Howard, Silas, Lamb, and Walker came through for Charlotte.
The NBA regular season now over, it’s time to look back on the 2017-2018 season and consider who’s worthy of special recognition. As far as the Charlotte Hornets are concerned, here are the folks I think excelled in various domains.
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
Courtesy: Boston Herald
After being acquired in the 2017 off-season, there was a lot of speculation about whether Dwight Howard would bounce back from a down year in Atlanta. He did. Howard averaged 16.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. League-wise, Howard was sixth in blocks per game and second in total blocks behind superstar Anthony Davis. But Howard’s numbers aren’t the only story. His mere presence in the paint forced opponents to question driving inside, and that improved the Hornets’ defense from mediocre to exceptional.
Honorable mention: Michael-Kidd Gilchrist, Treveon Graham
Coach of the Year: Stephen Silas
Some fans were ready to throw in the towel when head coach Steve Clifford went down in December with a health scare. But Clifford’s replacement–Stephen Silas–came through. Instead of captaining a sinking ship, Silas guided the team to a 9-13 record.
Steve Clifford: The reason why this award isn’t going to Clifford is that–yet again–the Hornets are outside the playoffs looking in.
Most Improved/6th Man of the Year: Jeremy Lamb
Courtesy: Charlotte Observer
Lamb looked ready this year to contribute as a quality bench player. But he ended up being a lot more. That’s because Nic Batum suffered a torn ligament in his left elbow, which sidelined him for six weeks, and that injury created a starting spot for Lamb. And, man, did he take advantage! Lamb scored fifteen points in his first game against Detroit and followed up that debut with eight straight games of scoring seventeen or more points per game. Even when Batum returned as a starter, Lamb continued to ball it out. He ended the year third on the team with 13.2 points per game and ranked fourth in steals per game at 0.85. He also finished third in assists per game with 2.3. There’s no question that Lamb was the team’s most improved player.
Honorable mention: Frank Kaminsky, Cody Zeller
Least Improved Player of the Year: Nic Batum
If Nic Batum proved one thing this season it’s this: he’s not the player he used to be. In fact, he took a major step backward with lows in points, assists, and rebounds. Batum lacked aggressiveness, especially during clutch situations. Sure, Batum wasn’t always healthy, but health status can’t fully explain the multidimensional downtrends in his game. And those outcomes are very concerning for a Hornets’ organization that has invested heavily in Batum (he’s the second highest paid player on the team with the salary of $23.4 million). What Charlotte needs from Batum next year is a version of his former self.
Honorable mention: Michael Carter-Williams, Marvin Williams
Most Valuable Player: Kemba Walker
Courtesy: USA Today
Kemba Walker is the hands-down Hornets MVP. He had another all-star season by averaging 22.7 ppg. and 5.8 apg. Night in and night out Walker played on an elite level, scoring during must-score situations and pouring in forty points in multiple games. Walker had nine three’s in a game–a franchise record–and now holds the all-time record in Charlotte for most three’s in a career (passing the great Dell Curry). Walker is the primary reason Charlotte won’t be getting a lottery pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
Honorable mention: Dwight Howard
