Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Justin Becker of FantasyBasketballMoneyLeagues.com. You can him on twitter @NBAandNFLInfo or on theFantasy Basketball Money Leagues Google+ Page, and for moreNBA basketball news and rumors visit Fantasy Basketball Money Leagues – afantasy basketball blog
Top 5 Reasons To Be Excited About the Charlotte Hornets
There is a new and exciting culture surrounding the Charlotte Hornets’ organization. Their improvement last season and new additions have led them to becoming a team on the rise and quite possibly a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference very soon.
After several seasons of turmoil, the Hornets have found their identity. This season will be an exciting one to say the least, especially with the cloud of greatness and competitiveness that has come over the Eastern Conference. Although there is much to be excited about in the NBA this season, the Hornets are responsible for a good portion of it.
Here are the top 5 reasons to be excited about the Charlotte Hornets this season.
They’re the Charlotte Hornets again!
The 2013-2014 NBA season was the last time we would ever see Charlotte as the Bobcats. In the 2014-2015 NBA season they introduce themselves as the Hornets again.
From 1985 to 2002, the Hornets held their organization in Charlotte. After their relocation to New Orleans, it left Charlotte with very little basketball culture. Fortunately, the NBA had plans of expansion.
In 2004, the NBA introduced Charlotte’s new basketball team, the Bobcats. Although the city of Charlotte was proud to have a team again, the name Bobcats just didn’t resonate like the Hornets did. After New Orleans’ decision to change their name from the Hornets to the Pelicans, Charlotte quickly jumped at the opportunity to rename themselves the Hornets.
Having the team be named the Hornets in modern day provides a vintage feel and something to be excited about. The new and improved Hornets will look to pick up where the vintage Hornets left off in 2002, but even better.
Lance Stephenson
When Stephenson was a member of the Indiana Pacers, his performances nearly earned him a spot as a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team. As a member of the Charlotte Hornets, Stephenson will have the luxury of having more freedom to play his renowned game.
While he did indeed perform well with the Pacers, his efforts were often shaded because of the excellent play of superstar Paul George. Lance Stephenson provides an immediate impact for the Hornets, and he fills the team’s void at shooting guard.
Stephenson is a walking triple-double that doesn’t have many weaknesses. This season he’ll likely be called upon to score more often than he did with the Pacers, and he will be asked to guard the best perimeter player on the opposing teams.
Stephenson is a special player who could be one of the better ones in the league, and this is his opportunity to show it. One element the team missed last season was perimeter play to go alongside Kemba Walker, and now they have it. Stephenson will be a fan favorite who will provide exciting play night in and night out.
The Big 3
Having a “Big 3” seems like a good trend to follow these days, and the Hornets have one in their own respect. While it may not be as good as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Big 3, they do have a legitimate trio to rely on.
The Hornets’ Big 3 consists of Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson and Al Jefferson. While none of these players are superstars, they could be if they continue to improve.
Walker, who is a prosperous point guard, is capable of having huge scoring nights. Last season he averaged 17.7 points and 6.1 assists per game, and he was often the leader for the Hornets.
Alongside Walker will be Stephenson, a newcomer in Charlotte, but also someone to provide stellar play. Stephenson will be the glue and the X-factor for the Hornets since he is a playmaker, scorer, rebounder, defender and rightfully anything the team will need him to be. He has expressed his desire to do the dirty work for the Hornets while handing off the leadership role to Jefferson.
Speaking of Jefferson, he is the league’s most creative post player and an essential piece to Charlotte’s Big 3 and the Hornets. His offensive repertoire is second to none, and in most games he is simply dominant on the offensive end. Many players have expressed that Jefferson is the NBA’s best post player and toughest to guard. If he can stay healthy this season, his dominance will continue.
Combining these three players could be deadly. Neither of the three will shed light on each other’s performance because they are all different kind of players. The Hornets have a Big 3, which sounds weird on paper, but on the court has the potential to be perfection.
Bench Production
This season the Charlotte Hornets have an exceptional bench to go along with their starting five. This element will help them in the long run as they have one of the better benches in the NBA, or at least in the Eastern Conference.
They seem to have quality players as reserves in every position.
To relieve Kemba Walker of his point guard duties, they have capable point guards like Brian Roberts and Jannero Pargo. Roberts, who was undrafted, has paved his way into the league, while improving steadily and showing that he is good enough to be an effective reserve. Pargo, a veteran point guard, will also serve to be a key backup for the Hornets. He has done a terrific job for the teams he’s played for throughout his career, especially the Hornets.
The Hornets have a good trio of point guards, but their depth at shooting guard and small forward is even better. Behind starters Lance Stephenson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, there is a long list of quality players to choose from, like Gerald Henderson, Gary Neal, P.J. Hairston and Jeff Taylor.
All of the team’s wingmen are capable specialists in different areas and will be effective when given the opportunity. Henderson, who was a starter before Stephenson’s arrival, possesses the ability to have huge scoring nights and carries defensive tactics that could make him a valuable piece late in games.
The Hornets’ sharpshooter Neal provides the team with not only shooting excellence, but also veteran leadership and a winning pedigree. Neal will likely feed some of his veteran knowledge to newly drafted P.J. Hairston.
Coming out of college, the one thing that stuck out about Hairston was his knack for scoring. He has the possibility to get a good number of minutes in his first year assisting with scoring duties, which the Hornets will need.
Last, but not least, for the Hornets wingmen is Jeff Taylor. Last season, Taylor was a valuable asset, until he injured his right Achilles tendon. Now that he is healthy and getting his strength back in that leg, he will be yet another great piece waiting for his name to be called.
While the Hornets seem to have rotations set for their point guards and wingmen, they also have a great variation of big men as well.
For now, the starting frontline for the Hornets is Marvin Williams and Al Jefferson. While the starting big men are great in their respective duties, they also have big men reserves that will generate production in the given amount of time they receive.
Cody Zeller, Noah Vonleh, Bismack Biyombo and Jason Maxiell are four names that will be heard often to replace the team’s starters.
Zeller was key last season, as he found his way with the Hornets at the end of his rookie year, and will do the same this season. He provides toughness and improving offense in the low post, which is essential for the Hornets.
Vonleh, a rookie, also provides offense, but with a different skillset. Not only does he score in the post, but he can also shoot the midrange jumper, spot up for the three-pointer and beat players off the dribble.
Biyombo, who is entering his 4th season with the team, is a decent rebounder and improving defender. This season he will look to better the rest of his all-around game, which would make the Hornets’ bench that much better. Having a stable coaching staff to work with him is proving to be a huge help for him to bring his skill set up to match his athletic ability. Last season and this one is the first time he has had the same coach for more than 1 season. That’s a huge key in trying to get a player with raw talent more acclimated to the NBA game style.
Their big men collection is filled with youth, so it was only right to top it off with some veteran presence in Jason Maxiell. In Maxiell’s glory days with the Detroit Pistons, his energy, toughness and sneaky athleticism were important to their roster. Although he is a bit older now, he still plans to display the same affect with the Hornets.
Playoff Experience
Although the Bobcats made the playoffs before, they had a taste of playoff experience with Walker and Jefferson as their leaders last season when they lost in the first round to the Miami Heat.
While the team wasn’t expected to do much in the postseason, they would have been more successful in their efforts if Jefferson were healthy. If Jefferson remains healthy this season, the team has a legit chance for a deep playoff run.
Their addition of Lance Stephenson and a healthy Al Jefferson prepares them to compete against any team. For the most part, whether the Hornets or Bobcats, the team has always had a losing culture. However, with the success they had last season, and using that momentum to carry over into this season, things have changed. With their current roster, they can write themselves into the playoffs for the next 5 years.
There you have it, exciting things are happening for the Charlotte Hornets. The 2014-2015 NBA season is the start to an exhilarating future that will feature winning seasons in no time. Look out for the Hornets!
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