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The Charlotte Hornets haven't been playing their best basketball as of late, going 1-9 in their last ten games as they go into the All-Star break.
It's not the strangest thing that the Hornets are having trouble considering how young they are; when a team is this young, it's common to struggle for parts of the season. They have the offensive firepower and the drive to get the job done against some really good opponents, as we have seen with them throughout the season. They have performed admirably against teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics, as well as a number of other championship-caliber teams.
Even though the Charlotte Hornets aren't in a position to contend for an NBA championship right now, they still have a chance to surprise a few teams in the Eastern Conference playoffs if those teams aren't playing their best basketball. As everyone knows, weird things happen in the NBA playoffs, and there's even a chance that the Hornets might win the Eastern Conference if everything falls into place at the proper time.
Let's look at three reasons why the Charlotte Hornets might surprise a few teams in the NBA playoffs.
Winning an NBA title is never easy. As we have seen with the past 20 champions, every team is going to need something significant to go their way. Whether that is an unfortunate injury to someone, or having guys on the roster step up more than they ever have. There is a reason why winning a championship is so hard, and a reason why we have seen crazy upsets in the past. If a team is going to win a title, they’re going to need everyone on their roster to be playing the best basketball they possibly can, and even sometimes that isn’t enough to get the job done.
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Hornets Eastern Conference Playoffs
3. Exciting and young
One of the most important reasons why the Charlotte Hornets have had some success this season is because they play with a type of fire and passion. When you watch this squad, you can't help but notice that they just go out there and have a good time. The fact that this team is youthful and energetic is one of the reasons why everyone enjoys watching them. They'll go out there and play as hard as any basketball player can, guys like Lamelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Terry Rozier, and others all play a major role in that.
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Whatever this young squad accomplishes on a regular basis, whether it's windmill dunks, alley-oops, or anything else, it's always done with a lot of energy and passion. They're a team that will find success if they can continue to play with this level of enthusiasm and enjoyment for the rest of the season and in the playoffs because when you are having fun while playing, you are generally a team that no one wants to face.
2. If they're on their game, they'll have one of the best offenses in the league
There's no disputing that the Charlotte Hornets have the ability to make a lot of noise in the playoffs if they're at their best. They obviously don't have a great defense, and they even have to bench a guy like Lamelo Ball when the game is tight because he isn't quite ready on defense yet. All of those factors will play a big role in whether the Hornets win in the playoffs or shock a few teams, so they'll have to at least become average defenders in the coming months if they want to make a splash.
Despite the fact that their defense isn't among the best in the NBA, they still have an explosive offense that can win any game at any time if they're playing their best basketball. The Charlotte Hornets have a chance to score 125 points each night if players like Lamelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and others are on their game.
1. Have the necessary firepower to complete the task
The Charlotte Hornets will need their offense to be firing on all cylinders if they are to have any chance of competing in the playoffs. They have one of the best offenses in the NBA when they are on their game, as previously noted. This indicates that they have the firepower to complete the task; the next stage will be for them to execute their game plan and score at a high level.
It won't be easy for young players like Lamelo Ball and Miles Bridges to go out in the playoffs and score 25 or more points in each game, but they have the ability to do so, and when you add in veterans like Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward, who have been through the playoffs and moments like that before, they are a team that has the potential to surprise some teams if others aren't playing their best game.
