With the World Cup over two weeks ago, DNA of Sports is starting its traditional presentation, franchise by franchise, of the upcoming NBA season. Like every year, this takes the form of a countdown, from the teams expected at the bottom of the ranking to our favorite for the champion title.
And we start with the Hornets, authors of a 2022/23 season with only 27 victories. Hornets who had an eventful summer, starting with the departure of the owner, who was not just anyone: Michael Jordan. After thirteen years, and little success, he sold his shares and it’s always an important moment for a franchise, especially when the person leaving is the former Bulls legend.
Then, Charlotte drafted Brandon Miller second, Miles Bridges returned to the group after a blank season due to his legal problems and LaMelo Ball was extended at a high price ($260 million over five years) after to be operated on. His ankle problems having weighed down his season, and that of his team.
Is all this really enough to do better than last season? Logically, yes. Especially since the return of PJ Washington will do good under the panels, because the interior sector remains weak. But is it enough to be fully competitive? There, it’s less certain. For that, Steve Clifford’s men will have to progress offensively. The absence of Miles Bridges and Lonzo Ball’s stints in the infirmary obviously didn’t help last year, but we will have to be more coherent and efficient, otherwise we will experience another difficult season.
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals : Brandon Miller, Nick Smith Jr, Frank Ntilikina
Departures : Dennis Smith Jr., Kelly Oubre Jr.
THE PLAYER TO FOLLOW: LAMELO BALL
There are several players to watch closely this season in Charlotte. Miles Bridges obviously, or even Brandon Miller. Except that the first will miss the first ten matches, suspended, and the second remains a rookie who will need to learn his classes. The real leader, the most important player, is logically LaMelo Ball. Especially after his contract extension and with his All-Star status.
As we said, his last season was cut short by his fragile ankles, but he still averaged 23.3 points and 8.4 assists when he was on the field.
Lonzo’s brother will, however, have to take on a new dimension, which is no longer linked to his statistical production, to advance his troops. LaMelo Ball is a transition player, very spectacular on the counter-attack, but his shooting choices are often questionable and hasty, and his efficiency as well as his defensive investment and his attention to detail which win matches are clearly not always there. YOU.
He must gain maturity and leadership. The Hornets paid for it, with the $260 million they put on the table this summer to keep him long term. And while he begins his fourth season in the league, he still has not tasted the playoffs. A dismal observation for such a dearly paid All-Star.
Average age: 24 years old
Payroll: $157.1 million (21st)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
Vengeful, the Hornets are starting the season well. LaMelo Ball is already in good shape, Brandon Miller is adapting well and the first ten matches, played without Miles Bridges, are going well. When the winger returns, he changes the face of the team by contributing his points. The attack is more balanced, and the defense, which saved a little last season, is still progressing by completely adopting the precepts of Steve Clifford.
The All-Star point guard shows that his physical problems are behind him and assumes his role as leader. He has refined his game a bit and everyone benefits from it, especially PJ Washington, who thus confirms that he is very valuable under the panels. Without forgetting the positive contribution of alumni, like Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward.
Charlotte therefore advances at her own pace, winning affordable matches and, on good nights, sometimes even defeats good teams. It’s clearly not perfect, sometimes messy, but it’s fast, there’s desire, much better marksmanship and the Hornets are winning more matches than in the previous year. Enough to set ambitions and aim for a “play-in” place, like in 2022.
THE WORST SCENARIO
Between the absence of Miles Bridges for the first matches and the complicated debut of rookie Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball is trying to do everything on his own. He made many bad shooting choices, lost balls and the Hornets got off to a very bad start. The return of the winger doesn’t help anything.
After a year spent away from the courts, he is logically lacking rhythm, and although he is motivated by the idea of showing himself and getting a big contract, he is not returning to his level of the 2021/22 season. .
As both players are not at their best, there is no clear hierarchy. Brandon Miller is lost in the middle of this doldrums and he fades away. The attack is still disorganized and harmless, and from the first weeks of the regular season, we understand that the defeats will be numerous.
Especially since LaMelo Ball is still hampered by physical problems and still spends too much time in the infirmary, his comings and goings are not helping the group’s affairs. Steve Clifford, if he can’t do much, is in danger and we have to start thinking about the Draft and also the 2024/25 season, probably without him, nor Miles Bridges…
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