Charlotte Hornets: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18
By Randy Porga
Weakness No. 1: Lack of big man options
Dwight Howard being acquired through trade may be a plus, depending on which way you look at it. Sure they were able to rid themselves of Miles Plumlee and his hefty contract, but how effective can Howard be?
He may be worthy of more shot attempts per game which he was not given while in Atlanta, a possible reason for his lowered production. Howard has seen a decrease in field goal attempts each year since he left the Orlando Magic. Where he was once in the wheelhouse of 20 points per game, now he is closer at this point in his career to averaging just over 10 points per game.
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In any case, you should be able to pencil him down for a double-double per game, he has never averaged fewer than 10 rebounds per game throughout his entire career. But the Hornets will need much more than some baskets from Howard to see an overall improvement from the Hornets.
And if Dwight Howard happens to fail expectations?
Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky are all that the rotation of reserve centers have to offer. Zeller has proven capable over his four-year career thus far, and the Hornets were 33-29 with him on the court last year, compared to 3-17 without him. But he’s certainly not a big man that will pose an offensive threat to opponents on a night to night basis.
Best-case scenario: Dwight Howard emerges in the form of his better days averaging close to 20 points per game. Worst-case scenario: The frontcourt becomes the source of a very long, losing season for the Charlotte Hornets.