With eight defeats in a row currently, and only 7 victories in 32 matches and a 14th place in the Eastern Conference, the Hornets are having a very bad season, which could well end with less than 20 successes on the clock… But if there is good news to remember, and although it may seem paradoxical, it is the support of the fans .
Indeed, there are more and more spectators at the Spectrum Center. Last season, LaMelo Ball and his teammates played in front of an average of 16,448 people, the worst home crowd in the league. This season, after 18 matches played in Charlotte, ESPN averages 17,229 fans, the 22nd largest attendance in the NBA.
“It’s huge. You could feel the energy during the timeouts and in the last quarter,” comments Seth Curry talking about the game against the Bulls. “They were there and we needed them. We hope to be able to offer something else, the best to give that back to the fans. It feels good to see the fans support us night after night, to have the city behind us. »
A city that loves its team
However, given the results, when it's not Christmas activities and jokes that go wrong during matches, spectators don't have much reason to come…
“You have to give credit to the fans. They come despite defeats. It shows this city’s love of basketball. This is why we owe them victories. We have to do better in January and February and, I hope, make the effort to go to the playoffs”announces Miles Bridges.
Another indicator of Hornets fans' love for their team: LaMelo Ball is the guard in the Eastern Conference who received the most votes (by far) ahead of Donovan Mitchell, indicates the first count for the All-Star Game . This means that, with victories, the franchise could have even more massive support.
“I know how much this city wants the Hornets to win and I also know how they could get behind this team if they started winning,” estimates Kemba Walker, assistant coach and above all former player who made the playoffs with Charlotte in 2014 and 2016. “They want this, the fans, and deserve it. They deserve a culture that wins. That's why I wanted to come back here, I wanted to help win again, help the fans come back because we need them. »
