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With the 2015-2016 season officially over, the Charlotte Hornets held exit interviews Monday as player showed up to clean out their lockers. The media, of course, had many questions for the players, who all seemed to respond with a similar theme.
"I'd want every one of these guys back. It's been a pleasure playing w/them." @hornets Walker addressing media pic.twitter.com/igZZvpV8Wm
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) May 2, 2016
"I definitely want to play with these guys and for this coach. No question in my mind that I'm interested in coming back." @hornets J Lin
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) May 2, 2016
Al Jefferson says that he feels that this is the best situation. Says he is not interested in chasing the biggest check. @hornets
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) May 2, 2016
"There's no question. I want to return. I'll let it be known right now. This is the most fun I've had in a season." @hornets Marvin Williams
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) May 2, 2016
Over and over again, players brought up how much fun they had this season, how much they cared for one another and how much they enjoying playing for one another. It may have just been cliché, but players whose future with the team is less than certain made a point to let it be known they want to be back next season.
This speaks to the culture that Steve Clifford and Rich Cho have helped build in Charlotte. It was not long ago the franchise was considered a laughing stock and the butt of most NBA jokes.
Hopefully, fans were able to enjoy the 2015-2016 Charlotte Hornets and what they brought to the table. We may never see a team this closely-knit for a long time.