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Swarm and Sting Round Table Discussion: Charlotte Hornets’ Season Preview

By Jerry Stephens

Jan 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; A ball lays on the court during a timeout in the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Jazz in two overtimes 124-119. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; A ball lays on the court during a timeout in the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Jazz in two overtimes 124-119. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view the Easter Conference Finals logo on the basket prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view the Easter Conference Finals logo on the basket prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. How far do you think the Charlotte Hornets will make it in the playoffs?

Jerry Stephens:

Charlotte must avoid making the playoffs as the eighth seed as that would likely pin them against the Cleveland Cavaliers. As a top-six seed they have a good chance at making it out of the first round and winning their first playoff series since 2001-2002. If they meet the Cavs in the second round then that is the end of the road for the Hornets. If they avoid Cleveland and face a different team in the second round then Charlotte may do the improbable and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals but that is a long list of if’s.

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Gabriel Davis:

My most optimistic prediction is that the Hornets are knocked out in the 2nd round of the playoffs. I don’t think this team has the playmakers to go any farther.

Daniel Purcell:

Seeding is everything in the playoffs. I expect that we will be the fifth seed. How far we go will have a lot to do with how the teams land. My preference would be to face the Hawks or the Raptors in the first round. I feel that we can upset either of them. So I think that we will reach the second round unless we are unlucky enough to face the Celtics. Our matchup with the Leprechauns would likely go to the team with home court advantage.

Rhett Koonce:

As long as we avoid the Cavs and Celtics in the first round, we should be able to make it to the second round. The playoffs are about playing fundamental defense and limiting transition points. This happens to be what the Hornets excel at.

Russ Heltman:

A playoff berth should be on the horizon for this team and they can win their first playoff series if they lock up the division, After the first two seeds there is a pool of teams with comparable talent levels and the Hornets have the personnel and playing style to grind out a second round berth.

Laieke Abebe:

Even as the 6th seed, they can still make a run to the Eastern Conference Finals, avoiding the Cleveland Cavaliers in the process. I think getting the Conference Semifinals would be going in the right direction.

Young Kim:

As the 5th seed, I think they have a good chance of making it to the second round. I have a feeling they’ll be matched up with either Detroit or Indiana in the first round. Hopefully Charlotte’s defense is enough to contain either Andre Drummond or Paul George. Best case scenario is that we get a shot as a dark horse in the ECF, but most likely we’ll be a second round exit.

Deshawm White:

I’m comfortable enough to say that this team is somewhere around a second round playoff team. Defensively, we’re a better team than last year, and offensively the team seems to be pretty good at scoring around the court. If the three-point percentage stays around the same as last year or improves a bit, then I’m sure we can get a few surprise wins and maybe even a playoff upset. I really think that Hibbert and MKG will be the playoff X-Factors. Their knack of getting rebounds and defensive IQ could push the team over their playoff series drought.

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