Charlotte Hornets Training Camp

[BeesWax]

Could one of them actually play the role we expected Ben Gordon to play for us???

I think Neals going to be fantastic this year. Hairston is another year or two away in my opinion. Has a ton of maturing to do.

I think in backup minutes Hairston could be solid for us if needed. Ideally we would let him learn a year behind Neal but if forced he can play. He could always play the issues about maturing are more off the court IMO. I do think Neal could play a huge role I just worry a bit about his defense.

[TheKingofSting]

I can't wait to see Lance!

[Eoghan]

Charlotte Hornets ‏@hornets 3h3 hours ago

#GaryNeal could be huge for Hornets in his 2nd yr here. Looks great in #HornetsCamp - comfortable and draining everything @BCBSNC @nba

I read somewhere that Neal loss about 25 pounds during the offseason. I never really considered him overweight beforehand, but if he loss that much weight off his frame in the midst of getting in shape, he had to have been working very hard over the summer

I could tell right away that Neal was out of shape after that trade. If we had acquired fit Neal than a lot of us would not have been pissed off at that trade.

[Braggins]

Could one of them actually play the role we expected Ben Gordon to play for us???

I think Neals going to be fantastic this year. Hairston is another year or two away in my opinion. Has a ton of maturing to do.

I can't believe it but I am kind of getting this feeling too. I've been one of the most outspoken critics of him on this board but he seems to really be getting his stuff together. If he can be a factor and do what we need him to do that would be huge for us.

[HornetJail]

Could one of them actually play the role we expected Ben Gordon to play for us???

I think Neals going to be fantastic this year. Hairston is another year or two away in my opinion. Has a ton of maturing to do.

I can't believe it but I am kind of getting this feeling too. I've been one of the most outspoken critics of him on this board but he seems to really be getting his stuff together. If he can be a factor and do what we need him to do that would be huge for us.

We all thought Mullens was going to put it together before the 2012-13 season started. I'll believe it when I see it with Neal. I wasn't much of a fan when he was in San Antonio either. I'm not going to hold my breath, but I'd sure like Gary Neal to show us a little something he picked up from the Spurs.

[Braggins]

I think Neals going to be fantastic this year. Hairston is another year or two away in my opinion. Has a ton of maturing to do.

I can't believe it but I am kind of getting this feeling too. I've been one of the most outspoken critics of him on this board but he seems to really be getting his stuff together. If he can be a factor and do what we need him to do that would be huge for us.

We all thought Mullens was going to put it together before the 2012-13 season started. I'll believe it when I see it with Neal. I wasn't much of a fan when he was in San Antonio either. I'm not going to hold my breath, but I'd sure like Gary Neal to show us a little something he picked up from the Spurs.

I'm definitely still skeptical, but the dedication he has supposedly shown this offseason is very encouraging considering his problems have mainly been with focus and effort. It won't be easy for me to shake the memories of his playoff defense last year from head but I'm really hoping he shows enough for that to happen.

[vorbis]

if Neal can bang home 3's at an above average rate, he's going to see tons of minutes. maybe even be 6th man.

[Braggins]

Honestly, our shooting issues might not be that big of a problem this year. We still could certainly use more shooting but we easily have more than Indiana last year and now with Lance could be a top 5 defense. If guys like Neal, Hairston, and Roberts can focus and work hard enough to be passable on D then we honestly have some decent deep threats. Kemba and Lance aren't great but you certainly have to respect their range. Even if Marvin is a disappointment overall he'll still be at the very least an option as a stretch 4 (why on earth did we not keep Tolliver on the cheap?). Also, some of our lesser shooters could and should improve a little. We know Lance and Kemba can get into the paint at will especially if given space and we are already hearing the coaching staff is putting an emphasis on a high pace. This could be a fun year. I think our biggest concern right now should be whether or not Marvin can be a starting PF.

[Liver_Pooty]

Neal spent most of his entire off season in Charlotte, which is kind of a rarity for someone going on 30, lost nearly 25 pounds when he looked fit in the first place.

Sounds like a guy playing for one last decent contract, and I dont blame him.

[LamarMatic7]

I think Neals going to be fantastic this year. Hairston is another year or two away in my opinion. Has a ton of maturing to do.

I can't believe it but I am kind of getting this feeling too. I've been one of the most outspoken critics of him on this board but he seems to really be getting his stuff together. If he can be a factor and do what we need him to do that would be huge for us.

We all thought Mullens was going to put it together before the 2012-13 season started. I'll believe it when I see it with Neal. I wasn't much of a fan when he was in San Antonio either. I'm not going to hold my breath, but I'd sure like Gary Neal to show us a little something he picked up from the Spurs.

was it really that unanimous? I remember plenty of people being anti-Mullens.

[LamarMatic7]

Honestly, our shooting issues might not be that big of a problem this year. We still could certainly use more shooting but we easily have more than Indiana last year and now with Lance could be a top 5 defense.

We basically were a top 5 defense last year anyway.

I think we finished 6th but, either way, it's cool that the guys didn't slug off as the season went on. Remember Lowe saying that we won't keep this up once we play the Western conference a bit more? He projected us just falling out of the top10.

[mrknowitall215]

I think our biggest concern right now should be whether or not Marvin can be a starting PF.

This is essentially my only concern going into the season. It's all I keep posting about. I'm sure it's to the point that it's aggravating a few, but it's my chief concern, and I firmly believe that it won't be a positive state with Marvin Williams at the PF position. I never viewed him as a PF, and he didn't necessarily fair well or help the Jazz look competent while playing it over the past season neither

[LamarMatic7]

I think our biggest concern right now should be whether or not Marvin can be a starting PF.

This is essentially my only concern going into the season. It's all I keep posting about. I'm sure it's to the point that it's aggravating a few, but it's my chief concern, and I firmly believe that it won't be a positive state with Marvin Williams at the PF position. I never viewed him as a PF, and he didn't necessarily fair well or help the Jazz look competent while playing it over the past season neither

Helping the Jazz look competent was an almost impossible job for any non-all star last year. Best he could, and he did actually do this, was propel them into an above NBA average offense when he was on the floor.

[mrknowitall215]

I think our biggest concern right now should be whether or not Marvin can be a starting PF.

This is essentially my only concern going into the season. It's all I keep posting about. I'm sure it's to the point that it's aggravating a few, but it's my chief concern, and I firmly believe that it won't be a positive state with Marvin Williams at the PF position. I never viewed him as a PF, and he didn't necessarily fair well or help the Jazz look competent while playing it over the past season neither

Helping the Jazz look competent was an almost impossible job for any non-all star last year. Best he could, and he did actually do this, was propel them into an above NBA average offense when he was on the floor.

Well, hopefully he could propel our offense while not giving up more on the defensive end, and I wouldn't have any problem with him starting or being overpaid albeit on a short contract

[yosemiteben]

I'm still worried about offense with our second line and outside shooting with our first line.

[Elden Payton]

Neal spent most of his entire off season in Charlotte, which is kind of a rarity for someone going on 30, lost nearly 25 pounds when he looked fit in the first place.

Sounds like a guy playing for one last decent contract, and I dont blame him.

He's earning his money, that's for sure!

[Snidely FC]

Neal put in extra work this summer because he needed to. He sucked last year. Shooting 20% from 3 in the playoffs should have put an end to his time in CHA.

[fatlever]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/1 ... DBtXhaTFDR

bonnell with an article about team chemistry.

[Elden Payton]

Cheers fats.

Quite a good (light) read, I love Al's comments.

[TheKingofSting]

Great read