The Hornets Are Figuring Things Out
From the Hornets’ hot play as of late to watching Chris Paul be a maestro in the pick-and-roll, I broke down everything from last night’s slate of games.
Phoenix Suns (118) vs New York Knicks (97)
This game was both beautiful and ugly to watch. On one hand, you got to see the Suns, winners of their last 14 games, dismantle the Knicks. On the other hand, New York looked awful.
The Suns have now won 15 games in a row and look like contenders. The Knicks look like crap. Let’s talk about it.
Phoenix Suns
The Pheonix Suns are a fun team to watch. They have a great roster filled with players that are a joy to watch. From their superstars to the end of their bench, I love everything about their team.
The Suns have won their last 15 games. If not for the Warriors, they would be the best team in the NBA. They have been playing so well on both sides of the ball, and their feel-good vibes from last year have returned.
Suns in 4.
Watching Chris Paul Pass The Basketball
You know I’m a big sucker for great passing. The Point God dished out 10 dimes last night in MSG, so let’s break some of them down.
Paul gets a running start and a screen from Ayton. He darts across the lane and is already making life hell for the Knicks. It would be effortless for him to get a shot on his own.
Instead, he toys with the Knicks. He throws a few fakes and then finds Ayton for the easy score. It’s quick, simple, and subtle, which I think perfectly describes what Chris Paul does as a passer.
Just your average pass in the NBA. A 36-year old, 6-foot point guard who can throw that pass. Chris Paul not only threw this on the run, but he did it underhanded.
I also think that the Knicks couldn’t do anything about this play. Rookie Miles McBride, who was guarding Mikal Bridges, can’t stop CP-3 from getting downhill because he has to stay with Bridges.
Another rookie, Quintin Grimes, can’t slow down Ayton’s roll to the rim because Devin Booker is in the corner.
It’s almost as if the defense is just there to watch Chris Paul throw this pass, which is what I’m doing. I don’t think they enjoyed it as much as I am.
The Bench Has Been Excellent
The Suns’ bench isn’t stacked. It isn’t filled with 6th Man of the Year Candidates. Most of the players are unknown to most NBA fans. With that being said, the Suns’ bench is one of the best in basketball.
It’s certainly easy to scoff at the idea of JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky being productive, but they have been. The starting unit gets all the love, but let’s not forget about the bench mob.
Phoenix Suns Bench In 2022
38.5 points (7th)
17.8 TRB (5th)
+2.2 Plus/Minus (9th)
While the Suns aren’t exactly going to torch you every night off the bench, they provide Monty Williams with solid minutes. They aren’t going to blow leads often and they do a great job of holding into leads while the starters are resting.
The Suns’ most used bench lineup this season has been McGee, Cameron Payne, Abdel Nader, Landry Shamet, and Cam Johnson. That unit has a net rating of +12.7, which is better than the starter’s net rating on the season.
I know it’s hard to get excited about guys like Cameron Payne and JaVale McGee, however, for what it’s worth, they are one of the more effective bench units in the NBA.
New York Knicks
God, this team is pathetic. I get that the Suns are a great team, but the Knicks looked completely overmatched. The Knicks have a talented roster, but they just can’t figure things out.
And with the Knicks playing 19 games this season, I think it’s time that we all admit something.
It’s Time To Admit Something
I’m aware that the Knicks weren’t the 4th best team in the Eastern Conference last season. It was pretty easy to see that injuries and Covid around the NBA helped them considerably. But some of the players that helped them win last season have fallen off of a cliff.
Julius Randle was an All-NBA forward last season. He shot 40% from 3 and succeeded when Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock shared the floor with him. When the Knicks added Fournier and Walker this offseason, Randle should have gotten even better, right?
Well, that’s the weird thing. With better teammates around him, Randle has been worse than ever. He’s shooting just 42% from the field and 34% from 3, a sharp decline from his 2021 campaign. While some said that Randle’s 2021 was a fluke, I thought that was foolish to believe, especially with him getting better teammates heading into this season.
Randle’s 2021 season seems like a distant mirage, a distant oasis way off in the desert. It’s been shocking to see Randle fall from such heights and now be, for lack of a better word, unspectacular.
The Knicks offseason seemingly set them up for playoff success. Instead, they look more like playoff hopefuls than a sure-fire playoff team.
gniB gnoB
Portland Trail Blazers (118-103 L)
For the first time this season, I am not mad that the Blazers lost. There’s no shame in losing to the Warriors, who are steamrolling the rest of the league. With that being said, I am still disappointed.
Dame and CJ were awful. We couldn’t guard Steph Curry or Andrew Wiggins. We got bullied down low, getting outscored 64-42 in the paint. Not a lot of things went right in this game.
That 16-2 run the Warriors had to end the first half ended the game. We were pretty competitive before that point, but that barrage to end the first half, the thing that the Warriors do to everybody, happened to us and we paid the price.
Again, it’s not shameful to lose to the Warriors. I don’t think we’re even close to their level. But, the Blazers aren’t exactly growing. It seems like we’re stuck with how we’ve been playing, which isn’t great. We succeed when our best players are on fire, a pattern eerily similar to the Terry Stotts era.
While there’s not a lot that Chauncey Billups can do, I am hoping to see better results as time goes on.
Andrew Wiggins Is Having A Great Season
When we think of the Golden State Warriors, we think of Steph Curry. We think of Draymond Green. And sure, Curry and Draymond are two of the best players on the planet. They deserve a lot of attention and credit for the Warriors’ 17-2 start.
But one player who is flying under the radar of all of this is Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins quietly had the best season of his career in 2021, playing elite defense and feeding off of Curry on offense. This season, it’s been more of the same. Even though not too many people are talking about it, maple syrup man is having another great season.
19.4 points – 60% TS
Wiggins is still a solid 3-PT shooter, shooting 37% on 5.2 attempts per game. The growth for him this season has come inside the arc, where he’s much improved. He shot 53% on two-pointers last season. This season, that’s up to 58%.
Wiggins is shooting an astounding 76% from the restricted area. When he’s right around the basket, Wiggins is converting as if he were Yao Ming. He’s also been a very good corner 3-PT shooter, knocking down 45% of his corner 3’s this season.
I think a big reason for Wiggins succeeding is his cutting. As we all know, the Warriors’ offense thrives on movement. With defenses so focused on what Steph Curry is doing, that leaves Wiggins open. This season, he’s been an elite cutter.
2.1 cuts per game
1.53 points per cut
81% FG
75% score FQ
Wiggins has been an elite cutter this season. He’s scoring more often than not when he cuts and he’s becoming more comfortable playing with the Warriors.
But when I think of Andrew Wiggins nowadays, I have to think defense. Wiggins always had the physical tools to be a great defender with Minnesota, but never panned out. I think that Draymond Green verbally abusing you will make you better at certain things.
Wiggins has transformed himself into being an elite wing defender. You can see that he’s finally using his freak athleticism to his advantage on defense. He helped shut down by Blazers last night, as you can see here.
While CJ makes this shot, look at the distance Wiggins travels on this play. He starts by guarding Dame in the pick and roll, eventually making his way to closeout on CJ’s 3-PT attempt.
Wiggins did everything right on this play, the shot just went it. It was still great defense.
McCollum seemingly gets rid of Wiggins in the lane. With that much space, Wiggins is certainly beat, right?
Using his 7’0″ wingspan, Wiggins bothers the shot. CJ airballs and it’s all because of Wiggins.
Overall, Wiggins is the whole package. He’s a great complimentary piece on offense and is one of the Warriors’ best defenders. I hope he continues to start even when Klay Thompson comes back because he’s earned it.
Here Come The Hornets
The Hornets have won 8 out of their last 9 games. Their young, run-and-gun style has captivated Buzz City. They are one of only two teams this season to beat the Warriors. Their defense is getting better by the day.
The Hornets and their young nucleus are figuring things out. After teasing us with their potential last season, here they are, for all of us to see.
The Offense (ft. Miles Bridges)
The strength of the Hornets has always been the offense. Lamelo Ball is the maestro and he has so many weapons at his disposal. From great scorers like Terry Rozier to versatile wings like Miles Bridges, the Hornets have a lethal offensive core.
And over the past 9 games, the Hornets’ offense has been excellent.
Charlotte’s Offense Over The Past 9 Games
110.1 ORtg (11th)
111.0 PPG (9th)
46.3 FG% (8th)
13.4 3-PM (T-5th)
27.0 AST (3rd)
The Hornets run and gun style has been working. They play at the 2nd fastest pace in the league, forcing defenses to always keep an eye on them. I think the main reason for their offense is so good has been the emergence of Miles Bridges.
Bridges flashed last season, showing his improvement off the dribble and as a shooter. This season has been more of that, just with higher volume.
Since moving to power forward, Bridges has been a force. He’s too big and powerful for guards to slow him down. He’s also too quick and athletic for most bigs to stay with him. With Gordon Hayward on the floor, Bridges is always put in an advantageous situation to score.
The Hornets have also used Bridges as their small-ball center this season. 22% of his minutes have come there and it’s been working. The Hornets are a +5.3 net rating with Bridges on the floor.
Bridges is going to be key to the Hornets’ success this season. They trust him and are currently force-feeding him the ball. So far, the results speak for themselves.
Defense (Wait, That Exists?)
A few short weeks ago, the Hornets had the worst defense in the NBA. They couldn’t stop shots at the rim and they were getting diced up. But during this hot streak of theirs, the defense has been passable.
Charlotte’s (gasp) Defense Over The Past 9 Games
103.5 DRtg (6th)
42.4 Opp FG% (4th)
28.7 Opp 3-PT% (1st)
58 Opp RA FG% (2nd)
32.0 RA FGA (1st)
Teams are trying to force the ball down low against the Hornets. Unlike the first few weeks of the season, they’ve been doing a better job slowing them down. Their 3-PT defense has been great and overall, their defensive turnaround has coincided with this hot streak.
I think this play from last night’s game against Minnesota shows their defensive growth.
Jordan McLoughlin is going straight to the rim off of a screen. Kelly Oubre does a great job recovering and on top of that, Jalen McDaniels gives a great contest.
It’s very promising that their defense is gelling. It’s something James Borrego and co. can build on for the future. The Hornets’ achilles heel has been defense. If they can be a passable defense, somewhere around the middle of the league for the entire season, they will be just fine.
What Are Your Thoughts From Last Night’s Games? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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