We just can’t quite close out games. In a game where the Hornets were sporting a 23-point lead, and I was seriously considering going to bed at a normal time, I would have never imagined that we would have lost. We did though. 102-100 was the final. I’m glad I stayed up to watch it all, and at the same time, I’m scratching my head as to what the heck happened. Allowing 51 points in a half is never a good thing, even if you score 64. Defense would be point number 1 to look at. Point number 2; you cannot get out-rebounded. We were out-rebounded 48-38, regardless of whether Lance had 14 rebounds and 14 points or not. Point number 3; assists makes scoring easier. The Hornets were out-assisted 25-16.
The Blazers are a really good team, and even though we had a decent lead at the half, you could tell that the Hornets were starting to let off of the gas as the lead had shrunk from 23 to 13. We were outscored 21-24 in the 3rd, and the Bobcats “Ice Age took over in the 4th where we scored 15 points to their 27.
How could this have happened? Well, for starters, the starters. We needed to see them more in the 4th. Specifically, Kemba and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist needed to be on the floor more. Now I don’t blame the loss on the lack of those 2 on the court. There were several issues I had on my mind as I watched.
First, I want Lance to forget about my comparison of him to Stephen Jackson. Actually, I want Big Al to ignore the comment as well. Too many times did I see the ball go to them and they danced around with it until the shot clock was on their backs, then a shot would get forced. Next, I’d like to see some selfish basketball. Now I am not speaking to Gary Neal, who, on more than one occasion, came down the floor and launched a contested shot while very early in the shot clock. I’m speaking to the entire team. If there’s an open shot, take it. This is especially important when the offense stalls. It stalled more than once in the 4th, and what was 5 passes to an open player would turn into 10 passes and a forced shot, or 10 passes and a shot-clock violation. The shot clock is still 24 seconds and you need to pay attention to that. Guilty parties and repeat offenders include Lance, Kemba, MKG, Cody, Al…everyone. I don’t know if they were trying to play cautious and conservative or what, but I say keep the pedal down and keep scoring the ball until there’s no time left. That didn’t happen.
Shame on the execution, and I don’t want to talk about Gary Neal’s layup that could have tied the game. Whether his hand was still on the ball or not (it was still on the ball as time expired), we shouldn’t have come to that point. There should have still been a double-digit lead and not even a mention of an overtime to try and grab a victory.
One last thing…Coach Clifford really, REALLY needs to ditch the plan of using Maxiell at backup center and use Bismack Biyombo. I mean in 12 minutes, Maxiell gave the team 0-for-1 shooting, a block and a rebound. I’m fairly certain that Biz could have provided that in his sleep. I get the idea of playing the vet, and I didn’t like it when Coach Brown was there. This was the time where Biz could have been getting valuable experience as a backup center. I’m calling Coach out because there is no part of Biz that even hints to me that he doesn’t practice with intensity and could translate it to the in-game situations he could be facing. I’ve said forever that on-the-job experience is the best way to learn and get better. Just ask PJ Hairston. He’s looked decent in the time he has had on the court and his 8 points in 13 minutes showed it. He’s just got to learn to defend a bit better. Henderson’s days here are numbered. I think the Hornets are just waiting on a team to have a shooting guard to go down with an injury and he’ll be traded away…possibly with Biz, for something. Hendo has value, and him not getting to play in the pre-season did not help him be ready for this season. Parking him on the bench only makes his confidence drop even further. PJ needs time, and I get playing him over Hendo, but right now, the Hornets really need to move Hendo on so he can continue in his career. He’s just fading away on the bench right now.
Next game we have is Friday against the Suns. Pay attention to the intensity level and let’s hope it flows for all 4 quarters.
Let’s Go Hornets!
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