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NBA • 1 year ago

2014-15 Charlotte Hornets Midseason Grades and Analysis

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Hornets Midseason Grades and Analysis

Dancers Charlotte Hornets — In the first season back with the original franchise name, the Charlotte Hornets had hoped for a bit more success. Instead, the first half has been filled with struggles and injuries. Clinging to a playoff berth at 22-30, here are the midseason grades and analysis for the Hornets.

In the first season back with the original franchise name, the Charlotte Hornets had hoped for a bit more success. Instead, the first half has been filled with struggles and injuries. Clinging to a playoff berth at 22-30, here are the midseason grades and analysis for the Hornets.

11. Steve Clifford

Steve Clifford Kemba Walker Hornets

11. Steve Clifford

Steve Clifford Kemba Walker — His first season as a NBA head coach and the Hornets' skipper was a successful one. Charlotte posted a 43-39 record and returned the franchise to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. However, this season has been a different story as Clifford has had to deal with new player issues and injuries. There were high hopes entering this season, but Clifford gets a middling grade so far.

Grade: C+

His first season as a NBA head coach and the Hornets' skipper was a successful one. Charlotte posted a 43-39 record and returned the franchise to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. However, this season has been a different story as Clifford has had to deal with new player issues and injuries. There were high hopes entering this season, but Clifford gets a middling grade so far.

Grade: C+

10. Bismack Biyombo

Bismack Biyombo

10. Bismack Biyombo

Bismack Biyombo Hornets — The young center had started to show glimpses of productivity this season as he provided 4.6 points and 6.2 boards in 17.6 minutes off the bench. A little bit more scoring out of him would be nice, but he is making the most of his opportunities, shooting 57 percent. The bad news is he is currently injured and that has hurt bench production.

Grade: B+

The young center had started to show glimpses of productivity this season as he provided 4.6 points and 6.2 boards in 17.6 minutes off the bench. A little bit more scoring out of him would be nice, but he is making the most of his opportunities, shooting 57 percent. The bad news is he is currently injured and that has hurt bench production.

Grade: B+

9. P.J. Hairston

P.J. Hairston Hornets

9. P.J. Hairston

P.J. Hairston Hornets — P.J. Hairston hasn't exactly provided what Charlotte had hoped off of the bench. He is only averaging 14.7 minutes and hasn't been a major part of the rotation. Hairston is averaging 5.2 points, but he is only shooting 32 percent. For a shooting guard, that is an unacceptable percentage.

Grade: C-

P.J. Hairston hasn't exactly provided what Charlotte had hoped off of the bench. He is only averaging 14.7 minutes and hasn't been a major part of the rotation. Hairston is averaging 5.2 points, but he is only shooting 32 percent. For a shooting guard, that is an unacceptable percentage.

Grade: C-

8. Marvin Williams

Marvin Williams Hornets

8. Marvin Williams

Marvin Williams Hornets — Marvin Williams is a decent role player to have on the bench, but this season has been one to forget. With some of the lowest numbers of his career, Williams is averaging 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. It's safe to say that his first season with Charlotte has not been nearly as successful as either party hoped.

Grade: C

Marvin Williams is a decent role player to have on the bench, but this season has been one to forget. With some of the lowest numbers of his career, Williams is averaging 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. It's safe to say that his first season with Charlotte has not been nearly as successful as either party hoped.

Grade: C

7. Brian Roberts

Brian Roberts Hornets

7. Brian Roberts

Brian Roberts Hornets — Brian Roberts has been somewhat of a bright spot off the bench, and with Kemba Walker sidelined, he has earned the starting role. On the season, he is averaging 7.2 points and 2.4 assists in only 19.4 minutes. The Walker injury was a devastating blow, but Roberts is getting some much-needed experience. Based on his role and expectations, Roberts gets a solid midseason grade.

Grade: B

Brian Roberts has been somewhat of a bright spot off the bench, and with Kemba Walker sidelined, he has earned the starting role. On the season, he is averaging 7.2 points and 2.4 assists in only 19.4 minutes. The Walker injury was a devastating blow, but Roberts is getting some much-needed experience. Based on his role and expectations, Roberts gets a solid midseason grade.

Grade: B

6. Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller Hornets

6. Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller Hornets — The Hornets have some solid, young pieces and one of those is Cody Zeller. In his second season, the big man is averaging 7.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.4 minutes. His numbers are up from last season which is a good sign, but you can't help but want a little more out of Zeller.

Grade: B

The Hornets have some solid, young pieces and one of those is Cody Zeller. In his second season, the big man is averaging 7.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.4 minutes. His numbers are up from last season which is a good sign, but you can't help but want a little more out of Zeller.

Grade: B

5. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Hornets

5. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Hornets — It seems like Charlotte's entire roster is made up of second and third-year players, another one of them being Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He has been having a respectable season with 10.2 points and 7.2 boards, a solid rebounding average for a small forward. However, injuries have gotten the best of him this season, and he is sidelined until after the All-Star Break.

Grade: B-

It seems like Charlotte's entire roster is made up of second and third-year players, another one of them being Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He has been having a respectable season with 10.2 points and 7.2 boards, a solid rebounding average for a small forward. However, injuries have gotten the best of him this season, and he is sidelined until after the All-Star Break.

Grade: B-

4. Gerald Henderson

Gerald Henderson Hornets

4. Gerald Henderson

Gerald Henderson Hornets — Somewhat of a veteran on the team, Gerald Henderson is having a solid season with 11.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He has really stepped it up in Walker's absence, though. I would like to see Henderson be a bit more productive in the rebound and assists category.

Grade: B-

Somewhat of a veteran on the team, Gerald Henderson is having a solid season with 11.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He has really stepped it up in Walker's absence, though. I would like to see Henderson be a bit more productive in the rebound and assists category.

Grade: B-

3. Lance Stephenson

Lance Stephenson Hornets

3. Lance Stephenson

Lance Stephenson Hornets — Big offseason acquisition Lance Stephenson hasn't exactly brought the charm that Michael Jordan and the Hornets had hoped. He is averaging decent numbers in 9.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists, but the problem resides in his shooting percentage of 37 percent. It did take some convincing and money to get Stephenson to Charlotte, but it has been a rocky relationship.

Grade: C++

Big offseason acquisition Lance Stephenson hasn't exactly brought the charm that Michael Jordan and the Hornets had hoped. He is averaging decent numbers in 9.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists, but the problem resides in his shooting percentage of 37 percent. It did take some convincing and money to get Stephenson to Charlotte, but it has been a rocky relationship.

Grade: C++

2. Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker Hornets

2. Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker Hornets — The future and the hope of the franchise, Kemba Walker, will miss at least a few more weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Before his injury, his season was decent with averages of 18.8 points, 5.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds. My problem is that Walker should be producing a bit more in the assist department as the point guard.

Grade: B-

The future and the hope of the franchise, Kemba Walker, will miss at least a few more weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Before his injury, his season was decent with averages of 18.8 points, 5.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds. My problem is that Walker should be producing a bit more in the assist department as the point guard.

Grade: B-

1. Al Jefferson

Al Jefferson Hornets

1. Al Jefferson

Al Jefferson Hornets — Essentially the veteran leader of the team, Al Jefferson hasn't exactly looked like one this season. The center is only averaging 17.5 points and 8.5 rebounds on the season while shooting 49 percent. I'm not going to lie; in my honest opinion, if Jefferson was averaging a double-double or around 20 points and 10 boards, the Hornets would be closer to .500.

Grade: C+

Essentially the veteran leader of the team, Al Jefferson hasn't exactly looked like one this season. The center is only averaging 17.5 points and 8.5 rebounds on the season while shooting 49 percent. I'm not going to lie; in my honest opinion, if Jefferson was averaging a double-double or around 20 points and 10 boards, the Hornets would be closer to .500.

Grade: C+

Shane Phillips is an Lead NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected].

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Shane Phillips is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.

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