Hornets Reset
Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 3:43 am
Back in the day, I wrote for the old Hornetsweb site (before Rivals, etc.) that was so much fun for the first generation of Hornets fans. I miss those message board days, but not so much that I ignore the good board that has developed here. For the most part, you're a good group of passionate, knowledgeable pro basketball fans that have the best game threads in the business. Though I haven't posted in a while (under another name), I'd like to add my voice to current events.
Michael Jordan set the franchise on the right path with the hire of Rich Cho. MJ as a figurehead and beating heart of the franchise is his proper place. He's transitioned from a poor league executive to a wised-up, hands-off owner who leaves the tough grunt work to the grunts. Cho is a legit GM who leaves no stone unturned. Whatever we may think of his drafts (I was shocked at Zeller over Noel, still am), we can probably all agree that the dude does his homework and doesn't stand on emotion. I like Cho's long-term outlook and approach to team building. And he finally hit the right combo of skills when he hired Clifford.
The biggest frustration for me this past season was the team's lack of outside shooting, which Cho tried to rectify with the acquisition of Neal. I liked Sessions, but he stifled ball movement and his shot was poor from beyond the arc. Yet Neal is best used as a spot-up shooter (definitely a bench player) and has a low trajectory on his realease that's too easy to block. He needs space and that comes from a true drive-and-dish point guard. Having a competent backup point, and possible replacement, for Kemba Walker is THE KEY to 2014-15 success and beyond over all other positions, in my humble opinion.
The Hornets need shooters, no doubt. All mock drafts that I've seen, including the huge majority of opinions on this board, are heavily weighted toward shooting guards or wing players that can shoot. Suffering through the forced captivity of Gerald Henderson this past season, I'm sick of the lack of shooting, too. But I cannot escape the franchise's dire need for a competent point guard, a true floor leader who can bring all the parts together.
And for that reason, I believe Rich Cho should draft Tyler Ennis at #9. Ennis won't be around at 24 and I truly believe he has Chris Paul potential. At 24, Cho can get his Euroshooter or athletic wing like KJ McDaniels. Point guards are NBA gold, my friends. And I mean real, true points, not MCW wannabe's who have years of development ahead of them. Ennis needs seasoning, to be sure. But I say there is no better floor leader in the draft this year, and that is worth a lottery pick.
Or at least inclusion in the current debate over whom the Hornets should take at #9 overall.
As for free agency, I have a particular affection for Zach Randolph. On the right block, opposite Big Al, they would be a devastating combo. Randolph is a terrific rebounder, too, who has matured. On the wing, I like Jodie Meeks. I think he's the kind of complimentary bench shooter Cho was looking for from Neal. I don't stretch to resign McRoberts after he opts out. Good player, but not a starter. Charlotte is stuck with Henderson, friends. Let's just hope Gerald listens to people who care for his basketball future and works hard over the summer on his long game.
This all works because MKG and his magnificent defensive prowess is on the team. He'll grow out of the fouling. And that boy better revert at least back to his freshman days at KU and remove his left hand from the top of the dad gum ball. His release and overall form after the hitch are okay, but his current shot is like thumb-sucking - an old, comforting habit that's hard for kids to break. My gut says that MKG makes a leap forward next season and justifies his high draft position. In a couple of years, we'll be talking about how indispensable he is, especially on defense against the hoard of athletic small forwards flooding the league. But if he can't come back shooting, he's a liability, and the Hornets would be worse off for it.
For the Hornets to contend, they must have a threat at each position, both on offense and defense, and a bench that can push a lead. They have a chance at a real reset, with a new name, a solid stable of talent, good draft prospects and plenty of cap room to go after and/or retain the right guys.
Feels good to be a Hornet again.
Michael Jordan set the franchise on the right path with the hire of Rich Cho. MJ as a figurehead and beating heart of the franchise is his proper place. He's transitioned from a poor league executive to a wised-up, hands-off owner who leaves the tough grunt work to the grunts. Cho is a legit GM who leaves no stone unturned. Whatever we may think of his drafts (I was shocked at Zeller over Noel, still am), we can probably all agree that the dude does his homework and doesn't stand on emotion. I like Cho's long-term outlook and approach to team building. And he finally hit the right combo of skills when he hired Clifford.
The biggest frustration for me this past season was the team's lack of outside shooting, which Cho tried to rectify with the acquisition of Neal. I liked Sessions, but he stifled ball movement and his shot was poor from beyond the arc. Yet Neal is best used as a spot-up shooter (definitely a bench player) and has a low trajectory on his realease that's too easy to block. He needs space and that comes from a true drive-and-dish point guard. Having a competent backup point, and possible replacement, for Kemba Walker is THE KEY to 2014-15 success and beyond over all other positions, in my humble opinion.
The Hornets need shooters, no doubt. All mock drafts that I've seen, including the huge majority of opinions on this board, are heavily weighted toward shooting guards or wing players that can shoot. Suffering through the forced captivity of Gerald Henderson this past season, I'm sick of the lack of shooting, too. But I cannot escape the franchise's dire need for a competent point guard, a true floor leader who can bring all the parts together.
And for that reason, I believe Rich Cho should draft Tyler Ennis at #9. Ennis won't be around at 24 and I truly believe he has Chris Paul potential. At 24, Cho can get his Euroshooter or athletic wing like KJ McDaniels. Point guards are NBA gold, my friends. And I mean real, true points, not MCW wannabe's who have years of development ahead of them. Ennis needs seasoning, to be sure. But I say there is no better floor leader in the draft this year, and that is worth a lottery pick.
Or at least inclusion in the current debate over whom the Hornets should take at #9 overall.
As for free agency, I have a particular affection for Zach Randolph. On the right block, opposite Big Al, they would be a devastating combo. Randolph is a terrific rebounder, too, who has matured. On the wing, I like Jodie Meeks. I think he's the kind of complimentary bench shooter Cho was looking for from Neal. I don't stretch to resign McRoberts after he opts out. Good player, but not a starter. Charlotte is stuck with Henderson, friends. Let's just hope Gerald listens to people who care for his basketball future and works hard over the summer on his long game.
This all works because MKG and his magnificent defensive prowess is on the team. He'll grow out of the fouling. And that boy better revert at least back to his freshman days at KU and remove his left hand from the top of the dad gum ball. His release and overall form after the hitch are okay, but his current shot is like thumb-sucking - an old, comforting habit that's hard for kids to break. My gut says that MKG makes a leap forward next season and justifies his high draft position. In a couple of years, we'll be talking about how indispensable he is, especially on defense against the hoard of athletic small forwards flooding the league. But if he can't come back shooting, he's a liability, and the Hornets would be worse off for it.
For the Hornets to contend, they must have a threat at each position, both on offense and defense, and a bench that can push a lead. They have a chance at a real reset, with a new name, a solid stable of talent, good draft prospects and plenty of cap room to go after and/or retain the right guys.
Feels good to be a Hornet again.