#CHARLOTTE HORNETS ROSTER 2015 FREE#

While the Hornets are rightfully discontent with missing the playoffs last season, they did learn a lot about their strengths and weaknesses. Of course, it helped that Kidd-Gilchrist and Henderson were able to somewhat control the perimeter, even with less focus there. In a league that is trending toward analytics and 3-point shooting, the Hornets’ philosophy was surprisingly effective. Since the defensive wall was formed in such close proximity to the rim, and the Hornets explicitly do not leak out in transition, they became the best in the league at preventing second-chance points off of offensive rebounds. Head coach Steve Clifford placed a heavy emphasis on clogging the interior, so much so that opposing teams were frequently forced to settle for jumpers. No team with those offensive numbers should be remotely sniffing the playoffs in April, and yet, there they were. That being said, this is a tremendous credit to the Hornets’ defense. Eight of them shot below 40 percent, and only bygone center Biyombo shot above 50 percent. Almost every player contributed to and suffered from a lack of real help. 29 in field goal percentage (42 percent) and dead last in 3-point percentage (31.8 percent). Although Jefferson is one of the most skilled offensive post players in the league, this is not a recipe for success when no one is a shooting threat. Their basic game plan was designed around getting Jefferson touches in the low post, often with two or more teammates idly spectating from the perimeter. It is not unprecedented for a team to hold onto this middling level of success amidst such adversity, but it is at least a minor miracle that they were able to do so without much creativity on offense, healthy or otherwise. After all, they finished just five wins behind the eighth-seeded Brooklyn Nets. It is fair to say that with better luck, they could have been a playoff team in the East last season. Amazingly, despite all this, the Hornets remained in the playoff race until April 10th. That is excluding the glut of bench players that dealt with their own misfortunes. Team leader Kemba Walker missed 20 games with a torn meniscus, Al Jefferson missed 17 games with groin and knee injuries, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist missed 27 games with rib, foot, and ankle injuries, and Cody Zeller missed 20 games with a shoulder injury. Outside of Henderson, now a Trail Blazer, none of the starters played more than 65 games. The Hornets had one heck of a rough year as far as injuries are concerned. Noah Vonleh (PF) – Traded to the Portland Trail Blazersĭell Curry – Hired as Ambassador and Special Projects Advisor

Gerald Henderson (SG) – Traded to the Portland Trail Blazers Lance Stephenson (SG) – Traded to the Los Angeles Clippers

#CHARLOTTE HORNETS ROSTER 2015 FREE#

Jeffery Taylor (SF) – Signed with Real Madrid as free agent Jason Maxiell (PF) – Signed with Tianjin Steel as free agent Gary Neal (SG) – Signed with Washington Wizards as free agent Mo Williams (PG) – Signed with Cleveland Cavaliers as free agentīismack Biyombo (C) – Signed with Toronto Raptors as free agent Jeremy Lamb (SG) – Acquired via trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder Spencer Hawes (C) – Acquired via trade from the Los Angeles Clippers Nicolas Batum (SF) – Acquired via trade from the Portland Trail Blazers Tyler Hansbrough (PF) – Signed as free agentĪaron Harrison (SG) – Signed as free agent 11 Eastern Conferenceįrank Kaminsky (PF) – Drafted No.

Charlotte hornets roster 2015