Don't play with my emotions. Gonna act like this post doesn't exist
The Buzz is Back: 2014-2015 Charlotte Hornets Thread
- Thread starter Responsible Allen Iverson
- Start date
for real, i'm tempted to neg just reading that shti
Where do ya'll make these avis with the jerseys?
@Liu Kang was making them few weeks ago
KillaCali32
Banned
Roster Reload: Jefferson key for Hornets
2014-15 record: 33-49
Pythagorean record: 32-50
Offensive rating: 97.6 (28th)
Defensive rating: 101.0 (9th)
Under Contract for 2015-16
Player Salary RPM WARP
Kemba Walker $12,000,000 -0.7 6.3
Marvin Williams $7,000,000 0.5 3.4
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist $6,331,404 2.7 1.4
Cody Zeller $4,204,200 4.3 1.2
Brian Roberts $2,854,940 -3.1 0.5
Noah Vonleh $2,637,720 -2.3 0.2
P.J. Hairston $1,201,440 -3.8 0.1
Troy Daniels $947,276 -4.4 -0.2
Lance Stephenson $9,000,000 -5.0 -2.5
Possible Free Agents
Player Type RPM WARP
Al Jefferson Player option -1.0 4.6
Mo Williams Unrestricted -1.0 4.2
Bismack Biyombo Restricted -0.8 3.5
Jeff Taylor Restricted -4.8 -0.5
Gerald Henderson Jr. Player option 0.3 -0.5
Jason Maxiell Unrestricted -3.4 -0.6
Draft Picks
Own first-round pick (9th entering lottery)
Own second-round pick (39th)
Projected Cap Space
Maximum: $18.2 million
Minimum: $0
Likely: $0
What's Returning
The Hornets got ahead of the cap increase last fall, extending point guard Kemba Walker for four years and $48 million. Soon, they'll face similar extension talks with small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2012 draft. Kidd-Gilchrist was more of an offensive threat after revamping his shooting form, but his true value lies on defense, where Charlotte allowed 7.8 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court, per NBA.com/Stats. The next step for Kidd-Gilchrist will be staying healthy; he's missed 47 games over the past two seasons.
Besides Kidd-Gilchrist, ESPN's real plus-minus is also fond of Cody Zeller, the Hornets' 2013 lottery pick. Charlotte was 7.6 points better per 100 possessions with Zeller on the court. The development of Zeller and 2014 lottery pick Noah Vonleh, who showed promise in limited action as a rookie, could make Marvin Williams expendable. Williams and guard Lance Stephenson, the Hornets' marquee additions in free agency last summer, were both relegated to reserve roles due to ineffective play.
Free Agents
Center Al Jefferson faces an interesting decision this summer. After Jefferson's first season in Charlotte resulted in a spot on the All-NBA Third Team, it looked inevitable that he'd opt out of the final year of his contract. Coming off a season in which he missed 17 games and was limited by injuries while on the court, Jefferson may be hard-pressed to surpass the $13.5 million he would make by opting in. Starting shooting guard Gerald Henderson also faces a decision on his $6 million option.
Jefferson's backup, Bismack Biyombo, could be a restricted free agent if the Hornets opt to make a $5.2 million qualifying offer to him. While Biyombo still struggles offensively due to poor hands and footwork, he's developed into a quality rim protector. Mo Williams, acquired before the trade deadline to supply needed perimeter punch, will be an unrestricted free agent.
Biggest Need: 3-Point Shooting
Charlotte ranked 26th in the NBA in 3-pointers, and no team shot a worse percentage from beyond the arc than the Hornets' 31.8 percent mark, putting them last in the league in 3-Point Index. The wings were particularly problematic. Kidd-Gilchrist did not make a single 3-pointer all season, Stephenson posted the lowest accuracy ever for a player with at least 100 attempts (17.1 percent) and Henderson made less than half a 3-pointer per game.
That left Charlotte's point guards and stretch-4 Marvin Williams (a team-high 95 3s) as the sources of perimeter punch. Internal development by rookie P.J. Hairston could give the Hornets more shooting, though he shot just 30.1 percent as a rookie, attempting a 3 nearly every four minutes he was on the court.
Biggest Question: Is Jefferson worth a long-term investment?
Credit the Hornets for a good bet on Jefferson in free agency two years ago. Steve Clifford's defensive scheme minimized Jefferson's limitations at that end of the floor, and Jefferson provided needed scoring punch to a team sorely in need of offense. In his second season, however, Charlotte was slightly better with Jefferson on the bench. He's also 30 now, and if Jefferson opts out and another team comes in with a multiyear offer, it may be difficult for the Hornets to justify spending that much on a player in the decline phase of his career.
Ideal Offseason
Charlotte finds a team willing to take a chance on rehabilitating Stephenson in the last guaranteed season of his three-year contract, giving the Hornets enough cap room to re-sign Jefferson and add a floor-spacing wing like DeMarre Carroll of the Atlanta Hawks in free agency. Charlotte's lottery pick contributes immediately and Vonleh is among the league's most improved players, giving the Hornets enviable depth.
KillaCali32
Banned
nice man..
with that nonsenseeveryone pray to whatever higher power you believe in that we get some lottery luck tomorrow night
i do like the symbolism of sending mkg. he represents us missing out with the best odds so maybe with him as a rep that'll be some good karma to get us a high pick with some of the worst odds
i do like the symbolism of sending mkg. he represents us missing out with the best odds so maybe with him as a rep that'll be some good karma to get us a high pick with some of the worst odds
i think you guys have a good chance of trading back if you dont hop into the top 3
some are speculating avery bradley gets shipped to you guys (including myself). i wouldnt say its likely but its possible on draft day...i think he'd fit nice on your squad
really the perfect 2 guard that is reasonable for this team is danny green. has size and is a very good defender who can shoot. your prototypical 3-and-D guy. him and mkg locking down the wing for the next few years would be great.
Sidewalk Sale May 19, 11 AM- 8 PM
Posted: May 11, 2015
Time Warner Cable ® Arena
333 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
The NBA Draft Lottery is May 19, and lucky for Buzz City- everything in the Hornets Fan Shop will be 25% off! Stop by Time Warner Cable® Arena to check out an amazing selection of authentic Hornets gear including hats, t-shirts, and jerseys. Don't forget, we also carry in line Jordan Brand footwear and apparel. Shop Location and Hours »
Player Appearance at Open House That Evening
The sale will continue through our Open House that same day, where Hornets players, Kemba Walker and Cody Zeller, will make a special appearance and interact with fans. The Open House will be from 6-8 p.m. See you there! RSVP to Attend »
*Offer is limited to stock on hand, and is not valid with any other coupons or discounts.