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Charlotte Hornets: 2017-18 NBA season preview

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 Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images /

Storyline 1: Howard over Zeller as the starting center

When Dwight Howard was traded from the Atlanta Hawks this offseason, questions emerged whether Cody Zeller would be starting this season while Howard would come off the bench.

In his four seasons since being drafted by the Hornets, Zeller has been a reliable center. Despite missing some games due to injury, he still averaged 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds last season. Since he’s only 24, Zeller is the future for the Hornets.

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However, after Charlotte acquired dominant big man Howard, Zeller may have to wait his turn for a little while. Howard has averaged a double-double every year of his 13-year career. Last year he averaged 13.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Michael Jordan didn’t acquire Howard to sit on the bench. In fact, according to Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated, the Hornets’ owner had this to say when he called to tell Howard the good news:

"“On June 20, Howard was walking out of L.A. Fitness in Atlanta, swaddled in Hawks sweats, when Michael Jordan called. The voice took Howard back to his last high school game, the 2004 Jordan Brand Classic at Maryland. Through a mouthful of braces Howard thanked Jordan for lifting the NBA, and Jordan told the earnest phenom he could hoist the league higher.”"

Jordan has high hopes for Howard. As someone who once believed he “could hoist the league higher,” MJ believes that Howard will be a strong addition to his team.

The only thing stopping Howard may be Howard himself. Because he’s prone to foul trouble, Zeller may still see starter minutes. Although Zeller is also dominant, it’s not like Clifford will be exchanging one player for the other, and it won’t be noticed. But most likely, Zeller won’t let any leads that Charlotte builds up while Howard’s on the floor dissipate.

Zeller is such a strong center and reliable backup to Howard, that may be the only position that has any real depth to start off the season. Zeller’s a career 73 percent free throw shooter, while Howard shot 53 percent at the line last season.

Howard starting position is cemented. However, it doesn’t mean that Zeller won’t see quality minutes, and he may even be substituted in during crucial minutes.

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