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NBA Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Problem

By @Alex_NinerTimes

Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images

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When Josh McRoberts decided to go to the team that knocked him out of the playoffs that year, the Miami Heat, not many NBA fans realized how big of a loss it was. Charlotte Hornets  fans immediately understood how much of a blow it was, and it is showing more than ever right now.

To replace McR0berts, the Hornets picked up a stretch-four veteran in Marvin Williams. This was a decent acquisition for Charlotte, until the season started and people started to realize that he wasn’t playing very well.

In last night’s disappointing loss against the Portland Trailblazers, in which they had a 24-point lead at one point, Williams scored a whopping zero points, while adding three assists, one rebound and one block. This stat line looks similar to a rookie trying to earn minutes or a 40-year-old veteran on his last legs; not a starting power forward that is expected to produce numbers night in and night out.

Besides last night, Williams just hasn’t been able to fill the shoes of McRoberts. He has put up 11, five, six and nine points in his last four games. Steve Clifford has had to look at his bench and insert Cody Zeller and Jason Maxiell to pick up the slack at the four position. This has resulted in a lack of production so far this season.

The Hornets have already had trouble putting up points, and a basically invisible Williams is definitely not helping out the cause. While Williams started off great against the Milwaukee Bucks  in the season opener, he hasn’t scored more than 11 points or had more than five rebounds since.

In the past two drafts, the Hornets have selected power forwards in Zeller and Noah Vonleh, but neither of the two are ready for big-time minutes yet. Maybe they aren’t worried about the future due to the potential of those two, but fans want to see success now.

Charlotte has had some exciting games this season and great performances from a few players, but the lack of depth is already becoming apparent. If Williams doesn’t start doing better, the Hornets are going to have to make some changes at the four position.

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