2021-2022 Games Thread

[t96]

This team isn't even close to being where it needs to be. Mitch has his work cut out for him the next 1-2 years, we badly need to put together a good enough team around LaMelo to convince him to stay here. He says all the right things but if we keep sucking he's as good as gone. Start by getting a center and some player who can frigging defend.

[USDepartmentOfSavagery]

If this team fails to keep Melo because they were either too inept or cheap to surround winning pieces around Melo/Bridges, I will take my fandom elsewhere. We literally have a center peace to build a competing team around for the next decade. Don’t fuging waste it. 

[Shocker]

On 1/3/2022 at 12:16 AM, L-TownCat said:

Greensboro kicks Raleigh in the dick.  Fayetteville would be a better choice than Raleigh.

Gastonia laughs at Raleigh.

LOL, Greensboro…wasteland of mediocre 

[bLACKpANTHER]

21 hours ago, t96 said:

This team isn't even close to being where it needs to be. Mitch has his work cut out for him the next 1-2 years, we badly need to put together a good enough team around LaMelo to convince him to stay here. He says all the right things but if we keep sucking he's as good as gone. Start by getting a center and some player who can frigging defend.

I had been putting PJ in pretty much every machine trade but seeing that he is the only Big we have that can defend - I don't know if we should give him away.. but if we get Sabonis, Turner or Nurkic - I guess I'm fine with it..

I mentioned a few months ago that Biz was looking better and better to grab on a vet min deal - but he's getting minutes on a Phoenix team and we would have to hope his 10day expires and we can grab him..

these are just ideas to help our defense, maybe not great ideas - but we need to do something.. we are one of the highest scoring teams in the league but still at .500.. if we can play a little better on D - the wins can start piling up

[tcdyess]

Hi all, first time poster....  been following the Hornets on League Pass and can't figure out why Bouknight isn't getting any playing time.   I know the Hornets are loaded at guard, but why did they pick him at 11 if they weren't going to use him.  When he got his chance earlier this season he put up numbers.  Is he a problem child?  I just can't figure it out and would love to hear thoughts... TY

 

[jayboogieman]

18 minutes ago, tcdyess said:

Hi all, first time poster....  been following the Hornets on League Pass and can't figure out why Bouknight isn't getting any playing time.   I know the Hornets are loaded at guard, but why did they pick him at 11 if they weren't going to use him.  When he got his chance earlier this season he put up numbers.  Is he a problem child?  I just can't figure it out and would love to hear thoughts... TY

 

Cody Martin is the answer to your questions. Nobody expected him to take the leap he has this season and he is getting the minutes they probably envisioned Bouknight getting when he was drafted.

[tcdyess]

so would it make sense to throw him in a trade for another big?  seems like such a waste of talent to sit on the bench every night...  many teams would love a young SG

[frankw]

1 hour ago, jayboogieman said:

Cody Martin is the answer to your questions. Nobody expected him to take the leap he has this season and he is getting the minutes they probably envisioned Bouknight getting when he was drafted.

I'm a Cody Martin fan. But if we are wasting the development of an 11th overall pick who has shown great promise for Cody we need to take a look at our coaching philosophy. In truth we should be further along with all of our rooks. I see too much Clifford in Borrego. It's frustrating.

[t96]

1 hour ago, bLACKpANTHER said:

I had been putting PJ in pretty much every machine trade but seeing that he is the only Big we have that can defend - I don't know if we should give him away.. but if we get Sabonis, Turner or Nurkic - I guess I'm fine with it..

I mentioned a few months ago that Biz was looking better and better to grab on a vet min deal - but he's getting minutes on a Phoenix team and we would have to hope his 10day expires and we can grab him..

these are just ideas to help our defense, maybe not great ideas - but we need to do something.. we are one of the highest scoring teams in the league but still at .500.. if we can play a little better on D - the wins can start piling up

I'm no x's and o's expert but it does seem our biggest issue defensively is a lack of a rim protector. Borrego is trying to scheme around that by having the guards and wings play off of their guys a bit and try to help defend under the basket but that leaves shooters open for 3s or space to drive the basket if the other team passes well. We really struggle against teams who have great ball movement. Also, outside of LaMelo, who still has work to do defensively, our guards and wings aren't that lengthy anyways. An elite rim protector would go a long way but I still am not that confident in our other players' ability to defend such that I'd be comfortable with that being the only move. 

Ideally this roster looks quite a bit different in the next few years:

PG: Melo ; depth that can run an offense and defend.

SG: Rozier ; Bouknight
SF: Bridges ; veteran 3&D like an Iguodala or Seth Curry, Danny Green, etc. (Cody Martin has played well in this role so far this year though so I'm happy with him for now)
PF: Above average defender like a Draymond Green light ; depth that can score a bit

C: Elite rim protector (Myles Turner ideally/realistically) ; depth that can score a bit (a guy like Plumlee or Zeller would fit fine as our backup)

 

That is much easier said than done but I think a trade around PJ and/or Hayward for Turner would be a great start. I do like our prospects in the pool already in McDaniels, Kai, Thor, Richards, etc. but they all have a long way to go and I'll be happy if just 1 of them can fill one of those critical roles in the next few years.

[t96]

Borrego's results in player development lately speak for themselves and I completely trust what he's doing with Bouknight. Bouk has a ways to go and easing him into it will be great for him in the long term. Everything is going according to plan with him. 

[Captain Morgan]

What this team needs after 2 straight losses is a quick turn around against a woeful team....enter Detroit, with the second worst record in the league.  Good time for a "get right" gane,

[jayboogieman]

5 hours ago, frankw said:

I'm a Cody Martin fan. But if we are wasting the development of an 11th overall pick who has shown great promise for Cody we need to take a look at our coaching philosophy. In truth we should be further along with all of our rooks. I see too much Clifford in Borrego. It's frustrating.

I'm fine with it for the most part. Cody has earned the minutes but there have been times this season that JB should have put Bouknight, and perhaps the other rookies, in there to see if a spark could be ignited since the normal rotation guys weren't getting things done.

[Captain Morgan]

Charlotte Hornets PR
@HornetsPR
·
52m
INJURY UPDATE: 
@hornets
 forward PJ Washington and guard Scottie Lewis (return from H&S protocols) listed as questionable, have been upgraded and are available tonight vs DET.

 

 

 

[Captain Morgan]

couldn't ask for a better shooting quarter....Miles, Melo, and PJ looking strong, with Kelly  and Cody hitting the only shots they take as well.....Hornets leading 34-19 with a minute and a half to play