Proudiddy's Observations... ITT, Diddy Eats MKG Crow, Heartily

[Zaximus]

Lance said his favorite things are defense and dishing the rock.   People think just because he has a personality and did some goofy stuff over the years he's one of those selfish guys but in reality one of the LEAST selfish in the NBA.

[KendrickPanther]

Lance needs to get healthy but I loved the hustle and I loved his comments after the game. "Well If I'm not gonna score then I need to make hustle plays to help the team win".

[Proudiddy]

My biggest takeaway from that game will be the crowd. It seemed like we just chanted "Let's Go Hornets" at random times just because we could again. I haven't heard such unbridled enthusiasm at a sporting event in awhile. In that sense it was every bit like a playoff game. The players knew it was a must win, which contributed to that rocky start.

The rebrand in the arena is fantastic. I wish it wasn't so crowded on the concourse so I could have walked around and taken in all the changes.

 

Lance's dunk out of nowhere changed the complexion of the game. It's a shame you didn't see it live.

Said it already but you can tell we didn't get the reps we needed in preseason. Unlike the NFL, what happens in the NBA preseason is a good indication typically of how your play as a unit is going to look.

Credit to Marvin for hitting those big shots but he and Al are huge defensive liabilities if the perimeter juggernaut we were expecting with Lance and MKG doesn't show up. That fourth quarter was vintage Clifford basketball and a thing of beauty so as long as they've knocked the rust off and Steve has had time to coach them up I'm not too concerned going forward.

Voice still isn't 100 percent.

 

• I forgot to mention this in my other thread, but I almost shed a tear after the game...  we walked out into the concourse and the crowd was packed...  all of a sudden, a chant builds, "CHAR-LOTTE HOR-NETS!  CHAR-LOTTE HOR-NETS!  CHAR-LOTTE HOR-NETS!"  It was beautiful.
• I feel bad when you phrase it that way...  but, I feel like I was still a part of it. When I heard the cheers, I looked up and everyone standing in front of concessions reacted in unity when we looked up and saw it and everyone in line, including myself erupted with, "OHHHHHHHH!"  Lol, so it was still an experience even not seeing it unfold from my seat.  But, man, that was unexpected.
• Yeah, Big Al's defensive liabilities are expected, but I wouldn't count Marvin out defensively yet.  I do concur that nerves and the pressure on our guys greatly affected their play.  Marvin has outstanding size and ability, so he can be a great defender.  It's about the "want to."  I think, or at least hope, that Marvin's issues were just a product of being one of the new guys and finding his groove within his role and within the team as a whole.  There's no reason he shouldn't be an outstanding defender, but I can't speak to his previous defensive play before arriving here.  But, I trust that combining his ability with Clifford's coaching, and he'll get right.

 

And funny, my voice is gone too, lol.  I was joking with one of my friends, I'm gonna be busted when I go into work and have to answer the phones while repeatedly sounding like a kid going through puberty, lol.

 

 

 

[Omega Atrocity]

So a few things I'll say on different topics mentioned here. MKG's problem aside from the shot has always been aggressiveness. And he was very aggressive last night.

Marvin is a far better scorer than McBob, but McBob was the superior passer. McRoberts was incredibly important to us last year as a secondary passer. After getting Lance that became a less important trait. So I'd say as of now Marvin is better for our team.

[TheMaulClaw]

My biggest takeaway from that game will be the crowd. It seemed like we just chanted "Let's Go Hornets" at random times just because we could again. I haven't heard such unbridled enthusiasm at a sporting event in awhile. In that sense it was every bit like a playoff game. The players knew it was a must win, which contributed to that rocky start.

The rebrand in the arena is fantastic. I wish it wasn't so crowded on the concourse so I could have walked around and taken in all the changes.

Lance's dunk out of nowhere changed the complexion of the game. It's a shame you didn't see it live.

Said it already but you can tell we didn't get the reps we needed in preseason. Unlike the NFL, what happens in the NBA preseason is a good indication typically of how your play as a unit is going to look.

Credit to Marvin for hitting those big shots but he and Al are huge defensive liabilities if the perimeter juggernaut we were expecting with Lance and MKG doesn't show up. That fourth quarter was vintage Clifford basketball and a thing of beauty so as long as they've knocked the rust off and Steve has had time to coach them up I'm not too concerned going forward.

Voice still isn't 100 percent.

 

I think our defense definitely turned it around midway through the the third. I could tell early on that Jefferson was caught in no man's land.  He wasn't fully committing to helping on the drive but he wasn't fully protecting the interior zone allowing for some easy passes and buckets in the post.  Midway through the third quarter something clicked though.  The Bucks scored 57 points at the end of the first half, so to hold those guys to 106 including overtime considering how the Bucks came out to start the second half is an amazing defensive feat. 

 

Point is, is that Al will never be a great individual defender, but he can contribute to solid team defense.  He came up with some timely blocks and had two steals because he was able to read the offense effectively. 

 

 

[TheMostInterestingMan]

I can proudly say I have never left the MKG bandwagon. I HATE anything UK but I was going to school in Kentucky when MKG was there and even I fell in love with him. I have been steady saying "Just give him time. He WILL be an allstar" when everyone else was saying to trade him away etc. This is his year.

[WOW!!]

Where is the Harrison Barnes bandwagon when you need them.

[KendrickPanther]

I always loved MKG as a competitor and person. But that jump shot he cam into the league with....I can't blame anyone for losing hope with that thing.

[Chuckie]

It's only one game and it will take a couple of weeks for everything to gel so I'm not getting up or down on anyone just yet.

It was a must win game and the players knew it. Saturday is also a must win game and also just as important as last night for the fan base and to establish an atmosphere that people are hoping for. That was my only tak away from last night. I think if we can pull off the type of atmosphere on Saturday it will really get people to take notice and drop the remote and experience it first hand.

With the vantage point of where I was sitting. You could really tell that the players were upset with the way they were playing and they wanted the game very badly last night. They were really pushing each other to get their poo together.

Pargo may have not entered the game last night, but he was a very solid contributer getting a couple of players to calm down.

[Chuckie]

Was able to walk around the arena and take in all the changes on both levels last night and I encourage everyone to get to a game a little early to talk in all it. The job they did was incredible and would also like to say the opening night they rolled out last night (excluding the game since they have no control of it) was first class and exceeed my already lofty expectations. Job well done

!!!!

And I'll even admit I had a tear or two during the introductions.