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Buzz City Beat: Why to watch Charlotte Hornets, MCW won’t be ready for season opener

By Jerry Stephens

CHARLOTTE, USA - OCTOBER 11: Super Hugo of Charlotte Hornets jumps to entertain during halftime show of the NBA match between Boston Celtics vs Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum arena in Charlotte, NC, United States on October 11, 2017. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, USA - OCTOBER 11: Super Hugo of Charlotte Hornets jumps to entertain during halftime show of the NBA match between Boston Celtics vs Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum arena in Charlotte, NC, United States on October 11, 2017. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the latest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.

Malik Monk dropped a game and career-high 21 points in the team’s preseason loss to the Boston Celtics. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at reasons why you should watch the Charlotte Hornets in 2017-18, an update on Michael Carter-Williams‘ injury and televised games this season.

Why you should watch the Hornets this season (FanRagSports.com)

"1. HOW DO THEY REPLACE BATUM? 2. KEMBA WALKER IS A BAD MAN 3. WILL THERE BE ANOTHER DWIGHTMARE?"

It’s clear that Charlotte’s going to struggle without Nicolas Batum but it will be interesting to see how Steve Clifford and the team replaces his production while he’s out. Jeremy Lamb and Malik Monk should get plenty of minutes which means that the Hornets will be able to get a good, early look at their first-round pick.

Of course, Kemba Walker is the reason to tune into Hornets’ games. His stellar play is on display almost every night and there’s a good chance he could up his production once again. As for Dwight Howard, that is the main storyline to follow. Can Coach Clifford get the eight-time all-star back, or at least close, to his old form or will we see another situation where Dwight will alienate himself in the locker room and cause a rift within the team?

MCW won’t be ready for regular-season opener (CharlotteObserver.com)

"Charlotte Hornets backup point guard Michael Carter-Williams won’t be ready for the Oct. 18 season opener and is “quite a ways away” from playing, coach Steve Clifford said Wednesday morning. “I don’t see any way” Carter-Williams is available for the opener in Detroit, Clifford said at shootaround."

Despite returning to full contact practice in early October, it doesn’t look like Carter-Williams will be ready for the Hornets’ regular-season opener against the Detroit Pistons. The backup point guard underwent a Platelet-Rich Plasma procedure on both knees in August and after two months of rehab, Michael still needs more time to recover.

The most concerning part about the injury is that it’s unclear exactly when MCW will be healthy enough to make his return. Since he will miss the entire preseason, the former Rookie of the Year won’t get a chance to build chemistry with his new teammates. As for Charlotte, they will be shorthanded at the point guard spot with only Julyan Stone and Marcus Paige (two-way player) backing up Kemba Walker.

FOX Sports Southeast to televise 79 of Charlotte’s games (NBA.com)

"FOX Sports Southeast, the exclusive regional television home of the Charlotte Hornets, will televise 79 regular season games during the 2017-18 NBA season."

Next: Should Hornets fans temper expectations after Batum's injury?

Just like last year, most of the Hornets’ regular season games can be seen on FOX Sports Southeast. Eric Collins, Dell Curry and Stephanie Ready will continue to lead the broadcast crew but one change is that Ready will work as a courtside analyst as opposed to in the booth with Collins and Curry like she did last season. Also, former Charlotte guard, Matt Carroll, will join the team as an analyst during home games.

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