Five Takeaways From the Charlotte Hornets’ Loss to the Miami Heat on Opening Night

Oct 4, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard P.J. Hairston (19) looks on during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2. P.J. Hairston is not the answer at small forward.

It was pretty clear to everyone before the game started but it was even more clear as the game continued and finished that P.J. Hairston is not the answer at small forward int he Charlotte Hornets’ starting line-up going forward.

Hairston finished with 3 points and 2 assists on 1-5 shooting from the field and 1-4 from three in 18 minutes of play. This is not to bash Hairston because he was put into a position where he would not succeed. He is trying to fill the shoes of the Hornets best defender in MKG and also exceed MKG’s offensive talents by knocking down outside shots.

This is a lot to ask of a player that is only in his second year and has not gotten many minutes at high levels of basketball. It will be interesting to see what Steve Clifford and the Charlotte Hornets do going forward. They may choose to start Jeremy Lamb or even Jeremy Lin. They may decide to make a trade for a wing player that can help boost production from that position. One this is for certain, a change needs to be made sooner rather than later.

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