Another up and down season for the Hornets. Almost a copy-paste of the last one. The hype remains high, the show is still there, the future of young people looks totally radiant, only the NBA is not the neighborhood playground. Too bad it’s not enough to shine in the top 10 of the night to succeed in your season because otherwise the LaMelo band would be a contender.
WHAT TRASHTALK HAD ANNOUNCED
Last September, the expectations, although measured, were very real. The LaMelo Ball phenomenon had already conquered the basketball planet in his rookie year, only remained to be confirmed with a slightly larger squad (but still without a pivot). Players like Kelly Oubre Jr., Ish Smith or Mason Plumlee came to replace the departures of Devonte’ Graham, Malik Monk and Cody Zeller. Other boys were expected around the corner. Gordon Hayward had to continue bringing his experience, Miles Bridges his explosiveness and Terry Rozier his scoring quality. However, aware of their defensive weakness, they were granted the bottom of the play-in with around forty wins. And for once, we had seen the future.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED
If we had to remember one thing from the Hornets season, it’s that compared to last year and the evolution of this group there is better, but also less good, but still much better. , but also much worse. It’s all still very vague, so let’s go in depth. In the 2020-21 season, Charlotte surprised her little world by qualifying for the play-in thanks to their n°3 draft pick and Rookie of the Year, LaMelo Ball. It was therefore necessary to confirm in 2021-22 and on this objective, difficult to position oneself. Indeed, from a purely ranking point of view, Charlotte once again finished tenth. But with ten more wins! A season with a positive record that would be rewarded with a seventh place in the East last year. However, the Eastern Conference this season was serious and difficult to get the heavyweights above especially with their defensive shortcomings.
Because yes, we are getting there, the big black spot in Charlotte is in this calamitous defense. We know that Jordan is one of PSG’s main sponsors, but what we didn’t know was that he had brought the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to Charlotte and placed it in defense. Spoiler, it’s a seller but not very effective. On a more serious note, the Hornets’ particular interior defense has been a wonderful TTFL spot all year. We have nothing against Mason Plumlee. His good face and his incipient baldness make him a very sympathetic character, but not for all that the defender that Charlotte needs so much. Moreover, at the Trade Deadline, Charlotte was looking for a pivot capable of repairing this flaw. Several rumors about Myles Turner have swirled around, eventually culminating in… (drum roll) Montrezl Harrell! The kind of player who doesn’t solve any problems since defensively we can’t say that he is part of the elite. The Hornets finished the season 22nd in defensive rating with an average of 113 points conceded per game with a peak (not counting those in overtime) at 144 against the Sixers and the Heat back-to-back at the end of the season. Great art.
However, there was also some very good with our friends in sky blue. First, the start of the season. Three wins in three games, unheard of in the history of the Charlotte Hornets with a nice rise in power. First the Pacers, then the Cavs and finally the Nets. Moreover, this is not the only time Indiana has marked the history of the Hornets this season since in January, Charlotte destroyed the Pacers 158 – 126 and stacked six franchise records. Obviously, LaMelo Ball was one of the main players in this butchery. The franchise player of this team has step-up well individually. Improving stats, accumulated experience, confidence still at the max and he is still a great marketing asset for the NBA and the Hornets with his presence, his attitude and his looks. All of these elements lead him to the All-Star Game, although it was Adam Silver who named him All-Star to replace Kevin Durant and not the vote of fans, players and journalists. Another great achievement for the sophomore. This season, he also broke his record for points (38 points against the Celtics) and assists (15 caviars against the Knicks). Around him, Gordon Hayward brought his 16 points per evening even if he still ended up in the infirmary. Kelly Oubre Jr., first as a starter and then as a sixth man after the return of the team’s third leading scorer Terry Rozier, meanwhile had his highlights. With his 15 points average, he guaranteed scoring with the second unit. The former Warriors had bursts on totally random evenings with several games over 30 points and 60% in shooting. Finally, Miles Bridges was particularly popular, but we’ll talk about it later.
The Hornets’ season ends like last year, with the first play-in game. This time around, the executioners are the Hawks. A disappointing performance because we expected an increase compared to 2021, but logical given their game in their half of the field. An elimination that will cost the position of coach to James Borrego. Yet in an upward curve (ten more wins anyway), the management of the Hornets decided to dismiss his coach. A strange choice that has the air of “we must find a culprit” when it probably just needed time for this group. A strong decision, but which necessarily jeopardizes the stability of the workforce. It remains to be seen who will come to take this position of high responsibility with expected immediate results.
THE ROCKET SEASON IN A FEW ARTICLES
Preview of the Charlotte Hornets 2021-22: the hornet looks great, the time has come to return to the Playoffs
The Charlotte Hornets who start with a 3-0, unheard of in history: then, ephemeral lease or the start of a beautiful story?
The Hornets continue to win and are now complete: suddenly, do we have the right to hyper or not yet?
Gordon Hayward made it all at Spurs: 41 points in 29 minutes on 15/19 shooting, let’s just say he was a bit hot
Kelly Oubre Jr. approaches Klay Thompson’s record: 8 shots from the parking lot in the last quarter, welcome to the 4th dimension
NBA MLK Day: Miles Bridges splashes Madison Square Garden, 38 points, 10 highlights and the keys to the city for the Charlotte marsupial
The Hornets have their sting on fire: seven wins in eight games and a great streak to come at home, that’s a lot of reasons to smile
The Hornets in record mode against Indiana: 158 points scored, 39 for Kelly Oubre Jr. and a good headache for the Pacers
The Hornets leave the play-in with their heads down, like in 2021: happy holidays guys, we will have to take advantage of the summer to learn how to defend
IMAGE OF THE SEASON
This image represents one more step towards the success of this group. His franchise player was named All-Star for the first time, a very nice step in a career. LaMelo Ball had its place in the absence of Kevin Durant. Production, game, show, fun, he has all the paraphernalia for the All-Star Game. The next step for him will be to maintain this level and why not come accompanied in 2023 with his friend with 1,000 bridges. Exactly…
HOT HAT: MILES BRIDGES
If anyone has been a hit with the Hornets this season, it’s Miles Bridges. Nothing to do with the Mikal of the Suns whether in the blood or in the game. For Miles, we are more on a walking show, athletic and not angry with the dunk. A long time candidate for the MIP before an alien from Memphis came to kill the competition, the strong winger from Charlotte still exploded his ceiling (20 points – 7 rebounds – 4 assists). We note an improvement in all the main compartments of the game. If we take out the calculators, we really realize it: +7.5 points (at 50% shooting), +1 rebound, +1.5 passes, + 0.2 interception and still 0.8 against. Crazy figures symbolized by certain perfs from another dimension. The highlight was his performance at MLK Day against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. A meeting where he beat his career high with 38 points at 14/20 shooting after an offensive masterclass. This season, Miles has taken the bridge leading to the heights, even if the last action of his season is a mouthguard throw that landed badly. We hope to see him performing as well next season.
WE WAITED FOR IT AND STILL WAITING FOR IT: A PIVOT
Like last year, the Hornets are still waiting for a pivot worthy of the name and who knows how to defend. As said above, no prejudice to Mason Plumlee, but seriously, an ambitious team cannot afford in 2022 to have him as a starting pivot. This must be Charlotte’s main front office mission this summer and there are a few fish to catch. This is the essential key to turning a corner and aiming higher. The identity is there. A young, fun, carefree group that wants to win. All that’s missing is a pivot who brings a bit of seriousness and if possible experience to fill in the holes in defense. With all of these ingredients put together, there’s a way the Hornets can get very tedious to play.
Jusuf Nurkic
Deandre Ayton*
Mo Bamba
Ivica Zubac
Andre Drummond
Mitchell Robinson
Damian JonesI don’t care who it is, but Charlotte management needs to target one of these guys at Free Agency 2022.
(*Phoenix can match any offer)
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 14, 2022
THE FOLLOWING
The 2022-23 season will be decisive for Charlotte. Under the cup of a new coach, the Hornets will have to take a step. It’s nice to be a fun, spectacular team etc… but you have to win. The Hornets can’t afford to return to the play-in and be knocked out again. A little more seriousness will be expected, especially from the defense. Otherwise the goal is always to raise the ceiling of these young people who have the slab and in particular the LaMelo – Bridges duo. The second seems destined to get a very big contract extension this summer, and the first also a little later. The Hornets could therefore be tempted to make some savings by parting with certain players (Hayward? Rozier? Oubre?), even if the arrival of experienced players would probably not hurt this team.
Back-to-back this season for Charlotte, still tenth and still eliminated in the first round of the play-in. We want to see this cool team higher up in the Eastern Conference. And please, use these six months to work on your defense and then we will really enjoy ourselves every night.
