{"id":35726,"date":"2020-12-10T10:00:41","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T15:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=35726"},"modified":"2020-12-09T16:21:25","modified_gmt":"2020-12-09T21:21:25","slug":"charlotte-hornets-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/12\/10\/charlotte-hornets-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Charlotte Hornets Must Cut Ties with Mediocre Tag, Fight for Relevance"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Charlotte Hornets<\/a> enter the 2020-21 season with a level of expectations. Gordon Hayward<\/a><\/strong> and LaMelo Ball<\/strong><\/a> are the team’s shiny new additions, providing hope to a franchise that has treaded water the past few seasons. The Hornets have several young players who show potential thus continued development is a must.<\/p>\n

As a small market, Charlotte is battling for relevancy and will use the 2020-21 season to springboard itself into playoff conversations. Are these expectations too high? Owner Michael Jordan’s<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0desire for postseason action is undeniable so one imagines he has high expectations for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n

Charlotte Hornets Must Cut Ties with Mediocre Tag, Fight for Relevance<\/h2>\n

Reviewing the 2019-20 Season<\/h3>\n

The 2019-20 season saw the Hornets miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year with a record of 23-42. Charlotte was one of the whipping boys of the NBA last year but did uncover a hidden gem in Devonte’ Graham<\/a><\/strong>. The second-year guard had some exceptional performances but none more than his play against the Brooklyn Nets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Graham exploded for 40 points on 12-of-21 shooting and 7-of-12 from three to help Charlotte overcome a 20-point deficit.<\/p>\n

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Devonte' Graham came up clutch \ud83d\udcaa <\/p>\n

He put up 40 points in the Hornets' 20-point comeback win over the Nets. pic.twitter.com\/sa0Icwpgje<\/a><\/p>\n

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 12, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n