do so.

Home/Hornets News