Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.
Dwight Howard is working on getting in peak shape for the upcoming season by training in MMA. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at five bold predictions for the Charlotte Hornets, what Kemba Walker’s eyeing this season and Nicolas Batum’s workout routine.
Hornets’ bold predictions (HoopsHabit.com)
"5. Dwight Howard will be an All-Star again, 4. Malik Monk ends up starting over Nicolas Batum, 3. Kemba Walker will become a pass-first guard, 2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will start scoring more, and The Hornets will make the playoffs."
Getting Dwight back to all-star form would be ideal for Charlotte but after so many back injuries, those days are likely behind him. Although, he could still be an above average NBA center. Malik Monk starting over MKG and moving Nic to the three is a more likely scenario. Even with the additions of Monk and Howard, Walker will still need to carry the Hornets’ offense for large stretches and scoring is his strength so becoming a pass-first player doesn’t seem like a good or likely outcome to me.
I think MKG will up his scoring output but just barely. With more offensive threats, he should get open opportunities. If Kidd-Gilchrist can knock down outside shots with any sort of consistency he will easily reach close to 15 PPG. As for a playoff appearance, that is expected. Winning a series, on the other hand, isn’t likely but should be a goal for the team. I actually had my own five bold predictions for the upcoming season.
Kemba eyes All-NBA selection, more consistent playoff runs (TheScore.com)
"he hopes to make that an annual tradition, and has his sights set on another major milestone. “All-NBA would be a huge honor, a huge challenge for myself,” “I definitely want to continue to make the All-Star team, of course, but the main goal is to get my team to the playoffs,” he said."
The Hornets’ all-star point guard is setting his sights high for next season. With his position arguably being the deepest in the NBA, it will be difficult to be among the top-six guards in the league. Making another all-star team is a more realistic goal for Kemba.
Like a true team captain and leader, he puts team success above all else as he just wants to win games. Charlotte hasn’t made the playoffs consecutively since 2000-2002. They’ve also not won a series since 2002. Finding success in the postseason is the next step for Walker and the team.
Nicolas Batum’s workout routine (Twitter/ @Nicolas88Batum)
Next: Kobe's challenge for every Hornets' player
Nic Batum was over in his home country of France training at the Levallois Metropolitans’ home arena (PDS Marcel-Cerdan). We get a small look at what Batum’s summer workout routine consists of. It’s good to see the Hornets’ second highest paid player putting in work this offseason as he looks to improve his game.