Charlotte Hornets Round Table Discussion: Player Awards

Oct 29, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; The basketball court for the Charlotte Hornets sports the new logo before the opening home game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; The basketball court for the Charlotte Hornets sports the new logo before the opening home game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2), guard Courtney Lee (1) and guard Kemba Walker (15) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2), guard Courtney Lee (1) and guard Kemba Walker (15) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

5. Most Influential Veteran?

Jerry Stephens:

I think that Marvin Williams was the most influential veteran on the team last season. His leadership helped push the Charlotte Hornets to the playoffs and to one of their most successful seasons in recent memory. Al Jefferson might have been a close second on this list but Marvin’s leadership was unmatched.

Deshawn White:

This one is tricky because I wholeheartedly feel as though Big Al Jefferson and Marvin Williams are both leaders. Big Al could (when healthy) influence games with his presence and Williams could influence games with his IQ and willingness to do anything needed to win. Williams definitely stepped up and lead the team to last season’s success though, and I think because of that, he has to take this home. Marvin Williams was a great two-way player for the Hornets, and I think he’ll be a great contributor and leader for this upcoming season.

Laieke Abebe:

The leadership of Marvin Williams gives him the edge on this one. If not for his great shooting and offensive rebounding, the Hornets would watched the playoffs from home. I’m looking forward to him being a big part of the Hornets playoff push this season.

Luke Spencer:

I’m going to go with everyone else again and say that Marvin Williams is the most influential veteran on the team. Steve Clifford has talked about Marvin being very reliable before and it shows in the way he plays. He’s the most consistent 3-point shooter on the team and plays very good defense, so I guess that technically makes him a 3 and D power forward (which helps explain why he was so sought after in free agency).

Marvin’s career turnaround with the Hornets has been very impressive. After his underwhelming time spent with the Utah Jazz, he decided that he wasn’t going to let his career stagnate and eventually wither away. He worked on his 3-point shooting and became an even better defender and rebounder.

Also, his contract situation this summer wasn’t a burden for the team as he knew wanted to come back and settle down in North Carolina and it speaks volumes about his character. Any struggling NBA player should strive to be like him in terms of change and adapting. Rookie Marvin Williams relied more on his speed and athleticism to succeed, while present-day Marvin Williams relies on his wits and finesse to make a difference. I like to imagine that if you looked up the words “veteran savvy” anywhere, a picture of Marvin will be there.  

Max Seng:

Marvin Williams has had one of the more unusual career arcs in the NBA, and I think it’s helped him become an incredible leader. Most guys don’t get their first big payday when they’re 30, but that was the case with Williams this summer. He came in with franchise cornerstone expectations, drafted second overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2005. He played well in those sevens seasons for the Hawks, but was never able to live up to those standards of being drafted second overall.

Next: Should the Hornets Bring Back Emeka Okafor?

After toiling in Utah for two seasons, Marvin arrived in Charlotte in 2014-15, coming off the bench for over half the season. But last season, when Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s injury opened the door for Williams to start the entire year, he seized it, shooting a career high from the three point line and nearly doubling his career high in blocked shots. He’s been the franchise’s savior, disappointment, role player, energy guy and now team leader. He can relate to any guy in that locker room, something few players in the league can say. It bodes well for Charlotte moving forward to keep Williams in that locker room, something they ensured this summer by keeping him long term.