By: Sam Neumann
The Buzz is back in Charlotte, after being absent for 13 years. The newly dubbed Hornets showed how much potential they had last season by finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference, and third in the Southeast division at a 43-39 record. They look to improve their record and become more of a legitimate NBA title contender.
While they are still a little ways from an NBA title, they did add key players in the current off-season, such as Lance Stephenson, PJ Hairston, Noah Vonleh, Marvin Williams, and Jason Maxiell. However, the Hornets lost assets such as Josh McRoberts, Ben Gordon, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Anthony Tolliver, and Luke Ridnour.
If things go as planned, Time Warner Cable Arena will be packed every night. Steve Clifford, the head coach of the Hornets, will have to utilize his players effectively. In Clifford’s system defense is a big aspect of the game. Adding Stephenson will not only help the Hornets offensively, but defensively as well. Pairing Stephenson with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Al Jefferson will not only make their defense good: it will make it elite. The Hornets will have no problem guarding stars such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant, because of their very good defense; their offense may indeed be the problem.
The Hornets’ one glaring weakness is the position of power forward. They need Cody Zeller and Marvin Williams to step up their game. As noted by Lang Greene of BasketballInsiders.com, the Hornets’ 3-point shooting needs to improve as soon as possible. “This will give their opponents an opportunity to sag off defensively and protect the paint. The pressure will be on Gary Neal, Gerald Henderson, Kemba Walker and Lance Stephenson to consistently knock down these shots to make Al Jefferson’s job easy on the inside.”
The key for the Hornets this season is to score more points than they did last season and keep up the good defense. Al Jefferson’s needs to stay healthy and on the court, as the Hornets don’t have a good backup center and when he’s not on the court, it creates a big hole offensively and defensively.
Lastly, they need to limit the stupid mistakes, such as turnovers and bad fouls.
Real NBA contention is a genuine possibility for the Hornets. 50-32 is not farfetched: it’s a seven-game improvement and should be enough for the Hornets to go first in the Southeast division and clinch a third or fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Do not be surprised if Clifford wins coach of the year and if Kidd-Gilchrist makes NBA All-Defensive second team honors and wins most improved player.
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