NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s biggest question

Charlotte Hornets: Will their luck finally turn?

The Hornets have underperformed their point differential in three consecutive seasons, and in each of the last two – both 36-46 campaigns – they fell six wins short of their projected win total based on net rating. The team’s record in clutch games has ranked in the bottom six of the NBA in back-to-back seasons despite an otherwise sound unit on both ends of the floor. At some point, Charlotte’s clutch luck has to change.

Continuity plays an important role for teams like the Hornets, who lack a superstar but rely on an All Star and a well-functioning support system. Last season, that continuity was thrown into disarray by Dwight Howard’s presence and Cody Zeller’s resulting absence. Zeller was markedly less effective coming off the bench than he was in 2016 and 2017 as the starter, and Charlotte was worse for it. Zeller and Kemba Walker’s chemistry has become innate; the two complement each other wonderfully, and last season, the rest of the team seemed thrown off without those two bookending them.

Only when the supporting cast clicks do the Hornets rise to the caliber of a playoff team. Walker, spectacular though he may be, is not good enough to carry the team on his own. Nicolas Batum must also be involved in the offense; Marvin Williams needs a certain amount of shots to keep the defense honest and thereby create more space for Walker to operate. This year, the Hornets need more consistent minutes Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Jeremy Lamb, as well as a boost from anyone else on the bench. Most of all, they’ll need to play up to their own standard.