Hornets fans, there’s a storm that I really hope never leaves Charlotte. The storm I speak of brings guidance, advice, maturity, and leadership to our very young team. What storm is this that I speak of? It’s none other than T$unami Papi, aka Kelly Oubre!
With an organization like the Hornets, it seems as though we always talk about things the team needs, and half the time, our needs are already here. In this particular case, we always talk about when we have a team full of young talent, we need a young veteran that can be a leader, mentor, and friend for these young guys. We have always seemed to get veterans on the team to mix with the youth, but not always the young vets that can relate to the young players.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe that veterans on a team of youth are a good thing. There’s something about having a guy that’s a few years older than the rookies and sophomores, that have been in the league for a few years, that can help develop those guys into key parts of the team. In an interview Kelly had post-game, he spoke of Kai Jones needing to get on the court, make mistakes, and learn from them. He talked about Kai getting to figure out what parts of his game to perfect, as well as other aspects that he needs to work on improving.
I mention this because Kelly has grown and matured on this team. He speaks like a vet, like a coach, and like a player that has “been there and done that.” Kelly has point-blank said he wants to remain a Hornet.
In my last post, I mentioned some of the free agents we will have at the end of the season, and who we need to keep here. Kelly Oubre should be priority number 1. He has stepped up when needed, and filled whatever needs the team has had. I believe he has the young guys looking to him for advice and suggestions. Kelly’s numbers this season speak for themselves. His hustle on the floor and those things that don’t show up on the stat sheet, are things you want to keep on a team. They inspire the youth to play the same way.
Think about this:
We have needed a franchise face superstar, and we finally got one in Lamelo Ball.
We have been desperate for a center for as long as I can remember. Our last standout center in Charlotte was Alonzo Mourning. We now have Mark Williams on this team, and with his size, skill, basketball IQ, and maturity, the sky is the limit.
We have the opportunity to have the number 1 pick in the NBA draft this summer, and if we wind up with Victor Wembanyama, we will have drafted another generational talent that does not come around often.
What better way to have the team grow and flourish than to have T$unami Papi in the locker room, guiding them every step of the way? Hornets, do the right thing! Sign Kelly Oubre this summer. You won’t regret it.