Through 25 games, Charlotte is in familiar territory… Near the bottom of the NBA standings looking up at the competition. Sitting at 7-18, there aren’t enough bright spots to hide the ugly truth; the Hornets are in for another disappointing season.
There is some hope for the future in Charlotte, as new ownership has taken over and rookie Brandon Miller has unquestionably been worthy of being the #2 overall pick. LaMelo Ball has been nothing short of sensational this season when healthy, as well.
But fans that were holding on to hope that Charlotte would turn things around this year feel it quickly slipping away with each injury, slow start, and terrible defensive performance.
The biggest issue: Charlotte currently employs one of the association’s WORST defenses. They were at one point 30th out of 30 teams in defensive rating, meaning no team allowed more points per possession than the Queen City’s own.
Obviously that will not translate to many wins, but it’s particularly frustrating when the head coach is known as a defensive-minded leader and has publicly admitted multiple times that the team works on defense more than anything else. This signals that the coaching staff’s messages simply aren’t resonating with the players.
Another colossal problem: the injury bug is still biting the Hornets with reckless abandon. LaMelo has already missed many games with an ankle injury after having surgery on that very ankle in the offseason. Mark Williams is currently nursing an injury, Nick Richards missed games after a concussion, and new Hornet Frank Nitilikina has not seen any court time due to a fractured tibia.
Injuries really can’t continue to be used as an excuse, but it is to the point where you have to wonder if Charlotte will ever be able to have its roster healthy enough to develop chemistry and have the needed depth to be successful in the NBA.
Currently in the midst of a 5 game losing streak, in which one of the losses was the franchise’s worst loss in team history, it’s clear that the path the Hornets have chosen isn’t going to take them very far.
Despite the return of Miles Bridges, the immediate impact of Brandon Miller, the admirable play of the veterans, and the improved center rotation, this team must accept that the management, coaching staff, and training staff are not capable of turning this team into a world class organization or a threat on the court. The sooner new ownership starts making changes, the better.
Happy Holidays Hornets fans.
Thank you for reading.
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