Week 4 NBA Power Ranking – Big shifts on the ladder while OKC Thunder clings to middle rung
Charlotte Hornets
Offense: (105.4) – 21st
Defense: (111.1) – 23rd
Net: (minus -5.7) – 26th
Record: 6-7
Games Week 4: (2-1) Wins vs. Pistons, Knicks lost to Grizzlies
Games Week 5 (4 games): Mon, Nov. 18 at Raptors | Wed, Nov. 20 at Nets | Fri, Nov. 22 at Wizards | Sat, Nov 23 vs. Bulls
In a week where the Hornets won not once but twice at the buzzer via two different Hornets’ hands, there is much to celebrate in Hornets’ land.
Everything Charlotte does this season is gravy as most pundits (raises hand) expected the Hornets, Knicks, Wizards, and Grizzlies to vie for the worst record. Granted the team could still regress (note- as I’m editing this during week five I’ll point to the shellacking by the Raptors at the start of week as an example) throughout the season.
Arguably what is most interesting about this squad is Head Coach James Borrego is starting Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, and Cody Zeller. Why is that so interesting?
Contracts!
Check out the reserve unit and their contracts (per Hoops Hype):
- Nicolas Batum $25,565,217 (with player option for next season worth $27,130,434)
- Bismack Biyombo: $17,000,000
- Marvin Williams: $15,006,250
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: $13,000,000
- Malik Monk: $4,028,400
Now consider other than Terry Rozier ($19,894,737) the cumulative salary of the other four starters is $23,476,002 and that includes Cody Zeller’s $14,471,910 contract. So, three starters are making a little more than a third of Nic Batum‘s contract!
Credit Michael Jordan for electing to get his youngsters valuable playing time and allowing Borrego the ability to reward the young guys who perform. Although some of the the current starters might not become fixtures in the starting rotation of the future the culture and identity are being established. To that end, Devonte’ Graham isn’t leaving that starting rotation anytime soon.