Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers, 7:30 October 27, 2018

[bravor]

What is crazy is that even with 2 points (and embarrassing look in the paint when he did that lazy pass to Cody instead of going for the rim or when he was outsmuscled to score a simple lay up with his left hand at some point), he was one of the rare wing (and that includes mkg..) who had an impact defensively. And 76rs spent almost all the game trying to have Simmons posting him up (or trying to generate help in the process so that simmons find anyone on the perimeter to hit some 3's).
As i said, it does not cover what he is being paid for, but last two years he was bad on both ends. So every little improvement is a step forward.

Think about the games from Monk & Lamb, and you will have the answer about why Borrego had to put him back in the 4th. Monk has some excuses, but as i said many times here, there should be a move for a 2 ways sg and if you can't land a star (we can forget the superstar at this point), you try to get a fringe ++ prospect like Richardson or someone with a close profile - maybe Simmons who has a 'friendly' contract).
As for Batum, playing mostly at the 4 is really what makes the more sense (and the consensus is not just here, now this is where he plays at least half of the time with our nt). This is how Korver (and the list must be long) became serviceable again. For once, i think he can recover part of his game, as long as Borrego sets him up on post up in the paint and adds a little more variety (i dont understand why he never tried to post up Reddick for instance yesterday, or even Saric who is foul prone when he has to defend).

Anyway Borrego is learning what he has in his roster (and other teams are learning too from his small ball options..). Dont need to look for a scapegoat, but you need to look at what would really be good for the competitivity of the roster.

[Diop]

Anyway Borrego is learning what he has in his roster (and other teams are learning too from his small ball options..). Dont need to look for a scapegoat, but you need to look at what would really be good for the competitivity of the roster.

i can't see us getting any big additions, which is why I'm hoping for Monk and Bridges to grow

[Hornet Mania]

hate to see marv like this

he knows he's over the hill too....

Me too. He's always been a trooper, and still gives max effort, he just doesn't have it anymore. It was sad to see him stumbling around like an old man at the end of a long pickup game when JB subbed him in the last few possessions. He's on his last legs.

[Hornet Mania]

in a past life, cody was a pastry chef

...Who somehow still managed to break his nose every other month.

[Splitta]

Can't close a game on tired legs. Kemba makes those threes. There's no doubt fatigue hindered the performance of the team. But man, Marvin and Nic were nonexistent. We can't sustain it. We can't carry those guys. Can someone step up? I think we're gonna have this issue all year.

I do not understand why people keep criticizing Batum. He was +12 on the floor tonight, next highest on the team was +6. He often leads the team in +/-, so he is a positive addition to this team. I find Marvin or Lamb to be the most limiting as they don't provide the same glue to the offense that Batum does. I'd send either out for a knockdown shooter.

your +/- obsession is the weirdest thing

dude took 4 shots and straight up ran from the ball in the fourth. again.

marvin was +6 and miles was -4. is marvin really better? --------------------------------------> y u do dis lol

I agree that +/- crap is worthless when evaluating a game. Your eyes dont lie and Batum and Marvin are big negatives for this team. The Hornets would trade either player if they found someone to take those contracts. I do not understand how anyone can believe Batum is a positive for this team.

[Bassman]

Just imagining Devin Booker or Donovan Mitchell on this team makes me sick

Yes those draft errors plus the overpay on Batum and Marvin are drag anchors on this team.

There is no way Batum will not be played key minutes, due to his $$ and some skills. He will never be aggressive, take key shots, or stop making stupid passes. He suffers the same French heart disease that plagued Diaw but somehow missed Tony Parker. TP doesn’t have the wheels anymore but he still has the moxy.

Kemba tries his best to rescue this team on his own shoulders, but can’t pull it off more than 40% of the time. Time to start Miles in place of Marvin, use whatever SG is actually doing well to close games and find a trade that can get us a decent big. Cleveland fired Lue, so wonder if they are ready to deal for Love and blow it up there?

[CuseMayne]

Another quick thought...is it just me and my large Hornets bias, or were the refs calling a BUNCH of ticky tac fouls on us last night? Let em play zebras...

[thenbaman]

Why are you asking Batum to take shots. Look at what Kemba is doing! Are you really going to say, 'hey Kemba, after you crossover that defender and get that open look, pass it to Batum so fans won't be mad he gets paid $25 million for things besides shooting'.

When any player shoots 11 of 31 better start passing the rock alittle.

[euphorbus]

When any player shoots 11 of 31 he better start passing the rock a little.

We had hero ball at the end of the game Saturday night. Not much passing was going on. It works if you have Jordan and Pippen, Curry and Thompson, James and Wade. But with just one guy, it's a recipe for failure often as not, especially if he is cold as a rock, as you point out.

In this case, the Hornets played four games in six days. Man, they looked wiped out at the end.

I think the team is progressing. They certainly offer more glimpses of promise than the teams of the past two years. The young guys are very talented and are learning the NBA game faster than anyone could have predicted. Graham really impressed me last night. Bridges does so nearly every night. Monk has so much talent it's tough for him to harness it all just yet.

[catch20two]

We loss by only 2 points on a game where Kemba was cold and the refs called several phantom calls. I feel like if they never call that 3-shot foul for Redick in the 4th we win.

It’s a long season. This wasn’t a make or break game but it was telling that we still have some ways to go as a team and that somebody needs to step up and help Kemba offensively *mean mug at Lamb*

[Diop]

In this case, the Hornets played four games in six days. Man, they looked wiped out at the end.

first time I've seen this mentioned and something that was overlooked by me. This is a big factor that can't be ignored, they did ok for a team running on fumes

[HornetJail]

In this case, the Hornets played four games in six days. Man, they looked wiped out at the end.

first time I've seen this mentioned and something that was overlooked by me. This is a big factor that can't be ignored, they did ok for a team running on fumes

yeah I didn't realize that we had played more games than any other team so far. We had yesterday off and still only us and the Warriors have played 7 games already. Tough to get thrust into that so quickly after having not played full effort NBA games in six months.