It’s been some time since the Charlotte Hornets have won a playoff series. With a retooled roster, the team could have one of their best seasons yet. Getting past the first round, however, could be their highest hurdle.
2002. That was the last time the Charlotte Hornets won a playoff series. They were the 4th seed. Their opponent, the Orlando Magic, was the 5th seed. The Hornets won the series 3-1. They came close a few years ago, of course, taking the Miami Heat to seven games. Sadly, however, Miami took the last two games by a combined 40 points.
15 years is a long time without winning a playoff series. Granted, two of those years, Charlotte didn’t have a team, so it’s more like 13. The time could be now, however, as the Hornets seem primed for a deep postseason run.
With the addition of Dwight Howard and players like Paul George leaving for the Western Conference, the Hornets should fare much better than they did last year.
More from Swarm and Sting
- Hornets: Where does Brandon Miller’s ceiling rank among other rookies?
- Charlotte Hornets grade out mostly average in position-by-position ranking
- Hornets News: P.J. Washington makes bold statement on Brandon Miller
- Grade the mock trade: Hornets snag Tyler Herro, flip Gordon Hayward
- Will the Charlotte Hornets be in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery?
Most fans don’t think a repeat of last year will happen given how much better on paper the Hornets seem to be.
Yet, the futures of most NBA teams aren’t set in stone. It’s almost a given that the Cavs, Celtics, and Raptors will make the playoffs, but after those teams, it’s a veritable free for all.
If the Hornets do make the playoffs, however, will that simply be enough? Hornets fans have been hungry for any kind of postseason success for some time now. Surely another first round exit would leave a bitter taste in their mouths.
The Hornets can certainly help themselves by snagging a top 4 seed in the East. Even if they don’t, however, they could still feasibly topple a higher seeded team as a Five or even Six seed.
Next: Is there a sense of urgency surrounding the Hornets?
Alas, the season still has to play itself out and if the Hornets can make the playoffs, fans and players alike will be excited. Still, given all the changes in the offseason and the heightened expectations, you have to think that anything less than a first round series win would be a disappointment for the Queen City. Here’s hoping we’ll see the Hornets playing in the month of May.