Charlotte Hornets Finish Top 20 In Points Per Game
Last season, the Charlotte Hornets ranked dead last in the NBA in points per game, averaging just 102.9 points per contest, and were dead last in shooting percentage, making just 43.4% of their shots last year. This season, the Hornets not only have some new offensive weapons in LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward but with their young core expected to take the next steps in their career, the Hornets will actually be a pretty decent offensive team this year.
P.J. Washington is entering his second season at the NBA level and after earning All-Rookie honors last season, is expected to be an even better offensive weapon this season due to his ability to stretch the court and shoot three-pointers as a power-forward. Malik Monk is another young player who is expected to be better than he has been.
This will be Monk’s fourth season in the NBA and while he has not been very effective over the years after being a lottery pick in 2017, Monk could have a breakout season, much like Devonte’ Graham did last year. While his stats may not show it, Malik Monk is a really strong three-point shooter and can be a factor in the team’s overall offense.
Three years ago at Kentucky, Malik Monk averaged 19.8 points and shot 39.7% from three-point range. If he is able to provide double-digit scoring off-the-bench for the Hornets this season, it would give them another reliable, young player they can factor into their plans moving forward.
The main reason why the Charlotte Hornets will be a better offensive team than last year though is because of LaMelo Ball. Not only can Ball score at a high-level, averaging 17.0 points per game with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia last season, but he enters the NBA as a fantastic passer who will likely lead the Hornets in assists per game this season.
LaMelo Ball’s ability to find open shooters and make his teammates around him better overall players is what made him one of the top prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft and is what will help make the Charlotte Hornets a Top 20 offensive team over the course of the 2020-21 NBA season.
