Winter Is Coming: The 2015- 2016 (And Beyond) Charlotte Hornets

 Just curious would you have taken Boston’s offer if you were running Charlotte?  I think Boston was willing to give up a lot to move up from 16 to 9.  I also wonder what Boston offered Atlanta to get the 15th pick as well.  Who knows how Brooklyn looks in 2018.  That pick could be near the top or be a mid-late first rounder depending on how Brooklyn can rebuild the next couple years.  

My second question is do you believe Polk when he says they didn’t have enough time to think about who they’d pick at 15 and 16?  I mean isn’t it the front office’s job to evaluate talent throughout the draft in the event of trades?  Not to mention it was reported that Boston had been trying to trade for the 9th pick days before the draft.  

Last are you alright with taking Kaminsky or would you have preferred taking Winslow even though you already have MKG and Batum?  

 Just curious would you have taken Boston’s offer if you were running Charlotte?  I think Boston was willing to give up a lot to move up from 16 to 9.  I also wonder what Boston offered Atlanta to get the 15th pick as well.  Who knows how Brooklyn looks in 2018.  That pick could be near the top or be a mid-late first rounder depending on how Brooklyn can rebuild the next couple years.  

My second question is do you believe Polk when he says they didn’t have enough time to think about who they’d pick at 15 and 16?  I mean isn’t it the front office’s job to evaluate talent throughout the draft in the event of trades?  Not to mention it was reported that Boston had been trying to trade for the 9th pick days before the draft.  

Last are you alright with taking Kaminsky or would you have preferred taking Winslow even though you already have MKG and Batum?  

I said the same thing last year. That they should blow it up and rebuild correctly. They are making all or nothing pushes for a road seed and its not working. You can’t have Kemba, MKG, and Jefferson as your core none of them can shoot. 

To their credit they did a good job going out this year and surrounding that core with shooters. Lamb is a high vole perimeter scorer and proved last year when dialed in he is very explosive get he was awfully inconsistent. Kaminsky showed great perimeter touch but can he rebound and defend at this level. With Batum you have a veteran coming off his worst season yet his upside is very high. Spencer Hawes can work as insurance to Jefferson and another floor stretcher alongside big Al in a veteran mold.

They put the right pieces around their preferred core on paper but their are so many question marks I doubt they beat out 8 other teams in the East.

I said the same thing last year. That they should blow it up and rebuild correctly. They are making all or nothing pushes for a road seed and its not working. You can’t have Kemba, MKG, and Jefferson as your core none of them can shoot. 

To their credit they did a good job going out this year and surrounding that core with shooters. Lamb is a high vole perimeter scorer and proved last year when dialed in he is very explosive get he was awfully inconsistent. Kaminsky showed great perimeter touch but can he rebound and defend at this level. With Batum you have a veteran coming off his worst season yet his upside is very high. Spencer Hawes can work as insurance to Jefferson and another floor stretcher alongside big Al in a veteran mold.

They put the right pieces around their preferred core on paper but their are so many question marks I doubt they beat out 8 other teams in the East.

 Bobby Portis and 3 future 1st round picks sounds alot better than Frank Kaminsky.

 Bobby Portis and 3 future 1st round picks sounds alot better than Frank Kaminsky.

I found it very puzzling what they did with their big men this offseason: they got rid of/lost Biyombo and Noah Vonleh and got Kaminsky, Tyler Hansbrough and Spencer Hawes. 

Their big men are now Zeller, Kaminsky, Al Jefferson, Marvin Williams, Hansbrough and Hawes. That’s just zero rim protection, defence and almost no rebounding. I understand that they were terrible shooting the ball last year and wanted to address that, but the new group looks awful and half these players provide basically the same thing.

I found it very puzzling what they did with their big men this offseason: they got rid of/lost Biyombo and Noah Vonleh and got Kaminsky, Tyler Hansbrough and Spencer Hawes. 

Their big men are now Zeller, Kaminsky, Al Jefferson, Marvin Williams, Hansbrough and Hawes. That’s just zero rim protection, defence and almost no rebounding. I understand that they were terrible shooting the ball last year and wanted to address that, but the new group looks awful and half these players provide basically the same thing.

 I think Batum will really surprise the Charlotte fans. He’s coming off his worst year and I don’t think such a bad year is meant to happen again. He’s all they need,from passing to shooting to defense.

 I think Batum will really surprise the Charlotte fans. He’s coming off his worst year and I don’t think such a bad year is meant to happen again. He’s all they need,from passing to shooting to defense.

 I’d say Jordan should remove himself from over riding his GM regarding draft decisions, but then I hear Rich Cho was sure Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller were going to be studs. Jordan needs to remove himself from player personnel decisions, fire Cho, hire the highest ranking Spurs exec who assists the GM player decisions, and let him run the show. Unfortunately MJ put his faith in Cho after he already flamed out in Portland.  The Hornets may be a lesser version of the Knicks in that their owner messes up all the GM or President’s hard work (ie Dolan forcing Donnie Walsh to trade all the assets he built up for Carmelo Anthony rather than attempting to sign him in the off season while retaining their assets.)

 I’d say Jordan should remove himself from over riding his GM regarding draft decisions, but then I hear Rich Cho was sure Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller were going to be studs. Jordan needs to remove himself from player personnel decisions, fire Cho, hire the highest ranking Spurs exec who assists the GM player decisions, and let him run the show. Unfortunately MJ put his faith in Cho after he already flamed out in Portland.  The Hornets may be a lesser version of the Knicks in that their owner messes up all the GM or President’s hard work (ie Dolan forcing Donnie Walsh to trade all the assets he built up for Carmelo Anthony rather than attempting to sign him in the off season while retaining their assets.)

 I never understood their draft pick selections.

you go from Zeller to Vonleh to Kaminsky. These rooks get 1 yr and if they are not the next coming of tim Duncan they’ll get rid of them lol

 I never understood their draft pick selections.

you go from Zeller to Vonleh to Kaminsky. These rooks get 1 yr and if they are not the next coming of tim Duncan they’ll get rid of them lol

I believe Jordan doesn’t scout, look at it every player that we draft are from a major program, a traditional winning program and the player has done well in the ncaa tournament. We do dumb things and we get headsight on a player, when we drafted MKG we could have taken Bradley beal then flipped him to To Washington for an extra pick. We took DJ Augustine over Brook Lopez. We took cody zeller over ben mck when we had no shooters on the floor lol.

Having said that this year depends a lot on batum, we have no two guard on the roster. We have no elite shooters on the roster. And also batum can play in small ball lineups. He will also have to shoulder a load of scoring between kemba and Al. That’s a lot of faith to put in a guy coming off the worst stat line of his career. Is he worth the max?

I believe Jordan doesn’t scout, look at it every player that we draft are from a major program, a traditional winning program and the player has done well in the ncaa tournament. We do dumb things and we get headsight on a player, when we drafted MKG we could have taken Bradley beal then flipped him to To Washington for an extra pick. We took DJ Augustine over Brook Lopez. We took cody zeller over ben mck when we had no shooters on the floor lol.

Having said that this year depends a lot on batum, we have no two guard on the roster. We have no elite shooters on the roster. And also batum can play in small ball lineups. He will also have to shoulder a load of scoring between kemba and Al. That’s a lot of faith to put in a guy coming off the worst stat line of his career. Is he worth the max?

Charlotte was forced to increase it’s playoff push because at the time their attendance was 70-ish% of capacity. I’m from North Carolina and people only went to the games, out of boredom or if they got the tickets for next to nothing. The NBA is a business first, and the Hornets had no national buzz or regional buzz. Allegedly they were losing a ton of money each year.

Also in Charlotte’s defense, they did the draft rebuild. They got the 2nd pick and missed out on Anthony Davis in a draft that wasn’t top heavy. The next year they had the 4th pick in a historically weak draft. I think Noel was worth the risk at 4th but you can’t blame a team for not picking a guy that would have to sit out his whole rookie year. Gordon Hayward would have been a perfect player for them and they offered him the max despite criticism but Utah matched and he blossomed.

It’s crazy because last year through 76 games they had the same record as Boston despite injuries, and the Lance Stephenson fiasco but because Boston won out (with a little help) and Charlotte lost out their seasons are percieved as completely different.

Zach Lowe’s article made a point about getting out of mediocrity and how there is no guarantee. Dropping into the draft doesn’t always work unless you’re committed to 3-5 years around having a terrible record. Every team doesn’t have the luxury. Even hitting on almost every single move (like the Celtics) doesn’t even ensure that. It’s a problem that the NBA needs to address but the league is more profitable than ever right now so I don’t see it happening soon. 

On the Kaminsky trade, if Kaminsky is your guy at 9 you take him. Value is overrated if you don’t end up with the players you want/need. Going from 9th to middle and late 1st round picks, is the equivalent of dropping from the late 1st round to 3rd and 4th round in the NFL Draft from a value stand point. Due to the cap going up, Brooklyn is under the luxury tax and next year will have room to sign a max player. The long demise predicted for them was adverted for now, and they won’t bottom out without having their pick. If the Hornets think Kaminsky can be very good that’s more valuable than 4 good to decent value picks in the NBA. In a sport like Baseball or football that’s not the case.

Last note, they didn’t waste the Vonleh selection they turned it into Batum who is only 26 and could be very good for them. His advance stats say that he has a huge positive effect on winning without hogging up offensive possesions. An extremely valuable skill.

Charlotte was forced to increase it’s playoff push because at the time their attendance was 70-ish% of capacity. I’m from North Carolina and people only went to the games, out of boredom or if they got the tickets for next to nothing. The NBA is a business first, and the Hornets had no national buzz or regional buzz. Allegedly they were losing a ton of money each year.

Also in Charlotte’s defense, they did the draft rebuild. They got the 2nd pick and missed out on Anthony Davis in a draft that wasn’t top heavy. The next year they had the 4th pick in a historically weak draft. I think Noel was worth the risk at 4th but you can’t blame a team for not picking a guy that would have to sit out his whole rookie year. Gordon Hayward would have been a perfect player for them and they offered him the max despite criticism but Utah matched and he blossomed.

It’s crazy because last year through 76 games they had the same record as Boston despite injuries, and the Lance Stephenson fiasco but because Boston won out (with a little help) and Charlotte lost out their seasons are percieved as completely different.

Zach Lowe’s article made a point about getting out of mediocrity and how there is no guarantee. Dropping into the draft doesn’t always work unless you’re committed to 3-5 years around having a terrible record. Every team doesn’t have the luxury. Even hitting on almost every single move (like the Celtics) doesn’t even ensure that. It’s a problem that the NBA needs to address but the league is more profitable than ever right now so I don’t see it happening soon. 

On the Kaminsky trade, if Kaminsky is your guy at 9 you take him. Value is overrated if you don’t end up with the players you want/need. Going from 9th to middle and late 1st round picks, is the equivalent of dropping from the late 1st round to 3rd and 4th round in the NFL Draft from a value stand point. Due to the cap going up, Brooklyn is under the luxury tax and next year will have room to sign a max player. The long demise predicted for them was adverted for now, and they won’t bottom out without having their pick. If the Hornets think Kaminsky can be very good that’s more valuable than 4 good to decent value picks in the NBA. In a sport like Baseball or football that’s not the case.

Last note, they didn’t waste the Vonleh selection they turned it into Batum who is only 26 and could be very good for them. His advance stats say that he has a huge positive effect on winning without hogging up offensive possesions. An extremely valuable skill.

 This is why you can’t really hate what Hinkie is doing in Philly…unless your a season ticket holder. The 76ers made a clear plan to tank and rebuild. So they will continue the rebuild until they are comfortable with the assets they have acquired.

 Charlotte did not do this. The Hornets plugged players into positions they would not predictably be successful and expected them to produce. While rebuilding theyvsigned veterans to help the team immediatly forcing the issue on the teams success instead of waiting and reserving key minutes for their coveted lottery picks development process. By doing this they also got worse lottery position and lower draft selections which means less talent. Any lottery talent has a chance to be a great player under the right guidance and they have not gotten the most out of their selections and their team building has been flawed.

The Boston comparison is also flawed. Boston "made" the playoffs. Not only that but they did so with a young talented upband coming coach, a young talented up and coming roster, they have tons of assets, picks and prospects the organization can use to build and strengthen their team going forward, they have financial flexibility, and a good attendemce/revunue from their fanbase as a result compared to Charlotte.

 Just seems like they have no real plan.

 This is why you can’t really hate what Hinkie is doing in Philly…unless your a season ticket holder. The 76ers made a clear plan to tank and rebuild. So they will continue the rebuild until they are comfortable with the assets they have acquired.

 Charlotte did not do this. The Hornets plugged players into positions they would not predictably be successful and expected them to produce. While rebuilding theyvsigned veterans to help the team immediatly forcing the issue on the teams success instead of waiting and reserving key minutes for their coveted lottery picks development process. By doing this they also got worse lottery position and lower draft selections which means less talent. Any lottery talent has a chance to be a great player under the right guidance and they have not gotten the most out of their selections and their team building has been flawed.

The Boston comparison is also flawed. Boston "made" the playoffs. Not only that but they did so with a young talented upband coming coach, a young talented up and coming roster, they have tons of assets, picks and prospects the organization can use to build and strengthen their team going forward, they have financial flexibility, and a good attendemce/revunue from their fanbase as a result compared to Charlotte.

 Just seems like they have no real plan.

I like the Jeremy Lamb pick-up, he could really reinvent himself next to Walker in Charlotte.

I don’t like the Kaminsky draft pick, but Batum could be a really nice piece and take some pressure off MKG to be the only defensive guy.

Charlotte without chemistry issues and a healthy roster could definitely make a run at the 8 seed if things break right for them.

I think MKG was the wrong draft pick in what is going to be a historically good draft IMO and Barnes, Drummond or even Beal made more sense at 2 than MKG, which has only become more evident as time went on.

The Zeller pick made no sense to me either, he was hugely overrated and there were simply better prospects available.

I want Charlotte to be good, but it’s hard to see it happening.

I like the Jeremy Lamb pick-up, he could really reinvent himself next to Walker in Charlotte.

I don’t like the Kaminsky draft pick, but Batum could be a really nice piece and take some pressure off MKG to be the only defensive guy.

Charlotte without chemistry issues and a healthy roster could definitely make a run at the 8 seed if things break right for them.

I think MKG was the wrong draft pick in what is going to be a historically good draft IMO and Barnes, Drummond or even Beal made more sense at 2 than MKG, which has only become more evident as time went on.

The Zeller pick made no sense to me either, he was hugely overrated and there were simply better prospects available.

I want Charlotte to be good, but it’s hard to see it happening.

5c

5c

 I actually like what they have done, and this team will most likely be the most talented team since the Bobcats were created, so it’s hard to go against it. Sure, they are building a treadmil, but shouldn’t you guys be happy to not be a bottom feeder. If the team buys in, I’m sure you could pull off a 7 seed. 

For starters, I really do like the Batum trade. He’s a team player who can shoot the ball, and guard multiple positions. You’re probably going to see him play the stretch 4 a lot against teams that run out really small lineups, and his perimeter D will help get CHA back to where they were two years ago on that end. I also like the fact that he is a great guy. They need players like that to give perspective and focus to the team. 

I also don’t mind the Frank pick, but do think it was terrible to turn down a trade that gives them that much flexability, and was even worse not to snag arguably a top 5 prospect in the draft in Winslow. But I understand why they did it. They are obviously trying to mimick SAS and GSW of the last couple of years with a pace and space offense, and they think Frank can help with that. Having Great shooters/passers in Kaminski and Zeller is going to be big if they are trying to focus on this kind of offense, and makes sense with the Batum trade. 

I know he gets a lot of flack, but I also like Kemba. He can create his shot, is good on the break, and gets otheres involved. He’s never been on a team that had floor spacing, so we will finally see what he really can do this year. Have Frank/Batum on the wings, and using Zeller in the PnR could be deadly for Kemba, so I expect him to have a much more effiecient year. His best year came in 2012-13, and ironically it’s when the Hornets were starting BJ Mullens at the Center spot, and this helped space the floor for Kemba. He shot .423% that year, and I would expect the same this year. 

Overall I think a lineup of 

Kemba-Lin

MKG-Lamb

Batum-Williams

Zeller-Kaminski

Big Al- Hawes

Is really not that bad, and I expect them to be on the phones all year trying to get rid of Big Al for anything. What makes that team any worse than the Celtics team that went to the playoffs last year? It’s pretty much the same exact build, except what we lack in wing defenders they have, and what they lack in perimeter defenders, we have. This team could easily win 45 games in the East if they stay healthy and get any sort of contribution from Zeller and Frank. 

 I actually like what they have done, and this team will most likely be the most talented team since the Bobcats were created, so it’s hard to go against it. Sure, they are building a treadmil, but shouldn’t you guys be happy to not be a bottom feeder. If the team buys in, I’m sure you could pull off a 7 seed. 

For starters, I really do like the Batum trade. He’s a team player who can shoot the ball, and guard multiple positions. You’re probably going to see him play the stretch 4 a lot against teams that run out really small lineups, and his perimeter D will help get CHA back to where they were two years ago on that end. I also like the fact that he is a great guy. They need players like that to give perspective and focus to the team. 

I also don’t mind the Frank pick, but do think it was terrible to turn down a trade that gives them that much flexability, and was even worse not to snag arguably a top 5 prospect in the draft in Winslow. But I understand why they did it. They are obviously trying to mimick SAS and GSW of the last couple of years with a pace and space offense, and they think Frank can help with that. Having Great shooters/passers in Kaminski and Zeller is going to be big if they are trying to focus on this kind of offense, and makes sense with the Batum trade. 

I know he gets a lot of flack, but I also like Kemba. He can create his shot, is good on the break, and gets otheres involved. He’s never been on a team that had floor spacing, so we will finally see what he really can do this year. Have Frank/Batum on the wings, and using Zeller in the PnR could be deadly for Kemba, so I expect him to have a much more effiecient year. His best year came in 2012-13, and ironically it’s when the Hornets were starting BJ Mullens at the Center spot, and this helped space the floor for Kemba. He shot .423% that year, and I would expect the same this year. 

Overall I think a lineup of 

Kemba-Lin

MKG-Lamb

Batum-Williams

Zeller-Kaminski

Big Al- Hawes

Is really not that bad, and I expect them to be on the phones all year trying to get rid of Big Al for anything. What makes that team any worse than the Celtics team that went to the playoffs last year? It’s pretty much the same exact build, except what we lack in wing defenders they have, and what they lack in perimeter defenders, we have. This team could easily win 45 games in the East if they stay healthy and get any sort of contribution from Zeller and Frank.