With just over a month left until the regular season, it is time to talk Hornets basketball. They finished with only 36 wins last year, but in a wide-open Eastern Conference, their is optimism in Charlotte. Let’s dive into why the Hornets came be competitive this season!
After winning 48 games in 2015-16 and making the playoffs, the past couple years have disappointing for the Hornets. Coming off back-to-back 36 win seasons, the feeling is Charlotte has left a lot on the table. While the Hornets haven’t been awful, whispers of a rebuild have circulated, whispers focused around the future of star point guard Kemba Walker. However, their is a reason for fans to be excited this year. The Eastern Conference is wide-open from top to bottom, and with their current roster, the expectations are high.
Kemba Walker, the hero we need, not the one we deserve: How can he continue to lead the team amidst trade rumors?
Kemba Walker has done everything he can for the Charlotte franchise and then some. He finally got the recognition he deserved and is now a 2x All-Star, and you can’t blame the lack of team success on him. The Hornets will go as high as Kemba goes and has a lot of weight on his shoulders this season. Walker is on the last year of his contract and is facing free agency in 2019, and no one is sure what will happen. He is approaching 29 years old, and will be looking for a final big pay-day. The question is, will he be okay if the losing continues in Charlotte? Hopefully not, and hopefully his teammates step it up and follow Kemba’s leadership into the playoffs.
Can the role players suffice around Kemba?
On paper, the Hornets role players look spectacular. Nicolas Batum, Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, Marvin Williams, and others seem solid. Unfortunately, that has not been the case, so will the role players be able to be good enough to help Kemba make a playoff push?
The answer: absolutely. Now is not the time to doubt them, especially the young guys. Jeremy Lamb stepped up last season, averaged 12 points, shot 37% from 3-point range, and was solid. Big-man Frank Kaminsky has averaged 11 points back-to-back season coming off the bench, and will enjoy more time now that Dwight Howard is out of town. Malik Monk struggled, but he is electric and will find his stride.
The two players I am most excited about for the Hornets (not including Kemba, of course) are rookie Miles Bridges and newly acquired veteran Tony Parker. Miles Bridges, taken in the lottery by Charlotte in 2018 NBA Draft, has the potential to be incredible. Already NBA ready in many areas, if he shoots from the perimeter consistently, he could make an NBA All-Rookie team. On the other end of the spectrum, Tony Parker is going to help out the Hornets second unit tremendously, setting the pace and being good every night.
So how will the Hornets fare this season?
Well, they will fare well. Charlotte has an All-Star talent in Kemba Walker who is a game-changer, and will love how the young talent steps up and balls out this year. If all goes well and according to plan, the Hornets will be playing post-season basketball again.