Charlotte Hornets' Baron Davis Explains Key to Ending Playoff Absence: "Primarily, They Need Good Health"
Alright, here's a blunt and hilarious take on the Charlotte Hornets' playoff drought!
The Lonestar Legends, Baby!:
Can you fathom it, homey? The Charlotte Hornets haven't scuffled their way through a playoff series since Baron Davis wrapped up his tenure with the squad!
The former two-time All-Star guard stepped up for the Hornets from 1999 until 2005. He was a pillar for the team after they picked him third overall in the 1999 NBA Draft. This 6-foot-3-inch guard led the Hornets into the playoffs during all five full seasons he was a part of their squad, taking them to their final playoff series win in 2002.
Fast forward 23 years, and the Hornets are still caught in a pickle, without a single taste of playoff series victory. Charlotte holds the longest ongoing NBA playoff series win drought and the most prolonged postseason appearance drought, with their last appearance shelling out in the 2015-16 season.
Currently, the Hornets boast some promising young pieces, including LaMelo Ball, a past All-Star who put up 25.2 points per game during the 2024-25 season. However, his appearances were limited, with struggles related to ankle and wrist issues resulting in him missing the tail end of the season.
Ball has only managed to run the court for a combined 105 games over the past three seasons post his All-Star breakthrough in 2022. Injuries to Ball and other key parts of the team like Brandon Miller and Tre Mann have played a substantial role in the Hornets' endless playoff drought. The team wrapped up the season with a disappointing 19-63 record, third-worst in the NBA.
"Straight up, they gotta get healthy when you got a young team like that," jokes Davis in a one-on-one chat when asked about their strategy to turn things around. "It's crucial that your chemistry is legit, and if you take a gander at Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, Tre Mann, you'll notice that these cats have been hurt for the last couple of seasons."
The Hornets haven't been much to cheer about in recent seasons, with their struggles mirroring the frequent injuries to Ball. During the 2023-24 season, Charlotte mustered a paltry 21-61 record and boasted a dismal 27-55 record in the 2022-23 season. For three successive years, the Hornets have held the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. However, their fortunes did turn around during the 2021-22 campaign when Ball was healthy, racking up a respectable 43-39 record.
Davis shares some hard-hitting insights on their path forward, "Ain't happening until we get a set of able bodies and a blend of seasoned veterans to back up our young superstars."
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The Lonestar Legends and Baron Davis Take Center Stage!
Hey, young whippersnappers, let me share some wisdom from Ball Diamonds to Corporate World! Business is no game for the weak-hearted - invest in yourself, learn the ropes, and find yourself a mentor, or you'll be left in a cloud of Regret Valley, son!
Baron Davis is shooting for the stars with "Business Inside The Game," his membership community for entrepreneurs and athletes. Make sure you don't miss Davis rocking the stage at the Social Innovation Summit in San Francisco, California, homie!
Baron's aptly named podcast, "Business Inside The Game," is set to go live in July, with guests like Jack Black, Draymond Green, and Nina Westbrook, the savvy entrepreneur, wife of Russell Westbrook - get ready to learn, homey!
The biggest challenge of being an entrepreneur, mate? The lonesome road of building your business and handling all business, just like in sports, without a team to support you. But remember, Bishop, "The mighty oak was once a nut that stood its ground!"
- The Charlotte Hornets' business-related woes align with their on-court struggles, with Baron Davis's absence being felt even in the realm of entrepreneurship, as he launches his membership community, "Business Inside The Game."
- The sports industry, including the Charlotte Hornets, is faced with a stark reality: poor planning and management can hinder success, and this is evident in their ongoing playoff drought and inconsistent performance.
