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 more Charlotte Hornets News and Rumors visit Fantasy Basketball Money Leagues today!
Will the Charlotte Hornets Make The Playoffs This Season?
Fans will become engrossed with the Charlotte Hornets this season as they attempt to cement themselves as one of the league’s best and most exciting teams. The team recently renamed themselves the Hornets and to concur with the name, they added pieces that make them a more competitive team than they were last season. Even though it’s early in the season, there are more than enough reasons to believe this Hornets’ team will be one of the eight teams to make playoffs out of the East.
Without a superstar on the team, they have the ability to compete all season against any team, given their roster. They are led by their stellar trio of Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson and Al Jefferson. This future big 3 will somehow find a way to exist in the starting lineup, producing with excellence on a nightly basis. The good thing about these three joining forces is, with each of their respective skillsets, that neither of them deters each other’s performance.
Their starting point guard, Kemba Walker, just signed a well deserved 4-year deal worth $48 million. To capitalize on his new contract, he performed with excitement and hit a clutch three-pointer at the end of their first game against the Milwaukee Bucks. When Walker has the ball in his hands, special things happen because at times he can be unstoppable. He’s shown the ability to make things happen since his college days. Since the team has reloaded their roster, he is likely to become a better playmaker by setting others up for easy opportunities. If he can improve his weaknesses and thrive on his strengths, the Hornets path to the playoffs could be easier than some expect.
Alongside Walker is their off-guard, Lance Stephenson, who has an abundance of playoff experience. He has experience in the conference finals and has been a vital piece to winning several postseason series. In those important games, he’s played phenomenal defense on players like LeBron James – as he is well-known for his infamous ear blowing technique to frustrate the King. He also showed his ability to play an all-around balanced game with scoring, rebounding and playmaking. Given his impeccable resume, there is no reason to believe he won’t do the same for the Hornets. This could be the season Stephenson takes a leap and becomes an All-Star talent.
Holding it down in the post is their proven veteran and dominant center, Al Jefferson. Last year in the playoffs against the Miami Heat, Jefferson was sidelined due to injury. Many believed if he was healthy, the Hornets would have made that first round series much more competitive, possibly pushing it to six or seven games. This season, he is healthy and will continue to put on a show with his impressive and dominant post play. Jefferson was an All-Star last season, and most of that can be accredited to his terrific play down low. No other team in the Eastern Conference has a post player to matchup with Jefferson, so he will definitely come of great use throughout the season to help the team grasp a playoff spot.
Outside of the big 3 the roster is questionable on paper, but there will likely be vital pieces. Their starting wingman, Michael-Kidd Gilchrist, should improve this season on the defensive end, as well as chip in when needed on the offensive side of the court. Marvin Williams, the Hornet’s starting power forward and another player with playoff experience, should have an impact as well. Although he is undersized for a power forward, he will stretch the floor with his three-point shooting ability.
While their bench will likely be a concern throughout the season, they do have reserves that can produce. Gerald Henderson, who was a starter last season, provides them with a wide range of skillsets while coming off the bench. His variety of talents will be essential and allows for roster flexibility.
Another important bench piece is Gary Neal, who is a specialist from the three-point line. The second year point guard, Brian Roberts, will also be a solid reserve that will be looking to get everyone involved and score when the opportunity is there. The veteran guard Jannero Pargo could do the same with a mixture of veteran pedigree.
Also in his second year stint is Cody Zeller, who could improve from his rookie season given his strengths, has vast potential to be a valuable reserve with his post play. Rookies P.J. Hairston and Noah Vonleh will certainly have their chance to prove themselves worthy of not only being in the league, but being on the Hornets’ roster. Both rookies’ offensive strengths should come in handy to the Hornets sometime this season. Other active players on the bench include semi-productive post players Bismack Biyombo and Jason Maxiell. Although the bench seems dull from a far, they will produce given the chance, especially in the improved, but still weak, Eastern Conference.
If the Hornets can somehow stay healthy and win the majority of their Eastern Conference games, a top playoff position seems possible. The team’s best player in Al Jefferson has a small history of injuries, however he looked fully recovered in preseason and during the regular season home opener. Walker also has been having problems, but with his new contract and the energy surrounding Charlotte, it’s unlikely that he will take a step back.
This season the Hornets should win between 44-48 games and claim the 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs. It will take a lot to get there, but with playoff experience, a healthy Jefferson, an improving Walker, the addition of Stephenson and solid bench production should be enough to comfortably land themselves a playoff spot.
Atop the Eastern Conference sits the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. After that, any team could compete for the 3rd seed. The Washington Wizards are supposedly the 3rd best team in the Eastern Conference, but they are suffering from injuries. This may be the perfect time for the Hornets to surprise the NBA and capture that 3rd playoff spot in the East.
There is definitely something special happening in Charlotte, and that was evident in their season opening win. Everyone seems eager to prove themselves worthy of being in the postseason, along with being one of the top team’s in the league. It should be exciting to see a team transform from one that no one was worried about previously, to becoming a team fighting for playoff position and illuminating before everyone’s eyes. On paper, barring any injuries, the Charlotte Hornets should definitely be a playoff team.
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