Charlotte Hornets: Which Hornets made the ESPN Top 100 list and did they get it right?

With the NBA season right around the corner, yearly rankings are starting to pop up as sites look to spearhead discussions as they dive into the NBA calendar. The full ranking of ESPN’s Top 100 was released this week and the Charlotte Hornets found themselves being reasonably represented.

Last season only Gordon Hayward represented Buzz City in the prestigious ranking, but this year he’s been joined by three other Hornets who are making their debut on the list.

The four Charlotte Hornets to make ESPN’s Top 100: Miles Bridges, 87, did they get it right?

From bottom to top, Miles Bridges was the first Hornet ESPN listed in this year’s installment of the ranking. Bridges makes his first top 100 appearance, coming in at No. 87 on the list. After not being ranked in 2020-21. Seeing Bridges get some credit for his performances is a welcoming site, however, my first thought is that he was listed a little bit too low.

Looking at who’s directly ahead of him; Devonte’ Graham, John Wall, Darius Garland, Dejounte Murray, and Lauri Markkanen makeup No. 86-82. It’s not ridiculous to suggest that right now any team would rather have Bridges compared to any of those listed players.

Statistically, the argument isn’t in Bridges’ favor but as a starter in 2020-21, he averaged 18.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game which stacks up with those ahead of him. Bridges will likely enter the starting lineup this season and have the opportunity to see a pretty jump this time next year.

The four Charlotte Hornets to make ESPN’s Top 100: Terry Rozier, 81, did they get it right?

Terry Rozier only coming in at No. 81 has to be disrespectful. Rozier didn’t make the list last year so No. 81 is an improvement, however, Rozier transcended into being arguably Charlotte’s best player and at the very least the best pure scorer on the team.

Rozier should probably be about 20 spots higher, if not more. He’s coming off his best season in his career where he averaged 20.4 points, 4.2 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game, and all signs point to him only being better this upcoming season.

The more Hornets on this list the merrier, but ESPN did Rozier a little dirty with this ranking.

The four Charlotte Hornets to make ESPN’s Top 100: Gordon Hayward, 58, did they get it right?

As the only returning member of the top 100, Hayward has seen a slight dip in his ranking after coming in at No. 45 in last season’s ranking. The dip isn’t too surprising as Hayward missed a good bulk of the year due to injury but when he did play he was often very good and likely Charlotte’s best and most consistent player during the early stage of the season.

Health is the main concern for Hayward as he enters his next season. If healthy he’s without a doubt a top 50 player, but that’s a big if at this stage in his career. For this reason, ESPN got Hayward’s ranking in the right ballpark.

The four Charlotte Hornets to make ESPN’s Top 100: LaMelo Ball, 47, did they get it right?

Charlotte’s young superstar LaMelo Ball came in at No. 47 in this list. At first, it was a bit surprising to see Ball make the top 50 and also already be crowned as Charlotte’s best player entering the season, but that could be due to me still being shocked that the Hornets have a polarizing young star because both of those feats are well deserved for the reigning rookie of the year winner.

ESPN is forecasting a big season for Ball as he enters year two with a season already under his belt. How he gels with the new pieces built around him will mean a lot for not only him but the entirety of the Hornets roster. If Ball succeeds, the team succeeds. For this reason, you can say ESPN got Ball’s ranking correct.

In only his second year, Ball has found himself being ranked alongside the likes of borderline all-star players such as Tobias Harris (No. 46), Demar DeRozan (No. 45), Myles Turner (No. 44), and Kyle Lowery (No. 43). Ball hasn’t comfortably surpassed these players just yet, but he’s right there and is the next in line to breach the NBA’s elite level of players.

This time next year Ball will likely pass these names, and much more.