We all made the jokes after a 3-0 start.
Everybody sarcastic in tone joking that the last professional sports team in Charlotte to go 3-0 ended up just fine.
Of course we didn’t think it would happen quite like this, even knowing a fall was a possibility.
The Charlotte Hornets have done that and then some. After a 3-0 start that turned into an acceptable 5-2, the purple and teal now sport a 5-7 record.
Cleveland was the first disappointing loss, then the way they lost to Golden State folding in the 4th quarter despite Steph Curry being held in check fit the category as well.
But hey, they had Sacramento next to get back on track… only they would get destroyed by 30 points. The loss was saturated in poetic justice with Richaun Holmes, being the very free agent target most thought would be perfect in Charlotte, instead goes for 23 points and grabs 20 rebounds against the team that needed him most.
A 4th quarter collapse to the Clippers followed by a tough OT loss to the Lakers would conclude their empty trip in LA, leaving us with very different feelings than we had at the start of the season.
Charlotte’s problems were foreseeable.
The lack of rim protection or interior defense is plaguing this team once again.
They struggle mightily when PJ Washington is out of the lineup, both offensively and even more so defensively.
I don’t think Mason Plumlee was considered the answer, even when traded for on draft night, but became the starter once Charlotte decided they were done in free agency.
Ish Smith was stellar in the first 5 games running the offense, facilitating at a high level, and playing active defense. Since then, Ish hasn’t scored more than 4 points, on less minutes per game. Last night, he logged a Did Not Play -Coaches Decision.
Kelly Oubre’s shot making comes and goes while also seeing a dip in minutes, and Terry has struggled mightily sense his return from injury.
All that spells a 5 game losing streak, and the positivity gone for the time being.
