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