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Charlotte Hornets: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

By Jen Julie Smith

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 03: Hugo the mascot of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 3, 2015 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 - NOVEMBER 03: Hugo the mascot of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 3, 2015 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 Brock Williams-Smithh/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Brock Williams-Smithh/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Kemba Walker will become a pass-first guard

Last season, Walker averaged 23.2 points and 5.5 assists per game. Those assist numbers are way too low for the point guard position.

Because Walker is not a pass-first point guard, he is hurting his team’s chances to go deep into the postseason. Walker has been in the game long enough to learn how to make plays on and off the ball.

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Five players signed past their prime in the second Hornets era
Five players signed past their prime in the second Hornets era /

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    • One factor for his low assist rate could be that he didn’t believe he had someone to pass to who could finish at the rim. But one of the main jobs of a point guard is to make his teammates better and to view the full the landscape of the court to see who’s in the best position to score.

    Those 5.5 assists per game is going to earn a first round exit during the playoffs. Walker must get his teammates more involved on the offensive end, and in more pick-and-roll situations.

    There’s no question that Walker has found a perfect alley-oop partner in Howard. But Walker has to start trusting his teammates more. Otherwise he will just be a good point guard, but not counted among the elite class of guards.

    Batum’s low scoring, (and who may be playing for his positon next season), would benefit if Walker passed the ball to him more. And although starting power forward Marvin Williams has been carrying his weight, averaging 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds last season, if Walker shared the ball more, Williams numbers would also go up.

    Walker isn’t going to magically change in Magic Johnson overnight. But he can stop walking the ball all the way to the basket, and start passing the ball more.

    The more touches Walker gives his teammates, the better their chances of making the playoffs. Therefore, since he wants a winning formula, Walker’s assist ratio will be in the upper echelon next season.

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