Charlotte Hornets Preview 2021

PreviewsNBAEASTERN CONFERENCESoutheast DivisionCharlotte Hornets

Oct 15

Our Charlotte Hornets preview 2021 finds this team has good mix of vets and young players. With a bit of luck and pluck, they could be playoff bound for the first time in five seasons. Last year, the Charlotte Hornets (33-39) finished fourth in the division and 10th in the East. They earned a Play-In Round berth. However, their hopes of making a playoff appearance were dashed when they lost to the Indiana Pacers 144-117 and were eliminated. This year, the Hornets come to the floor with more experience and a much better sense of team mechanics.

Hornets Frontcourt

Veteran center Mason Plumlee, a total team player, comes to the Hornets this season via a deal with the Pistons. Plumlee isn’t flashy, but he does offer reliable, consistent play. Last season, he posted 10.4 PPG and 9.3 RPG. Both were career bests. In the past four seasons, Plumlee has shot 60-plus percent from the floor. Power forward Miles Bridges begins his fourth season in the NBA and will likely start. A 50 percent shooter from the field with a 40 percent success rate from downtown, he’s shown a lot of potential. P.J. Washington comes in off the bench to offer adequate time and production at center and power forward.

Our Charlotte Hornets preview 2021 observes that 11-year veteran Gordon Hayward, who came to the team last season via Boston, proved to be a solid investment. However, the issue with Hayward has never been talent or drive but, rather, health. Last season, the injury-prone small forward shot 41.5 percent from beyond the arc and hit over 47 percent of his field goals. Free agent Kelly Oubre comes from Golden State where last season he averaged 15.4 PPG and 6.0 RPG.

Charlotte Hornets Preview – Backcourt

LaMelo Ball, who won 2020-2021 Rookie of the Year honors, has everything under control at the point. In his first NBA season, Ball dished off 6.1 APG, scored 15.7 PPG, and recorded 5.9 RPG. Additionally, the 43.6 percent field-goal shooter averaged 1.6 SPG. Ball also won an ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete. He’s a keeper. Ish Smith, an 11-year vet, comes from the Wizards to backup Ball.

Terry Rozier starts at shooting guard. Last season, his sixth in the NBA and second with the Hornets, was Rozier’s most productive yet. He personally topped out on points (20.4 PG), field-goal percentage (45 percent), and steals (1.3 PG). There’s quality backup from the versatile Oubre who also subs at small forward.