With Honors

The Hornets ramshackle the Celtics in Boston, go OVER .500

If you’re reading this, most likely, you’ve watched the game at least once. How many of you legitimately thought they were winning this? Because if you’re a sicko like most of us reading this, the Hornets have built up the trauma that always disappoints. Even when you’re feeling good, fate would remind you that Hornets fans are not supposed to feel good about this team.

So when Brandon Miller grabs his wrist after having it get whacked while going for a loose ball, as a Hornets fan, you’re likely holding your breath, hoping that whatever Miller has is a one-game injury at the worst. Instead, he completes the game and looks exactly what Mitch Kupchak hoped for when they drafted him a few years ago.

If this team has a specialty, it’s the ability to cut through the years of trauma and scar tissue that Hornets fans have built up through decades of lowered expectations and disappointments. This team allows you to feel the fear, but also know that this team will not only take a punch but dish one back.

And now, they know how to close games out in demoralizing fashion. The opposing team wants to make a run, the Hornets will slow it down and get a gut-punch three from Kon, or worse, the “fuck your run one-legged 3 from 30 feet” 3-pointer from LaMelo Ball that will take all the air out of the arena. These kids know how to close games, they know how to defend, and they’re paying attention to detail on defense.

Hell, this team just won is sixth straight game by 15 or more, won 10 straight road games, and has the statistical profile that mostly resembles the 2017-2018 Golden State Warriors. Yeah, one of those dominant Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant teams that waltzed to the NBA Title.

Folks, it’s okay to believe that this team is capable of not only making the playoffs, but possibly winning AT LEAST a round in the playoffs (I’m not doing the winning the Eastern Conference thing, not yet). It’s slowly becoming spring for Charlotte Hornets basketball, and that’s a beautiful thing.

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• The Coby White trade was a HEIST: 17 Points, Six Assists, and multiple buckets that either stemmed or spurred on runs to maintain the big lead. The Hornets are no longer losing minutes whenever LaMelo Ball leaves the floor. And all it took for the Hornets to acquire this bench anchor was the expiring contract of Collin Sexton and some second-round picks that VP Jeff Peterson was able to replenish down the line. There are people doing time in Club Fed for less egregious thievery.

• Josh Green, the most interesting man off the Hornets bench: To think that twelve months ago, Josh Green was utterly loathed by Hornets fans for what he was not. Which, if we’re honest, Hornets fans were absolutely correct. However, what this man has done as a super sub that soaks up fouls, plays mean defense, grab long rebounds, and hit corner 3’s at an unreal clip. If the Hornets are to get all the way to 6th and potentially win a round in the playoffs, you need guys like Josh Green to fill your bench.

• I’m finally ready to discuss the potential of climbing all the way to six: As of now, the Hornets remain 2.5 games back of sixth in the Eastern Conference with 19 games left in the regular season. Now, the road to get there is filled with tough games. Two games against Miami, two games against Phoenix, two more against Boston, a primetime date vs. San Antonio, a game vs. the Sixers, Knicks and Pistons.
  Now, the good news — there are two games vs. the Kings, a game against the Grizzlies, Nets and Pacers. So I’m not saying getting to six is likely, but I’m at least willing to discuss the possibility. Hell, if I’m honest, I’m rooting for a 1st round date vs. the Knicks. Mainly because I KNOW all the games will be on broadcast TV and not a streaming service.

Onto Miami.

Fin.