The last game of the Hornets Road trip was a surprising Win at San Antonio on Monday night. The game featured a homecoming for Coach James Borrego and Veteran Guard Tony Parker. It was Kemba Walker pitching in with 33 points that really had the Hornets offense buzzing. Kemba was 7 for 13 on 3 point attempts, and pitched in 5 assists. It was another outstanding but typical performance for the Hornets All-Star Guard.
The Hornets went 2-4 on the 6 game road trip which they started in 8th place in the standings, or the last place for a playoff spot. After the road swing, the Hornets still find themselves hanging onto a 1 game lead over the Magic for the final spot.
As the Hornets have floated between a lottery team and a playoff team the debate of whether or not the team should make a movement to youth has resurfaced. After last night the Hornets find themselves just 6 wins above the 6th spot in the Lottery which would give them a 5.3% chance at the top overall pick, but an 18.3% chance at a pick in the top three. In a loaded draft class that features Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett teams have to pay particular attention to how loaded the draft class is this year.
We learned some new things about the Hornets as they were forced to rely on depth over the road trip. One piece came in an interview with GM Mitch Kupchak who mentioned that the goal was to get Tony Parker 17-20 minutes a night in an interview with a Charlotte radio station. The prevailing thought is that would keep him fresh for the playoffs.
This had some fans scratching their heads assuming that a team with an under .500 record should be saving anyone for a playoff run. We also learned that rookie Devonte’ Graham has started to play with some confidence. He is bringing more perimeter shooting and in some cases is expected to be the primary distributor on the floor. Jeremy Lamb has been emerging as a number 2 scoring threat behind Kemba. Most concerning as the team has reached the half way point in the season is the reluctance to give to minutes and develop Miles Bridges, MKG, and Malik Monk.
Miles Bridges had 8 points against the Spurs in limited action. Malik Monk lead all scorers in a game against the Clippers on the road trip. Although many of his points come when the game is already out of control, Monk has shown flashes that he can be both an explosive slasher scoring points at the basket, and can step outside and know down some outside shots.
Its clear the Hornets missed big man Cory Zeller who will continue to be out with an injury for the next several weeks. Not only do the Hornets lack height and depth at the Center position, but Zeller was beginning to establish himself as a solid post defender, rebounder and contributor with scoring prior to the injury.
The Hornets return home for the next two games. Thursday January 17th for a rematch with the Kings and Saturday the 19th for 5:00 PM tip with the Phoenix Suns. Saturday will be Glen Rice bobblehead day, as part of the Hornets celebrating 30 years of Hornets basketball.
