People hate Lance Stephenson. HATE him. They hate his out-of-control play, his blow-in-your-ear annoying antics, and the occasional flop.
Hornet fans are not those people.
Stephenson was Charlotte's second big free agent signing (after Al Jefferson last year), but he might be the best and most important. He's the perfect fit.
The Hornets already have a post presence with the aforementioned Jefferson and a solid point guard with Kemba Walker, but the only thing they got out of their wing players was good defense from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - and Charlotte rode those things to the playoffs!
Add Stephenson to the mix, and suddenly the Hornets become a much more dangerous team. He shot an astonishing 49.1% from the field for a guard, and improved his outside shooting stroke to a respectable 35.2% for Indiana last season. His ability to score points and get his own shot gives this offense another threatening dynamic it didn't have last year and should boost it's scoring average from 23rd in the league last year to slightly above average.
But what made Charlotte a playoff team last year was their ability to defend, holding opponents to 97.1 ppg, good enough for 4th in the league. On top of his offensive abilities, Stephenson is also a defensive upgrade over last year's starter Gerald Henderson, so that stingy unit should become even more stingy. Walker, Stephenson, and Kidd-Gilchrist might actually form the best perimeter defensive combo in the league.
The Hornets still need more help if they want to legitimately contend for anything more than a division crown, but Stephenson is the guy that can make them a team no one wants to play.
Back to the Charlotte Hornets Newsfeed