Halfway Down and Out: Live to Die Another Day

Truth be told, this was always going to be a lost szn.

Sometimes you just know when it’s a good idea to take a step back.

A deep breath followed by a winter of “rest” and retooling.

A winter where we finally got to let out creative energy in other unexplored areas that have been waiting in the wings for far too long.

But if you think for a second that we haven’t still kept a keen eye on The Association this entire time, then you really don’t know us at all.

Rollercoasters in Winter.

A concept that I couldn’t stop thinking about this szn as it seemed like every team experienced a wild ride that included significant highs and torrential lows.

Case in point: our very own Charlotte Hornets.

As we stuffed our faces with turkey on Thanksgiving, the Hornets were 4-14, fresh off a 7-game losing streak and stuck in the doldrums of the lowly Eastern Conference with the morbid likes of the Nets, Pacers and Wizards.

But after that miserable first month, the Hornets the rest of the way were one of the best teams in the entire NBA. Their record of 40-24 from Thanksgiving onward was the same as playoff teams like the Cavs, Rockets and Lakers.

Post Turkey Day, the Hornets had the No. 3 offense in the league and were No. 5 in net rating. This is where we reiterate this was for the final four months of the szn.

It was an absolute joy to watch with Eric Collins losing his mind like always, Dell Curry right next to him for the ride.

The Hornets rode the hot hand all the way to the first Play-In Game a.k.a. a date in the annual Miami Heat Invitational. That 9 vs. 10 Play-In Game was one of the most wild, nutty games of the entire year. Coby White, Carolina’s own, drained the game-tying 3 to send the game to OT and ignite the hive that was BUZZING.

The Hornets prevailed in OT and lived to die another day, and in the process, they once again saved our basketballin’ soul. They renewed our vigor. They restored our hunger for The Game.

Our beloved Hornets might have fallen to the Magic in the next Play-In Game, missing the actual playoffs entirely — but they got us prime for the adventure that is the playoff jungle.

And after two weeks, the NBA Playoffs have not disappointed in the least. Thus far they have been spicy, intense and they have awakened the muse once again.

Cheers, friends.

We are alive and well. :)