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Charlotte Hornets: Rebuilding from a fan perspective

By Quinn Everts

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Gordon Hayward #20 and LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets react during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on January 24, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Gordon Hayward #20 and LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets react during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on January 24, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 01: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets works against Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 01: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets works against Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Charlotte Hornets: Rebuilding from the fan’s perspective

The 2019-20 Season

The Hornets went 23-42. They were 27th in net rating. I won’t dive too deeply into this season, but Devonte Graham’s massive and unexpected improvement, along with PJ Washington showing shooting and playmaking flashes as a rookie, made this season at least semi-watchable. It also felt like Devonte’ hit a clutch shot every week, so this season certainly wasn’t as miserable as first-year rebuilding seasons can be.

The 2020 NBA Draft Lottery

On August 20th, 2020, I was at my parents house in the Portland, Oregon metro area. At around 5:45 PM pacific time, my Mom nearly called the police because she thought I had seriously injured myself due to the delirious screaming and jumping being heard from my room. I did actually smash my hand on my bedroom light. But I was not hurt, the commotion was simply my reaction to watching the Hornets move up in the draft lottery for the first time in 165 years.

I had no idea who the Hornets were going to draft– Anthony Edwards, Lamelo Ball, Onyeka Okongwu were all intriguing to me. But just Seeing Mark Tatum a.k.a the Lottery Envelope Guy to award the Hornets a top three pick was something I had begged the Universe for. (Mark single handedly controls the picks, you can’t convince me otherwise.) Watching it actually unfold was euphoric. Nothing else mattered in that moment. Thank you Mark. Thank you.

Everything shifted for the Hornets that day.

The 2020 NBA Draft

It was manifested. Enough said. (We still love Muggsy though.)

The Gordon Hayward Signing

We should have learned our lesson about jumping to conclusions after signing former Celtics role players once Terry became a fan-favorite, but we did not. Maybe when the Hornets inevitably sign Grant Williams in 2026 we will withhold judgements! Once again, there was a mostly negative reaction to the Hornets inking Hayward to a massive deal– which does make sense. In what felt like the early stages of a rebuild, locking down a nearly 30 year-old to a four-year deal seems like a waste. But just like Terry, once Gordon actually got on the floor, the tone changed drastically.

Gordon only played 44 games last season, but was fantastic when he was on the court, averaging nearly 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists. He also brings the leadership of a guy who has been on successful teams, something a majority of the early-20s Hornets can not do. He’s also a gamer, and a little nerdiness on this Hornets team seems necessary. Too many cool guys, there needs to be a locker room balance. I like to think Gordon and Terry play League of Legends together.

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