As the 2023-24 NBA season wraps up, it’s time to reflect on the Charlotte Hornets’ performance and notable moments. Against all odds and amidst a sea of challenges, the Hornets have crafted a season worth remembering.
Their journey, dotted with thrilling victories, heartbreaking losses, and unexpected breakthroughs, showcased not only the team’s skill and determination but also the undying support of their fans. Below, we’ll recap the Charlotte Hornets’ 2023-24 NBA season.
Roster Development
The Hornets have meticulously built their roster, focusing on young talents who can grow together. In a February announcement, Mitch Kupchak, the President of Basketball Operations and General Manager for the Charlotte Hornets, divulged that the team successfully traded Gordon Hayward to secure forward Davis Bertans and guards Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic.
Hailing from Valmiera, Latvia, Bertans is in his eighth season in the NBA, having played for teams such as San Antonio, Washington, Dallas, and Oklahoma City. Over his NBA career, spanning 447 games with 40 starts, he has averaged 7.6 points, hitting 39.8 percent of his shots from the three-point line and grabbing 2.5 rebounds per game.
Bertans, who was chosen 42nd overall in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers, has participated in 15 games this season, contributing an average of 2.9 points in 6.1 minutes per appearance. Before entering the NBA, he played professionally with KK Partizan in Serbia and Baskonia in Spain for five years.
Mann, who was selected 18th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, has played in 140 games (31 as a starter) for the Thunder, averaging 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. This season, in 13 games, he has averaged 3.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, with a field goal percentage of 50.0% and a 3-point shooting percentage of 42.1%.
With the development of the Hornets’ roster, the Hornets Money Line, spread, parlay, and totals showed promising outcomes for bettors at the beginning of the season.
Offensive Strategy
The Charlotte Hornets are not typically regarded as a leading defensive team, ranking 27th in the league for their defensive rating, a statistic that excludes periods of non-competitive play.
Over the last two seasons, Charlotte has ranked 4th on average in transition frequency and 12th in transition efficiency. Both numbers are expected to be in the top 3 in the league this season.
Although Ball is the primary catalyst for the team’s dynamics, the roster has players who excel in transition play. During his college career, Mark Williams gained recognition for his outstanding ability as a rim runner in transition scenarios.
Similarly, Miles Bridges shines as a top-tier finisher in transition moments. Miller stands out for his ability to hit three-pointers as they follow up in transition plays.
Offensively, the Hornets have displayed a fast-paced, high-scoring game plan. This season, they were expected to harness this potential further by maximizing transition plays and three-point shooting.
With sharpshooters on the perimeter and agile big men who can stretch the floor, the Hornets’ offensive strategy focused on creating space and exploiting mismatches.
Defensive Improvements
During the same period in the previous season, the Charlotte Hornets shifted their defensive strategies akin to what they’re currently encountering. Previously, integrating Mark Williams into the starting lineup was key to steering the team toward improvement. However, this season presents several challenges and variables influencing their defensive evolution.
Since February 10, the Hornets have climbed to seventh place in NBA defensive rankings with a score of 110.2, outperformed only by teams such as New Orleans, Minnesota, Boston, Orlando, Miami, and Denver.
This performance marks a substantial improvement from their initial standing, where they were at the bottom of the league with a defensive rating of 121.3, which contributed to just 10 victories in the first 51 games of their 2023-24 season, resulting in a 7-11 record during this period.
The Hornets have seen their most significant progress in half-court defense, soaring from last place, allowing 106.6 points per 100 plays, to an impressive third place, with only 91.3 points allowed.
There’s been a slight improvement in their transition defense, too, moving up from 18th by permitting 129.9 points to 17th with 127.0 points per 100 plays, according to Cleaning the Glass.
Additionally, the team’s ability to disrupt plays through deflections has increased from 12.1 (ranking 29th) to 14.3 (ranking 16th), leading to opponents committing the seventh-highest turnovers (14.6) since February 10, an improvement from their previous 21st ranking at 13.5 turnovers.
Conclusion
The 2023-24 season was a testament to the Charlotte Hornets’ fighting spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence. While the team faced challenges and setbacks, its growth, determination, and the emergence of key players paint a hopeful picture for the future. With lessons learned and experiences gained, the Hornets fans hope for the team’s greater achievements and an exciting path forward in the NBA landscape.
