National Basketball Association

Three Takeaways From Charlotte Hornets' Media Day

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:39 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jan 23, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; General view of the court during warm-ups prior to the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets won 97-84. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

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

As the Charlotte Hornets’ training camp is now underway, we go back and take a closer look at the main points from the team’s media day.

Media day for the Charlotte Hornets took place on Monday, September 26th at the Spectrum Center. Every player on the team’s training camp roster took part in the festivities with the local media. Most of the time, media day is pretty basic with your usual “we are getting better everyday” and “I put on 15 pounds of muscle this summer” quotes but there were actually some interesting topics covered this year.

After the media interviewed players and coaches, we came away with a better view of the team going forward. Head coach, Steve Clifford, gave insight on the roster while players shared their opinions and stories from this summer. As we look forward to the 2016 campaign, here are the three takeaways from the Hornets’ media day.

More from Swarm and Sting

1. Everyone Wants Kemba to be an All-Star

This was a major takeaway from media day. Just about every player on the team mentioned that they wanted Kemba Walker to be an all-star this season. The Hornets’ point guard commented on his goal of being an all-star this season and said “It might be, especially being so close last year. In order to be an All-Star we have to win.”

Also, Nicolas Batum said that “one of his goals is to get Kemba Walker to the All-Star game.” (Steve Reed; AP) This takeaway was made more clear after Adi Joseph reiterated the point when he tweeted that “Everyone wants Kemba to be an all-star – including Kemba.” With Walker being one of the top point guard in the Eastern Conference he knows that making the all-star team is an attainable goal this year.

But he is also smart and knows that it takes team success as well. If the Hornets’ have the type of season that they are expecting, then Kemba will be considered for a spot on the East team. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out but Walker has a good chance to be Charlotte’s first all-star since Gerald Wallace in 2009-2010.

Mar 7, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward center Cody Zeller (40) looks to pass the ball during the second half of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 108-103. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

2. Coach Clifford Unsure of Center Position

One of the biggest, if not the most important, takeaway from media was the uncertainty surrounding the starting center spot for the Hornets entering the 2016-17 season. Steve Clifford indicated that he doesn’t know if Roy Hibbert or Cody Zeller will start at the center position yet. In the tweet from the Charlotte Hornets’ PR, coach Clifford also made it clear that both would “play a lot”.

This is still a developing situation and it will likely be a battle throughout training camp and preseason to find out who will get the nod at center with the starting five. Both Zeller and Hibbert can make a good case for themselves but it will ultimately come down to play, fit, and match-ups. This is definitely the positional competition to watch going forward.

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

Every other starting spot is set with Kemba Walker at point guard, Nicolas Batum at shooting guard, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at small forward, and Marvin Williams at power forward. This situation between Roy and Cody has gotten more attention because Zeller is currently nursing an injury and may be held out of a few exhibition games this preseason. That could give Hibbert the chance to win the starting spot. (Read More Here)

If Clifford does give the role to Roy, Zeller has already said that “it’s no big deal whether he starts or comes off the bench.” (Rick Bonnell; Charlotte Observer) Charlotte’s head coach also added that it will depend on the best groupings of players (Hornets PR) as well as who fits better with the starting four. (Steve Reed)

Nov 16, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; General view of the downtown Charlotte skyline line including the Duke Energy Center and the Bank of America Corporate Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. The City of Charlotte, protests, and social issues

While this takeaway is not about basketball, it is the most important point that was made the team’s media day. Protests broke out in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina following the death of Keith Lamont Scott after he was killed by police. The Hornets’ organization, including coaches and player, discussed the issues and shared some of their thoughts during the media event.

Steve Clifford first said that “there have been conversations with the players about ways to help the situation uptown regarding protests.” (Rick Bonnell) He added that they talked with “players to see what things they can do to bridge gap between police & African-American community.” (Steve Reed) It is still unclear what exactly the team and/or players are going to do but it seems as if something will be done.

As people crowded the streets of downtown Charlotte, one of the Hornets’ team stores was looted during the protests. Coach Clifford also said that “It’s a personal right. What democracy is built on.” regarding pro athletes making public demonstrations regarding social justice. It may be a controversial topic but it is great that the Charlotte Hornets’ players want to use their platform to help their community and they have the freedom to express themselves anyway they see fit.

This article originally appeared on