De’Andre Hunter is eager to show he can offer more to the Hawks this season, as he told Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Hunter was limited by a knee injury last season, appearing in just 23 regular-season games and five postseason games. “I just want to show people that I got better,” Hunter said. “I’ve been working on my game as much as I can given the surgery. I want to show everyone I’m better this year.”
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- Hornets coach James Borrego wants LaMelo Ball to becomes the team leader at both ends of the floor, Steve Reed of The Associated Press writes. “I want him to take the reins of this program,” Borrego said. “He’s the quarterback, the floor general and for us to take that next step he must run this team, not only on the offensive end but the defensive end as well.”
- Forward Kelly Oubre was traded to Golden State last November and had to jump right into the rotation. He’s had more time to acclimate with the Hornets after signing a two-year, $26MM deal as a free agent in early August, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer notes. “It makes a big difference,” Oubre said. “Me being able to to adjust, I didn’t really have that adjustment period last year because once I got traded I was right to work. So I’ve been here before the season, before training camp. And I’ve been blessed enough to have sit downs with coach, bonding time with the guys and pretty much just everybody getting on the same wavelength.”
- The Magic have plenty of guard options on the roster and Markelle Fultz said it will take awhile to sort out how the pieces fit together, Chris Hays of The Orlando Sentinel writes. “It’s still early and I’m still trying to get a feel for everybody’s strengths and weaknesses, but as far as talent I think all of the guards here have talent,” Fultz said. “We have guys who can really score the ball, are very athletic, can compete, so I think that it’s all going to be a little bit of trial and error … of throwing different guys out there and seeing what works best. As far as what I’ve seen and how I feel, I think that all of us can play together.”
Oubre had all season to adjust and he never did. He’s a selfish offensive player. Not once did he set a full body pick for Steph, but Steph set several for him. He doesn’t understand the team game.
I’m skeptical about Poole being effective replacing Oubre in their starting lineup while the team waits for Thompson to return from his injury.
Poole will replace the offense the only concern is rebounding. Looney needs to just concentrate on rebounding and nothing more.
Gut feeling…..Charlotte was the best landing spot outta all 30 teams in the entire NBA for Kelley Oubre
* Not an Oubre fan particularly, just a hunch
was ball just called out by his coach for relaxing on d?
What do people think between Charlotte, Atlanta, and Toronto. I’m kind of struggling with where those teams are in comparison to each other. I would throw the Heat in there, but I feel like all 3 are better on paper/theoretically, unless certain good things happen for the Heat or bad things like injuries/incompetent rotations happen for everyone else…
I really liked everything Atlanta did, and I like the possibilities of Toronto, and I liked Charlotte a lot last year before their whole team got hurt late in the season. I like their additions for the most part as well, although I still question the Plumlee replacing Zeller move and at least 1 of the guards they lost, but dont see those things being too important
I’m also wondering about Indiana, Detroit, and Washington, and also if anyone feels like Indiana belongs in that first group, or if they’re more part of that 2nd group, and how their injuries play into everything. I really liked some of what Indiana did, but they already have multiple injuries, and we’re still yet to see how they decide to use Turner and Sabonis
I feel like injuries, and rotation decisions, are going to be a huge deciding factor this year, with so many teams that I feel like are bunched up, and several teams that still have a missing piece or 2
You have to like the Pacers changes… from almost no wings to a roster-full! And if things bog down, they kept McConnell.
Atl to me is a notch above in that first tier
Mia is tough as nails, that still plays well in playoff basketball
Indy trending Up
Tor down
And Cha should be fun in all regards no matter what the end year W/L record reflects . I hope to see a small leap this year in Cha but the East is buttoning up solid AF these days so its hard projecting so many bumps in the win columns across the board. Couple teams might improve while the W/L column actually takes a slip from 21′
Kenneth Faried is going to ball out with my hometown team the Ponce Lions
Oubre says
Me being able to adjust
Good English?
For real! He got traded before the year started! And him out at the end of the year cause his hand! You ain’t Steph buddy lol
Oubre is very inconsistent in play. He will have a good game and then 2 or 3 games where you didn’t even notice him on the court. Its not the adjustment of a new team hurt him but Oubre’s drive. Oubre has the talent but no personal drive to be a great player he expects it to come to him.
Obrue is inconsistent. But he had a good second half. To me Wiggins and Obrue is a bad mix. Both have similar games. Ball leading your Defense. That’s hysterical. Maybe he should learn to play D. Before leading. Hornets are deeper this yr. They come together they can be in playoffs. Especially if draft picks help. I see Bouknight as a future star at SG. Really don’t see Ball as a PG.