The Hornets find themselves armed with a freshly-minted All-Star in point guard LaMelo Ball and a 2022 Most Improved Player candidate in forward Miles Bridges. Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer wonders if the club will be able to maximize Ball while he remains in his prime.
Fowler is skeptical of that happening this season at least. The 29-31 club has lost nine of its last ten contests, due in part to the absence of small forward Gordon Hayward and a few other key players. Fowler notes that the shorthanded Hornets are struggling to close out games.
“The way we are right now, we’re in a place of confusion a little bit at times during the game,” forward Kelly Oubre reflected following the team’s seventh straight home loss. “More veteran teams come in and capitalize on that.”
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- In an interview with Dotun Akintoye of ESPN, Hawks All-Star point guard Trae Young discussed his rise through his college run at Oklahoma to the ranks of the NBA’s best. Head coach Nate McMillan praised Young. “I think he has a special talent that we haven’t really seen at that position, his ability to score, as well as facilitate,” McMillan said.
- The Heat could benefit from the addition of another stretch four to help space the floor and draw opposing big men away from the basket, writes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Winderman cautions that the buyout market is currently somewhat barren. 36-year-old starting power forward P.J. Tucker fulfills that role at present, though given his advanced NBA age, is only playing 28.6 MPG. The 6’5″ veteran is connecting on 45% of his 3.1 three-point attempts per game.
- The Wizards‘ front office may want to make power forward Kyle Kuzma, who is thriving in the first year of a reasonable three-season, $39MM contract, part of the team’s long-term future, opines Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Kuzma has a player option for the 2023/24 season, but if he keeps up this output, Robbins anticipates that the forward will opt out to test the free agent market in 2023. The 26-year-old is averaging 16.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 3.1 APG on .452/.334/.703 shooting splits this season.
Idk who needs to tell him, but Bridges needs to stop taking 3s.
He’s doing just fine. Focus on your 6ers
Lot to unpack in Charlotte…Ball’s prime? It’s his 2nd year, let’s relax.
That said don’t laud him for his PG skills when a sentence later they talk about looking confused. If he was truly in his prime he’d be out there directing traffic.
Don’t put the horse before the cart. Keep building off what you have. Charlotte not winning a title this year or next. It takes time.
I’d say they’re one big piece (likely someone with size) away from being true competitors still. The talent is there along with the role players, they just need someone to put them over the top.
Agree would love to see them with a marquee center…even a rim protector. They’re really not that far away
That’s why they dealt for Montrezl. But Plumlee isn’t the answer. They also live and die by the 3, and in the last 10 games their 3-pt % is not great
Montrezl is a great fit in a lot of ways but he’s not big enough IMO
“It takes time” while isn’t wrong isn’t exactly correct. The more accurate statement would be “it takes tim-ING”. Now more than ever drafting a rookie that gives you a clear look a head of what their future holds is extremely valuable. If teams want even half of a shot to build a contending team that will last for 7+ years, they need put expensive pieces around cheap rookies. The age of “dynasties” in the NBA is gone. Too much talent in today’s league.
Well said bonercats
I assume Hayward will be moved during one of the next 3 checkpoints (This offseason, next years trade deadline or the 23 offseason (which would be as an expiring) (I like Gordon btw for that team he just can’t stay on the court enough for me to trust )
But yea a lot has to do with timing; then having a GM with the stones to pull the punch ( a lot don’t)
Not picking on ATL, what they have done internally is admirable, but the new NBA just doesn’t support the long game the way it use to…. Silver, and the league , and hell even the fans like MUCHO activity to go down at twice a year with the way the cap has been restructured after the last CBA
There’s some work to be done next CBA but at least they have some solid legs to stand on when that date occurs….unlike baseball that is just completely lost 1,000 leagues below the sea
Hey boss, I think you meant “cart before the horse”.
Now that Ira is saying it, I’m starting to question if I was wrong about it…
I wonder what happens if Riley says he can find a guy to fit the role off the buyout market. I think we all trust Riley more than Winderman…even if Riley pulls a guy out of a mall department store.
Just bring in my other son LiAngelo Ball and the team will be set for life
Lavar Ball
LiAngelo is already with Charlotte’s G-League team.
LaMelo is great. He’s probably the most entertaining player in the league to watch right now. So much potential and just constantly dropping highlight plays.
I think realistically a good comparison is Allen Iverson. Just so swagger, heaps of confidence, can shoot, can dish dimes, good handle, loads of highlights but to be successful he probably needs a guard next to him that complements him perfectly. A point guard that can defend well, pushes the ball quickly, can hit the open shot and can if needed play a big role but more often than not will not take away to many touches.
I was originally thinking Rajon Rondo but 10 years younger, but then the more I thought about it the more it seemed like Lonzo Ball was the player I was describing. Big lead guard, nice defence, loves a quick offence and can throw long darts, can hit open shots and take play a bigger role if needed. However I don’t think the two brothers could work cause of the egos.
Hornets should trade Gordan Hayward and try get back a centre and a good defender or two.
Totally agree
I was skeptical coming into the draft but after 20 games of his rookie year I was climbing over folk to get to the front of the Melo Bus
Best thing bout Melo is he makes others better while constantly working to improve his own deficiencies. He is EXACTLY the kinda player Id want to build around with. I hope he stays humble, he’s super grounded today which is a big draw for the fans leaguewide
Agree with the on court fit with Big Bro tho all the exterior stuff would probably have me shy away still. Too much unnecessary risk
I don’t see the Iverson comp tho (one of my all time favs) I really have a difficult time finding a LaMelo comp, I don’t think the Kidd comp as many suggest is apt as well… Im sure others could maybe name drop a player or 2 but I’m stumped there, he’s a special talent we are lucky to have
He remind me of Iversona all tho being younger I didn’t see a hell of a lot of him. But just how swaggy and confident he is. Great handle, fashion and off the court stuff. Can shoot, can drive, highlight plays. I’d say Melo is more of a highlight passer and Iverson a more highlight ball handler. Iverson was also more tough and gangster whereas Melo looks soft.
I also see shades of Gilbert arenas
We shall see if Jordan is willing to pay the luxury tax to win in Charolte. Bridges will get a max offer. They already were cheap with Monk. He would be great for them at the moment.