Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
The biggest news around the league still seems to be the dynamic between LeBron James and Kyrie Irving as their supposed issues still have not been resolved as Kyrie pushes for a trade. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at how the Charlotte Hornets are almost a top-10 team in the NBA, if Malik Monk could beat Michael Jordan 1-on-1 and when Michael Kidd-Gilchrist “locked up” Russell Westbrook.
Hornets are close to being a top-10 team in the NBA (BleacherReport.com)
"If Michael Carter-Williams doesn’t totally destroy second units in relief of Kemba Walker, Charlotte should look a lot like the 48-34 club that secured the East’s sixth seed two years ago."
Now that most of the major moves have been made this offseason, Bleacher Report put together their after free agency power rankings. Charlotte made some good additions this summer and it was enough to land them just outside the top-10 at No. 13. That puts them just behind the Nuggets (12), the Bucks (11) and the Jazz (10).
Although, BR did close it out by saying the Hornets’ success will hinge on Kemba Walker and his ability to stay healthy which is probably true. Still, this is an encouraging sign for a team that had 19 teams finish ahead of them record wise last season. With the addition of Dwight Howard, MCW and Malik Monk, as well as returning players, Charlotte aims to be top-10.
Malik Monk thinks he can beat 54-year old MJ (CharlotteObserver.com)
"Monk showed his cocky side Saturday, repeating that he’d beat Hornets owner Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one. Jordan might have been the greatest player of his generation – maybe ever – but, as Monk noted, he is 54."
This is not a hot take. Jordan is way past his prime and while he probably still has some game left in him, there is no way Monk should lose to someone who is 35 years older than him. Despite the age difference, I like the confidence and swag of Hornets’ first round pick as he is not afraid to make a name for himself when talking to the media.
More than anything, this quote speaks to Monk’s personality which is a refreshing change of pace for Charlotte who has had rather quiet players on their roster in the past few years. Now if MJ was in his prime, that’s a completely different story. There is no way a rookie Malik would be able to defeat him 1-on-1.
That time when MKG “locked up” MVP Russell Westbrook (Youtube.com)
"Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Defense On Russel Westbrook, January 4, 2017"
Next: Charlotte should strongly consider signing Q Cook
Even though the video shows MKG “clamping” the 2016-17 MVP, Westbrook still managed to put up 33 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Although, Kidd-Gilchrist held him to only 32.3% shooting from the field and 16.7% from three. In my books, that’s an incredible defensive effort from Michael. He continues to be the Charlotte Hornets’ best individual defender and go against the opponents best wing player every night.