Charlotte Hornets Showing Promise In Strong Preseason Play

No, the Charlotte Hornets won’t contend this season. In fact, they are far from being a contender, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be a good team. The Hornets won 33 games last season and missed the playoffs. They were one of the bigger disappointments in the league, as many people had them as a sleeper in the Eastern Conference. Lance Stephenson had a disappointing year and Kemba Walker missed team with a knee injury.

The Hornets had a busy offseason this summer, including trading Stephenson in the offseason to the Los Angeles Clippers. In free agency, they lost Bismack Biymobo, Gerald Henderson and Mo Williams. However, they added Jeremy Lin and traded for Nicolas Batum. With the ninth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Hornets selected Frank Kaminsky. The 7-foot big man will add size and shooting ability to a team that lacks it.

It wasn’t all good news for Charlotte, who lost Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with a shoulder injury over the summer. The 22-year-old is expected to miss at least six months. The addition of Batum will help make up for the loss of Kidd-Gilchrist. Batum averaged 9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists with the Portland Trail Blazers last year.

Why should Hornets fans remain hopeful?

The Hornets have started 5-0 in the preseason for the first time in franchise history. Yes, I know preseason isn’t the real thing, but it’s definitely a positive sign when you’re succeeding the way the Hornets have. They have beaten the Miami Heat by 13 and the Los Angeles Clippers twice.

I haven’t even mentioned star center Al Jefferson. The 30-year-old averaged 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds last season. Jefferson has averaged at least 16 points and eight rebounds in the past nine seasons.

The Hornets should surpass their 33 wins total of last season. There’s a realistic chance that they can grab the seventh or eighth seed. In order for this to happen, Jefferson and Walker must be on their “A” game.

George Middleton is a Los Angeles Lakers/NBA beat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgemiddlet0n, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google