Many NBA fans around the league are likely not paying close attention to what’s going on in Charlotte, and rightfully so. The team has been bad all year, and not even in a fun way, just a very depressing bad; not playing team basketball, not showing elite effort and energy, very little buy-in and engagement on defense. Too often, it just looked like the team didn’t care.
The players aren’t oblivious. They realized they were on a tanking ship, but still. It was frustrating with so many young players and guys fighting for jobs in this league. To be outmatched and out-talented is one thing, but to get crushed on the margins and show no desire to control the things that you actually can control was concerning and alarming.
I’m not blaming everyone - or anyone - individually, and plenty of guys had natural built-in excuses, be it injury, trade rumors, growing pains, or what have you. But as a unit, the Hornets weren’t playing basketball and approaching games the right way with any consistency.
I know it has only been two games since the new players got into the mix, but these two games have opened my eyes and made me a believer. And it’s not even an influx of talent, it’s just nine (for now) guys playing team basketball with a focus on defense and floor spacing, doing everything to win.