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’s Leap in NBA Rankings & What It Means for the Hornets
Nov 19, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) looks to pass the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) and forwards Dorian Finney-Smith (28) and Cameron Johnson (2) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images|Brad Penner/Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Breaking down LaMelo Ball’s rise and a pivotal Pistons rematch.
🚀 LaMelo climbs the rankings
LaMelo Ball has made a huge jump in The Ringer’s player rankings, moving from 53rd to 27th. It’s one of the biggest in-season climbs, and honestly, I’m not surprised. His usage rate is historically high—think Stephen Curry and James Harden territory—but it’s the way he balances scoring and playmaking that stands out.
• LaMelo’s rise is even more impressive when you consider the injuries to Mark Williams and Nick Richards, leaving him without his usual pick-and-roll options. Still, he’s finding ways to dominate.
🌟 Tidjane Salaun’s breakout performance Tidjane Salaun had his best game as a pro, scoring 11 points with eight rebounds and showing flashes of real potential. Watching him operate, it’s clear he has tools that could make him a major contributor—or even a star—down the road.
• Salaun’s ability to attack the rim, draw fouls, and even knock down threes is ahead of schedule for a raw rookie. He’s improving game by game, and that’s exactly what you want from a developmental pick.
• Fans are still fawning over big rookie numbers from Dalton Knecht and Jared McCain, but I see something in Salaun that’s different. This kid could be a difference-maker, not just a solid role player.
Yes, Knecht is lighting it up with the Lakers, but Salaun’s ceiling is higher. I can’t wait to see how he grows over the next couple of years.
🏀 Previewing Hornets vs Pistons
The last time the Hornets played the Detroit Pistons, it came down to the wire, with Brandon Miller’s buzzer-beating putback sealing the win. But this isn’t the same Pistons team. Jalen Duren is back, and they’ve been playing some solid basketball lately.
• Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey are another major challenge. Cade’s size and versatility make him tough to handle, and Ivey’s speed can break down any defense.
• Duren is a problem on the boards. He’s averaging over 12 rebounds since his return, and with the Hornets’ struggles on the glass, this could be the key to the game.
The Hornets need to bring the physicality and limit second-chance points. If they can match Detroit’s energy, they have a shot at pulling out another close win.
🤔 What’s up with Charles Lee?
I still can’t get over LaMelo being benched in game 14. It was surprising, to say the least. Lee’s explanation—that Trey Mann had the hot hand—didn’t make sense to me, and his postgame comments felt rushed and unconvincing.
• Was this a calculated move to hold LaMelo accountable, or just an emotional reaction? Honestly, it feels like the latter.
• Tonight’s game is huge for both LaMelo and Lee. If LaMelo comes out locked in, it could validate the decision. If not, it could spark bigger questions about their relationship.
🔮 My takeaway
This game against Detroit is more than just another matchup. It’s a chance for the Hornets to prove they can bounce back, even when things get messy.
• I’ll be watching the rebounding battle closely. If the Hornets can limit Duren and keep Cade inefficient like they did last time, they’ll be in a great spot.
• Tidjane Salaun and Miles Bridges will be key contributors tonight, but ultimately, this game is about LaMelo setting the tone.
If the Hornets want to shake off all of this LaMelo-bench noise no better way to do it than a win. Let’s see if they can put it all together.
A refrain I’ve increasingly heard from casuals, like the talking heads on the NBA’s biggest broadcast partners, is that the league is too homogenous these days, that every team just goes out there and chucks up threes. Every game is the same.
Leaving aside the shortsightedness of famous, influential media analysts dumping on their own product, it’s a common enough complaint that I felt an urge to investigate. My eyeballs tell me the league’s never been more diverse and fun, thanks largely to the absurd wealth of stars today with skill sets as bespoke as their draft night suits. Jokic’s Nuggets look nothing like Tatum’s Celtics look nothing like Brunson’s Knicks, and to suggest otherwise is willful ignorance.
As I wrote about for Basketball Poetry yesterday, the current top five offenses are Boston, Cleveland, New York, the Lakers, and Dallas. Those five teams rank first, 14th, 17th, 24th, and 21st, respectively, in share of shots that are triples. You certainly don’t need to launch a million threes relative to your peers to score the basketball successfully.
Of course, that’s a rather superficial analysis. Regardless of rank, what if the absolute numbers are all getting closer together? That would represent a growing sameness.
I looked at shot data from this season, a decade ago, and 20 years ago to see how much the share of three-pointers had changed.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Prediction A recent NBA mock draft suggests the Hornets might select a guard compared to Lonzo Ball. This potential pick could significantly impact the team’s future. Explore the draft insights and predictions.(Sports Illustrated)
Analysis Dennis Smith Jr. believes that Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball is misunderstood. His perspective adds depth to discussions about Ball’s role and perception. Understand his viewpoint on this intriguing topic.(Sports Illustrated)
Stat Owen Phillips of The F5 looks at how often centers defend guards, how often perimeter players are involuntarily guarded by centers (aka the Tony Allen effect), and much more in his analytical newsletter.
Analysis Jared Dubin of Last Night, In Basketball discusses something related: what kind of players are guarding point guards these days?
Must Read Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic talks about the NBA’s increasing difficulty for defensive-minded, older players, but the real story is that Draymond Green claims to have started lifting just four years ago.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
The Randomness Of Fantasy Basketball On A Wednesday In The NBA
Nov 20, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images|Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Top Five Fantasy Takeaways from Wednesday’s Games
1. Paul George’s Knee Injury Concerns
Paul George’s knee hyperextension during the 76ers vs. Grizzlies game is a significant concern for fantasy managers. While initial reports suggest no structural damage, his availability in the coming games is uncertain. This situation could open up opportunities for other players on the 76ers to step up, making it crucial to monitor updates closely.
2. Unpredictable Pelicans vs. Cavaliers Game
The Pelicans vs. Cavaliers matchup was a bizarre affair, with unexpected lineups and performances. Elfrid Payton started for the Pelicans, and Jaylon Tyson shone for the Cavs, but these anomalies are unlikely to have long-term fantasy implications. Managers should view this game as an outlier and avoid making hasty roster changes based on these performances.
3. Pacers’ Struggles and Tyrese Haliburton’s Slump
The Pacers are facing challenges, particularly with Tyrese Haliburton’s shooting woes. His road performance has been notably poor, possibly due to lingering back issues. Despite this, Haliburton’s track record suggests a turnaround is likely, making him a prime buy-low candidate for managers willing to take a risk on his recovery.
Click the button below to see how Norman Powell’s injury could open up opportunities for the Clippers, and a top 50 player returns to action.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Hornets podcasts.
LaMelo Ball’s Rises Up NBA Rankings + Can Charlotte Hornets Rebound vs. Detroit Pistons? In this episode of Locked On Hornets, Walker Mehl and Doug Branson dive deep into the drama surrounding LaMelo Ball’s recent benching. Despite the controversy, LaMelo continues to climb NBA player rankings, landing at an impressive 27th on The Ringer’s latest list. The duo analyzes why LaMelo’s sky-high usage rate is drawing comparisons to NBA greats like Stephen Curry and James Harden and how injuries to key players like Mark Williams and Nick Richards have impacted LaMelo’s style of play.
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.
