Doug Branson here, the host of the daily Locked On Hornets podcast, with your daily Locked On Hornets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Hornets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Hornets’ NBA Cup Hopes Take Hit Against Orlando Magic
Nov 12, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) after the game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images|Kim Klement Neitzel/Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Charlotte Hornets entered their NBA Cup debut against the Orlando Magic hoping to make a statement, but defensive issues and an unreliable offense left them with a tough loss despite an All-NBA-level performance by LaMelo Ball. Here’s my take on what went wrong and what the Hornets need to address before their next matchup.
LaMelo Ball Can’t Do It Alone LaMelo put on a clinic with 35 points, shooting 48% from the field and knocking down six threes, looking every bit like an All-NBA player. But while LaMelo’s shot quality and execution continue to impress, his presence alone isn’t enough to overcome the glaring lack of support from the bench and the team’s secondary playmakers. The offense plummets whenever LaMelo sits, as shown by the Hornets’ dismal 57.7 offensive rating when he’s off the floor. Without a reliable secondary creator, the Hornets look stuck in the mud once LaMelo takes a break.
Missing Playmakers and Scorers One of the biggest stories in this game was the absence of anyone who could step up behind LaMelo. Brandon Miller, who’s usually a strong complementary scorer, struggled significantly, going just 1 of 11 from three-point range. It’s becoming clear that for the Hornets to compete, Miller has to find consistency—his shaky shooting nights, especially in pressure situations, make it difficult for the team to stay in games.
Similarly, Josh Green, expected to bring some stability and energy, posted zero points on just one field goal attempt. The lack of impact on offense from Green and Miller means defenses can focus solely on LaMelo, forcing turnovers and cutting off offensive rhythm.
Defensive Breakdown and Turnover Troubles Orlando’s defense brought intensity, especially in transition, which the Hornets struggled to counter. The team turned the ball over 22 times, leading to 17 fast-break points for the Magic—a key factor in the blowout. The Magic’s defensive prowess, especially from Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, kept the Hornets out of sync. Simple plays were breaking down, with passes going astray and Orlando capitalizing at every opportunity.
The Road Ahead: What to Fix Before Milwaukee With a break before their next game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Hornets have a crucial window to regroup. They’ll need to refine their offensive schemes, find ways to get Brandon Miller more consistent touches, and bring Josh Green into the game plan in a meaningful way. Health updates on Mark Williams and Tre Mann will also be important for the team’s depth, as the Hornets’ bench performance is currently “apocalyptic,” as I put it, without LaMelo on the floor.
My Takeaway The Hornets showed flashes of potential early this season, but consistency, health, and finding reliable secondary options have to become priorities. Otherwise, this season could be another tough slog for fans hoping for a playoff push. Let’s hope the Hornets make these adjustments—LaMelo deserves a supporting cast that can elevate the team’s potential.
Klay Thompson’s homecoming to The Bay started well before he hit the floor last night at Oracle with the Mavs and roughly 19,000 fans started waving nautical Captain hats.
It started mid-way through last season, when Golden State didn’t signal they’d immediately be resigning Thompson as the franchise had, up to then, always been in a hurry to. There were shades of it along with Thompson’s frustrations in his game changing, the splashy shots not falling as fluidly as they used to. Clues came in the way the Warriors felt their frustrations as a team: once together, a cohesive unit, and then splintering and individually.
“Even from July, when Klay decided to go to Dallas to us showing up for training camp and him not being here, it was kind of like a slow build to this night for everybody,” Warriors point guard, Steph Curry, said after last night’s game.
Basketball isn’t played in a vacuum, and Curry sharing the psychic and emotional timeline of the team underscores that in a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Sometimes its brightest full-circle moments have to struggle through discomfort, angst and loss in order to come back around. Often, the storylines with the most ups and downs are the ones that end the most cathartically.
Since this season began, Thompson’s been candid about how necessary the move to Dallas was for him. “Every pro athlete’s human, and uncertainty can bear on you,” he told ESPN prior to Tuesday night’s homecoming game.
“Honestly, it’s rejuvenated me and done something I needed bad just for my mental [state] and my career,” Thompson said.
It’s a knife’s edge between animosity for an athlete’s who’s left a franchise they share a storied history with and sympathy for their decision. What tips fans to one side or the other can skew personal, so isn’t always easy to predict, but Thompson’s tendency toward honesty helps. He’s always been someone who wears what he’s feeling on the floor openly, and for that fans — for the most part — respond with empathy. There’s a sense that through all the years he played for the Warriors there was an open conduit of conversation between him and the fanbase.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview The NBA Cup Group A standings reveal a challenging road ahead for the Hornets, featuring matchups against the 76ers, Magic, Knicks, and Nets. (SI)
Analysis LaMelo Ball has been clutch in the fourth quarter this season, showing significant growth and poise under pressure. (SI)
Legacy Klay Thompson feels “free” after his late-career move to Dallas. (ESPN)
Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Tuesday - Robert Williams Day
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) shoots the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half at Moda Center. |Photo by Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA games offered a wealth of insights for fantasy basketball managers. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways and strategic moves you should consider:
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
- Grant Williams: With his move to the starting lineup, Williams is a viable short-term pickup, especially while the Hornets deal with injuries. His ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a solid addition in deeper leagues.
- Moussa Diabate: Diabate’s rebounding prowess is noteworthy, especially with the Hornets’ frontcourt injuries. He’s a strong option for those in need of rebounds in deeper formats.
- Franz Wagner: Wagner’s performance underscores his value, particularly with Paolo Banchero out. Consider selling high if you can get a top-tier player in return, as his current production may dip once Banchero returns.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons
- Tyler Herro: After a 40-point explosion, Herro is a prime sell-high candidate. His shooting percentages are unlikely to sustain, so capitalise on his current form to bolster your roster.
- Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey: Both players showed their potential to fill the stat sheet. Cunningham remains a must-start, while Ivey’s bounce-back game suggests he’s worth holding onto for his upside.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Hornets podcasts.
LaMelo Ball’s All-NBA Level Play Wasted In NBA Cup Rout By the Orlando Magic Doug dives into what went wrong in the Hornets’ matchup against the Magic, despite LaMelo Ball’s impressive 35-point outing. He explores why the offense struggles whenever LaMelo sits, and the team’s desperate need for reliable secondary playmakers. Brandon Miller and Josh Green’s recent offensive challenges are under the microscope, with analysis on how their scoring struggles contributed to the blowout. Plus, with a break before the next game, Doug discusses what the Hornets need to work on, from improving their shooting consistency to getting healthier for the tough games ahead.
Hornets Face Magic in NBA Cup Opener: Can LaMelo Ball Lead the Way Without Key Bigs? The Charlotte Hornets begin NBA Cup play against the Orlando Magic, with key players out for both teams, giving the Hornets a shot at victory. We also discuss LaMelo Ball’s impressive performance as he’s nominated again for Eastern Conference Player of the Week. What does this mean for his development? And could Charlotte’s effort rebounding edge push them past Orlando? Tune in to hear Doug and Walker break down the game strategy, the NBA Cup’s importance, and LaMelo’s standout shooting stats.
