Knicks: With a Solid Off-Season, Which Teams Can New York Leapfrog?
By William Lee
Charlotte Hornets
Mar 17, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (right) and Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson (left) talk as they run down the court during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The Charlotte Hornets gambled on Lance Stephenson last season, luring him away from the Indiana Pacers with a three-year $27 million contract and it was bust. The Hornets went from winning 43 games in the 2013-2014 season to winning only 33 games last season. Stephenson was traded for Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes, not exactly getting your money’s worth there…
Charlotte also traded away their franchise’s eighth leading All-Time scorer in Gerald Henderson this summer, in return the Hornets received one of the best 3-and-D player in the league. Nicolas Batum can compliment any player, possibly benefiting Al Jefferson the most by spreading out opponents with his three-point shooting; denying opponents the ability to double-team the big man down-low. Charlotte also drafted a stretch-four to compliment Jefferson, in Frank Kaminsky the Hornets drafted a 41.6% three-point shooter from college last season.
Despite adding three-point shooting from the forward positions, Charlotte will most likely still see opponents pack it in the paint by sagging off their guards. Starting point guard, Kemba Walker is a career 31.8% three-point shooter.
Another addition that the Hornets made that Knick fans will be very familiar with, is Jeremy Lin. Lin signed a two-year, $4.37 million deal with Charlotte looking for a fresh start. The Hornets hope that Lin can recapture some of the phenomenon that was Linsanity. Although Lin is a better three-point shooter than Walker, he is still average at best. Lin is a career 34.9% three-point shooter, so opponents might still prefer to double-team Jefferson. Also, Lin is probably more suited to come off the bench because of his pick-and-roll proficiency. Lin’s pick-and-roll game would not mesh well with Jefferson’s post-up game, Lin works best with the ball in his hand.
In the race to mediocrity next season, it might be a neck and neck battle. The Knicks and Hornets overhauled their respective roster. Getting rid of Stephenson might be a plus and most of their additions does make sense, surrounding Jefferson with more shooting.
Would the Knicks be better than Charlotte next season? Sadly…even if the Knicks were better than the Hornets, there are still a few more teams ahead of New York before Anthony and company can claim a Playoff spot. Although TNT’s Charles Barkley expects the Knicks to make the Playoffs.