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| Tuesday, July 18 Updated: September 27, 12:02 PM ET Even without Jones, some users like Hornets ESPN.com |
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We got plenty of user feedback on the Charlotte Hornets and nearly all of them mentioned a certain shooting guard. Yes, Eddie Jones is a very important player to the Hornets, and he's likely to leave town. What will Charlotte do to replace him? Users in general discussed the Jones situation and what the future holds for a franchise that has never had any postseason success.
Will the Hornets fall way back next season without Jones? Will Baron Davis step right up and prove that being the No. 3 selection in the draft, ahead of players like Lamar Odom, Wally Szczerbiak and Andre Miller, was worth it? So many questions when it comes to the Hornets. Here are some of the better responses we got. Enjoy, and check out our spotlight index page to see when your favorite team will be ripped, um, inspected.
In your article, you noted, "Strangely, even the fans didn't show up for their two home (playoff) games. That is not strange when you look back to all that has happened with this team. The fans here are tired. Owner George Shinn has never kept a team together long enough for it to bond. Note all of the first-round picks of this team that are not around any more. Note all the free agents that have not been offered the money (not that any of them are worth it). Note all of the trades for all the "great" players that were gone all too quick. Eddie Jones is the next one. He kept indicating that he would re-sign -- but never did. Now he does not even seem to acknowledge he is interest. Add all of these issues to Shinn's troubles, the attitude of the players, the trouble Charlotte has experienced with "professional" sports this past year, and the new stadium issues, it is not strange at all. At this point, I am not sure that too many people would care if they would leave -- especially if the people of Charlotte have to pay for a large portion of the new stadium. Remember, we always have Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. They are much more exciting to watch than any NBA team. Neal Carter Mocksville, N.C.
It is obvious that the Hornets are too cheap to try and re-sign their franchise player. They have the potential to be a real force in the East, if they can somehow replace Eddie Jones with a steady two-guard. If they are wise, which they have shown they are not, they would pursue players like Ron Mercer or Derek Anderson. I believe they fit the mold of what Paul Silas is trying to do with this team. I just hope they come out of the summer with a steady presence at the two. Because Silas has shown that he can coach. Tony F Winston-Salem, N.C.
I highly doubt that the Hornets will make the playoffs next year, unless somehow they can replace the scoring and defense of Eddie Jones. If they do lose him, then they should try giving the younger guys (Baron Davis, Eddie Robinson, Ricky Davis) a lot more playing time to change the style of the club into a fast break, more exciting team. Maybe that would at least attract some more fans to come and see them. Oh, also if they lose EJ and get nothing in return they have to start Baron at point guard and move Wesley to the shooting guard spot. But don't mess with the frontline! Christian Carollo Telford, Pa.
I've always been a Baron Davis fan, while he was in college and so on. What I like about his game is that he's raw and unpredictable. If he can shoot the ball outside one night, he could be more explosive than Allen Iverson. However, he also has a downside where he can get cold and make nothing happen on offense. I think he would fit in well with a Jason Williams-type role in the game, where if he's hot he can lead a team to a blowout, while if he comes out cold he sits on the bench with a towel over his head. Overall, Baron might never become the player he could be, but he definitely will get a chance when Charlotte has nobody to score baskets. Patrick Fitzgerald Yakima, Wash.
I love the Hornets, so I would surely hate to see Jones go. But if that means bringing back Glen Rice, why not? He proved that he can score and he likes Charlotte, and now he has a ring to add to his already impressive resume that includes sharp-shooting and a NCAA title. He would fit in perfectly. He could play the two-guard spot, or the three spot. They can then put Anthony Mason at the point and Wesley at shooting guard (because he can shoot and he has size), making them virtually impossible to penetrate on offense and on defense. Chris Cheung Burnaby, B.C.
Right now the question isn't who is going to come to Charlotte, it should be how are we going to keep our best player. Eddie Jones is the key to Charlotte's chemistry. He's a solid two-guard and has showed the ability to score points when needed. He is a superstar on the rise and without him Charlotte will flounder. Derrick Coleman, David Wesley, Elden Campbell and Anthony Mason are solid players, but cannot bare the load of being the focal point. With Jones there none of them have to. Jones takes pressure off the rest of them, which prevents them from underachieving. Steven Strantz South Bend, Ind.
Scenario 1: Eddie Jones stays. Then Charlotte is as good as any team in the Eastern Conference. Possibility of winning 55 games. Jamaal Magloire fits in nicely as the sixth man. Scenario 2: Eddie Jones leaves, David Wesley and Baron Davis both start. Now you have a team that finishes seventh or eighth in the conference with an early first-round exit. As pointed out by Eric Karabell, neither Wesley nor Davis will be able to hit the threes on a consistent basis.
Scenario 3: Eddie Jones leaves, the Hornets acquire a shooting guard like Ron Mercer, Doug Christie or Larry Hughes. Now you have a ballclub that is similar to last year's team. Not that you can ever replace Eddie Jones, but if the Hornets can acquire a decent shooting guard, then there is enough depth for them to possibly finish fifth in the Eastern Conference. Now finishing fifth in the conference might not sound so hot, but if the Hornets could achieve this without Jones, then I think that it would be, in their opinion, a successful year. I, for one, would find it impressive for a team to duplicate last year's record after losing their MVP.
I keep racking my brain over why Eddie Jones would risk the one-year contract with Miami. And in my mind it seems to come down to two possibilities, the first more logical than the second: 1. He's bluffing. It's purely a negotiating tool to drive up the Hornets' frenzy for their star. Makes sense, creates good press, etc. Or, 2. He's cocky enough to believe he's the difference for the Heat getting over the hump, and would love to put the shame on his old nemesis the Lakers.
Four words. Just don't do it.
The Hornets finally have a team that can win consistently. However, George Shinn will never put up the $$$ to get a great player, so when we lose Eddie Jones, we'll be bound for another playoff letdown. Until Charlotte is serious about acquiring/holding A+ talent (rather than arguing over an arena that they don't need), we will always be bound for disappointment. Cough it up, George ... for the fans sake! Chris Long Greenville, S.C.
The Hornets will be fine even if they lose Jones. I would love to have Jones stick around, but I really like Eddie Robinson. I think with it being his second season next year he will play some good ball and could play the two-spot. Yes he can't defend the best, but there are a lot of good players that can't really defend (Glen Rice, for example). So Robinson could always work on that while getting more experience. But I still think the Hornets should not have drafted Jamaal Magliore and should of went with Chris Carrawell from Duke. Nick Oak Harbor, Ohio
Eddie Jones, I think, is an overrated player. He put up some numbers, but he wasn't always consistent. The shooting guard position can be held up by Wesley for at least one year, and Eddie Robinson seems to be maturing well. Coleman seems to be more consistent without signs of complaining as much. He probably will do even better next year, although you never know with that guy. The Hornets can still make the playoffs without Jones, but what they need to do is place Wesley at the two for now, and then look to sign a solid shooting guard next offseason.
Put this on the comments list and show some love for Maine. I have yet to see someone from Maine place a comment!
Now that the Cavaliers are in the cellar, someone had to assume the mantle of "Most Average Team in the Eastern Conference." The Hornets, with or without Eddie Jones, seem a lock for about three to four more years of middle of the road seasons, coupled with first-round exits. They have talented, but not spectacular big men and serviceable, but not game-breaking guards. Maybe after all of the craziness in the Charlotte sports community in the last year, being dull might not be that bad. Bryan Hicks Louisville, Ky.
Why doesn't Charlotte management meet with Donnie Walsh and the Pacers this summer to see if they can unload one of their surplus big men, Brad Miller for example, to Indiana in exchange for some much needed perimeter jump-shooters that Indy has in abundance? The Pacers need a post presence, and Miller, who went to Purdue, just might be willing to return to the state of Indiana. A guy like Chris Mullin would fit in perfectly in Charlotte, coming off the bench to add some firepower and range, much like Dale Ellis was supposed to do last year. Eric Yang Chicago
What are the Hornets thinking!? Eddie Jones is the best player on the team and they are letting him go, while keeping Derrick Coleman? He is a poison in the locker room and community, and while his numbers were decent you could find the same numbers elsewhere, along with a better attitude. Baron Davis will have his coming out party this year, so sorry Wesley ... you're outta town. The Hornets are the Clippers of the East, just imagine what their lineup would be like if they could just keep their players happy. Baron Davis, Eddie Jones, Glen Rice, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning ... can you say NBA Championship? Bobby San Antonio, Texas
The Hornets have been a steady playoff contender, but I believe fans are staying away because the team lacks championship potential. There may be talent on the roster, but let's be realistic, Anthony Mason and Derrick Coleman are not exactly civic leaders or heroes fans can enjoy. The team lacks personality and a superstar to put them over the hill. Eddie Jones is a great player who will never be a franchise-type player that puts fans in the seats anticipating more than a playoff appearance. I feel the team has become boring to the rabid basketball fans of this region, myself included. Derrick Greenville, S.C.
Once again another journalist not giving the Charlotte Hornets any respect. As you briefly stated, the Charlotte Hornets have one of the premier starting fives in the NBA, especially in the Eastern Conference (this is with or without Eddie Jones). I think last season we sometimes had a conflict interest, in the fact that we did not know if the team should revolve around Jones or the big men down low. This was very evident in the playoffs against Philly. I think the loss of Eddie could potentially be a positive, by allowing us to revolve the play around D.C, Mase and Elden Campbell. In addition, that will allow you to see the best-kept secret in the East in Baron Davis. We will replace Eddie with another guard like Kendall Gill, Rice, Hubert Davis, or J.R Rider. This will finally show you that Eddie Jones is good, but a little bit overrated because he is scared to take it to the hole and post up and relies on the 3-pointer way too much. When this happens, just remember John told you so. Love ya. John Clement Charlotte, N.C.
The Hornets have pretty much been a solid team for the past five years but never a great one because they have never had an an aggressive scorer who can create his own shot off the dribble and take over a game. Philly knew all it had to do was keep the game close and it would beat the Hornets because the Hornets had no one who could consistently match Allen Iverson's scoring down the stretch of a game. The Hornets will be out the first round again if they do not address this problem. Eddie Jones is a great player but not aggressive enough on offense, that's why he was traded from the Lakers. Everyone remembers Kobe Bryant shooting the airballs against the Jazz in '97, but at least he had the guts to take them. Where has Eddie been? The Hornets should start Baron Davis (future star) and make a push for Jalen Rose. Logan Chapel Hill, N.C.
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