The Charlotte Hornets are on the brink of being considered a good basketball team. They have never won an NBA Championship and they have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2002. They are one of two teams to have never played in the conference finals.
The Hardest of Times are Behind Them
The Carolinas haven’t had it easy. They have been through the wringer in terms of their professional sports teams. Their one championship can be traced back to one man, Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes. Other than that, it has been as dry as any sports town.
Let’s Not Forget About the Bobcat Era From 2004 to 2014
When it comes to a team being “the laughing stock of the league” I don’t think anyone did it better than the Bobcats. They were world-famous for how bad they were. The overall record from their stint is 293 wins and 511 losses. They forged the identity of the modern-day Michael Jordan, always sitting courtside just absolutely miserable watching his team play. For that, I thank you.
The 2022 Charlotte Hornets
Luckily for Mike, things are finally starting to turn around. His Hornets are currently the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference. They’ll have a chance to make the playoffs this year, but if they don’t, it’s not the end of the world. They have still had success this season and have already surpassed their win total from the 2020-21 season with 18 games left to play. They are better than what their record says and I think they have a good shot at making a run, if they do make the playoffs.
Surprisingly, the Hornets are first in the NBA in points per game, third in the NBA in assists per game, and fourth in the NBA in steals per game. They are a good team, and they are very young. Their two star players are the two of the youngest players on the roster. LaMelo Ball is 20 years old and Miles Bridges is only 23. LaMelo is showing great progress in year two. I think he could eventually become an MVP caliber player.
Bridges is set to become a free agent after this year, so both sides should be looking to make a long-term deal. He is a rising star that has shown his worth and has reportedly already shut down a $60 million dollar extension offered by the Hornets. Retaining Bridges should be their main focus over the off-season.
Since being traded from the Celtics, Terry Rozier has seemed to have found his way in Charlotte. He has only gotten better. He is getting more minutes and has been a reliable scorer. I think they will try to keep him around as long as possible. These players seem to be the foundation for a new culture in Charlotte.
When it Comes to Big Men, That’s When Some of the Questions Start Appearing
They’ve got Mason Plumlee and Montrezl Harrell as more traditional centers. Plumlee has the size they need and plays well but he is now in his thirties. Harrell was just acquired and is starting to make an impact but he is also a free agent after the season. This is the fith team he’s been on in his eight years in the league, so I think he could be interested in staying put.
One Rookie I Have My Eyes On
JT Thor, the 37th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, is a 19-year-old who I think could work his way into a starting role. He is 6’9” and can play more than one position on the court. He has a 3-point shot, he can dribble, and he can throw it down. His first bucket in the NBA was a slam dunk on top of Andre Drummond.
Gordon Hayward
Unfortunately, for both the Hornets and himself, the injuries are continuing to haunt Gordon Hayward. He is currently listed as out indefinitely.
I’m not sure if he is worth the 4-year, $120 million contract he received but you just hope he gets to finish it off strong. His absence could be felt heading into the final stretch.
He has had a good impact on the team this year, averaging 16 points per game.
Isaiah Thomas
Next the little guy, as Tommy Heinsohn would say. I think he is a good fit for this Hornet team and belongs to be brought on board. IT has been through a lot and will lead by example. He could be the new era Muggsy. He is a good role player off the bench. In his first game with the Hornets, he had 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Looking Forward
Lastly, I think the Hornets are in a good place and will continue to improve over the next decade. The first step would be to pay Miles Bridges. If they don’t, I will have to take back everything I said and resort back to crying Jordan meme.
