The Hornets are Bad, and That is a Good Thing
SI
I have to admit, I haven’t been keeping up with basketball as much as I do in the past, but the NBA is topsy-turvy this season. If the season ended today, the Lakers, Warriors, Heat and Nets would be out of the playoffs and I think a lot of people had them at the top of their respective conferences. Granted, we’re only a handful of games into the new season, but still. As for the rest of the teams, I don’t think there are many surprises, including the Hornets. Without LaMelo Ball, things aren't going to be pretty. Also, Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward has missed time as well, so it is difficult for the Hornets to find their footing and I kinda hope they don’t.
This isn't news for avid basketball fans, but there is a guy that will be at the top of the draft board in the upcoming summer that teams are clamoring after. The 7’2” star out of France named, Victor Wembanyama will be the number one pick, no ifs, ands, or buts. He is the most anticipated draft pick in 20 years. A guy that tall that can handle the ball and do the things he can do is unbelievable. Fans of franchises that haven’t had success want a shot at him and Hornets fans are included. When I used to write my Hornets reports every week, it was the same story, but a different year. It’s been like that forever in Charlotte. You know it’s either going to be a year where they’re in the playoffs, but they’re too bad to compete or they’re just bad enough to miss the playoffs but get a bad lottery pick. Same story, different season. This year looks like it has potential to be a really bad season, and that could be a good thing.
Getty
LaMelo will be back and the team will be healthy eventually, but Wembanyama could be the one missing piece that brings a championship to Charlotte. There is no reason for the Hornets to not be competitive right now. They have pieces in place to be competitive, but they never are. Rebounding has been a weak point of Charlotte for a very long time and a big man presence for that matter. While Wembanyama isn't your typical big man, he will fill that void that has plagued Charlotte since the departure of Al Jefferson. Maybe the Hornets need to play it safe this season, even if the injuries aren't too serious for their best players.
Yacs