Will Bobcats great chemistry carry over to first season as the Hornets?

ASHEVILLE Youve heard of a friends-and-family discount? In the NBA, its more a friends-and-family danger.

People get in the players ears. Its well-intentioned, but it can be corrosive to a teams focus and approach. Let Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford explain:

Chemistry is rarely by accident, Clifford said last week during training camp at UNC Asheville. On a roster of 14 guys, you cant have three or four who want more, who are unhappy. Theyre talking to people family or friends who tell them, You need more, you need more.

I dont think thats anybodys fault, its just human nature.

The then-Bobcats had exceptional chemistry last season, which played a role in their unexpected 43-39 record and a playoff berth. That grew from several sources Cliffords transparency with the players, the reserves lack of selfishness, the fact that core players like Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson were so sick of losing.

To newcomer Al Jefferson, it was something hed never seen over nine NBA seasons in Boston, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.

First time Id ever been in a situation where everybody put team first, Jefferson said. When you have team-first, thats when you can get up there with the San Antonios and the Miamis guys who win championships.

I was really surprised to see guys like MKG (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist), Kemba and Gerald have that type of attitude at such young ages. I can say when I was a first- or second-year player I didnt have an attitude like that. Im not ashamed to say that.

Thats why those guys are so far ahead of where I was. Its such a team-first attitude in that locker room its amazing.

Its also perishable. For the now-Hornets, this preseason is all about change: A new name, new uniforms and plenty of new players. Thats exciting, but its no given the chemistry that helped right the franchises course will carry over season-to-season.

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Will Bobcats great chemistry carry over to first season as the Hornets?