CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — If you had to pick a “buzz” word from Jeff Peterson’s introductory press conference as the new Hornets Executive VP of Basketball Operations, it would be ‘premier.’
Peterson said it numerous times and this is what he meant: He doesn’t want to just be good. He wants to be great.
“I have all the confidence in the world that we will get there,” Peterson said in an exclusive conversation with Queen City News. “It’s important that we don’t skip any steps.”
Some would argue that Peterson did just that when at 35 years old he became the youngest person in the league to hold that kind of power. Peterson knows he beat a lot of people with a lot more experience. He says the key to him landing the job was that his vision for the ball club aligned with owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin.
“Ultimately I just think the comfort level in terms of my character and my integrity match(ed) up with what they sought out,” Peterson said.
Peterson admits he has some work to do. In the 35 years of its existence (Ironically Peterson’s age), the Hornets have never made it out of the second round of the playoffs. On top of that, it’s been eight years since they made the playoffs. Peterson says it’s about bringing in the right pieces to turn things around.
“I can tell you we will get there,” he exclaimed. “I can’t tell you exactly when. (We’ll) Bring in high-character individuals who love the game.”
That’s something Peterson has a lot of recent experience with as the former assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets. In more than four seasons with the Nets, he’s played a big role in acquiring All-NBA talent in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden, all-star Mikal Bridges and bringing in good, young players in Cam Johnson, Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton.
Charlotte has struggled with bringing in those big-name characters throughout its history. Arguably, it’s become an accepted fact the Queen City is not a destination market for free agents. However, it’s a thought refuted by the Hornets new owners, and now its head basketball decision maker.
“Ultimately, people will see that, ‘wow, this is a place we do want to play.’”
Speaking of play, it’s exactly what a lot of Hornets haven’t done recently. The team has become the NBA’s version of the walking wounded. While he says it’s a part of the time, Peterson says he plans to get to the bottom of why guys can’t stay healthy.
“I think it’s a fair question,” Peterson said at Wednesday’s press conference. “Over the next few weeks, I will be able to sit back and evaluate them and see if we can avoid them.”
It’s going to be an uphill climb. However, Peterson feels he can right the ship and take Charlotte places it has never been before.