Charlotte Hornets: Identity Rediscovered?

The Charlotte Hornets are in search of an identity. That has been the big problem that has developed for the team for the first part of the season while going on a 9-19 record thus far. The question may be closer to being answered after a win against the Denver Nuggets. It isn’t so much about the Nuggets as it is about how the Hornets handled it.

The Old Way: Defense

The Hornets were supposed to be a defense first club. This has not materialized yet this season. One of the reasons has been the health of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, which is only now getting straightened out. Kidd-Gilchrist played his best game against Gordon Hayward and the Utah Jazz. Kidd-Gilchrist is designed to play the defense that Coach Clifford wants. He just does not have the offensive support game for Al Jefferson. The big hope was to find someone who could mitigate his weaknesses in free agency.

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Hang-up for Charlotte Hornets: Lance Stephenson

Enter Lance Stephenson. Stephenson was hoped to be the third option shooter-slasher-defender that would answer the Hornets’ check boxes. He was meant to pressure opposing guards, be a competent shooting option from range, and do enough playmaking to foil teams that tried to smother Kemba Walker and destroy the offense that way. Stephenson has not fit into those holes. Whether it his issue is attitude, injury, or misunderstanding his role, he has not provided the third option that was needed.

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Against the Nuggets, the defense was on display in full view. Jefferson was the central cog and Walker the secondary offensive option. That was the model that the Hornets were supposed to have. The issue was the offense around them. The success of Gary Neal off the bench shows what the Hornets want from the two guard as far as offense is concerned.

Stephenson was on the bench with an injury, but this is a good opportunity for him to learn how other people play with Walker. Gerald Henderson, who did not have a big game, knows how to do that at least. PJ Hairston is showing flashes between off-court mistakes.

The Hornets will get the chance to continue reclaiming their identity tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks.