Thursday, October 6 - Celtics at Hornets (Greensboro Coliseum)
Pregame - Why The Hornets are on C's Preseason Schedule
GREENSBORO, N.C. – There usually aren’t many curveballs that are thrown out there when Boston’s preseason schedule is released every summer. This summer, however, was different.
The Celtics announced their preseason schedule on July 28 and it came along with some surprising news. Not only would they open up with a road game in their home state against Philadelphia, but they would also play two games against the Charlotte Hornets, one in North Carolina and in Connecticut.
The news of the two-game set with Charlotte surprised many, because as Brad Stevens explained before tonight’s matchup, Boston doesn’t usually venture too far out of the northeast for its exhibition schedule.
“In the past we’ve stayed mostly within our division,” Stevens said, “and I think it’s good to play all of the division teams, but it’s good to get outside of there and play other teams too.”
Stevens later added, “This is a great learning experience to have to guard that team and to have to play against their defense.”
Those are facts.
If the Hornets were in the Atlantic Division, they might be challenging for the divisional crown this season. Just a season ago, they tied the Celtics (and the Hawks and Heat) for the third-best record in the East with 48 wins. They’ve brought back the majority of their core and stand to receive a boost from the return of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the addition of Roy Hibbert, and another year of development from their young players.
Regardless of tonight’s game being an exhibition tilt, this opponent will unquestionably be much more formidable than the lowly 76ers squad the Celtics faced Tuesday night.
“I’ve got a great deal of respect for (Hornets head coach) Steve (Clifford) and his staff and the way that they play on both ends of the floor,” said Stevens. “They’ll present issues for us on both ends of the floor.”
That’s a good thing for Boston’s development, and that’s exactly why these Hornets wound up on the C’s preseason schedule – twice.
- Marc D'Amico