Where is the Charlotte Hornets hype coming from?

[Godymas]

Idgi, every single power rankings, all the pre-season talk, like Charlotte is supposed to be some sleeper playoff team in the east. I don't see it.

Yes LaMelo is good, Brandon Miller is supposed to take a small leap, Mark Williams is a solid starting big man, Miles Bridges is an above average starter.

Then what's left, Josh Green, Grant Williams and the rookie Tidjane? Micic as a backup PG?

I understand the East is a weak conference again, but what does Charlotte has that makes them look better on paper than Detroit?

[JXL]

LOL, where you seeing this?

[sca]

They're ranked 13th out of 15 in NBA.com's Eastern Conference power rankings.

Bleacher Report, CBS Sports and ESPN rank them 25th, 30th and 26th out of 30 teams, respectively.

I'm confused, where's the hype?

[uconn83]

getting multiple second round picks is the new hype train?

[bkkrh]

While I dont see any hype around them, Playoffs aren't absolutely unrealistic. Brooklyn will be worse, Washington wil most likely be worse, Toronto and Detroit depends on how their young players develop, but they probably need 1 or 2 more years.

So 11th seed is already pretty realistic. Atlanta will be a big question mark as well after trading away Murray. Bulls had a lot of injury issues the last seasons. All that really needs to happen is that one of those 2 teams struggles due to injuries, roster changes etc. and they'd be in the play in.

[meekrab]

Is this another offseason thread where OP is living in a different world from everyone else?

[Lalouie]

They're ranked 13th out of 15 in NBA.com's Eastern Conference power rankings.

Bleacher Report, CBS Sports and ESPN rank them 25th, 30th and 26th out of 30 teams, respectively.

I'm confused, where's the hype?

maybe he thinks they should be #15

[hugepatsfan]

The Hawks were the last team in the play in last year with 36 wins. The Bulls also made it with 39 wins. ATL lost Murray and CHI lost
DDR/Caruso. The Hornets dealt with a lot of injuries last year and the Bridges suspension the year before, but were an encouraging 43-29 the year before that. Since then they've added Miller who looks like a big piece. It's not out of the question that they can be in the mid 30s for wins next year which has them in the play-in range most likely.

I think "hype" is a relative term. The East drops off hard after the likely 8-seed in Miami, so the door is open for a team that's not really much to be "hyped" as a play in team.

[Stan]

Charlotte Hornets hype has literally never existed

[God Squad]

lol

[SomeBunghole]

Charlotte Hornets hype has literally never existed

Eh, you're probably too young to remember about 2 weeks in 1994.

[pipfan]

I think they'll be 9-11 seed

[azcatz11]

Hornets are a 500 team when Melo plays. Miller is a Darkhorse AS candidate and Bridges is going to be there the whole year. It's not like the hornets and Pistons are going to be bad forever. I mean there's a universe where both teams finish ahead of Chicago, BKNY, Washington, Toronto, Atlanta and maybe a team like the Heat

[Bornstellar]

Threads like this prove that we need JustBuzzin on the GB. Free the man!

[jowglenn]

Brilliant thread, trying to drum up hype for Charlotte by doing the old "Whoa where is all this hype coming from?" move. PR 101.

[Hornet Mania]

No idea what hype OP is referring to, the highest I've seen the Hornets predicted to finish is 11th.

It should be a fun young team if everyone can stay healthy. Brandon Miller may make a leap into stardom, Charles Lee seems like a solid young coach, there are reasons to tentatively be excited for their trajectory if nothing else.

Personally I think they're still a year away, and the front office moves (like drafting a project like Salaun with the 6th pick) suggest the organization feels the same. If they end up in the lotto they no longer owe San Antonio a future 1st round pick, so there is some incentive to be patient.

[Karate Diop]

Who's hyping the Hornets? They could be worse than the Nets despite not deliberately trying to be bad...

[brackdan70]

Hype is a strong word for saying a team has a chance to make the play in.
A lot of middling east teams are worse and the Hornets have a new coach that is really good, potentially. I think there is hope that if healthy and some young players take a step forward they will be better. I wouldn’t call that hype though.

[dockingsched]

Is this one of those troll threads where you totally fabricate something just so you can have an excuse to talk trash about it?

[MrGoat]

I mean... they're in the East. A surprise playoff run isn't even out of the question. But as to this supposed hype I haven't seen it, and if someone is let them have their fun, it's the offseason