The Charlotte Hornets have had an up-and-down season thus far. Last week, the Hornets went 2-2 with wins over Atlanta and Miami. They got “Browed” by Superman Anthony Davis and the Pelicans and somehow lost to the Lakers. The Lakers game was probably the most disappointing game of the week and could be the worst loss of any team so far this season. This game was also a perfect summary for how the season has begun for the Hornets. The Hornets were coming off an emotional double OT victory over Atlanta, yet lost to a Lakers team (by 15 POINTS!) that was looking like the worst team in the Western Conference. Charlotte just cannot seem to put together multiple impressive games in a row, which is something that playoff teams must learn how to do.
Through seven games, Charlotte is 3-4 and searching for consistency on both offense and defense.
Charlotte ranks in the bottom half of the league in team PPG, team FG%, and team 3-point %. The offseason additions of Lance Stephenson, P.J. Hairston, etc. were supposed to allow for more floor spacing and a higher 3-point shooting percentage, yet the Hornets are 28th out of 30 teams in team 3-point % (shooting an awful 29%).
However, even with this seemingly poor offensive start, the Hornets have scored over 100 points in four of their seven games. I have seen flashes of offensive cohesion, but it simply disappears for long periods of time during certain games (Ex. The Lakers went on a 25-6 run in the 3rd and 4th quarters against the Hornets).
Lance Stephenson cannot buy a field goal, even if he was given the money to purchase said field goal. The big name free agent is shooting just 31% from the field and is scoring only 8 PPG. He is one of the most talented players on the team, but he hasn’t put everything together as quickly as myself and others suspected he would. Again, his talent is unquestioned. Check out his bank shot in double OT to beat Atlanta last Friday.
#TacoBellBuzzerBeaters… @StephensonLance wins it for the @Hornets in Double OT! https://t.co/CiU8O2i2hs
— NBA (@NBA) November 8, 2014
If Stephenson and the other key contributors can begin to string together multiple good games, the Hornets will start to look like the playoff team that we all suspected they would be at the start of the season.
While the offensive struggles have been documented above, Charlotte’s defense has not been very good either. The Hornets’ defense ranks right in the middle of most defensive categories. Last season, they were in the top ten of most defensive categories, though. This dropoff can be attributed to the loss of Josh McRoberts and the new additions of Stephenson and Marvin Williams. The two new guys are having trouble adjusting to coach Steve Clifford’s system.
No matter how you slice it though, giving up 106 points to the Bucks and 107 points to the Lakers is unacceptable for a potential playoff team. I’m not sure whether Al Jefferson has taken a step back defensively from last season, or whether he never truly learned how to play defense. Just go to YouTube and type in “Al Jefferson defense” and get prepared to laugh at his inabilty/lack of effort when it comes to defense.
I believe in coach Clifford, and I do think that this unit will turn it around defensively. However, if they do not show improvement by the 20th or 30th game, I will have my doubts as to whether they will be able to turn things around for this season.
The Corner 3
(“The Corner 3 is a little segment I am starting that represents the 3 most important things that you need to know about the NBA based on where the season is at this moment. The corner 3 point shot is the most efficient and effective shot on the basketball court, so I will keep these comments efficient and effective.)
1. Don’t look now, but the Toronto Raptors have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 6-1. This may come as a surprise to most fans, but the young Raptors were the 3 seed in the East last season, and they retained their core players. Kyle Lowry re-signed during the offseason and is the engine that drives this machine. DeMar DeRozan is lighting up the scoreboard (22.7 PPG) and Jonas Valanciunas is living up to his hype (11.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.5 BPG). I believe in the Raptors and think that they will challenge for a Top 3 seed in the Eastern Conference again this season. I’m calling it now: They could be a surprise Eastern Conference Finals team.
2. The Golden State Warriors are 5-1, and they are actually playing defense! The Dubs rank in the Top 10 in defensive points allowed, are 1st in the NBA in opponent FG% (40.4%), and 2nd in the league in opponent 3-point shooting (28.7%). Everyone has knocked the Warriors lack of defense in the previous few years, but new head coach Steve Kerr seems to be preaching defense to this group. Also, resident superstar Stephen Curry is averaging a league high 27.7 PPG. Watch out for the Warriors as this season progresses.
3. Even though the Philadelphia 76ers are 0-7, they may have the most improved player in the league on their team. Tony Wroten is averaging 21.9 PPG, 6.7 APG, 4.3 RPG, 44.1 FG%, and 36.4 3-point%. I understand that someone has to score for this awful team, but Wroten is making a claim that he should stay around throughout this “rebuilding” period. Whomever picked him in their respective fantasy draft (looking at you Kent Zhen) is feeling like a boss and picked this year’s “Lance Stephenson of fantasy”. Wroten may put up numbers to warrant All-Star consideration, but I doubt that anyone on the 76ers is really an All-Star.
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