Charlotte Hornets: Early Season Adjustments (Part 1)

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The 2015-2016 NBA season is in its infancy, and many teams are still trying to figure things out. Current playoff teams have won and lost, some players are trying to find their niche, and some rotations are still being tested. While no team in the NBA can expect to be perfect and not have issues, other team’s problems have been exploited.

In the case for the Charlotte Hornets, some problems have not been as easy to diagnose. In only two seasonal games, five things are for certain.

1. Kemba Walker has started this season on a slump, whereas Jeremy Lin has been more productive to begin the season.

2. Nicolas Batum has unsuccessfully tried to incorporate ball-handling duties into his role.

3. The P.J. Hairston experiment remains an unsuccessful failure.

4. The Lack of rim-protection is an early indicator or future problems.

5. Coach Clifford’s reluctance to play first-year players may damage confidence and hold the team back.

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In this two-part article, I’ll only cover the first three.

First, Kemba Walker is supposed to be the future of Charlotte basketball at the Point Guard position. No one can argue that he is a talented player, but one thing is overlooked about our beloved guard. Kemba Walker, drafted in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, never spent one day learning from an experienced veteran guard. Thrust into the starting lineup by a team that sorely needed a playmaker at the Point Guard position, he was never able to develop. After five years of playing shoot first basketball on an underwhelming team, he seems more set in his ways. Hero basketball is all he’s ever known, but this team doesn’t need that anymore. With the resurgence of Jeremy Lin, many fans are wondering when he may take over for the inefficient Walker. The answer, Lin may never take over starting guard duties. Numbers do indicate Lin is playing better ball than Kemba in almost every aspect, but we’re looking at a Kemba that has never had a quality supporting team. Kemba will have to learn to become more of a facilitator with this new team, and his relationship with Clifford means he will get the chance. Jeremy Lin has been an established force for the Hornets since preseason coming off the bench, and looks to continue throughout the season as the preferred sixth-man.

Next, Nicolas Batum has been a welcome addition to Charlotte. Offensively, he’s a talented player with high IQ, and defensively he’s one of the better defenders in the NBA. Charlotte rewarded the talented wing with increased duties upon his arrival, some of which have been an understandable failure. I agree that it was a worthwhile test to see if he could handle the task, but after a combined 10 turnovers (seven in the most recent) in two games that test should be over. Batum excels at off-ball play, catch-and-shoot basketball and facilitating the ball. That’s the bread and butter to the man referred to as Nico, but ball-handling seems to be more than the famous Frenchman can handle. In my assessment, ball-handling should be returned to Kemba while Batum does what he does best.

Third, the recurring problem of P.J. Hairston starting is an issue that most fans feel needs to be changed. At 6’6 and 235lbs, Hairston has been an eyesore and liability thus far into the season. The mindset that everyone deserves a chance is as understandable as it is admirable, but to Hornet fans that waited years to get a decent team, it’s a questionable issue. Perhaps Hairston has amazed in the private practices, but while the lights were on, he has seemed to be the weakest link on a hopeful playoff team. Here’s a sample of his work in two games:

Sep 25, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lamb (3) during media day at the Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

· 34 minutes, 6 points on 2-10 shooting (20% FG%, 25% 3PFG%), 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 block

Now, here’s the numbers for Jeremy Lamb in his first game as a Hornet:

· 14 minutes, 11 points on 4-8 shooting (50% FG%, 60% 3PFG%), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks

Statistically, the numbers are there to be deciphered. The better player seems to be Lamb, almost doubling the point total of Hairston in less than half of the time. Also, the players playing more than 30 minutes only managed two and three more points than Lamb. Hairston was supposed to be the defender to plug the Small Forward position while Batum played as the teams Shooting Guard, but has been a burden as well as a turnstile. Lamb on the other hand has been waiting man on a mission. After sitting for three years, his debut for Charlotte was a surprise for some and a statement to others. Lamb comes in at 6’6 and 185lbs of underrated talent. Capable of slotting in at two-guard as well as Small Forward in some rotations, he’s primarily been used as a two-guard off the bench. Now with the Hornets, and after the fiasco of the Hairston experiment, Lamb’s opportunity should be arriving sooner than later.

Next: Does Jeremy Lamb Deserve to Start?

Well that concludes part one Hornet fans, I hope you enjoyed it. Remember to comment below to share your thoughts, and add us on Twitter for comments, questions, comments or if I missed anything. Happy Halloween, and as always, KEEP SWARMING

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