Head Coach Steve Clifford was very succinct this morning discussing the upcoming season: the possibilities are exciting.

The Charlotte Hornets season officially began when the team opened its doors to the media for its annual Media Day, and the players and coaches alike are itching to return to the court to build on last season’s success. The core of Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson and Gerald Henderson are all back, ready to return to the playoffs and possibly contend for the Eastern Conference title. With guard Lance Stephenson in town, and rookies Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston ready to begin their careers, few would argue that these Charlotte Hornets are the most talented bunch since the teams’ glory days of the early 1990s.

Center Al Jefferson, coming off of an All-NBA season, praised the Hornets management for the moves they made during the off-season to put the team in the position to compete with the NBA elite. Jefferson called Stephenson “another playmaker” who will keep pressure off himself and Kemba Walker, and praised newly-signed Jason Maxiell’s toughness. Along with the additions Marvin Williams and Brian Roberts, Jefferson stated very clearly that team owner Michael Jordan had done his part to field a winner, but that now it is up to the team to do their part and win games.

Walker echoed Jefferson, saying, “We have really high expectations this year.” Walker was equally effusive regarding Stephenson, emphasizing that Lance knows what it takes to win, calling him one of the best overall players in the league.

Stephenson was quick to point out that Walker and Jefferson were two of the biggest reasons he signed with Charlotte. Although Lance conceded that leaving Indiana was like leaving home, he said he was “eager to play” in Charlotte, and is ready to do “whatever it takes” to win.

When asked about his antics during the Eastern Conference Finals, namely blowing in LeBron James’ ear, Lance spoke about his New York roots. “Just being from New York,” he said, “gives you that competitiveness. Everyone is equal on the court. Whoever is on my team, I have their back 100%.” Stephenson’s new teammates largely laughed off the ear-blowing. Jefferson said it was just Lance’s way of telling LeBron he wasn’t scared.

Clifford was direct during his press conference about expectations for this season. Like most analysts and fans, he believes the 2014-15 Charlotte Hornets have a better starting lineup than last season, and the potential for more depth.

But, Clifford said, “the NBA is about winning in the playoffs.”

The Hornets have not won in the playoffs since 2002. If Clifford is able to build on the foundation he built last season, and players exhibit the hard work they put in during the summer, the playoff win drought will almost surely end.

The possibilities are most definitely exciting.