Between injuries and inconsistency, the Charlotte Hornets have had a frustrating start to the season. Nobody in their right mind would have had high expectations of a franchise in transition, but their lacklustre performances have been a cause for concern. However, Coby White's playmaking led his teammates to a shock 124-112 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, proving the Hornets have the tools to reconstruct their offense.
A win over the high-flying Cavaliers was a positive in itself. Charlotte finally snapped a brutal six-game losing streak, which caused a lot of overreaction about an organisation that is clearly still figuring things out. One victory doesn't end the negativity, but there were plenty of encouraging signs for the Hornets to build on.
Ryan Kalkbrenner turned in a performance that should instantly cement his place in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. Naz Reid recorded 25 points and 13 rebounds, easing any worries that the forward is unhappy in Charlotte. And, of course, White's distribution was excellent as he continued to work his way back from injury.
Charlotte's offense can center around White
Charles Lee has a lot to figure out now that LaMelo Ball is no longer on the roster. Who will be the team's primary scorer? Which players will assume on-court leadership roles? Most importantly, who can handle the ball and create for their teammates? White is proving he can be that guy.
He might still be regaining his full match fitness, but the 26-year-old is already showing glimpses of becoming the Hornets' newest creative force. In 20 minutes of action against Cleveland, White recorded 9 assists. This wasn't just his longest appearance on the court this season; it was also his most effective performance.
From a shooting perspective, White continued to struggle. He shot just 3-of-12 from the floor and didn't sink any of his 4 attempts from deep. While this is concerning, his shooting momentum will return as his fitness improves. White is already laying a high volume of chances on a plate for his teammates, and that should matter more to the fan base.
Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel may be the Hornets' future stars, and there is no denying their offensive prowess, but they haven't shown a keen eye for passing. If White continues to develop as Charlotte's floor general, this roster will really start to take shape.
This performance shouldn't suddenly change expectations around the Hornets. Even a Play-In Tournament spot would be a stretch for a team accustomed to losing. Nevertheless, the Hornets are starting to discover which individuals can thrive in the environment their head coach has created.
Maybe, just maybe, Charlotte can start building momentum as their star players return to the lineup.
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