Charlotte Hornets: Top 3 individual performances from the 2018-19 NBA season

Charlotte Hornets v Washington Wizards
Charlotte Hornets v Washington Wizards

The Charlotte Hornets have not been horrible in recent years but they have been a fringe team on the outside of the playoff bracket in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

The last time the Hornets saw playoff action was in 2016 when they bowed out in the first round after a 48-34 record.

They have changed coaches since then from Steve Clifford to James Borrego. The only difference in the last three seasons is three wins. The Hornets were a mediocre 36-46 in 2017 and 2018, but they improved slightly in 2019 to 39-43.

Hornets fans don’t have much to celebrate but 2019 was an intriguing year. While the Hornets did not make the NBA playoffs, the final three playoff spots in the East were not settled until the final days of the NBA season and Charlotte missed out falling just two games back of Detroit for the 8th seed.

While Playoff dates were not in the future for the Hornets franchise in 2019, Kemba Walker, their all-star, may not be either as he is a free agent in the summer of 2019.

In looking back at the Hornets 2018-2019 season, Kemba Walker played a significant role in many of their best moments. Here is a look at three individual great performances by Charlotte Hornets players in 2018-19:


#3 Jeremy Lamb vs Philadelphia 76ers March 19th, 2019

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Originally drafted by the OKC Thunder, Jeremy Lamb just completed his fourth season with the Charlotte Hornets.

This season he provided the Hornets with 15.3ppg on 44% shooting from the field. However, Jeremy Lamb also had some big moments through the 2018-19 season.

For instance, he hit a huge three-point shot to beat the Raptors near the end of regulation in a 115-114 Charlotte victory over Toronto late in the season.

But, on March 19th, 2019 Lamb produced a double-double scoring 26 points and hauling down 11 rebounds in what was a four-point loss to the 76ers. Lamb also went to the free throw line 12 times in that contest making 11.

There was a dog fight for the 6th, 7th, and 8th playoff spot in the East between Charlotte, Detroit, Miami, Brooklyn and Orlando.

While Charlotte did not claim a playoff spot, they were tough to play even for the elite teams in the East. This performance from Jeremy Lamb was pretty impressive even in a losing cause. However, it highlights why Charlotte had a shot at making the playoffs right until the season ended.

#2 Marvin Williams vs Washington Wizards March 8th, 2019

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Marvin Williams is a 6’9 forward who fits the prototypical physique of the modern day NBAer. He has never really lived up to his potential.

Drafted second overall by Atlanta in 2005, Williams has been oft-injured or played uninspired basketball. He has just completed his fifth season with Charlotte. Charlotte is his third NBA team. In 2019, now 32 years old, Williams averaged 10.1ppg in 28 plus minutes per game. Williams also started 75 games for the Hornets in 2018-19.

Marvin Williams did produce a few memorable games this season for the Hornets. On February 9th 2019 for example, Williams shot 12/16 from the field or 75% and scored 27 points in a Charlotte victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

But, it was his performance in a victory over the Wizards on March 8th, 2019 that was even more impressive. In that victory, Williams was 10/16 from the field overall and 7/10 from long range(70%). Williams wound up with 30 points that night and grabbed 7 rebounds.

#1 Kemba Walker November 17th, 2018 vs Philadelphia 76ers

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Kemba Walker is a Hornets original. He was drafted by the Hornets back in 2011, 9th overall. He has also put up good scoring numbers and been the main cog in their offensive schemes.

One of his weaknesses though had been shooting. While his 3-point shooting had been improving over the last 3-4 seasons his overall shooting from the field has never hit 45%.

In 2018-19 Walker finished with an overall field goal percentage 43.4% and only shot 35.6% from behind the arc.

In spite of that, Kemba Walker was close to MVP material in 2019. Walker upped his scoring average to 25.6ppg and averaged 5.9apg his highest assist average since his third season.

During the 2018-19 season, Walker provided the Charlotte fans with some outstanding basketball. Right from the opening tipoff this past season Walker was scoring buckets of baskets.

Perhaps his best performance came in a three-point loss, 122-119, to the 76ers on November 17th, 2018 when Walker scored 60 points on 21/34 shooting.

Walker, that night, also had 4 assists, 4 steals, and 7 rebounds. He was also 6/14 from behind the arc and he was perfect from the free throw line making all 12 freebies.

Should Walker walk away from the Hornets as a free agent it will be the end of an era there. It wasn’t a very successful era with Kemba Walker. However, Walker was not the cause of Charlotte’s failures on the basketball court.

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Edited by Alan John