Charlotte Hornets: 5 Areas Hornets Must Improve

By Jon Shames | Jul 4, 2014

March 3, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats head coach Mike Dunlap (far left) instructs his team in a huddle against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings defeated the Bobcats 119-83. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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2.) Bench Production

Apr 2, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Gary Neal (12) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Bobcats defeated the Sixers 123-93. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams that make noise in the playoffs all have depth. There’s always a productive bench and at least a handful of players that the coach can call on should the starters struggle.

The Bobcats didn’t have that depth, and thus, made zero noise in the playoffs.

When Al Jefferson went down with his foot injury, there was nobody to step in and contribute quality minutes in his place. When Kemba Walker left the game, there wasn’t anyone to run the offense nearly as well as he (although Luke Ridnour wasn’t awful). Last season, the bench was 18th in scoring, but 24th in field goal percentage–hardly desirable numbers.

The Hornets are going to need to make some noise this summer in Free Agency and retool their bench. It could be the key to reaching another round of the postseason, and at the very least, winning a game or two.

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