The Hornets were exposed by the Hawks in Wednesday’s play-in game that ended their season, writes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer.
As Boone outlines, the Hornets’ Achilles heel all year long was their defense and it was the weak link again on Wednesday in a 132-103 loss. Penetration into the paint was an ongoing issue, according to Boone, who suggests the Hornets lack any sort of intimidating interior presence and could badly use an athletic, shot-blocking center.
As Zach Kram of The Ringer observes, it was the second consecutive year in which the Hornets allowed more than 128 points per 100 possessions in an elimination play-in game, so addressing the defense has to be the team’s top priority this offseason. Besides acquiring a defensive-minded center, Charlotte could also benefit from adding a reliable wing who can capably guard opposing teams’ most dangerous perimeter players, Kram notes.
Here’s more on the Hornets as they prepare for their offseason:
- Ejected in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s loss, Miles Bridges threw his mouthpiece at a fan who was taunting him on his way to the locker room, but missed and hit another fan, a 16-year-old girl (video link). Bridges, who figures to face at least a fine from the NBA, apologized after the game for the incident, per Scott Fowler and Matthew Stephens of The Charlotte Observer. “I was upset about a call, a couple of calls really. I let my temper get the best of me. That was definitely the wrong thing to do,” Bridges said. ” … I was aiming for the guy that was screaming at me and it hit a little girl … I take full responsibility and will take any consequences the NBA gives me. … Hopefully, I can get in contact with the young lady, sincerely apologize and do something nice for her.”
- Viewed as a potential trade candidate in February, P.J. Washington entered the Hornets’ starting lineup after the deadline and played a key role in the club’s success down the stretch, Boone writes for The Charlotte Observer. Washington will be eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason, so Charlotte will have to decide soon how he fits into the organization’s long-term plans.
- In his preview of the Hornets’ offseason, ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Insider link) explores how the team should approach the summer, taking an in-depth look at Bridges’ restricted free agency and Washington’s case for an extension. Besides needing a starting center, the Hornets could also use a backup point guard and need James Bouknight to develop into a rotation player, Marks writes.
- After extending him last offseason, the Hornets seem likely to retain head coach James Borrego for 2022/23, but after the way the season ended, his seat should be considered warm – if not hot – going forward, Fowler writes in a column for The Charlotte Observer.
- In case you missed it, we passed along a series of Hornets-related rumors on Wednesday.
Terrible finish to an inconsistent season. I don’t know if it’s the roster or the coach but the lack of defensive effort was mind-boggling.
Could be a landing spot for Rudy Gobert.
How’s about the starting guards for Hornets just puttin’ the ball in the hole consistently?
Hornets found out what GSW found out that Oubre doesn’t show up to play in the playoffs.
What a deep and insightful take. The starting backcourt goes a combined 15-47 and they couldn’t stop anyone inside, yet we all know it boils down to the backup wing.
That was kind of a GSW take.
Neither Oubre nor Bouknight should be counted on for improvement.
Defensive intensity is the most troubling thing.
Another disappointing Hornets season. Again with a 10th place finish.
Their interior defense is weak. They lack size.
Their offense is stil decent.
LaMelo had a historically great season, that is all that matters!
Bad look by Bridges to get in that situation but that’s about as well as you can handle it all things considered. Take responsibility and reach out to make amends.
Their biggest need is a defensive minded centre and it just so happens that potentially Rudy Gobert could be available. He himself would transform this defence and I think would be in a better position to thrive on the offensive end aswell.
The deal:
Gordan Hayward, Mason Plumblee, PJ Washington, James Bouknight and a first for Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay.
What doesn’t get talked about with Gobert until recently is the lack of offence he gets given.
This season he put up 15.6 points per game on 8 shot attempts, while having a usage rate of 16.6%.
Because he doesn’t shoot threes I won’t compare him to Embiid or KAT, but Ayton put up 17.2 points on 12 shot attempts with a 21% usage and Bam put up 19.1 points on 13 shot attempts on 25% usage. Just to put that into perspective for the Hornets PJ Washington averages 10-5 on 8 shot attempts with a usage of 15%…
Gobert at minimum with the Hornets would get 10 shot attempts, and if you do the math. His career FG% on 10 shots add his average FT’s made per game it’s about 19/20 points per game.
I think he could put up 20-15 and win defensive player of the year in Charlotte. 20-15 for a season hasn’t been done since Wilt in 1965 and because defensive player of the season only started in the 80’s, Rudy would be the first player to ever achieve 20-15 and DPOY.
I’ve had comments saying with LaMelo trading for Rudy is setting the bar low or something lame like that. But how is adding a 20 points per game scorer and the best defender a bad move. It’s filling your biggest extremely well and without giving up to much.
For the Jazz, Hayward returns that’s cool. You add youth in Washington and Bouknight. Plumblee can be kept to replace Gobert or cut and save money. Plus you get a first. That’s a solid return
If they move on from Borrego, this would be an ideal landing spot for Frank Vogel. Young team that needs defensive-oriented coaching.