Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets connection to the 2018 NBA Finals

By Jerry Stephens

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 29: Shaun Livingston #2 of the Charlotte Bobcats dribbles against Baron Davis #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 29: Shaun Livingston #2 of the Charlotte Bobcats dribbles against Baron Davis #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Despite not being in the Finals themselves, the Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats have a few connections to the Cavs and Warriors.

Although the Charlotte Hornets aren’t playing in the NBA Finals this year, they do have some links to the teams that are. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors will face off in the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive season this year. It is yet another colossal matchup between LeBron James and the super team from the Bay.

There are plenty of intriguing storylines going into this year’s Finals. Kevin Love is dealing with a concussion and it’s unclear when he will return, Andre Iguodala is dealing with a bone bruise in his left leg which caused him to miss four games in the Conference Finals vs the Houston Rockets, Steph Curry is going for his third Title in the last four season and this may be LeBron James’ last chance at championship glory. Also, don’t forget the best player in the world debate involving LBJ and Kevin Durant.

Charlotte fell well short of their expectations this season as they finished 10 games under .500 with a 36-46 record. As for the playoffs, the Hornets were on the outside looking in for the second straight year. Even though the Queen City team has never been to an NBA Finals in their history, there will be a few people from the Cavs and Warriors with connections to them.

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Shaun Livingston – The Warriors’ backup point guard played with Charlotte during the 2010-11 season. During his long year with the team, he averaged 6.6 points per game, 2.2 assists and 2.0 rebounds. He appeared in 73 total games for the then-Bobcats. Livingston has played for nine different teams throughout his NBA career but has found the most success with Golden State as he’s won two NBA Championships.

Bernie Bickerstaff – The now-Cavaliers’ Senior Basketball Advisor was the Charlotte Bobcats’ first-ever head coach. He was hired by the team to be both the HC and the GM. He was their coach for three seasons from 2004-07 but remained the general manager until 2009. He’s already won two NBA Championships throughout his career. One as an assistant with the Washington Bullets in 1978 and one as an executive for Cleveland in 2016.

Steph Curry – Although Stephen Curry was never drafted by Charlotte and has never played for the Hornets or the Bobcats, he will always have a connection to the team. His father, Dell Curry, is a Charlotte Hornets’ legend and one of their greatest players of all-time. When asked about playing for his hometown Hornets one day, Steph wouldn’t rule out signing with Charlotte.

Next: Hornets worked out Torin Dorn and Luke Maye

The 2018 NBA Finals are set to begin on Thursday, May 31st  with Game 1 at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors will be looking to repeat while LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will look to pull off an incredible upset and take down The Hamptons Five.

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