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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets to make big leap, Kemba Walker talks rookies

By Jerry Stephens

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 1: Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets signs balls during the Basketball Without Borders Africa program at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on August 1, 2017 in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 1: Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets signs balls during the Basketball Without Borders Africa program at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on August 1, 2017 in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

The team’s 82-game regular season schedule was released. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at if the Charlotte Hornets can make a big leap this year, Kemba Walker thinks Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon will be fine and the Greensboro Swarm’s open tryouts.

Hornets to make big leap this season (SI.com)

"All that said, don’t expect the Hornets to get back to 48 wins this season—that’s a pipe dream. But the team’s disappointing 2016-17 will prove to be more of an aberration than the norm."

Sports Illustrated picked Charlotte as one of four teams they expect to make a big jump during the 2017-18 campaign. The Philadelphia 76ers, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Milwaukee Bucks were the other three teams. After winning only 36 games last year, expect the Hornets to get back over 40 wins and if all goes right, probably finish somewhere around 45.

They could have an outside shot at achieving 50 wins which is a mark they’ve only reached three times in franchise history. With the additions of Howard, Monk and MCW while keeping their core in place, Charlotte’s expected to not only get back into the playoffs but contend for a top-5 seed.

Kemba talks about Monk and Bacon (SlamOnline.com)

"Kemba on Monk and Bacon: I spoke to both of them. It’ll be fine, they’re two really good players. It’s not easy to come in and be good right away so as long as they put in the work, they’ll be fine."

SLAM caught up with Walker while he was hosting an NBPA Summer Basketball Camp in his home state of New York. He touched on giving back, the return of elite basketball players coming from the Empire State and what he’s been doing this offseason. While Kemba’s been in Charlotte this summer, Dwight Howard’s been in Atlanta working out but the two have talked.

Same goes for the Hornets’ two draft picks this year. The all-star point guard believes that Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon will be just fine at the NBA level during their first season. Kemba also thinks that Charlotte has “a really solid chance at being a really good team this year.”

Greensboro Swarm open tryouts (Twitter/ @GreensboroSwarm)

"In preparation for the Swarm’s second season in the NBA G League, the local tryout offers players the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of the Swarm coaching staff and Hornets basketball operations personnel."

Next: Analyzing the Hornets' best situational lineups

Who will be the next Jonathan Simmons? The Orlando Magic guard proved that someone can make it from a G-League try out to the NBA during his rise the past few years with the San Antonio Spurs. The tryouts for the Greensboro Swarm will take place on September 16th.

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