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Hornets Reset

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Cheeze
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Hornets Reset 

Post#1 » by Cheeze » 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.
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#2 » by Liver_Pooty » Fri May 23, 2014 3:53 am

Welcome to the board, and well written. But I definitely would not take Ennis at 9. I have faith in Walker, well on most nights anyway.
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#3 » by dmutombo321 » Fri May 23, 2014 3:55 am

Welcome back to the fold. Great post.

Ennis would be an unexpected pick at 9 but I dont disagree at all with the rationale you've outlined.

He'd also provide insurance in case Kemba hits free agency in a couple years and has some teams throwing $10mil a year at him (which, considering his sub 40% shooting and mediocre playmaking, it would be a mistake for charlotte to match).

Workouts are still pending of course but right now, I'm inclined to believe that Ennis could still be had well into the teens. If so, we could always try to trade up from #24 to acquire him.
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#4 » by MasterIchiro » Fri May 23, 2014 4:05 am

Kemba's going to look amazing in a Hornets uniform, even when he's old.
It has been written...
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#5 » by Eoghan » Fri May 23, 2014 4:39 am

Cheeze wrote:
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. .

The potential to be over hyped by fans and media, flop like a sea bass, and choke year after year in the playoffs?

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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#6 » by IMAN5 » Fri May 23, 2014 8:14 pm

welcome back hornets.

also don't reacha t 9 and get ennis, he is projected 20th pick.
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#7 » by mrknowitall215 » Fri May 23, 2014 8:31 pm

Great. We have a new 'Leolovinliberal' clone, or just another Canadian that want a fellow Canadian to get drafted as high as possible
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#8 » by Cheeze » Fri May 23, 2014 10:35 pm

IMAN5 wrote:welcome back hornets.

also don't reacha t 9 and get ennis, he is projected 20th pick.


I'd like to see a top 25 based on best player available and not based on Chad Ford's mock or anyone else's mock or based on need. If we throw out need and what pundits think, how would you build your top 25?

And then tell me why Tyler Ennis is a reach at #9.

I'm not in love with Ennis. But I think he can be an impact player. Watching him this past season in full ACC play, the big thing that stood out to me was Ennis' scoring before and after half time. Early in games, Ennis worked to get his teammates involved and his personal stats suffered. But as games wore on, he began to impose himself, and for stretches was unstoppable. What this tells me is that he has the point mentality and also the ability to makes plays. He's not a bad defender either.

I care less these days for physique and more for basketball skills. It's why Josh McRoberts will make a lot of money this summer after he opts out and why Bismack Biyombo remains in diapers. Point guard is a skill position, requiring less physique and more mystique. Walker, bless him, does not have a natural ability to run a team. He has more heart than mystique and the Hornets need a point who has the ability to see plays happen prior to them happening. And to put the ball in the bucket when required.

Which players available for the draft have these characteristics? Where are the basketball players?

If you ask me, I'll take Tony Parker over Russell Westbrook. Ennis is the closest thing to Parker I've seen in a while.

Again, I'm not in love with Ennis, though it seems like it from my defense of him. But until someone can supply a credible reason why he doesn't warrant the Hornets' #9 pick (meaning, not 'projected' that high), I'll stick by my pick.
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#9 » by JDR720 » Fri May 23, 2014 10:39 pm

we wont (and shouldn't) draft a PG at #9 unless we are planning on getting Kemba's replacement (which we dont need)
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#10 » by Cheeze » Fri May 23, 2014 11:09 pm

JDR720 wrote:we wont (and shouldn't) draft a PG at #9 unless we are planning on getting Kemba's replacement (which we dont need)


Kemba blows an ACL. Who runs the team?

Too many backup points are backups. Contenders often have two 'starters' at the point, or at least a point-level ball handler so that there's continuity when swapping reserves. There was too much of a drop off with Sessions, followed by Ridnour. Personally, I think Walker could use a little legit competition. Everybody wins.

It's a need. And I'd take Marcus Smart at 9, too. And then Kyle Anderson at 24. Basketball players.
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#11 » by JDR720 » Fri May 23, 2014 11:13 pm

Cheeze wrote:
JDR720 wrote:we wont (and shouldn't) draft a PG at #9 unless we are planning on getting Kemba's replacement (which we dont need)


Kemba blows an ACL. Who runs the team?

Too many backup points are backups. Contenders often have two 'starters' at the point, or at least a point-level ball handler so that there's continuity when swapping reserves. There was too much of a drop off with Sessions, followed by Ridnour. Personally, I think Walker could use a little legit competition. Everybody wins.

It's a need. And I'd take Marcus Smart at 9, too. And then Kyle Anderson at 24. Basketball players.

what if Kemba doesn't blow an ACL (very bad to think of) then we just wasted a top pick on a backup and the PG position is loaded we can find a quality backup who doesn't cost us a top pick and Kemba already had to fight off DJ Augustine and Ramon Sessions for his starting job he has earned his job many times
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#12 » by BlackOutBuzz » Fri May 23, 2014 11:54 pm

Remember the anonymous scouts' reports that had Ennis as a better prospect than Irving?

Obviously that was a stretch - even with my dwindling opinion of Kyrie - but lately I've been seeing him around 20. I think his value is somewhere in between: late lottery-mid first.

I don't like him as much as Exum, Smart, or Lavine (all of whom I think better project as SGs), but I prefer him to Napier, Payton, Clarkson, etc.

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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#13 » by EwingSweatsALot » Sat May 24, 2014 12:42 am

Unless we get Exum or Smart, or Payton or Napier at 24 then we better not draft a PG.
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#14 » by Cheeze » Sat May 24, 2014 12:56 am

BlackOutBobcat wrote:Remember the anonymous scouts' reports that had Ennis as a better prospect than Irving?

Obviously that was a stretch - even with my dwindling opinion of Kyrie - but lately I've been seeing him around 20. I think his value is somewhere in between: late lottery-mid first.

I don't like him as much as Exum, Smart, or Lavine (all of whom I think better project as SGs), but I prefer him to Napier, Payton, Clarkson, etc.

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I've seen him in that range, too: 16-20. I have, however, failed to find credible reasoning for the ranking. Many of these mocks are made by pundits guessing whom a team will take, based on perceived need, popular opinion of said player and the player's measurables. The mocks are NOT typically based on justifiable ranking.

So many debates focus on value of the pick. "He's not worth a 5..." or "Cleveland took him way too early..." or "The Lakers got a steal at 14..." Everybody wants a good deal. Nobody wants to look back and say they wasted a pick. Zeller may have been taken later in the lottery, but Cho and Co. liked the PLAYER and took him higher than what popular opinion (mine included) would have taken him. I can't really argue with the selection until the young man reaches his considerable potential. The value of the pick isn't as important as the player. Zeller's a good player but not a value pick. Shrug.

So if I understand your comment above, you'd prefer a shooting guard over the point guard. I can get behind that. Charlotte needs shooting. But I'd be interested to know why you think Ennis would be a reach at #9. Is there a real difference between 9 and 20? Or is the ranking/mock solely based on fit and need? Is the presence of Walker really that much of a deterrent in selecting a point guard at #9?
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#15 » by Cheeze » Sat May 24, 2014 12:59 am

EwingSweatsALot wrote:Unless we get Exum or Smart, or Payton or Napier at 24 then we better not draft a PG.
.

Why? Because we already have Walker? You gotta do better than that. Or, are you prepared to hitch your wagon to Walker as your undisputed franchise point guard?

And, I agree - Ewing sweats a lot!
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#16 » by EwingSweatsALot » Sat May 24, 2014 1:08 am

Cheeze wrote:
EwingSweatsALot wrote:Unless we get Exum or Smart, or Payton or Napier at 24 then we better not draft a PG.
.

Why? Because we already have Walker? You gotta do better than that. Or, are you prepared to hitch your wagon to Walker as your undisputed franchise point guard?

And, I agree - Ewing sweats a lot!


This might get me stoned on here, but I am not a huge Kemba fan. I am a fan of his because he plays for my favorite team, he is our leader, he is our heart, but looking objectively as a player i think he is what he is now. If there are ten floors in the building, he has already passed nine. If a PG isn't an elite, elite athlete I don't prefer for them to play like Kemba. Kemba isn't an elite athlete so he isn't my style. I love that guy on my team, but I'm not hitching myself to him.

With that said. The first two I named would take his job eventually. The last two would be wonderful backups for us. Top tier back ups eventually. Other than that I don't want to draft anyone. Anyone else at 9 is a big reach. It's not a value pick and at this time, we need other areas of help that are available at that spot that are better prospects than the other PGs.
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#17 » by fatlever » Sat May 24, 2014 1:14 am

very well said ESaL.
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#18 » by BlackOutBuzz » Sat May 24, 2014 1:14 am

Cheeze wrote:
EwingSweatsALot wrote:Unless we get Exum or Smart, or Payton or Napier at 24 then we better not draft a PG.
.

Why? Because we already have Walker? You gotta do better than that. Or, are you prepared to hitch your wagon to Walker as your undisputed franchise point guard?

And, I agree - Ewing sweats a lot!


Because there are equal or better prospects at positions that need attention more. Hell, with Al basically entering a contract year, I'd say PG should be the absolute last place we look.

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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#19 » by mrknowitall215 » Sat May 24, 2014 1:14 am

BlackOutBobcat wrote:Remember the anonymous scouts' reports that had Ennis as a better prospect than Irving?


They were all just riding the current of a undefeated Syracuse season until they loss 6 of their last 8 games. I'm sure they silenced themselves since then as Ennis went from a top-10 prospect into a out of the lottery mid-1st round projection
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Re: Hornets Reset 

Post#20 » by Cheeze » Sat May 24, 2014 1:32 am

I sense that most of you guys are looking to need in this draft and are against drafting Tyler Ennis because you feel that we're covered in that regard. I have, again, no beef with that. But someone please tell me why you think Ennis is a reach at #9.

Is his shot broken?
Does he lack height?
Is he not a leader?
Is his girlfriend ugly?
Can he not dribble?
Is he too slow?
Defensively deficient?
Is he not an upgrade to Walker?
Is it because he didn't play for Roy Williams?

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