Charlotte Hornets: 0-2 No Time to Panic
The Charlotte Hornets have started their season 0-2. Despite this, this is not the time for Hornets fans to panic.
It is still early in the season and the team just played two road games against tough teams. The Hornets are also still working some kinks out of their lineups. There is the question of can P.J. Hairston play the role that Coach Steve Clifford wants him to play.
Let’s go over some reasons why it is too early to call mulligan on the season.
1. Atlanta and Miami are good teams
The Hornets have lost to Miami and Atlanta on the home floors of those two squads. The Hawks were the top seed in the East last year and the Hornets lost only by 97-94. Kemba Walker even had a shot to tie that game.
Miami is a trendy pick to reach the playoffs this year with some thinking they may be the class of the Southeastern Division. The Hornets were within five points with forty seconds left. The Hornets fought to the end of both these games. They were not blowouts by any means.
2. It’s a whole new team again
The Hornets roster was remade for the second straight year in the off season. These guys are still not used to playing with each other despite a 7-1 preseason record. Chemistry has yet to settle in. Since Clifford has big plans for Nicolas Batum, it will take a little more time. Clifford elevated Hairston to the starting lineup right before game 1.
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The power forward ended up with the starting job over Cody Zeller. Williams has only answered with a pair of double-doubles. His two man game with Jeremy Lin helped spur the comeback against the Hawks. The team could have used a little of his shooting against the Heat where he was cold from beyond the arc.
4. Jeremy Lin
Linsanity has offered a sparkplug off the bench. Lin has been in double figures both games and is also scoring clutch minutes late in games. It was Lin and not Jeremy Lamb or Hairston who was the court for the agonizing final minutes against the Hawks.
Next: Is Jeremy Lin the Answer?
5. We get to play at home, and we get to play rested
We are not always going to see road games against playoff caliber competition on back to back nights. We get to play 41 games in Charlotte, so go support the team when they are here.
The Hornets play the Hawks again this afternoon at 2:00 PM. Go fill the Time Warner Arena and give the team a chance.