HOOPSAHOLIC

The Charlotte Hornets enter the 2014 NBA season with new hope and a new name. After making the switch from the Bobcats to the Hornets, Charlotte believes they have a roster that can compete with anybody. Steve Clifford's squad made a step last season by making the playoffs, so it'll be interesting to see if they make another step in the right direction this year. 

They will be led by their big center Al Jefferson who's entering his second year in Charlotte after coming over from the Jazz. Last year, Jefferson was the key piece to their playoff return averaging 21.8 points and eleven rebounds. He's widely considered one of the best centers in the league especially on the offensive end. He's no rim protector, but he gets the job done on defense. With a more experienced team around him, I expect Big Al to improve on his already stellar numbers from last year and make an all-star appearance. 

The addition of Lance Stephenson will definitely be a positive for the Hornets since they lacked a true wing scorer last season. Supposedly MJ himself went to greet Lance in person during free agency, which ultimately made the decision easy for him. I mean, who wouldn't be sold if the GOAT made a house call to try and sign you? Even though Lance makes some suspect decisions, he does plenty of good to make up for it. If you remember correctly, it was Lance, not Paul George who was guarding LeBron in the Eastern Conference Championship last season. His wing defense will be crucial to go along with his flashes of greatness on the offensive end. I truly believe he was the perfect fit to the puzzle on this team, and his energy alone will ultimately result in more wins for the Hornets. 

Kemba Walker has improved every season he's been in the league, and I expect the same to happen this year. He's an undersized point guard but an overachieving playmaker. Need I remind you the NCAA Tournament run UCONN went on in Walker's final year on campus? He made big shot after big shot in college, and has developed into a very good pro player. Last season he averaged nearly 18 points to go along with six assists and four rebounds. It's safe to say he's not a one-dimensional player. His assists should increase this season with the addition of Stephenson, and Walker is just another piece of the puzzle to the much improved Charlotte team.  

The Hornets will be starting Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at the small forward position again, and he will try to shed the BUST label he's been given after a disappointing begin to his NBA career. Charlotte took him with the second pick in the draft a couple of seasons ago, and he's yet to figure out how to shoot/score. Last season he only averaged seven points and five rebounds. One thing that he does have going for him is that he's an elite wing defender. MKG and Stephenson will cause some havoc for opposing wing scorers on a nightly basis this season. Supposedly MKG has been working with legend, Mark Price over the offseason to improve his shooting stroke, but he must figure things out on the offensive end if he wants to prove he was worth the number two pick. 

The bench for the Hornets will be an interesting thing to keep an eye on. Gerald Henderson will be making the move from starter to sixth man with the addition of Stephenson. Henderson will be able to come in off the bench and make some noise especially if MKG continues to be offensively inept. The Hornets also brought in Brian Roberts during the offseason to bring some depth to the point guard position.