Swarm and Sting
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Four things that must happen for the Charlotte Hornets in 2023-24

By James Mastrucci

Mar 14, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) and guard Terry Rozier (3) celebrate after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Charlotte won 134-116. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) and guard Terry Rozier (3) celebrate after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Charlotte won 134-116. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 06: Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets takes a shot during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 06, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 06: Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets takes a shot during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 06, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Making more three-pointers

Something that will help the Hornets’ efforts in attempting to get back to postseason play will be being a better three-point shooting team. Charlotte ranked 27th in the league last season with 10.1 three-pointers made per game, nearly six fewer than NBA leader Golden State. While they do not need to go into full-on Warriors mode, making a dent in the 18-point differential will be crucial if they are going to be a better team.

Terry Rozier led the team with 165 three-point makes in 63 games last season which ranked 34th in the league at the end of the season. Leading the way was Golden State’s Klay Thompson with 301 three-pointers in only six more games. Rozier does not need to become Thompson and asking him to try would not be a good strategy, but again, the gap between the two must be closed.

There are a couple of things to keep tabs on in the three-point department. First off, of Charlotte’s 881 made threes last season, 144 of them came from LaMelo Ball. This accounted for 16.3% of their three-pointers despite only playing in less than half of the season. This is a major problem. The fact that the three-point production without Ball dropped this much in his absence is staggering. There is also another big issue that Charlotte faces.

257 of their converted attempts from deep came from P.J. Washington and Kelly Oubre Jr. That is just above 29% of the team’s total production and there is a chance neither player will be in Charlotte this season. Even if Washington does return, something that is on the table via the qualifying offer, the team as a whole needs to be better when it comes to making threes.

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