Charlotte Hornets: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18
By Randy Porga
Weakness No. 3: Struggles on defense
The Charlotte Hornets have seen improvement under head coach Steve Clifford since he joined the team four seasons ago. Making two playoff appearances despite being eliminated during the first round are small steps for a historically losing franchise. But small steps will no longer be enough with the addition of two promising draft picks. The major area the Hornets saw regression last year? Defense.
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Under Clifford, the Hornets have seen their offensive rating climb from 103.6 to 108.8 in four seasons, per Basketball-Reference. But in that same time, their defensive rating has suffered going from 103.6 to 108.6 under his watch. He may very well be on the hot seat this season if that not only continues, but if the team struggles to reach a .500 record this season again.
Coaches coach and players play, but it is up to the Hornets staff to install an effective game plan for Kemba Walker and the rest of the team to put them into a better position to win games.
Taking a look back to their 2015-16 season, they finished ninth in the league in offensive rating and eighth in defensive rating and turned those numbers into a 48-34 record. With diminishing defensive marks, the W’s in the win-loss column will always suffer as well.
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Should the Charlotte Hornets improve on defense as a whole, they may find themselves with a more successful season than many fans may expect.