What’s It Take To be Really Good?

[Bassman]

So how hard is it for an NBA franchise to become good, then really good, then champions at some level (conference or world)? That depends.

If you are a mega market team, with a good head start on some talent and assets, you can attract superstar free agents. Lakers, Heat and similar have had that kind of success. But others like the Knicks and Bulls still struggle to reach the top of the mountain. Still, these are the DIAMOND locations where media is hot and sometimes the weather is really nice.

But everybody can’t do it that way. Some, like OKC, and earlier Toronto, did it the hard way. They had to make smart decisions, were excellent at identifying talent, drafted well, made good signings and built strong teams. But think about how critically important every draft pick was. It took time, some luck, and few setbacks.

Then how hard is it for teams building something to get over the hump and challenge for even a division or conference championship? I look at teams like Orlando, Indiana, the Clippers, etc. Good moves, some near or true stars, some good draft picks, good depth, but can’t get over the hump. The Kings couldn’t climb any further, so their best young player wanted out, and they’re scrambling to stay relevant.

THEN you get a few “lucky” teams, who seem to have the NBA’s finger pushing the scales of justice periodically. San Antonio is the king of “lucky”.

Our Hornets team really isn’t in any of those categories. We’re amongst the bottom feeders, the ignored and embarrassed of the league. Since the return of the franchise, it’s been a tough sledding. Our best luck has been more recent, getting Melo and Miller. Of course we should have had Wemby, but, there are different levels of luck in the NBA. Our BAD luck, I’d call it a curse, is health. Most injured team in the league, year after year it seems. Lastly, management has made many bad drafting decisions that ultimately robbed the team of talent and depth.

I post these thoughts not to depress, although it’s easy to be given the situation. As bad as the results have been, this team COULD be just a couple of years away that same place where the Magic, Pacers and others are now. We need a GREAT DRAFT, a good trade or two, some real LUCK, add quality depth, and HEALTHY players! It’s HARD getting to contending status, much less championship level. Peterson can’t screw up…no more dart throws.

[KembaWalker]

the only thing thats going to get this team anywhere close to "contention" is drafting a superstar. we are already too slow and too far behind in talent/depth in this iteration of the build to pursue some kind of Houston tier ensemble cast. FA will never be a cost effective talent adder.

[HornetJail]

luck is part of it. Melo, Mark, Miller, and Bridges taking turns missing nearly entire seasons is just rotten luck.

But you can make the losses hurt less when you actually employ an NBA level bench. Memphis continues to plow injuries/suspensions through by drafting smart, proactively cycling through D-League guys till they find contributors, making savvy trades for assets, focusing on player development, establishing a culture.

It takes multiple seasons of that to build what they have. We obviously have had none of that for the last 20 years. The world's greatest front office/coaching combo wasn't ever going to fix the Hornets in one season. But I have yet to see one single sign that Peterson and Lee that they're fixing anything.

[GiggitySmalls]

luck is part of it. Melo, Mark, Miller, and Bridges taking turns missing nearly entire seasons is just rotten luck.

But you can make the losses hurt less when you actually employ an NBA level bench. Memphis continues to plow injuries/suspensions through by drafting smart, proactively cycling through D-League guys till they find contributors, making savvy trades for assets, focusing on player development, establishing a culture.

It takes multiple seasons of that to build what they have. We obviously have had none of that for the last 20 years. The world's greatest front office/coaching combo wasn't ever going to fix the Hornets in one season. But I have yet to see one single sign that Peterson and Lee that they're fixing anything.

Its not stocking up in unlimited 2nd round picks.

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[GiggitySmalls]

Hornetsjail is a great name. That's what it feels like being a fan if this team. Everyone has nice toys and we get to play with a rusty bucket.

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[yosemiteben]

I actually fully agree with the strategy laid out by our FO and ownership. You don't go from perennial non-playoff team to perennial playoff team overnight, it takes building out a sustainable core, being strategic with draft capital, investing in younger talent with upside, then building out the roster with a higher level of talent. I see in our moves over the last 12 months a unique vision in the history of the franchise, and I'm hopeful that they continue to execute on that vision in a way that maximizes our assets and elevates the status and success of the franchise.

[fatlever]

good owners - hornets = tbd
good gm - tbd
good scouts - tbd
good coaching - tbd
lots of luck - nope
draft acquire superstar - maybe
build competently around star - nope

[Rays Pompadour]

Second round picks are the currency with which the draft and trades happen. The second round is where leverage resides. So let's stop whining about Charlotte stocking up on currency, shall we?

Any championship-worthy team has at least one player that can consistently impose his will and take over a game. These player types get franchises "over the hump." Have two Alphas and the franchise can sustain through injuries.

The Hornets have a good collection of talent, none of which, in my opinion, qualifies as an Alpha. LaMelo Ball comes closest, but I think he's about 15/20 pounds of muscle from being physical enough to carry a team to a championship. Add a high draft pick and the stable of talent may be enough to overcome the lack of an Alpha. Charlotte won't enter the conversation until they come to the end of acquisition mode and turn their full attention to winning.

Championship-caliber teams also exhibit the defensive capability to shut down an opponent upon command. That requires an Alpha or two in that area as well. Miller and Williams both have that potential with added strength and experience. The Hornets should draft with defense in mind. I believe it will be what defines them in the years to come.

And the winning teams also do all the little things well - rebound, steal, defend to the rim, refrain from fouling, communicate, keep the ball moving, exemplify efficiency. Alphas lead the way in establishing a winning culture, but role players and reserves must play with a championship mindset (to do what it takes to win, even if that's to sacrifice minutes or ego) in order to overcome injuries and push through that final minute to a championship.

Front offices must be disciplined, patient and carry a predatory mindset into building a championship team. All departments must be aligned to the singular goal of winning a championship. And then, once crowned champion to do it again and again.

I think the final ingredient to lift a franchise toward a championship is an unassailable hunger to win. And the Alpha(s) absolutely must have that unbreakable desire. Every player wants to win. Some very badly. But few refuse to lose with absolute conviction. That attitude is what makes Jimmy Butler and his sub-alpha skills worth fifty million a year. Michael Jordan had it. So does Lebron James. I think Jason Tatum is that guy, too. Hopefully, Luka Doncic will learn from his dismissal from Dallas and obtain the attitude of doing whatever it takes to win, including necessary conditioning work and less partying. I wonder sometimes if LaMelo has that overwhelming hunger to win. It will limit him until he does.

Boston, Denver, Golden State, the Bucks and the Lakers all had these qualities. The Hornets would do well to learn from the champ's success if they have any hope of being really good and winning a championship or two of their own.

[Chapelchilla]

Luck, innate Skill, lots of heart, some nastiness, a good leader, $, role players who fit, health

We have not had most of that since the Kemba/Lin/Jefferson team.

But, we aren't as far away as the record makes it appear.
A great player coming in this draft, staying healthy and some tinkering with the roster in FA would make this team good quickly

Ball- good FA backup- KJ/other rookie pg
Miller- Green - NSJ
Bridges - Okogie - Martin/other rookie wing
Flagg - Bridges - Williams - Saluan
Williams - Diabate - FA/other rookie big

Is a very good team.
ace, Harper, victor all could help too but Flagg would be the best option to change the "culture" immediately




Flagg

[Robot Rock]

We're three to five years away from a non-tanking season, let alone a 40-win season.

[Snidely FC]

I had lunch with a friend today who said he’s been trying to root for the Hornets but finally cancelled his subscription to fanduel sports because the team was obviously tanking so why should he pay money to watch a team trying to lose.

Maybe trying to win is a component of being good.

[Chapelchilla]

We're three to five years away from a non-tanking season, let alone a 40-win season.

That's completely absurd