its beyond optimism for me at this point...

[ItsPantone278]

That year set us on a track..

 

Kemba = Needs to play the game at this point..

 

Bismack = Needs to find that 100% exertion.. find the passion to take over a game with.

 

Zeller = Needs to come through on that jumpshot.. everything else is money in the bank..

 

MKG = Needs to work on basketball skills and watch tape... don't care what his stats are next year so long as he's in good standing with the team and takes his development seriously.  He is really good..

 

FAs.. = We obviously need a few players... but if we can put Hendo here we could see a team start to develop... they can't do anthing now.. but only a player or two away...

 

[yasuhara2241]

I am one of the few people that still believe MJ can bring a winning franchise to CLT. Who else in there right mind tears down a Playoff team while the Panthers have been mediocre and could have cashed in on tons of new fans? MJ does this because his goal isn't mediocre. I like that. I don't want to watch us in the playoffs every year just to get eliminated in the first or second round. I also love the fact that Cho has been helping us collect great pieces ever since he came aboard. This coaching staff also seems to have potential, but I am on a wait and see with them right now. 

 

PG: Kemba / Sessions 

* Impressed with Kemba's progression and think he can improve even more in the next few years once there are more pieces around him. Ppl look at his assist numbers, well how many more assists would he have with better finishers or shooters around him. Sessions is one of the best back-up guards in the league so that is good depth. 

 

SG: Hendo (FA) 

* Showed progression this season with an improved 3. He is a good defender and has some good athleticism. Can he continue to progress and be more consistent? Also will he sign with us for reasonable money? Upgrade position in the future. 

 

SF: MKG/Taylor

*  Amazing athleticism and defense at a position that is taking over the league. MKG makes things difficult for teams and Taylor is good at pressuring good one on one players. I did see MKG taken out in favor of Taylor and BG in the second half too much so hopefully Clifford changes this

 

PF: Zeller

* Has face-up game and also post up abilities. Am looking forward to having a pick and roll option that isn't Biz who everybody could ignore

 

C: Biz

* Our defensive center that has potential and keeps teasing us with that potential. Unless showing even more improvement the Center position is one of the first positions to upgrade, but I am holding out hope for him.  

 

So in all, I am optimistic, we need another 2/3 and 5. With possibly 3 picks in next years draft and with a boatload of money available I can see us gaining depth and upgrading those positions. 

 

2014, the year of the Charlotte Hornets, will be the coming out party for our franchise. 

 

[carolina-chuck]

Kemba, Bismack, and MKG all needs to show HUGE improvements this upcoming season for us fans and this organization to have any optimism for the future. It's no playing time anymore.

Kemba and Biz are in their 3rd season. Kemba has to show that the ball runs through him. He got to show that he can control the point like a Top10 PG in this league. His passing game has to improve more than anything. He needs to step up his game to another level and lead this young group like its his. We don't want to remember Kemba as just another PG who played for the Bobcats like a Felton or DJ.

Biz just need to work on his offensive game more than anything. We're just not going to win a lot of games if Biz is going to average just 4-5ppg. He has to work on his craft offensively. With Ewing by his side, he has the oppurtunity to do so. It's all about confidence at this time for Biz.

MKG has the most weight on his shoulders. He was the no2 pick a year ago. There's no timetable or development time for the Kidd anymore. Guys like Drummond, Barnes, Beal, Lillard, and Davis are going to be big contributor to their team next season. MKG got to show us why he was the no2 pick on a consistent basis night in and night out.

If all these guys play at the level we know they're capable of, we have a bright future going for us. There's no waiting to call this upcoming season as another season for development.

As for Cody, I believe he's going to surprise a lot of people. When you look at his games/highlights back from high school, McDonald game, and the collegiate level the kid have did not disappoint a bit. Zeller made immediate impact playing vs. some of the best players in the country. With Cody, it's all about what you see is what you get. A hardworking player who is going to give you contribution each night. Cody is going to be one of the best player out if this draft and I can't wait to see him in the summer league. I believe this kid is going to be an All-Star player and time will tell.

[yasuhara2241]

I am not really worried about Kemba and MKG. I am on the fence about the 2 & 5 positions. Are Hendo and Biz the answers? That is really what I wanna focus on this year. I need to see if Hendo is just a 6th man or if he can be a consistent 18ppg - 20ppg scoring threat like he was near the end of the year. 

 

I need to see Biz be consistent. He is the ultimate tease. When I am about to give up on him he pulls our a 10p, 13r and 4 bl game. I want to see him be a double double guy consistently. Or at least be a double  digit rebound guy. Oh and the biggest thing is to catch the ball on a regular basis.  

[carolina-chuck]

I am not really worried about Kemba and MKG. I am on the fence about the 2 & 5 positions. Are Hendo and Biz the answers? That is really what I wanna focus on this year. I need to see if Hendo is just a 6th man or if he can be a consistent 18ppg - 20ppg scoring threat like he was near the end of the year.

I need to see Biz be consistent. He is the ultimate tease. When I am about to give up on him he pulls our a 10p, 13r and 4 bl game. I want to see him be a double double guy consistently. Or at least be a double digit rebound guy. Oh and the biggest thing is to catch the ball on a regular basis.

For the, the question marks are still on Kemba and MKG. We sees the goods and the bads. We can't keep telling ourselves "if only" Kemba had this or had that. He's a good enough player that can be better than this. We saw this with his days at UCONN playing with no true talents. He has to show that he can be on the same level as a Stephon Curry, Jrue Holiday, and Damian Lillard.

We know what MKG brings to the table defensively but he GOT to become a 14PPG player next year. We need immediate play makers along the likes of a Paul George or Kawhi Leonard. If he doesn't improves next season, more than likely he's not going to improve in the future based on history. We don't want him to be a Derrick Williams or Wesley Johnson. It may seems like I'm being hard on these kids but Im not. I followed Kemba and MKG often with their times in college like many on here and I know how good they can be.

Kemba and MKG are not ordinary players. They have the potential to be top tier NBA players. And we need to see that now, not later.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

We need to blow it and get a top pick for the new Hornets. Which I think we will. The roster we have at this point in time will not win us many games to be completely honest

[carolina-chuck]

We need to blow it and get a top pick for the new Hornets. Which I think we will. The roster we have at this point in time will not win us many games to be completely honest

At this point and time, it doesn't matter how good we can be. We're going to be bad enough to still earned a top5 pick. Kemba can become at Top10-12 PG, MKG can avg 14PPG, Biz can improve offensively, and Cody could win ROTY and we will still be a Top5 lottery team next year.

[Porn Shop Clerk]

3 starters that aren't even old enough to buy liquor = give up on them already

[carolina-chuck]

As for Hendo, I think he reached his ceiling. He's not going to be a future All-Star player. I don't think he's going to pull a Gerald Wallace type of career too. We pretty much knew what type of player he's going to be with his days at Duke. He's a great 6th man of the bench that can give you 15PPG and defense like a JR Smith, not James Harden.

[Zod]

The bobcats are still in need of a franchise superstar player to rally around.

[carolina-chuck]

The bobcats are still in need of a franchise superstar player to rally around.

I'm hearing that LBJ clearly wants to play for MJ one day. ;)

[CarolinaNCSU]

2014 has always been MJ/Cho's plan IMO.  These past few drafts were about finding some core guys/foundation pieces.  Next year, we get a superstar and build with FA around him from there on out.

 

I know a lot of people think Stern/Silver won't give the Hornets a star...but if you're about conspiracies, they owe Jordan. They also would be smart to roll out a star player for the rebrand, especially in a basketball crazed area like NC.  During the CBA negotiations, MJ was also rumored to be a hard-ass for the owners and big time backer of Stern...he owes us. 

[Keith Moons Liver]

It all comes down to 2014. A bonafide superstar means we can legitimately dream of contending for championships. But if we end up getting a "lesser star" we are more likely to end up one of those middle of the road teams that can make the playoffs but not much more than that. And I don't even want to think of what missing completely in 2014 would mean. 

[Porn Shop Clerk]

one of those middle of the road teams that can make the playoffs but not much more than that

 

then it will be just like the old days

 

except the coliseum is gooooooooone