The Charlotte Hornets are making a loud buzz at the start of the 2021-22 NBA season.
They are stinging opponents with the relentless offensive attack that LaMelo Ball facilitates.
Charlotte won four of their first five games and is looking like a playoff contender this year.
HORNETS WIN!
HORNETS WIN!
HORNETS WIN!
HORNETS WIN!
HORNETS WIN! #AllFly | @NewAmsterdam pic.twitter.com/3ixwCWAcoE— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 28, 2021
The team is transitioning from Michael Jordan‘s failure to one of his success stories after his playing career.
Amazingly, they seemed to discover the right mix of players by keeping their core intact.
They let go of Bismack Biyombo, Malik Monk, and Devonte’ Graham to solidify their rotation.
The result of that pruning is a roster with players who are more aware of their roles.
A Delightful Offense
How devastating can this offense be once Terry Rozier returns?
The Hornets offense isn’t missing a beat, even if one of their top scorers is still nursing an injury.
Ball continues to develop into an all-around point guard who knows when to pick his spots.
He’s filling up the stat sheet with 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, six assists, and two steals in 28 minutes played per game.
LaMelo Ball.
That's all.
📲💻: NBA LP pic.twitter.com/jvrq3kgibB
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2021
The second-year pro understands when he needs to take over, like in their season opener against the Indiana Pacers.
But on most nights, he took a step back by setting up his teammates.
His unselfish basketball brand is helping Miles Bridges and Gordon Hayward average 26.2 and 18.4 points, respectively.
31 for @MilesBridges leads to 4-1 start for the @hornets! pic.twitter.com/mITVvzatv7
— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2021
Even Kelly Oubre Jr. is a welcome addition to the team and is shaping up to be a reliable sixth man once Rozier returns to full strength.
Ish Smith, Cody Martin, and Jalen McDaniels maximize their minutes by being efficient contributors off the bench.
These players fuel Charlotte’s top-ranked offense, averaging 121.2 points per game and have them second in three-point shooting at 41.3 percent.
They are also fourth in field goal percentage at 47.3 and tied for seventh in point differential at plus-5.2.
Miles: 31 PTS, 6 REB
Gordon: 24 PTS, 5 AST
Jalen: 16 PTS, 4 3PT
Mason: 14 PTS, 10 REB
Cody: 12 PTS, 5 AST, 4 STL
Team: W#AllFly vs ORL pic.twitter.com/OgkbwAnngH— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 28, 2021
The Hornets are also moving the ball around efficiently with 27 assists per game, the third-best in the NBA.
More importantly, they are committing only 13.6 turnovers per game, ranking 10th in the league.
Can They Sustain This Run?
It’s a long season, and a lot of developments will happen.
But if the roster remains healthy throughout the regular season, the Hornets will enter the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
However, they must also improve on some aspects if they are to break their postseason drought.
First, they must make more free throws to improve their winning odds.
Love the @hornets and we're going to make a ton of money off them this year but here's a classic case of how to lose a game down the stretch…
1.) Miss 2 free throws
2.) Give up a dunk
3.) Give up an offensive rebound & then foul
4.) Take and miss a 32 ft shot#GamblingTwitter pic.twitter.com/AJ8kCSpleV— 🤑 Johnny Covers – Conductor of the Money Train!🤑 (@covers_johnny) October 26, 2021
The Hornets attempt 23 free throws per game, the fourth-most in the league.
Unfortunately, their conversion ranks 21st at 73.9 percent.
They must not waste those free points because they might spell the difference between winning and losing.
Second, their defense needs much work.
Yes, they are fifth in steals with 10 per game and rebounds allowed at 43.4.
#Hornets had a 30.4% offensive rebound rate through three quarters, but only seven second-chance points. This is something to keep an eye on. Been an issue all season. Team has to be better on the glass.
— Orlando Magic Daily (@OMagicDaily) October 28, 2021
They must still implement improvements in these departments because they will be embarking on a brutal seven-game stretch.
Slated to face the Hornets are Miami, Portland, Golden State, Sacramento, and the two Los Angeles teams.
These games will prove if this early success is for real or not.
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