GDT: Charlotte Hornets and other NBA talk

Navin R Slavin

Fifth line center
Jan 1, 2011
16,369
64,803
Durrm NC
How much have you followed the Hornets? Because the team has done a complete 180 since Kupchak and Borrego were hired. Kupchak has hit on pretty much every single draft pick, free agent signing and trade so far and has a pristine track record of winning championships and having success. Borrego may not be the coach to bring us a title but he's been phenomenal in player development and is helping build up our young core which is among the best in the league. The Hornets are 100% on the right track under this current regime.

Kupchak is good, but Cut Check is better. We'll see when the time comes.
 

AhosDatsyukian

Registered User
Sep 25, 2020
11,455
33,480
Kupchak is good, but Cut Check is better. We'll see when the time comes.

Fair, though Jordan has said multiple times he will gladly go over the luxury tax for a team that is competing/contending. We've never been able to build a team that's any good so we haven't been able to put that theory to the test but I believe him, especially with this current iteration of the team. Miles/LaMelo are not going anywhere and we've already spent for Hayward/Rozier. If either of them are let go it won't be because of money, it will be based on roster construction. Most of the recent success is drafting/development and team play anyways. The Hornets' future is very bright.
 

HisIceness

This is Hurricanes Hockey
Sep 16, 2010
41,772
74,558
Charlotte
A lot of the old problems plaguing the Hornets are gone (Cho, MKG, Batum though they're still paying him). The drafting appears to have gotten better but two things, Ball was a no-brainer of a pick and I'm not entirely sold on PJ Washington. Miles Bridges has taken a leap forward which is nice to see.

I like Borrego as a person, he seems like a good guy, but I'm not sold on him being the coach of the future should shit hit the fan. He has gotten more out of his team lately, a positive sign.

As for MJ, he's had the ownership reigns for over 10 years now and has little to show for it in terms of positive moments. I've told the story before about attending a fan Q&A when they were still the Bobcats and he got more excited about his Jumpman shit than the team, which was disappointing and decreased my once positive opinion of him.
 

HisIceness

This is Hurricanes Hockey
Sep 16, 2010
41,772
74,558
Charlotte
There's no stopping Giannis when he gets going. Give him the ball when he's in stride and it's lights out.

Tough loss, but part of the process of a young team going through an 82 game regular season
 

AhosDatsyukian

Registered User
Sep 25, 2020
11,455
33,480
Worst reffed NBA game I’ve seen in a LONG time. Wow. Hayward gets absolutely no calls for a star and we consistently get the softest techs ever called against us. LaMelo also doesn’t get calls he should but I think that’s just a matter of age. Oh well, went toe to toe with the reigning champs in their house. Tough loss but still a great game from the boys. We already knew it but man LaMelo really is special.
 

surfzone365

Registered User
Jan 13, 2021
3,364
9,293
Ashburn, VA
Final score from Memphis.

Thunder 79
Grizzlies 152

Not a typo, a real score
Not surprised at all. Defense in today's NBA is non-existent. Its a free-for-all out there. Not only do we see wild blowout like this, but teams blowing 20-30+ point leads and losing is common now when it more or less rare in the past.
 

AhosDatsyukian

Registered User
Sep 25, 2020
11,455
33,480
Damn... LaMelo, Terry, McDaniels and Plumlee all in covid protocol now, expected to miss several games. Not enough cases to postpone games, just like the Canes. Why can't we have nice things in the Carolinas?
 

HisIceness

This is Hurricanes Hockey
Sep 16, 2010
41,772
74,558
Charlotte
Damn... LaMelo, Terry, McDaniels and Plumlee all in covid protocol now, expected to miss several games. Not enough cases to postpone games, just like the Canes. Why can't we have nice things in the Carolinas?

Of f***ing course. Get this shit away from our sports teams.
 

AhosDatsyukian

Registered User
Sep 25, 2020
11,455
33,480
No Melo, no Terry, no problem! Man I love where this team is heading. Bridges is nearing All-Star level and is the runaway early favorite for most improved player. Also, man Cody Martin is such a revelation this year. Just phenomenal all around game off the bench. Can’t believe I’m saying that after hating him the past few years...

Also, I’d seriously think about trading Hayward for an upgraded big before the deadline this year. Turner or Sabonis from Indy could make sense as there’s been chatter about them being available and the Pacers tried to get Hayward before. Hayward has been fine this year but I really don’t feel he’s needed with some of our guys emerging and center is still a HUGE hole.
 

surfzone365

Registered User
Jan 13, 2021
3,364
9,293
Ashburn, VA
Quality win in Atlanta tonight. Well balanced attack.

Bridges (32) and Oubre Jr. (28) had themselves a ballgame.
 
Last edited:

surfzone365

Registered User
Jan 13, 2021
3,364
9,293
Ashburn, VA
Crazy to say this team has a better foundation for a brighter future than the Panthers.
Ron Rivera is doing well here in Washington. Although I dont like WFT he has them playing inspired football. I'm sure he is missed down in Charlotte. As for the Buzz City ballers, if they can get some consistency on defense, get a true big man in the middle, and learn to hold leads (which is a problem across the NBA in general - see lack of defense), then we have an exciting product to enjoy.
 

AhosDatsyukian

Registered User
Sep 25, 2020
11,455
33,480
Ron Rivera is doing well here in Washington. Although I dont like WFT he has them playing inspired football. I'm sure he is missed down in Charlotte. As for the Buzz City ballers, if they can get some consistency on defense, get a true big man in the middle, and learn to hold leads (which is a problem across the NBA in general - see lack of defense), then we have an exciting product to enjoy.

Not really, it was well past time to move on from Rivera when the Panthers did. Great guy, but extremely limited as a coach. I think he was perfect for Washington to help change the culture a bit and bring a steady leader, but his on field coaching ability is highly unlikely to ever bring them a SB victory. Has never had back to back winning seasons and has choked away some insanely talented teams.
 

surfzone365

Registered User
Jan 13, 2021
3,364
9,293
Ashburn, VA
Not really, it was well past time to move on from Rivera when the Panthers did. Great guy, but extremely limited as a coach. I think he was perfect for Washington to help change the culture a bit and bring a steady leader, but his on field coaching ability is highly unlikely to ever bring them a SB victory. Has never had back to back winning seasons and has choked away some insanely talented teams.
Fair enough. To your point, Washington had nowhere to go but up. Hopefully one of the two Charlotte teams will sniff another championship chance in our lifetime.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AhosDatsyukian

AhosDatsyukian

Registered User
Sep 25, 2020
11,455
33,480
I really like Borrego for his player development abilities but man this team's defense is embarrassing to watch, even in games we win. A lot of that has to do with players and lack of a center but coaching is also a significant factor in it. Really need to figure that out and ASAP or this season will spiral out of control.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad