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5. Losing Culture
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The Hornets haven’t been a perennial playoff contender or a team that is always close to making the playoffs. Even Michael Jordan’s presence hasn’t been able to transform the Hornets into winners.
The Hornets haven’t been a perennial playoff contender or a team that is always close to making the playoffs. Even Michael Jordan’s presence hasn’t been able to transform the Hornets into winners.
4. Health
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At one point in the season, the Hornets were a top team in the East. But in early January, the team lost nine of 10 games. And after injuries to Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at separate points in the season, the Hornets are going south.
At one point in the season, the Hornets were a top team in the East. But in early January, the team lost nine of 10 games. And after injuries to Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at separate points in the season, the Hornets are going south.
3. Not Enough Offense
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The Hornets have an offensive efficiency rating of 103.1 (15th in the league) and an Effective Field Goal Percentage of 49.4 (19th in the league). They just don’t have enough offensive firepower to compete with the better teams in the league.
The Hornets have an offensive efficiency rating of 103.1 (15th in the league) and an Effective Field Goal Percentage of 49.4 (19th in the league). They just don’t have enough offensive firepower to compete with the better teams in the league.
2. Lack Of A Reliable Defensive Stopper
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The Hornets have survived this season without Kidd-Gilchrist, but survival isn’t enough. Kidd-Gilchrist’s defensive presence is missed with teams having defensive specialists like Paul George or Jimmy Butler in the East.
2. Lack Of A Reliable Defensive Stopper
The Hornets have survived this season without Kidd-Gilchrist, but survival isn’t enough. Kidd-Gilchrist’s defensive presence is missed with teams having defensive specialists like Paul George or Jimmy Butler in the East.
1. No Star-Level Players
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Of the top nine teams in the conference, the Hornets are the only ones to have no player selected as an All-Star this season. Stars are important in the playoff race, and unless a team has one, there is almost no chance of making the playoffs.
Of the top nine teams in the conference, the Hornets are the only ones to have no player selected as an All-Star this season. Stars are important in the playoff race, and unless a team has one, there is almost no chance of making the playoffs.