Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets pressing question, Will MJ let the team tank?
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The Queen City team is hopeful that they will find a new General Manager before the end of the 2017-18 season. (CharlotteObserver.com) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the one pressing question surrounding the Charlotte Hornets, if Michael Jordan would let this team tank and the Greensboro Swarm’s victory over the Lakeland Magic.
Hornets’ one pressing question (FanRagSports.com)
"Will Kemba Walker get some help? You can be assured that Kemba Walker will do everything in his power to make a last ditch effort, but what kind of support will he get? Specifically, can Charlotte not be a flaming pile of garbage when Walker is off the floor?"
From what we’ve seen so far this season, the short answer is no. Dwight Howard has been the only somewhat consistent contributor alongside Kemba. Jeremy Lamb has been good off of the bench but outside of those three, it’s a crapshoot as to who will give support on a given night. While Nicolas Batum has been wildly inconsistent, the main problems stem from the Hornets’ second unit.
Michael Carter-Williams is having one of the worst seasons in NBA history and Cody Zeller has missed a large chunk of the year. If Charlotte can somehow turn into a totally different team in the second half of the season, then maybe they will give Walker some help and the bench will be able to tread water while he’s off of the floor. It’s unlikely but maybe the addition of Willy Hernangomez will help a bit.
Will MJ let Charlotte tank? (Yahoo.com)
"The Charlotte Hornets should join that aforementioned group [of tanking teams]. Whether Michael Jordan would ever allow his team to give up hope on a playoff seed is another matter."
With all the money that Michael has invested into this squad, I suspect that they will fight till the bitter end in their attempt to make the postseason this year. While tanking would be admitting defeat, it could help put the team in a better position for a draft pick this summer which could help them long-term. As long as Kemba Walker is healthy, this team will fight for a playoff spot despite having only a 12% chance to make it. (FiveThirtyEight.com)
Although it’s improbable that they will sneak into the playoffs, they will most likely try their best to do so. Even though their record isn’t as bad as some of the bottom teams like Phoenix, Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, Sacramento, Memphis, Chicago and New York, Charlotte should at least be considering a tank post-All-Star break. I just can’t see Jordan or Clifford giving up on this Hornets’ team.
Swarm top Magic, 98-88 (Gleague.NBA.com)
"The Greensboro Swarm (13-24) defeated the Lakeland Magic (18-18) 98-88. Marcus Paige showed up strong for the Swarm posting 30 points and 7 assists. Both Mangok Mathiang and Sam Thompson had an impressive day both with double-doubles. Mathiang, with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Thompson with 14 points, 10 rebounds."
Next: Hornets, Knicks discussed Malik Monk trade
Greensboro has now won two straight and four of their last seven which is one of their best stretch of games so far this season. Marcus Paige had one of his best games of the year and maybe he will earn himself a call-up to the Hornets soon if he continues to play well. The Swarm are still the second-worst team in the East but maybe they can turn things around in the second half of the season and end this campaign on a high note.