Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets Need to Give Up, Batum Could Invest in French Team

Apr 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Enter the Swarm shirts lay on the seats prior to the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Enter the Swarm shirts lay on the seats prior to the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buzz City Beat is your daily roundup of the latest and greatest news and stories from around the internet about the Charlotte Hornets.

After falling to the Phoenix Suns in their last outing, the Charlotte Hornets look to bounce back and close out their six-game road trip on a high note against the Denver Nuggets. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the team’s need to give up their postseason hopes, Nicolas Batum possibly investing in a French Team and Steve Clifford’s side moving up in the power rankings.

Hornets Need to Give Up Playoff Hopes

“They need to take those odds into account, along with the long ones (81.8%) against them to make the playoffs, and make up their mind to pursue future wins. Tanking is one thing, but being smart and admitting defeat is another because, as much as we want to talk about it, Stephen Curry is not walking through that door anytime soon!” (NumberFire.com)

The Hornets only have an 18.2% chance of making the playoffs this season. It wasn’t that long ago when they were competing for a top four seed in the Eastern Conference. How quickly things have changed and honestly, the best bet for the team might be to tank and admit defeat in their campaign this year.

More from Swarm and Sting

Keeping playoff hopes is great for morale but it isn’t likely with Charlotte’s current form. They continue to fall farther and farther back of a postseason spot and despite being only a few games back of their eighth seed, it seems like even that is a long shot. Also. it would be better to hope and try to get a good draft pick rather than face the Cavs in the first round of the playoffs.

Nic Batum Could Invest in French Team

“Nicolas Batum could invest in French team Asvel.” (Lequipe.fr)

Asvel Basket is a French basketball team that plays in the LNB Pro A which is the top tier league in France. Tony Parker is the current president and it looks as if Batum may invest with his fellow NBA and French National Team colleague. The original article is in French so unless you speak that language, it will be tough to understand. Thanks to HoopsHype.com for the short translation above.

Charlotte Moves Up in Power Rankings

“It’s way too early to say the Charlotte Hornets are playoff threats again, but at least they’ve pulled out of their nosedive. With a 2-2 mark in their last four games, the Hornets are doing what they can to salvage a once-promising season.” (BleacherReport.com)

Next: Kaminsky Could Miss the Rest of the Season

The Charlotte Hornets somehow moved up three spots in Bleacher Report’s power rankings after a decent week. B/R has them listed as the 20th best team in the NBA but even that seems high for this struggling side. They will look to build on their impressive week with yet another successful seven days to try and move up in the rankings and closer to a playoff spot.