Around the NBA 12

[KembaWalker]

https://www.theringer.com/2025/02/18/nba/charlotte-bobcats-hornets-nba-history-michael-jordan-lamelo-ball

The Hornets as a cautionary tale against NBA expansion.

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the difference will be that when they unveil a franchise in Vegas they'll be given the full wine/dine/69 now that gambling is the primary income source outside of TV contracts. they'll be constructed all-hands-on-deck as a premier entertainment experience from day 1, whereas going down the Spectrum for a Hornets game today feels like taking a depressing time machine to 2004.

[Bassman]

https://www.theringer.com/2025/02/18/nba/charlotte-bobcats-hornets-nba-history-michael-jordan-lamelo-ball

The Hornets as a cautionary tale against NBA expansion.

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

Thanks Fats, great article, although it will give any long term Hornets fan PTSD flashbacks. Recounts both our horribly bad luck, and our horribly bad management. Recounting the pitiful drafts (MKG over Bradley Beal), the author talks about management’s approach to drafting then (which sounds eerily similar to this past year’s rationale):

There was a common refrain top brass had when explaining the team’s philosophy. “The thing I see most is his desire to win; you can’t teach that,” Jordan said after the franchise drafted Morrison. The Bobcats were trying to surmise the intangible qualities that separate great from good without first recognizing what makes a prospect appealing in the first place. Franchise-changing talent isn’t subtle; it punches you in the face. They were scrutinizing the sprig of parsley without making sure the roast chicken was cooked.

Well worth reading, although disconcerting as well. Seems coming out of the all star break, a number of reporters are dumping on the Hornets. Note the latest article on the Hornets SI site:

https://www.si.com/nba/hornets/news/nba-insider-claims-charlotte-hornets-are-in-a-pretty-bad-spot

[MasterIchiro]

For a team in such a weak position, boy did the Lakers retreat when things got too hot in their weak desperation given they surrendered comparable longterm assets to the ones they used to acquire Luka.

Lakers are mortgaged. Suns are mortgaged. Most big teams are overpriced and mired in draft debt.

Hornets have a lean budget, draft surplus, and good players secured on affordable, movable contracts commanding large returns on the trade market from what we've seen with Richards and Mark.

[luciano-davidwesley]

I'm not taking anyone named RyEn seriously.

What a flawed rationale. Lamelo takes too many shots so we have the worst future in the NBA?

Do Charlotte fan's parents know they have a phone?

Garbage, stolen takes and childish comments.

So if we traded LaMelo in the offseason for picks and/or prospects would we still have the worst future RyEn?

How do these clowns get paid to report on the NBA? It's pretty obvious to identify who the guys are that put in the work (Lowe) and the hacks that rehash ESPN and other aggregators (RyEn)

[yosemiteben]

Read on Twitter

Good for him

[Braggins]

Hornets should offer Dennis Smith Jr a contract for the remainder of the season.

[MPM]

Hornets should offer Dennis Smith Jr a contract for the remainder of the season.

Just coming here to post this.

[Chapelchilla]

Hornets should offer Dennis Smith Jr a contract for the remainder of the season.

Just coming here to post this.

It should be for next year too. We need a defense first back up pg.

[HornetJail]

Hornets should offer Dennis Smith Jr a contract for the remainder of the season.

Just coming here to post this.

It should be for next year too. We need a defense first back up pg.

yes sir, give him the exact same deal Lonnie Walker just got from Philly. Get Elfrid up outta here

[Walt Cronkite]

Smith Jr #8 Sister, Sister swap hijinks ensuing with Nick and Dennis incoming. See if anyone notices/cares.

[yosemiteben]

Read on Twitter

If Portis's agent is telling the truth, that is truly awful for Portis and I feel really bad for him. Does not appear to be any culpability on his part.

[yosemiteben]

holy ****

Read on Twitter

[fatlever]

Bad day for the nba

[SWedd523]

The cynic in me half says they're doing this to tank and watch the NBA give them Flagg for twin towers 2.0

Sucks for Wemby. hope it doesn't become a thing and derail his career

[Walt Cronkite]

Shocking, sucky news.

[Bassman]

The cynic in me half says they're doing this to tank and watch the NBA give them Flagg for twin towers 2.0

If the Spurs get #1 again, there needs to be a Fed raid on both the NBA and SA team headquarters, with RICO lawyers ready to pounce.

[luciano-davidwesley]

The cynic in me half says they're doing this to tank and watch the NBA give them Flagg for twin towers 2.0

Sucks for Wemby. hope it doesn't become a thing and derail his career

Nothing personal against Wemby but the Spurs are due some bad luck and bad karma.

[Diop]

Embiid looks terrible, I hope he’s traded to the lakers

[Diop]

Bismack won the battle of the ex Charlotte centres against Richards and Plumlee combined

God bless that man

[Diop]

Read on Twitter

6'5 point guard, always worth a 2 way trial