Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns: A tale of 2 very different teams

By W.B. Whitted

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 10: Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets warms up prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Spectrum Center on January 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 10: Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets warms up prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Spectrum Center on January 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

As the Charlotte Hornets prepare for their first game since LaMelo Ball was ruled out for the season, they will be prepping for a Wednesday showdown with the Phoenix Suns. The fourth-ranked Western Conference team will head to Charlotte to play the Hornets with their newly acquired player Kevin Durant. Durant is coming off his own injury, where he missed time before being traded from the Brooklyn Nets.

The Suns and Hornets are two franchises in completely different places in their development. The Suns recently traded a lot of their young talent (particularly their “3 and D” players) and future draft capital for Durant. They are the third-oldest team in the league.

Charlotte Hornets contrasting trajectory to Phoenix Suns

After making it all the way to the Finals and losing to the Milwaukee Bucks two seasons ago, the Suns are making their play for a title this year. They’ve done so by mortgaging the future so that they could put together one of the most talented accomplished lineups in the league.

The Hornets are in a completely different situation with their roster and their franchise. Michael Jordan, the most recognizable of all the NBA franchise owners, has been in his position for over a decade (Suns ownership recently changed following a controversy). And the roster is full of young players assembled mostly for their potential. Furthermore, with the team’s struggles, the Hornets will be selecting high in the upcoming draft. In short, the Hornets are all about the future while the Suns are set firmly in win-now mode.

The game will be an interesting one, mostly because both sides will be trying to make large-scale changes to their lineups. The Suns will need to incorporate one of the greatest players the league has ever seen—who was also putting up one of the most impressive seasons in his storied career. His efficiency and familiarity with his teammates (he played international basketball with both Devin Booker and North Carolina native Chris Paul previously) should make for a relatively easy transition. It’ll be important for them to get on the same page as soon as possible with only 20 games remaining in the regular season.

For the remaining games on its schedule, the Hornets will largely be putting lineups together with hope and duct tape. Ball and PJ Washington’s injuries mean that the team will likely be without two of its five starters. Mark Williams will start in only his eighth game of the season when Phoenix comes to town. And JT Thor, who is starting in place of Washington, will be starting his third game of the season.

While there will be an obvious youth movement happening for the Hornets, expect Terry Rozier (the leading scorer now that Ball is out) and Gordon Hayward to increase their usage and look to make plays for their more novice teammates. Dennis Smith Jr. may end up starting in place of Ball, and he will have his hands full against a backcourt of Booker and Paul.

The Spectrum Center will get the first glance at the newly outfitted Suns team. But the crowd likely won’t recognize some of the lineups the Hornets will be playing with, either.

Home/Hornets News