Miami Heat: Southeast Division Preview

Oct 19, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives to the basket as he is defended by Chicago Bulls guard forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 94-86. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

#5 – Charlotte Hornets – 2014-15: 33-49, 4th place in the Southeast

Projected Opening Night starters: Kemba Walker (PG), Nicolas Batum (SG), PJ Hairston (SF), Cody Zeller (PF), Al Jefferson (C)

One year after making the playoffs as a grinding defensive team, followed by making a big (for them) free agent splash in signing Lance Stephenson, the Hornets find themselves once again on the outside of the playoff picture. They’ve gone ahead and traded Stephenson, while picking up Batum, Spencer Hawes, and Jeremy Lamb along the way, plus signing Jeremy Lin. Drafting Frank Kaminsky was met with raised eyebrows, especially when Justise Winslow was available to them, and the Celtics ready to trade a king’s ransom for the chance to get Winslow. The Hornets have some interesting pieces, but can Steve Clifford find a way to put it together?

How it can go right: Last season, the Hornets were second to last in field goal percentage, and last in three-point field goal percentage. In the preseason, they jumped up to nineteenth in field goal percentage, and seventh in three-point percentage. Whether those are just a product of the preseason remains to be seen, but Clifford did want to make it a point to improve from the outside. If they can at least be in the top-20 in both those categories, and keep up on the defensive end, then a return to the playoffs isn’t out of the question.

Seems like every season we’re waiting for Walker to take the next step in his development. He regressed in his fourth season, shooting 38.5% from the field, and only 30% from downtown. If he can build on his preseason performance – 44.9% from the field; 35% from three – then we might finally be seeing Walker take the leap.

How it can go wrong: They’ve already lost their defensive dragon, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, for the season with a torn labrum, so they’re not off to a great start. Kidd-Gilchrist is a premier defender that Charlotte doesn’t have an immediate replacement available, as they’re relying on Lin (Ha!) and Batum to fill that void.

Jefferson missed 17 games due to injury, and his numbers dipped from just under 22 points and 10 rebounds per game in 2013-14, to a little over 16 points and 8 rebounds. In the last year of his contract, Jefferson needs to find a way to get back to those numbers from two years ago, or Charlotte will struggle in the interior.

First month (or so) of games: @Miami, @Atlanta, Atlanta, Chicago, @Dallas, @San Antonio, @Minnesota, New York, @Chicago, Portland, @New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Washington, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Golden State.

Miami and a home-and-home with the Hawks, followed by a visit by the Bulls isn’t a fun way to start. The Hornets play eleven of their first eighteen games against playoffs teams, and while Dallas and Portland are taking a step back (or a tumble off the edge of a canyon), the Heat, and two games with an improved Knicks team isn’t going to make things easier. The Wizards/Cavs/Bucks/Warriors homestand could be an early punch in the mouth.

Win/Loss Predication: 33-49, last in the Southeast. I want to like them, but I can’t. Jefferson may just be starting his decline, as injuries over the years have been catching up with him. Kidd-Gilchrist’s injury hurts the Hornets on defense and replacing him could be difficult, as Batum is a decent on that end of the floor, while Lin is a revolving door. Batum is in the final year of his deal and could be dealt if Charlotte is out of the playoff picture and fear he may not re-sign. This might be a long season in Buzz City.

Next: Do you believe in Magic?