Expectations for this season?

[JJman Returns]

This bored has been dead for awhile now, so here is a question to spark some discussion. What are you expecting of the Hornets this year? Now I'd like to keep this thread ABOUT THIS YEAR ONLY. No bitchy comments about next season. If you wanna bitch, bitch about this year. 

Obviously last season most of us thought we'd be a top 6 seed in the East for sure. This season is full of less excitement, but I do believe we make the playoffs this season. We have a lot of depth at three point shooting (Lin, Kaminsky, Walker, Batum, Lamb, Hairston, Hawes). Veteran leadership (Al, Batum, Hawes). Not to mention MKG, Zeller, and Hansbrough as well. We should have excellent team chemistry and all the guys should get along well. I think with Frank and Hawes we can space the floor and help Al become confident in the post again. I see us making the playoffs with a winning record and maybe even a couple playoff wins. 

Thoughts?

[Zaximus]

I'm not even sure.  It's hard to say, especially after last year.   Even if Frank is ready and can play a chunk of minutes, will Clifford let him play?   If Al can stay healthy, and MKG, that should get us to the playoffs I think.   I think we'll be better at scoring for sure, and three point shooting, hopefully.   We shouldn't be a "bad" team at least I don't believe.   

[JccOldTime23]

It's really hard to say. Especially after the high expectations and results of last season. Last season I predicted a loss in 6 games in the first round. I do think we have improved. Just being rid of Stephenson is an improvement. I'd like to see a winning record and a couple wins in the playoffs. For now I'll guess we are are 7 or 8 seed. Maybe a win or two but definitely a first round exit.

[davos]

It seems like we have some good players and a contended squad but I think given the amount of overhaul that took place makes it hard to figure out how things will play out.  I think we'll be better than many think but nothing too special.

[TheMaulClaw]

Really hard to know what to expect out of this team.  I want to see improvement from last year.  Batum and MKG seem to be the x-factor in getting to the playoffs.  Also we need to develop an identity quickly if we want have a shot at fielding a decent team this year.  Clifford has to know that this is the year that he better produce some results or he'll probably be gone.....Cho too.  Clifford and Cho must be in win now mode which explains all the roster moves.  

[CCS]

I hated the offseason moves so the team will probably win the NBA championship

[pantherfan49]

37 wins. Miss the playoffs. Cliff gets run out. 

 

Sorry to to be a Debbie downer but that's the way I see it. We apparently don't plan on playing defense and I don't think the team has the facilitators to get the shooters that we've brought in open. 

[Manager10]

I think we will fight to make the playoffs, but I have some very serious concerns about protecting the rim. The modern NBA encourages the hyper-athletic players of today to attack the rim, and we have no real shot blockers on the roster. Zeller is athletic, but hasn't shown consistent shot blocking acument. Hawes and Kaminsky are tall, but not athletic, and Al is too ground-bound to consistently challenge at the rim. I fear that our defense will drop to unacceptable levels inside the paint. 

I am excited to see this team grow offensively, and I think this will be the final year for Clifford to prove that he can be offensively creative. If he cannot invent an offense that can score points at a league average pace, I think an offensive savant will be the next coach of the Hornets.

[bLACKpANTHER]

This is an interesting question. I think it has been so dead in here because no one knows what to expect. At least last year we had a thought of what the team would look like with Kemba/Lance in the back court. Now, with all the turnover- it is just a wait and see kinda thing. We have no idea how this team will gel and move on the floor. All the 'Defense First' talk (Clifford's calling card) has flown out the window. Will Al still be the centerpiece to our team? Will Kemba come back from the knee injury? There are 100 more questions for every answer you give.

IMO, we should all just sit back and relax until the team starts winning/losing and say "I told you all in September that this team was gonna be good/bad!!!"

[FuFuLamePoo]

Agree with the consensus here:  I have no idea.  It could go really well or really poorly.  Just so many unknowns, we definitely have potential and talent on paper but the question is if this team will be able to gel and find a winning formula.  Some of the most important questions.  Will Al revert back to 13/14 form?  Will our three point shooting be just good enough to keep us competitive in most games?  The big question mark there is Batum.  For his career he's a decent three point shooter, let's hope it's good eough this year to get us over the hump.  Batum in general is a huge question mark.  He could be a great fit here or a really bad one, we simply have no clue.  We have A LOT riding on him this season though.  How will front court defense be?  Will it be able to hold up?

[Wundrbread33]

7th or 8th seed. Lose to Cleveland in 5. This time we actually beat Lebron once.

[Omega Atrocity]

I think we'll be pretty decent. We'll fight for the playoffs most of the season, though I'm not sure if we'll make it or not. I'm pretty okay with being competitive and in the hunt, even if it is the hunt for 6th. Batum will have a few triple doubles this season (my over under is 2.5), Jefferson is going to have a monster year, even if he is featured in our offense less. We'll be pretty fun to watch this year hopefully, and that's all I'm really looking for.

[Goondal]

36-46

[Sapper]

Pretty high to be honest.  We had a damn good summer (no ad nauseum about 'is he a 1 year rental?' 'we let him walk for that?').  I'm going to leave it at that.

44 - 38.  6th seed.  Atlanta round 1.