Setting Realistic Expectations for the Hornets
As the NBA regular season kicks off, the Charlotte Hornets find themselves in a unique position. Ranked 25th in ESPN’s 2024-2025 NBA preview, the Hornets are entering a season of evaluation rather than immediate contention. With a projected 33.8% chance of making the playoffs and an estimated 37 wins, the focus is on assessing the roster’s potential and building a foundation for future success.
ESPN’s Chris Herring highlights the importance of health for the Hornets this season. The team needs a good run of health to properly evaluate its roster, especially with new coach Charles Lee at the helm. The Hornets have wisely avoided setting unrealistic expectations, allowing them to focus on development and improvement. This approach is crucial, given the team’s recent history of injuries and the need to understand how the current roster fits together.
Strengths and Weaknesses: A Closer Look
The Hornets’ strengths lie in their young talent, particularly second-year wing Brandon Miller, who showed promise last season. His progression, alongside LaMelo Ball’s playmaking abilities, forms the backbone of the team’s offensive potential. However, the Hornets face significant challenges, particularly in offensive efficiency. Last season, they ranked 28th in this category, struggling to create easy points and ranking last in free throw attempt rate.
The team’s ability to improve in these areas hinges on the health and development of key players like Ball and Miller. Ball’s presence on the court is crucial for transition play, an area where the Hornets have the potential to excel. However, the team must also address its free throw rate and offensive rebounding to enhance overall efficiency.
The Hornets’ defensive identity remains a work in progress. While there have been strides, the roster’s current construction may not support an elite defense. The focus will be on individual improvements and establishing a culture of daily improvement, as emphasized by the coaching staff.
The Path Forward
The Hornets’ strategy of investing in the team’s future is evident in their roster moves and infrastructure investments, such as the new practice facility. This commitment allows the team to take the necessary time to evaluate its roster without the pressure of immediate playoff expectations. As LaMelo Ball’s contract progresses, the urgency to build a competitive team will increase, but for now, the focus is on laying a solid foundation.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Charlotte Hornets’ season outlook, tune into the Locked On Hornets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Hornets Podcast:
- Analysis of the Hornets’ latest round of roster cuts
- Strengths and weaknesses of the current roster
- The impact of injuries on the team’s performance
- Expectations for new coach Charles Lee’s first season
- The role of young players in the Hornets’ future plans
