The Charlotte Hornets are one of the most promising teams in the NBA right now. After several years of struggles, they're finally on the right track to become a competitive squad in the future.
Michael Jordan was heavily criticized for his lack of success with the team after becoming a majority owner, but that is set to change in the next couple of seasons. After reaching the play-in tournament last season, the Hornets are trying to improve that and make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
With LaMelo Ball leading the way, Charlotte has a bright future ahead. They currently boast a 13-9 record, ranking 6th in the Eastern Conference standings. They have gotten big wins, including one against the best team in the league, Golden State Warriors.
According to the team's general manager Mitch Kupchak, Michael Jordan is thrilled to see his team, revealing the 6x NBA champion is excited about the future of his franchise.
“I do know Michael is happy,” said Kupchak, via NBA.com. “I think he likes the direction we’re going.”
Talking about LaMelo Ball, Kupchak gave flowers to the 2020 No. 3 overall pick, comparing him to one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Yet, the executive said Melo still has a long way to go before fulfilling his potential.
“I played back with Pete Maravich and they have the same skill set. But not many people came to Pete’s games. The real way to get people into the building is to win games. I’m always careful to give too much to a player too early. He does have charisma, got a flair about the way he plays. But he’s got a long ways to go and at the end of the day it’s about winning games.”
Jordan stated in 2017 that he wants to win a title with the Hornets in Charlotte. After being one of the most honored players of all time, His Airness is trying to replicate that success with his team.
After several years of struggles, they're well on the way to becoming a contender in the East. LaMelo has big expectations around him, and he doesn't seem to be a fan of leaving squads and joining other stars to have an easier path to the title. If he stays there and the Hornets can build a competitive team, we could hear a lot from them for many years to come.
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