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.
LaMelo Ball Benched In The 4th. Is This A Hornets’ Critical Turning Point?
Nov 4, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images|Jesse Johnson/Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The Big Picture LaMelo Ball’s benching in the final minutes of the Hornets’ 116-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets wasn’t just about one game—it was a defining moment in the team’s season. First-year head coach Charles Lee’s explanation? He believed Tre Mann had the hot hand and offered more on both ends. Fans and analysts aren’t buying it, and this decision could signal deeper issues between LaMelo and the coaching staff.
Why It Matters • LaMelo’s Importance: LaMelo Ball has statistically been one of the NBA’s best fourth-quarter performers. Sitting him in a crunch-time situation is rare for a star, especially one with a max contract. • Coach’s Gamble: Lee’s decision suggests frustration with LaMelo’s fouling and decision-making. This could either motivate LaMelo to address these issues or deepen tensions within the team. • Reflection Point: As Walker said, this is a moment we’ll revisit. Whether it sparks growth or creates irreparable friction, it’s a turning point.
The Game Itself • Brandon Miller Shines: Amid the drama, Brandon Miller delivered a stellar 29-point performance, hitting 11 of 17 shots. His aggressiveness and resilience stood out, even when tensions flared with Ben Simmons. • Turnover Troubles: The Hornets committed 21 turnovers, erasing an early 20-point lead. The Nets’ physical defense disrupted their flow, exposing Charlotte’s lack of a reliable center option. • Officiating Woes: Questionable calls marred the game, including a baffling out-of-bounds review. While it wasn’t the primary reason for the loss, it compounded frustrations.
What’s Next This isn’t just about X’s and O’s. It’s about LaMelo and Lee finding a working relationship—or not. If they don’t, the question at the end of this season will be whether the franchise ultimately sides with LaMelo or Charles Lee.
The Hornets must also address their lack of defensive toughness and offensive cohesion in the face of physical play. With Brandon Miller flashing potential, they have building blocks—but can they keep their star engaged?
The streak had to end sometime. Even the 2015-2016 Warriors only (“only”) got to 24 wins to start their season. Ironically, they’d go on to lose the title to the Cavs that season.
That Cleveland lost to the Celtics, in TD Garden, without Isaac Okoro and with Darius Garland shooting 3-21 — well only the first half of that stings. If Garland made two more of those field goals the Cavs would’ve taken the game, and Okoro, out with an ankle sprain, will be back.
This game was a tester for the Cavs. Beyond a match against the defending champs and a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview, it was an opportunity to see how the team responded to pressure, unfavourable conditions and expectation. NBA basketball is about winning, we all know this refrain well, but that the Cavs scoring dried up in crucial stretches while the team also fell into bad habits of turning the ball over in momentum-leeching moments, and they still managed multiple runs to come back within two, speaks pretty well to this group’s ability to respond.
What makes the Celtics so good, and a bit like a dream-crushing machine, is their ability to capitalize on and invert what usually brings their opponents wins. In the Cavs case, it’s their speed. Not just pure speed without aim, but their ability to push the pace within their offensive possessions because not one player tends to move in isolation from anyone else. Their lightning quick passing, their flashing cuts and counter-cuts, it’s all predicated on ball movement capitalizing on intuitive communication. A sixth sense of understanding where their teammates are on the floor at any given moment.
Boston was able to jam that up. Not entirely upend it, but chase with pace of their own enough that Garland at times appeared to be the pursued and not the pursuer. Where Garland rushed an offensive possession, where he went in for a fastbreak ISO drive to wrest the pace of the game back into his team’s hands, he bungled it. He’d botch an easy layup and go careening past the baseline, having to expend more energy to get back down the floor in the transition already underway. And the more he botched it, the faster he went. The Celtics saw this and upped the pressure on him, taking advantage of forced turnovers by draining three after three and all but eliminating a huge component of what’s made the Cavs so formidable — their rebounding.
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
Replay In a nail-biting NBA Cup clash, the Charlotte Hornets narrowly lost to the Nets in the final moments, showcasing their resilience and determination. Relive the thrilling game. (Sports Illustrated)
Personnel Coach Charles Lee made a strategic decision to bench LaMelo Ball in the fourth quarter against Brooklyn, a move that sparked discussions among fans and analysts. Read the analysis. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis How the Cavaliers’ offseason plan has turned them into the top team in the league so far this year. (ESPN)
Milestone Russell Westbrook becomes the first player in NBA history to record 200 triple-doubles. (CBS Sports)
Must Read The NBA’s three-point revolution has gotten extreme, begging the question: How many is too many?(The Washington Post)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Can Dalton Knecht Keep Up This Run?
Nov 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) react after scoring a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images|Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dalton Knecht has recently become a focal point in NBA fantasy discussions, thanks to his electrifying performances on the court. In a standout game, Knecht scored 37 points, including nine three-pointers, with an impressive 75% shooting accuracy. This remarkable display has fantasy managers buzzing, as Knecht’s shooting streak positions him as a valuable asset in leagues.
Knecht’s Shooting Streak: A Fantasy Goldmine
Over the past four games, Knecht has been on a tear, shooting 22 of 33 from beyond the arc, equating to a 67% success rate. Such efficiency is rare and highlights his potential as a sharpshooter. For fantasy managers, Knecht is a must-add player, especially given his current role in the Lakers’ starting lineup. However, while his shooting spree is impressive, it’s important to manage expectations, as maintaining such a high percentage is challenging over the long term.
Injury Updates and Their Impact on Fantasy Rosters
Knecht’s rise comes at a time when injuries are shaking up NBA rosters. Norman Powell’s hamstring injury, for instance, has left a gap in the Clippers’ lineup. With Powell likely sidelined for at least a week, players like Kris Dunn and Amir Coffey might see increased roles, offering potential value for fantasy managers seeking replacements.
Click the button below to get updates on Zach Edey’s ankle injury, and how Bradley Beal’s calf continues to cause problems for fantasy managers.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Hornets podcasts.
LaMelo Ball Benched in the 4th! What was Charles Lee THINKING?! The Charlotte Hornets lost a tight NBA Cup game to the Brooklyn Nets, but the biggest story was LaMelo Ball sitting out the final 3:47 of the fourth quarter. Hosts Walker Mehl, Doug Branson, and David Walker dissect Charles Lee’s controversial decision and what it means for the Hornets’ franchise player. They explore the dynamic between LaMelo and Lee, speculate about long-term implications, and break down Brandon Miller’s standout performance. Plus, why did the officiating leave everyone scratching their heads? Tune in for in-depth analysis on a pivotal night for the Hornets.
WEEKEND RECAP: LaMelo Ball fined, Hornets solve Giannis But Can’t Run From Cavs Bigs The Charlotte Hornets split a dramatic weekend with a thrilling win over Milwaukee and a tough loss to Cleveland but postgame comments overshadowed stellar play from LaMelo Ball. In this episode, we dissect LaMelo’s $100K fine from the NBA for his postgame comments, the importance of his and Charles Lee’s apologies, and if it signals hope that the Hornets and Ball can focus less on off court distractions and more on getting better on the court.
