By: Sam Neumann
At the start of the 2014-2015 regular season, the Charlotte Hornets looked playoff bound for sure. Then the playoff train derailed when Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Al Jefferson all missed some time with injuries. In particular, Stephenson did not play up to his potential, nor was he worth the $27 million contract that Hornets signed him to. Stephenson shot a career worst (17% from the 3-point line) and was on the bench most of the time.
In a season bound for success, how could this team do any worse than last season’s 43-39 team? They just happened to go 33-49 this season, 10 games worse than the season before. They will now return to the draft lottery, no place that a team that was supposed to be good wants to be.
The Hornets’ most obvious problem is injuries, but there is a lot more than just that. Marvin Williams, Noah Vonleh, PJ Hairston, and Stephenson did not show up when the game mattered. Also, letting Josh McRoberts leave was a regrettable mistake. He missed the entire season with the Miami Heat, with an injury, but the Hornets missed his presence on and off the court. Now, the finger points at Hornets’ general manager, Rich Cho. His off-season proved costly, and he somehow made this team worse. Signing Stephenson looks like a very regrettable mistake, and drafting two players who hardly play also did not help.
The only way the Hornets can get better next season is if they get a legitimate 3 point shooter in the NBA draft or free agency. Coach Steve Clifford also has to find a place for Lance Stephenson to exceed in. His contract is anchoring down the team, and he has to live up to his hype. Steve Clifford and Rich Cho are both working for their jobs again next season, because Michael Jordan, the Hornets’ majority owner, is certainly not going to be happy with another 33-49 season.
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