Buzz City Beat: Hornets vs Raptors prediction, Grading Charlotte’s season so far

Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

Frank Kaminsky is apparently an archery prodigy and can throw an ax. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we preview the Charlotte Hornets matchup versus the Toronto Raptors while also grading the team so far this season and looking at how Michael Carter-Williams is embracing a fresh start.

Hornets vs Raptors prediction (RealSport101.com)

"The Raptors send the Hornets’ skid to three with a 110-99 home win."

With Kemba Walker (Left Shoulder AC Contusion) out, MCW is expected to start in his place with either Malik Monk or Julyan Stone getting the backup point guard minutes. Stone is listed as probable after missing the last five weeks with a left hamstring strain. After going 2-2 against the Raptors last season, this will be the first meeting between the two sides this year.

Considering that Charlotte will be without Kemba and the fact that they’ve lost their last two coming into this one, there’s not much going in their favor. They will need an incredible performance from an unlikely hero to be able to leave Canada with a win. While it isn’t impossible, I just don’t see it happening. Toronto should be able to defeat the Kemba-less Hornets with ease.

Grading Charlotte’s season (BleacherReport.com)

"Until Charlotte can figure how to remain afloat without Walker, whether by getting more out of the second unit or staggering starters to mitigate the damage caused by the bench mob, it’ll keep underachieving. And at some point, an aging and expensive core might need to be split up if it can’t win more games."

Bleacher Report gave the Hornets a “C” grade which is the same grade that the Chicago Bulls received. Outside of Kemba, Jeremy Lamb and Dwight Howard, there haven’t been many positive for the Hornets so far this season. Their bench has been underwhelming, their top draft pick in Malik Monk has been benched and they have been under .500 for most of the year.

At least Charlotte has some home court advantage (7-3 at Spectrum Center) because they have one of the worst road records in that NBA at 1-8. Bottom line is that this team has underperformed. They were expected to challenge for a top-six seed in the East and while that could happen, their slow start has been anything but promising.

MCW embracing new role with team (NBA.com)

"Carter-Williams might never again put up the kind of numbers he did during his rookie season in Philadelphia and that’s alright with him. He relished the option to come to Charlotte, knowing full well what his role would be in joining the organization. The 26-year-old is simply playing to his strengths on both ends of the court, which is exactly what his new team needs."

Next: Three potential Frank Kaminsky trades

Michael got the fresh start he was looking for in Charlotte. At this point in his career, he is primarily a backup. After failed stops in Milwaukee and Chicago, the Hornets were one of six teams (Rockets, Thunder, Knicks, Pelicans and Mavericks) reportedly interested in MCW this past summer. I’d have to think that they promised him the biggest role of any potential suitor. Now that he is back healthy, Carter-Williams is a menace on the defensive end and his offensive game is slowly coming together.