Writers’ Round-table: Charlotte Hornets November Recap
4. What is the early playoff outlook for the Charlotte Hornets?
Giovanni Spillman: Currently, I think the Hornets are in a good spot. While the playoffs may be quite a bit away, the team is surely in a better spot than where they were last year. Through twenty-one games, the Hornets have managed to be one game over .500, with a chance to be two over tonight. In recent years, Charlotte fans have been accustomed to the Hornets fighting for eighth seed around this time. If Charlotte can manage to play FULL games and finish the close ones; I see them being the fourth seed in the playoffs.
Zachary Padmore: Right now, I do believe the Hornets are a playoff team. If they can iron out some issues and put together a solid winning streak, it will really bring up the confidence of the team. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they are hovering around the 6-8 seed in the Eastern Conference throughout the year. If they can avoid any major injuries to key players, they look like they’ll be in good shape to bring playoff basketball back to Charlotte.
Elijah Edwards: At this point, I see them as an eighth seed and a 7th at best. Now that the Cavs are no longer a force, it’s opened the East a bit, and with teams like the Wizards and Heat struggling as well, Charlotte should be able to claw their way in. The prospect of playing the Raptors, though, doesn’t seem like it’d be fun for Hornets fans. Hopefully, they can get it together and climb to a 6th or 7th seed.
De White: I see this team going the way Kemba takes them, and even if this take them to 40+ wins (realistically around 32-36 wins) I don’t see us making it past the first round. Maybe if we do get Beal, and I hate always talking in possibilities because we don’t even know if we will or can get him or not, but if Kemba gets the help that he’s needed, then I think we could maybe talk about a second-round upset depending on seeds and opponents.
Stephen Waniewski: Playoffs? (Jim Mora voice) Its very early to talk playoffs, and with the Hornets currently sitting at the 6th seed, this could also be a potential draft discussion. The team has issues blowing big leads and losing games they should win; they would be a playoff mark. However, its required that the eastern conference has eight teams and I feel strongly that the Hornets will remain in the hunt for that final spot.
Nick Cipriani: If the games that we should win, are won, then I can see us realistically finishing 7th. If we can win more close games, and clutch up in crunch time, barring injuries maybe 5th? I cannot see us missing the Playoffs under many circumstances.