National Basketball Association

Charlotte Hornets: Five Bold Predictions For the 2016-17 Season

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) shoots a three point shot against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) during the second half at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

After a breakout surprising breakout season for the Charlotte Hornets last year, here are five bold predictions for the 2016-17 season.

The Charlotte Hornets had a busy offseason this summer and with the regular season drawing closer, it is time to look ahead and make some predictions. They were the most shocking team last year as they come out of nowhere to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte may have lost Jeremy Lin, Troy Daniels, Courtney Lee, and Al Jefferson this summer but they added some valuable pieces to their team as well. The team acquired Marco Belinelli, Roy Hibbert, and Ramon Sessions this offseason. These replacements will be key to helping replace the production lost from last year and to improve going forward.

Here are Five Bold Predictions For the Charlotte Hornets in the 2016-17 season:

More from Swarm and Sting

1. Charlotte Will be Second in the NBA in Three-Pointers Made

After finishing fourth in the NBA last season in three-point field goals made in total and per game, the Hornets will make yet another jump to second best shooting team in the league. In 2014-15, Charlotte were statistically the worst three-point shooting team in the league. The team made an incredible jump last year and they are now one of the best deep shooting squads today.

Of course the Golden State Warriors will be the best three-point shooting team in the NBA next season like everyone is expecting. With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on the roster, there is no way that the Hornets will be able to match their offensive output but they won’t be too far behind.

Charlotte averaged 10.7 three-point field goals made per game which was the fourth best in the NBA and shot 36.2% from behind the arc which was the eight best in the league. The Warriors made almost 200 more shots from deep than any other team in the NBA last season with 1077. The Cleveland Cavaliers were the closest to them with 880. They were followed by the Houston Rockets, 878, and the Hornets at 873.

The team from the Queen City were only seven made three-point shots behind the Cavs for the second best in the National Basketball Association. Now with the addition of Marco Belinelli, the return and growth of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and the improvement of Nicolas Batum, Marvin Williams, and Kemba Walker, the Charlotte Hornets should easily be the second best three-point shooting team in 2016-17 behind only Golden State.

Nov 20, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) and Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky (44) block out for a rebound during the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

2. The Hornets Will be Top-8 in Both Offense and Defense

The Charlotte Hornets were 11th in points per game last season with 103.4 PPG and they ranked ninth in opponents points per game at 100.7. They were already close to being top-10 in both categories last year and it would only take a slight jump to be top-8 next season.

According to Basketball Reference, Charlotte ranked ninth in offensive rating with 107.1 and eighth in defensive rating at 104.3. No matter what metric you use, this team was close to being top-8 in offensive and defensive categories last season.

Want your voice heard? Join the Swarm and Sting team!

The Los Angeles Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers were the only two teams who were top-8 in both offense and defense last season. It isn’t easy to do but with MKG coming back and Charlotte’s defensive ability under Steve Clifford, the Hornets have a shot at doing it this year.

The Hornets were only .2 behind the Indiana Pacers for eighth in opponents points per game. Charlotte were only .9 points behind the Cavs for the eighth most points per game. Being top-8 in both categories is definitely a real possibility this season.

Apr 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) watches as forward LeBron James (23) drives between Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) and center Frank Kaminsky III (44) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

3. Charlotte Will Finish as the Second Seed in the Eastern Conference and Win the Southeast Division

After finishing with a 48-34 record last season which was good enough to be tied for the third best record in the East, the Hornets will be looking to improve on that this year. With the four-way tie for third place, Charlotte ended up being the sixth seed based on tie breakers. The team ended up tied with the Miami Heat, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Boston Celtics.

If the team would’ve won one more game this past season, they would’ve been the three seed and would’ve won their division for the first time ever. The Hornets have never been the champions of the Southeast division since joining in 2004. Claiming a division title would be huge for not only the team but for the city and the franchise.

With the additions that Charlotte made and the somewhat weakening of other Eastern Conference opponents, this team could challenge for a top-seed. The Cleveland Cavaliers are obviously the favorites to take the crown in the East but the rest of the conference is wide open.

The Hornets would need to increase their win total and they would also need some luck with their challengers taking a step back such as the Toronto Raptors. The Heat and the Hawks presumably got worse from last year but Boston got significantly better so it will be interesting to see how the Eastern Conference plays out next season.

Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

4. Both Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum Will be All-Stars

The Charlotte Hornets have not had an all-star since the 2009-10 game when Gerald Wallace made the team. Before that, it was Baron Davis in 2001-2001. They have not had recent success with players being named to the East All-Stars.

That will change this season as both Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum will make the Eastern Conference reserves as coaches selections. Kemba was close last season with his outstanding play and with some slight improvements and a better team record, he should easily make it.

Nic Batum on the other hand will have a more difficult time making the team but I do expect him to have a better and more effecting year during his second season with Charlotte. It is definitely a long shot for the Hornets to have two all-star players but it is likely that they will have at least one.

It has been far too long since the team had an all-star and with their recent success as a team, they should be able to get at least one of Walker and Batum into the game. The All-Star game will not be in Charlotte as it was moved to New Orleans so that may hurt the Hornets’ chances of getting a player named but they still have a good shot.

Nov 18, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) leads the team out onto the floor to warm up before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Hornets Will Win 50+ Games and Make the Eastern Conference Finals

After getting close to 50 wins last season, Charlotte will reach that mark this year. They won 48 game with a roster than many expected not to make the playoffs. With the new additions and the return of MKG, this team should get close to 50 wins once again and I expect them to win 50+.

The Hornets also made the playoffs for the first time since 2013 and only the third time since returning to Charlotte in 2004. They may have lost in the first round after a seven game series with the Miami Heat but the Queen City team won their first playoff game since 2001-02 season.

Charlotte will need to win their first playoff series since 2002 if they want to advance deep into the postseason this year. If they can have regular season success against other playoff opponents, then the team will have a great shot at making the Eastern Conference Finals. It may seem like a big jump from last year but the Hornets are one of the best teams in the East and they could challenge the likes of the Toronto Raptors and other top teams in the conference.

This article originally appeared on