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Charlotte Hornets: 5 keys to making the playoffs in 2017-18

By Jen Julie Smith

CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 29: A general view of shirts on seats prior to the game between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets in game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 29: A general view of shirts on seats prior to the game between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets in game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images /

Batum has to get his scoring up

Unfortunately, just because a player signs a max contract, that doesn’t turn him into a max player. Last season, Batum signed a new contract worth $120 million over five years. But his production doesn’t match his contract sheet, because he only averaged 15.1 points and 5.9 assists per game last season.

Only shooting 33 percent from behind the arc isn’t reminiscent of a 3-point shooter. Batum must improve his 3-point shot, because whichever team makes the most threes usually wins the game.

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Batum can crash the glass on both ends of the court, and defensively he averaged a respectable 6.2 rebounds per game last season. But the No. 1 role of a shooting guard is to shoot. With such a low 3-point percentage, one would think Batum was more of a forward than a shooting guard.

He only shot 40 percent from the field last season. Walker can’t carry the backcourt all by himself, (although he’s sometimes trying to do so by not getting his teammates more involved).

Hopefully, Walker gets Batum more involved in the offense. Yet, he can’t solely be dependent upon Walker. He has to take accountability and learn to makes his own plays.

No one is saying that Batum should be jacking up shots for the sake of shooting, but he has to be more productive on the offensive end. So, if he’s not open for a shot, and can’t find help, he has to start driving the lane. Otherwise, even if the Hornets sneak into the playoffs, they won’t get very far with Batum’s poor shooting.

He has to start carrying his own weight, because as his numbers now stand, Charlotte only has half a backcourt. Thus, a key to the Hornets making the playoffs also depends on Batum’s game next season. Specifically, whether he’s able to get his scoring up, and learn to make his own plays.

Bottom line, he should be right there in the gym with Howard, practicing shots until his arms fall off.

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