The Charlotte Hornets still have a chance in the Playoffs. Problem is that they’re in a dogfight for the 7th and 8th seed. Not the best of circumstances but they have survived despite medium term injuries from their two best players in Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker. Mo Williams has been a great pickup for them as part of the trade deadline moves. But the glaring problem for the Charlotte Hornets that the people love to point out is Lance Stephenson and his apparent inability to gel with his team. After a career year in Indiana. He’s having a bum year this season. But head coach Steve Clifford thinks that the expectations given to Stephenson at the start of the season were unrealistic according to Sports Illustrated.
“A lot of this is totally off base among basketball people,” Clifford said. “He’s [24] years old. He’d played for one coach in one offense. This is Lance’s first time playing with new guys. His attitude has been fine. The expectations were a little out of whack.”
“I don’t think [expectations] are unfair,” Clifford said. “I just think it’s part of our league. I just think that because he played, and played well, by the way, in very big games, [the expectations are higher].”
I understand that there is a period where you need to get used to a different playbook. But when I see Goran Dragic get used to Miami’s playbook in two games. And Isaiah Thomas to get used to Boston’s in a week. How has it taken Stephenson this long? Is it even him? I find it difficult to comprehend this.
