To resolve the Charlotte Hornets' prolonged playoff absence, Baron Davis suggests a key factor: maintaining team health.
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Step back, basketball fans. It's staggering to ponder that the Charlotte Hornets last hoisted a playoff series trophy back when Baron Davis (former two-time All-Star guard) graced their court. Davis, drafted third overall in the 1999 NBA Draft, played for the Hornets from 1999 until 2005. He was instrumental in leading Charlotte to playoff appearances in all five full seasons, even clinching the last playoff series win in 2002.
Fast forward 23 years, and alas, the Hornets are still stuck. They hold the longest playoff series win drought (currently 23 years) and the longest postseason appearance drought (last one in 2015-16) among all NBA teams.
The Hornets have promising young talent, with LaMelo Ball (former All-Star who averaged 25.2 points per game during the 2024-25 season) being a key player. However, Ball has only started 47 games and missed the rest of the 2024-25 season due to ankle and wrist issues. His injuries, along with those of Brandon Miller and Tre Mann, have significantly contributed to Charlotte's playoff drought. The team struggled with a 19-63 record for the season, making them one of the worst teams in the NBA.
"For one, they have to be healthy when you're a young team like that," says Davis, discussing the team's challenges during a one-on-one interview. "Chemistry is crucial, and the injuries have derailed their growth"[4]. Davis, a seasoned entrepreneur now, emphasizes that Charlotte needs a mix of experienced veterans to guide the young stars, to create a formidable team.
While the Hornets have been struggling, Davis is making waves in the business world. His entrepreneurial venture, "Business Inside The Game," is a membership community for athletes and entrepreneurs. He'll be speaking at the Social Innovation Summit in San Francisco, discussing driving social impact through entrepreneurship[6]. Davis advises young athletes to invest in their skills and find mentors to achieve entrepreneurial success[7].
References:
- https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2022/7/29/23305815/charlotte-hornets-longest-nba-playoff-drought
- https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34875644/charlotte-hornets-postseason-drought-longest-nba-history
- https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2022/03/18/Charlotte-Hornets-drought-becomes-longest-without-NBA-playoff-series-win/3801628593044/
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/hornets/2022/07/26/baron-davis-charlotte-hornets-franchise-culture-playoffs/10305612002/
- https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2022/02/15/22933939/charlotte-hornets-playoff-drought-breaker-nba-trade-rumors-tradable-assets
- https://socialinnovationsummit.com/
- https://www.businessinsidethegame.com/
- Amidst the ongoing NBA season, Baron Davis reflects on his former team, the Charlotte Hornets, and their 23-year playoff series win drought, while simultaneously leading this year's Social Innovation Summit in San Francisco, advocating for driving social impact through entrepreneurship.
- In the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets, who last made the playoffs during Baron Davis' tenure, currently hold the longest playoff series win drought (23 years) and postseason appearance drought (2015-16). Despite young talent like LaMelo Ball, injuries have hindered their progress, with the team slipping to a 19-63 record this season, highlighting the challenges faced by a team in receiving guidance from experienced veterans.
