Post by Nick Malone 77 on Nov 15, 2013 21:41:03 GMT -6
Charlotte Hornets Answers:
- When taking over this squad mid season, the thought about the former Pelicans (now Hornets) was that behind a talented young wing in Nick Anderson that this was a nice but rather afterthought and cupcake team that wouldn't present much of a challenge when the post season started. After 5 games of first round fodder, those critics were proved correct after losing to the far superior of Milwaukee Bucks, thus ending the 1990-91 season with a cloud of disappointment and mystery.
- Perhaps, the other GMs around the league were right. Maybe this team was destined in its former construction as Pelicans as being a 7th or 8th seed and first round exit perinally. There was more than a buzz that there were going to be major changes afoot with dissatisfaction within the organization. Change was bound to happen that had more of a method to its madness than just random construction and the emotions of a raging 15 year old at a mili vanilli concert.
- One of the first moves of the offseason was to change the team name from Pelicans to Hornets for a more regional feel that really connected with the area. Hornets are deadly creatures that can sting with a fury when threatened. Charlotte is the perfect area to build a hive and a community of rabid basketball fans are ready to pack the Charlotte Coliseum.
- No member on the roster would be safe. While Robert Parish was still a dominant force in the paint and held plenty of veteran experience when it came to the post season, playing without Otis Thorpe proved to be critical when the post season came around and left him alone to get eaten alive when it came to rebounding ad defending the paint by the younger and faster Bucks forwards. He was shipped up to the Boston Celtics along with elder forward, Walter Davis for young Center Duane Schintzus and Dan Majerle. Majerle is a critical piece to the Hornets long term rebuilding project. His long range shooting and handling skills at the 3 are ideal for the kind of game that can be a focal point of the offense.
- Another critical move came within the eastern conference in dealing with the Indiana Pacers. Acquiring depth in Bill Wennington and David Wingate will be crucial parts to rebuilding the secondary unit. Wenningtons presence in the paint as a bulldozing center will help be an anchor on defense while Wingate will also be a key force in distribution and speed that can stretch the floor while playing with one of the top rookies of last years class, Bimbo Coles who transitions as a starter to being the critical leader of the bench mob.
- Acquiring the biggest man in the NBA from Los Angeles in Manute Bol for being a defensive an blocks machine could be considered a major change in the paint, the biggest move of the entire offseason came when the Hornets traded Nick Anderson to the Washington Wizards in exchange for a Herchel Walker type haul in getting back Horace Grant, Nate McMillian to run the point and Washigtons 1992 first round pick. This move provides toughness and the young veteran approach that GM Nick Malone wanted to set the precedent to make the Hornets a fun and exciting team for many years to come that wouldn't be dependent on one factor to carry the load. This team is dangerous and while many may doubt the qualities of thins squad, the Hornets are ready to fly among not only the best of the East but many atop the entire National Basketball Association.
The floor is now open for any questions to be asked by the media in regards to the team and talents on the upcoming 1991-92 season.
- When taking over this squad mid season, the thought about the former Pelicans (now Hornets) was that behind a talented young wing in Nick Anderson that this was a nice but rather afterthought and cupcake team that wouldn't present much of a challenge when the post season started. After 5 games of first round fodder, those critics were proved correct after losing to the far superior of Milwaukee Bucks, thus ending the 1990-91 season with a cloud of disappointment and mystery.
- Perhaps, the other GMs around the league were right. Maybe this team was destined in its former construction as Pelicans as being a 7th or 8th seed and first round exit perinally. There was more than a buzz that there were going to be major changes afoot with dissatisfaction within the organization. Change was bound to happen that had more of a method to its madness than just random construction and the emotions of a raging 15 year old at a mili vanilli concert.
- One of the first moves of the offseason was to change the team name from Pelicans to Hornets for a more regional feel that really connected with the area. Hornets are deadly creatures that can sting with a fury when threatened. Charlotte is the perfect area to build a hive and a community of rabid basketball fans are ready to pack the Charlotte Coliseum.
- No member on the roster would be safe. While Robert Parish was still a dominant force in the paint and held plenty of veteran experience when it came to the post season, playing without Otis Thorpe proved to be critical when the post season came around and left him alone to get eaten alive when it came to rebounding ad defending the paint by the younger and faster Bucks forwards. He was shipped up to the Boston Celtics along with elder forward, Walter Davis for young Center Duane Schintzus and Dan Majerle. Majerle is a critical piece to the Hornets long term rebuilding project. His long range shooting and handling skills at the 3 are ideal for the kind of game that can be a focal point of the offense.
- Another critical move came within the eastern conference in dealing with the Indiana Pacers. Acquiring depth in Bill Wennington and David Wingate will be crucial parts to rebuilding the secondary unit. Wenningtons presence in the paint as a bulldozing center will help be an anchor on defense while Wingate will also be a key force in distribution and speed that can stretch the floor while playing with one of the top rookies of last years class, Bimbo Coles who transitions as a starter to being the critical leader of the bench mob.
- Acquiring the biggest man in the NBA from Los Angeles in Manute Bol for being a defensive an blocks machine could be considered a major change in the paint, the biggest move of the entire offseason came when the Hornets traded Nick Anderson to the Washington Wizards in exchange for a Herchel Walker type haul in getting back Horace Grant, Nate McMillian to run the point and Washigtons 1992 first round pick. This move provides toughness and the young veteran approach that GM Nick Malone wanted to set the precedent to make the Hornets a fun and exciting team for many years to come that wouldn't be dependent on one factor to carry the load. This team is dangerous and while many may doubt the qualities of thins squad, the Hornets are ready to fly among not only the best of the East but many atop the entire National Basketball Association.
The floor is now open for any questions to be asked by the media in regards to the team and talents on the upcoming 1991-92 season.
