Practice Report Videos: Coach Clifford | Lance Stephenson | Brian Roberts
By Matt Rochinski, hornets.com
Key Matchup: Al Jefferson vs. Nerlens Noel
The additions of Al Jefferson and Head Coach Steve Clifford proved crucial for the (then) Charlotte Bobcats in 2013-14 as they led the team to the franchise’s second playoff berth. Jefferson racked up the accolades last season and was named to the All-NBA Third Team averaging 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks, and was the only player in the Eastern Conference and one of only five players in the NBA to average at least 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds. He scored in double figures 69 times, including 45 games with 20 points or more and 13 games with at least 30 points. He also recorded 42 double-doubles on the season, including 29 games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. Jefferson was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month in both March and April 2014, earning monthly honors for the first time in his career and becoming the first center to receive the honor in back-to-back months since Dwight Howard did so in November and December of 2007… While Jefferson is the veteran presence who enters 2014-15 with the goal of pushing the Hornets even further than last season, Nerlens Noel could be a key piece to getting things turned around in Philadelphia, but it hasn’t been an easy road. Late in his freshman season at the University of Kentucky in 2012-13, Noel was being touted as the No. 1 pick of the 2013 NBA Draft. However, he injured his left knee against Florida on Feb. 12, 2013 and missed the remainder of his freshman season, fell to No. 6 in the NBA Draft and missed the 2013-14 NBA season altogether. Now, for the first time in a while, Noel is healthy and ready to showcase his skills. He took the NBA court for the first time on Monday in Boston and finished with four points, six rebounds and one blocked shot in 27 minutes for Philadelphia. He struggled to find his rhythm though, committing six fouls and turning it over four times, so there’s still much to learn for the Sixers youngster. On Wednesday, he’s charged with the task of figuring out Jefferson’s pump fake(s) – no easy task for even the most veteran players.
Scouting the Hornets (0-0 preseason)
Hornets Gerald Henderson underwent an MRI on Tuesday on his right hamstring. The MRI revealed a right hamstring strain. He is expected to be out 1-2 weeks... On May 20, 2014, the Charlotte Hornets name officially returned to the Carolinas after 12 long years. In addition, all of the statistical information, records and history of Charlotte NBA basketball also returned to the franchise. The Hornets own and have access to all of the historical elements from not only the Bobcats era (2004-14) but also the classic Hornets era in Charlotte (1988-2002)… Charlotte recorded 43 wins in the last season, more than doubling its 2012-13 win total. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Charlotte was the first team in NBA history to double its win total from the previous season in two consecutive seasons… Charlotte went 8-1 over the final nine regular-season games last season, including a five-game win streak from March 31-April 9. During the nine-game stretch, Charlotte averaged 100.4 points while allowing only 93.2 points to their opponents. Al Jefferson recorded double-doubles in all nine contests, averaging 23.9 points and 13.9 rebounds. Kemba Walker posted a triple-double and a pair of double-doubles during the stretch and averaged 15.1 points and 8.4 assists… The Hornets made several key additions to the roster during the offseason. During the 2014 NBA Draft, the team selected Noah Vonleh with the ninth overall pick and acquired guard P.J. Hairston, the 26th overall pick,in a trade. Charlotte also signed free agent guards Lance Stephenson and Brian Roberts and forwards Marvin Williams and Jason Maxiell. In addition, the team re-signed free agent guard Jannero Pargo.
Scouting the 76ers (0-1 preseason)
After finishing a league-worst 19-63 last season, including an all-time NBA-tying 26-game losing streak, there’s nowhere to go but up for the 76ers. Philly ended its 26-game losing streak with a 25-point win against Detroit on March 29, exactly two months’ time from the Sixers last win at Boston on January 29. The 26-game streak was tied for the longest in NBA history (Cleveland from 12/20/10-2/9/11). The Sixers also ended an 18-game home losing streak with their win against the Pistons. Philly came one loss shy of tying the longest home losing streak in NBA history (19 by Dallas from 11/6/93-1/21/94)… Philadelphia hopes to reverse it fortunes in 2014-15 by going with a youth movement. Not counting Keith Bogans and his 11 NBA seasons and his 671 career games played, the Sixers have just two players with more than three seasons of experience: Jason Richardson (13 seasons, 838 GP) and Luc Mbah a Moute (six seasons, 399 GP). The other 17 players on the current roster have a total of 737 career NBA games played, or 101 fewer than J-Rich. There are six players on the current roster who have yet to appear in an NBA regular season game (Joel Embiid, Jerami Grant, K.J. McDaniels, Nerlens Noel, Ronald Roberts, JaKarr Sampson)… 2013-14 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams remains sidelined with a right shoulder injury that forced him to have surgery this offseason.
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