• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Cold Wire

  • Home
  • Sports News
  • NFL
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Carolina Panthers
    • Chicago Bears
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • Denver Broncos
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Houston Texans
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Las Vegas Raiders
    • Los Angeles Chargers
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Minnesota Vikings
    • New England Patriots
    • New Orleans Saints
    • New York Giants
    • New York Jets
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Washington Commanders
  • MLB
    • Arizona Diamondbacks
    • Atlanta Braves
    • Baltimore Orioles
    • Boston Red Sox
    • Chicago Cubs
    • Chicago White Sox
    • Cincinnati Reds
    • Cleveland Guardians
    • Colorado Rockies
    • Detroit Tigers
    • Houston Astros
    • Kansas City Royals
    • Los Angeles Angels
    • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • Miami Marlins
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Minnesota Twins
    • New York Mets
    • New York Yankees
    • Oakland Athletics
    • Philadelphia Phillies
    • Pittsburgh Pirates
    • San Diego Padres
    • San Francisco Giants
    • Seattle Mariners
    • St. Louis Cardinals
    • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Texas Rangers
    • Toronto Blue Jays
    • Washington Nationals
  • NBA
    • Atlanta Hawks
    • Boston Celtics
    • Brooklyn Nets
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • Chicago Bulls
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Dallas Mavericks
    • Denver Nuggets
    • Detroit Pistons
    • Golden State Warriors
    • Houston Rockets
    • Indiana Pacers
    • Los Angeles Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Memphis Grizzlies
    • Miami Heat
    • Milwaukee Bucks
    • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • New Orleans Pelicans
    • New York Knicks
    • Oklahoma City Thunder
    • Orlando Magic
    • Philadelphia 76ers
    • Phoenix Suns
    • Portland Trailblazers
    • Sacramento Kings
    • San Antonio Spurs
    • Toronto Raptors
    • Utah Jazz
    • Washington Wizards
  • Entertainment
  • About

The Cold Wire

Breaking News, Sports, Entertainment, TV, Tech ...

  • Home
  • Sports News
  • NFL
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Carolina Panthers
    • Chicago Bears
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • Denver Broncos
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Houston Texans
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Las Vegas Raiders
    • Los Angeles Chargers
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Minnesota Vikings
    • New England Patriots
    • New Orleans Saints
    • New York Giants
    • New York Jets
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Washington Commanders
  • MLB
    • Arizona Diamondbacks
    • Atlanta Braves
    • Baltimore Orioles
    • Boston Red Sox
    • Chicago Cubs
    • Chicago White Sox
    • Cincinnati Reds
    • Cleveland Guardians
    • Colorado Rockies
    • Detroit Tigers
    • Houston Astros
    • Kansas City Royals
    • Los Angeles Angels
    • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • Miami Marlins
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Minnesota Twins
    • New York Mets
    • New York Yankees
    • Oakland Athletics
    • Philadelphia Phillies
    • Pittsburgh Pirates
    • San Diego Padres
    • San Francisco Giants
    • Seattle Mariners
    • St. Louis Cardinals
    • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Texas Rangers
    • Toronto Blue Jays
    • Washington Nationals
  • NBA
    • Atlanta Hawks
    • Boston Celtics
    • Brooklyn Nets
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • Chicago Bulls
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Dallas Mavericks
    • Denver Nuggets
    • Detroit Pistons
    • Golden State Warriors
    • Houston Rockets
    • Indiana Pacers
    • Los Angeles Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Memphis Grizzlies
    • Miami Heat
    • Milwaukee Bucks
    • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • New Orleans Pelicans
    • New York Knicks
    • Oklahoma City Thunder
    • Orlando Magic
    • Philadelphia 76ers
    • Phoenix Suns
    • Portland Trailblazers
    • Sacramento Kings
    • San Antonio Spurs
    • Toronto Raptors
    • Utah Jazz
    • Washington Wizards
  • Entertainment
  • About
You are here: Home / Sports / NBA / 3 Realistic Expectations For Charlotte Hornets This Season

3 Realistic Expectations For Charlotte Hornets This Season

August 13, 2021
By David Fernandez
@ByDLFernandez
Leave a Comment
Follow David Fernandez on Google News Follow Us

Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets blocks the shot of Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on May 16, 2021 in Washington, DC.
(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

 

The Charlotte Hornets surprised some around the NBA by making it to the league’s play-in tournament.

Although Charlotte lost in its playoff attempt, the 2020-2021 season still provided plenty of excitement for Hornets faithful.

The 2021-2022 season stands as another opportunity for Charlotte’s young core to take a step forward and press for the postseason.

In years past, the NBA has seen young teams make an unexpected leap to the playoffs and perform well.

Last season, the Atlanta Hawks, Southeast Division rivals of the Hornets, surprised many around the league by making it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Although that would be a lofty expectation for the Hornets, the team remains talented and hopeful for next season.

 

3. Young Core Takes A Step Forward

The Charlotte Hornets and coach James Borrego are finalizing a multi-year contract extension, sources tell ESPN. Borrego has overseen significant development of a young roster and reached 2021 Play-In despite several major injuries. Borrego had one year left on deal.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 7, 2021

The Hornets secured a level of consistency for their young core by retaining the services of their young head coach James Borrego.

Borrego helped guided Charlotte to the play-in tournament despite a number of significant injuries throughout the season.

This stability can only help reigning Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball improve on his play.

Borrego also played a pivotal role in the development of Charlotte’s other young stars, Miles Bridges, Terry Rozier, and P.J. Washington.

The Hornets elected to build their backcourt around Ball after agreeing to trade former starter Devonte’ Graham to the New Orleans Pelicans for a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick.

This confidence in Ball and Rozier makes sense, considering their playmaking abilities.

The Hornets added another talented guard to their young core in the 2021 NBA Draft when they selected James Bouknight with the No. 11 overall selection.

A successful 2021-22 campaign sees Ball, Bridges, and Bouknight, the Hornets’ killer Bs, all make significant strides.

 

2. Roster Additions Will Help

The Hornets brought in Gordon Hayward last season, but the All-Star veteran’s contributions were limited due to injury.

This offseason, Charlotte welcomed Bouknight in the draft, as well as talented big man Kai Jones, who they traded up to select in the first round.

Bouknight provides another perimeter scorer for Borrego.

He averaged 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game as a sophomore year last season at UConn.

Jones, meanwhile, stands as another athletic freak for the franchise and should produce off the bench.

Prior to free agency, Charlotte fortified their frontcourt with the acquisition of Mason Plumlee from the Detroit Pistons.

He’s a solid lob threat and will be an upgrade over Cody Zeller.

The Hornets also signed swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. in free agency.

Although he has bounced around the league of late, Oubre provides Charlotte with a capable wing complement and some much-needed insurance should Hayward get injured again.

James Bouknight said nah 🚫✌️ pic.twitter.com/tNZDONvX7k

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 8, 2021

 

1. Playoff Push

The Hornets made it to the play-in tournament despite lineup inconsistencies due to injuries.

Although their bid for a postseason berth ultimately came up short, Charlotte can use that experience to ready themselves for a legitimate playoff push in 2022.

What helps the Hornets in this regard is the wide-open nature of the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte can’t claim to be among the conference’s elite: the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks.

But beyond those two, much of the East is up for grabs.

In the next tier below the Nets and Bucks stand teams like the Hawks, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers.

Each of those squads, though, have legitimate questions heading into next season.

Those questions cloud predictions and keep the door slightly ajar for Charlotte.

Beyond those teams, the Hornets might find themselves jostling for position with the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers.

With the further development of their young core under Borrego, Charlotte should fight for a top-six seed and avoid the play-in tournament altogether.

    Get ALL the latest NBA news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cold Wire NBA newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Charlotte Hornets Rumors And News (Updated Daily), NBA Tagged With: Charlotte Hornets

About David Fernandez

David is a freelance writer and editor specializing in sports journalism, speculative fiction and writing craft.

Suggest a correction

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow The Cold Wire!

More Charlotte Hornets News

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court in the first quarter during their game against the Boston Celtics at Spectrum Center on January 14, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

LaMelo Ball Is Looking Like His Usual Self Again

1 week ago

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to an officials call during a game abb at Fiserv Forum on January 06, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

NBA Writer Raises Tough Question About LaMelo Ball

1 week ago

Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets walks backcourt during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 06, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Hornets Are Ready To Deal Away A Veteran Guard

1 week ago

Charlotte Hornets v Philadelphia 76ersaKelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on December 11, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Hornets Get Another Painful Injury Update

3 weeks ago

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center on December 14, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Hornets Announcer Had Hilarious Moment In Game

4 weeks ago

P.J. Washington #25 and LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrate a three-point basket in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on November 14, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.

The Hornets Are Hoping For A Superstar Return

1 month ago

A detailed view of the jersey of Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Charlotte Hornets is seen during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on December 11, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joel Embiid Really Crushed The Hornets

2 months ago

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on prior to the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Spectrum Center on November 23, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Hornets Are In The Dark About Their Biggest Star

2 months ago

LiAngelo Ball #18 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Famous NBA Brother Is Doing Well In The G League

2 months ago

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Fans React To LaMelo Ball's Return

2 months ago

Head coach Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a call in the first quarter during their game against the Brooklyn Nets at Spectrum Center on November 05, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Hornets Welcome A Newly-Available NBA Icon

3 months ago

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Hornets Are Still Missing Their Biggest Star

3 months ago

Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

3 Reasons To Watch The Charlotte Hornets This Season

3 months ago

Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Gordon Hayward Dropped Jaws With A New Look

3 months ago

The Charlotte Hornets huddle prior to the first half of their game at Spectrum Center on November 17, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Hornets Make A Tough Roster Choice Right Before The New Season

3 months ago

Danuel House Jr. #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on October 12, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Gordon Hayward Shows Off New Haircut

3 months ago

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Hornets Get An Update On LaMelo Ball

4 months ago

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

LaMelo Ball Is Scaring Hornets Fans

4 months ago

LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court against the Orlando Magic in the fourth quarter during their game at Spectrum Center on April 07, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Hornets Reunite A Famous Set Of Brothers

4 months ago

LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on April 07, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The NBA Reminds Fans Just How Young LaMelo Ball Still Is

5 months ago

LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets in action against the Brooklyn Nets during a game at Barclays Center on October 24, 2021 in New York City.

The Hornets Remain Iced Out Of An NBA Honor

5 months ago

LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates after hitting a three pointer against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 27, 2022 in New York City.

LaMelo Ball Taking On A New Hornets Legacy In 2022

6 months ago

Charlotte Hornets owner and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan reacts during the first half of their game against the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center on November 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

NBA Insider Reveals Latest Hornets HC Search Update

7 months ago

Head Coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on January 23, 2020 in New York City.

NBA Insider Has Comical Take On Kenny Atkinson Spurning The Hornets

7 months ago

Primary Sidebar

Search The Cold Wire

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

Editorial Guidelines

Contact Us

Sitemap

Advertise

Follow us on

Copyright © 2023  ColdWireMedia · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ·TheColdWire.com

Suggest a Correction

3 Realistic Expectations For Charlotte Hornets This Season

1000 characters remaining