The Morning Buzz: Sept. 28, 2019

Hornets

The folks at Swarm and Sting ask, would the Hornets making the playoffs be disappointing? It'd be surprising, for sure, but I don't think it would be. If the Hornets were to make the playoffs, that would mean that one -- or probably two -- of Bacon, Monk, Bridges or Washington took leaps and became legitimate NBA talents. That would be a good thing and it would give Borrego and Kupchak something to build around going forward.

Fox Business has a bit more on how much Michael Jordan profited from his sales of minority stakes in the Hornets.

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer talked with Terry Rozier. And 'Scary Terry' does not want to be confused with or compared to Kemba Walker. Said Rozier: “I respect the hell out of Kemba: When I play against him, I’m going to give him my best, and I know I’ll get his best. But Kemba? I don’t want to hear it. Don’t talk to me about Kemba.”

At the Athletic ($), Rod Boone has five questions for the Hornets heading into training camp. Among them: Can Dwayne Bacon be a go-to scorer?

The Hornets are probably going to have a Top 10 pick in 2020. At The Hive has a list of college prospects to keep an eye on.

Hedge fund traders Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim approved by @NBA today to buy minority interest in @hornets. No amounts/ownership stakes disclosed. Michael Jordan retains controlling interest.
— Erik Spanberg (@CBJspanberg) September 27, 2019

Thanks so much to ⁦@ZachLowe_NBA⁩, one of the best in this biz, for the shout-out. pic.twitter.com/iOUJqugd2z
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) September 26, 2019

Around the NBA

What happens when a blogger tries out for a G-League team? James Hansen of SLC Dunk went to find out.

At the Ringer, Dan Devine details the eight teams with legit shots at the NBA title this season. The Hornets are not among them, to the shock of everyone.

Sam Amico has a list of notable free agents still available. One that might make sense for the Hornets? 23-year-old former Kentucky guard Isaiah Briscoe.

LeBron on if he’ll play in the 2020 Olympics: “I don’t know. I would love to. ... I will address that at some point.” Says he plans to speak to Gregg Popovich at some point to discuss the team.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 27, 2019

Additional key points in NBA’s official tampering guidelines sent to teams in memo on Friday:

- League will not confiscate phone/computer during its five random audits.
- New hotline created to allow teams and others with information to anonymously report potential violations. https://t.co/TbSh9URuc4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 27, 2019

Elsewhere on the internet

I'm very excited for this Diego Maradona documentary on HBO. Richard Deitsch writes about it for the Athletic ($).

Interesting story from Brendan Marks at the Charlotte Observer about how Cam Newton's vegan diet could be hurting his play.

Facts: you have 11 followers. Obviously not too many people thrilled about you, buddy! https://t.co/VRHmGwZcoR
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) September 26, 2019

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