Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is expected to return to the team’s starting lineup in their game against the Boston Celtics. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at how Dwight Howard could possibly receive an unexpected all-star bid, Kemba Walker‘s underrated playmaking ability and the Charlotte Hornets‘ future being dependent on their backcourt.
Hornets unexpected all-star (USAtoday.com)
"Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard will flirt with an unexpected All-Star appearance if he keeps this up: He is averaging 15.2 points, 13.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks and shooting 59.3% from the field."
While I don’t think Dwight will make his ninth all-star appearance this season, I do believe that he will at the very least be in the conversation for one of the 12 Eastern Conference spots. Howard hasn’t made an all-star team since the 2013-14 season with the Houston Rockets. Playing revitalized under Steve Clifford, he’s putting up some great numbers that could potentially be all-star worthy.
Kemba’s on pace to reach his second consecutive all-star game this year but having another all-star candidate would be huge for Charlotte. D12 is averaging the fourth most rebounds in the NBA and the second most in the East. If he does continue to put up double-doubles with these numbers and the Hornets climb into a top-five seed, that would vastly improve his bid to make an all-star team.
Kemba Walker: Passing a lonely star (16WinsARing.com)
"Walker is a much better play-maker than he’s given credit for, a common fate of the scoring point-guard generation (see Curry, Stephen). Walker looks to score first, then reads and reacts according to how the defense is playing him."
This article details Walker’s court vision with multiple video breakdowns. His playmaking definitely gets overshadowed by his electric scoring ability. The all-star point guard’s ability to find open teammates is underrated. According to NBA.com, Kemba creates 11.5 potential assists per game.
Another reason why his passing is overlooked is that he hasn’t needed to display that in recent seasons with Nicolas Batum being a secondary ball handler and playmaker. They both dictate the offense and share ballhandling responsibilities. This takes away playmaking opportunities from Walker. Since his running mate has been out this season, Kemba is averaging a career-high 6.2 assists per game.
Charlotte’s future is dependent on their backcourt (SirCharlesInCharge.com)
"The progression of both Monk and Lamb perhaps open the discussion of whether Nic Batum, who’s currently injured, could be tradable. If they can trade the sharpshooting French wingman, they might shore up their defensive requirements enough to make a serious bid throughout the season."
Next: Dwayne Bacon is proving to be an ideal rookie
While trading Nic Batum could be an option to help create cap space and make minutes for the rest of the wing players, I think the trading MKG is a more likely scenario. That would allow Steve Clifford to start Jeremy Lamb at the two while moving Nicolas over to the three and having Monk and Bacon come off of the bench. If they do make a trade, Charlotte could be able to find an upgrade at the power forward spot. I do agree though that the team’s future success depends largely on the development of their backcourt, namely Malik.