Charlotte Hornets Most Improved Team? Michael Jordan Made Great Moves In The Summer! Will They Challenge Cleveland For The Eastern Title?
The Eastern Conference will have a totally different outlook next season thanks in part to one player’s decision. The stranglehold of the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers is broken because of LeBron James’ departure and Paul George’s injury. Charlotte Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan knows this is a golden opportunity.
The Charlotte Hornets’ will sport a new look even though they are using an old name. They also carry a different image now as they are no longer the whipping boys of the NBA.
This year, they will still have Big Al Jefferson in the middle but they have added new pieces. Main acquisition Lance Stephenson will provide the edge and toughness that the team needs, and they also scored well at the draft.
ESPN Summer Forecast for Team Turnaround ranks them third overall in the league behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans.
@ESPNNBA Charlotte looks strong. With Big Al down low, Lance and Kemba will make a great backcourt. Hopefully MKG keeps getting better
— Mark Jackson (@The_Fat_John) August 18, 2014
@ESPNNBA Addition of #BornReady should make them more efficient in scoring. Marvin Williams also a factor off the bench. — coral grimes (@TheNextBlGThing) August 18, 2014
Basketball Insiders also believe the Hornets should seize the day with the East wide open:
"I’m excited to see what the Hornets can do this season. Steve Clifford is a great coach and the fact that they have one year of experience in his system under their belt should help the team. Al Jefferson was obviously great last year and I expect similar productivity this season. Lance Stephenson is a great addition to that team and he’ll help them on both ends of the court, especially if he plays like he did in the first half of last year when he was being talked about as a potential All-Star. Marvin Williams was a great signing too, because he was very good last year in Utah. Kemba Walker played very well last year and that should continue, especially since he has some more weapons around him. I’m curious to see if guys like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller can take the next step in their development. If so, this team could be really good. I think they can make some noise in the East, but I don’t think they are a Finals team just yet. I still have them a notch or two below Cleveland and Chicago. I just think those teams are much more talented on paper."
But Cleveland and Chicago will have more adjustments than Charlotte. That could make a difference in actual gameplay. Also, most of the other teams are prepared for Cleveland and Chicago, so Charlotte may boost their record with surprise wins.