Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Charlotte Hornets: 3 takeaways in loss to LA Clippers

By Dylan Jackson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Staples Center on November 07, 2021 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Staples Center on November 07, 2021 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Charlotte Hornets lost to the Los Angeles Clippers by a score of 120-106 in disappointing fashion after a five-minute scoreless stretch in the fourth quarter of the game.

The Hornets once led by 102-93, with full momentum going into the final seven minutes of the game. Then, well, they couldn’t score. Like, at all. There aren’t a lot of positive words I have to say about tonight’s game, but there are a few general takeaways.

Charlotte Hornets takeaways: The Hornets are bad at defense.

Look, we already knew this, but the Hornets are awful defensively. This past offseason, they added some length and versatility in Kelly Oubre – but wow – the center position is so bad.

Mason Plumlee is fine for what he is. He’s a rotational big man that shouldn’t have an expanded role on a team with playoff aspirations. The blame he gets is unjust, though the Hornets have to address the center position via trade if they seriously want to be a better team.

PJ Washington is arguably the best post defender on the Hornets – that’s not a bad thing, he’s just a smaller big man that is more-so known for his offense. There needs to be something that is added to the roster, even if it is a player like Bismack Biyombo (yes, I’m suggesting this).

Charlotte Hornets takeaways: Nick Richards is not as bad as anticipated.

Don’t get me wrong, Nick Richards is by no means the best big man on the Hornets – but he isn’t as bad as some people – myself included – were anticipating this season. He put up a solid stat line tonight – six points and two boards in 13 minutes of play.

Richards may not ever be a solid rotational big man, but at the moment, he seems like someone that could fill out a roster as the third big in the future. I must make it evidently clear that Richards is in no way the answer for the Hornets at center this season.

Charlotte Hornets takeaways: Ish Smith has cooled off in the return of Terry Rozier.

Instead of Ish Smith getting a lot of the run for the Hornets as the backup point guard, it looks like Terry Rozier may be occupying those minutes instead – staggered with LaMelo Ball.

This may have just been a product of Smith turning the ball over twice in his five minutes of play tonight, but the Hornets ran a nine-man rotation for the entirety of the night outside of that.

Next. How drafting well has lead to success for CLT. dark

The Charlotte Hornets’ next game is against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, capping off the annual Los Angeles back-to-back series.

Home/Hornets News