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.
Crunch Time Crisis: Can the Hornets Turn It Around?
The Big Picture: The Hornets’ five-game homestand ended without a single win, leaving fans frustrated and the team searching for answers. Injuries to key players like LaMelo Ball have left the squad short-handed, but it’s the repeated crunch-time mistakes that sting the most. Are these tough losses learning moments or signs of a deeper problem?
My Take: Mark Williams is back, but not quite himself. After nine minutes in his return, it’s clear he’s not in peak shape yet. Conditioning is going to take time, and Charles Lee isn’t rushing him into heavy minutes. I get the cautious approach, but with Nick Richards playing well, the clock is ticking for Mark to reclaim his role.
Brandon Miller, though, was a bright spot. His second-half explosion against the 76ers showed why he’s the Hornets’ future. But crunch-time miscues — from Miller’s hesitation to team-wide turnovers — remain a glaring issue. If this continues, it could erode the team’s confidence and identity.
Key Performances:
• KJ Simpson: The rookie was a revelation, bringing energy and clutch free-throw shooting. His hustle stands out in a team struggling to execute late.
• Nick Richards: Consistent, but his crunch-time turnover against Philly was brutal.
What’s Next The Hornets face questions about their long-term vision. Listener Adam’s query — “Is it good to fail in close games?” — sparked a great discussion. My answer? Failing can be valuable, but only if you learn and adapt quickly. Six straight losses don’t scream progress.
Draft regrets are still creeping in. Donovan Clingan was thriving in Portland before a sprained knee. The Hornets can only be expected to operate on the knowledge they had at the time and that included a healthy Mark Williams. The Hornets were right to swing for the fences with Tidjane Salaun. He’s raw but shows flashes of star potential, which this franchise desperately needs.
Bottom Line: The Hornets have pieces to build on but need to clean up late-game execution fast. Charles Lee’s postgame critiques signal frustration, and the next few weeks will test this team’s resolve.
Christmas lights are springing up, you can’t go anywhere without hearing Mariah Carey, and football players are making snow angels in the end zone. That means, somehow, the first quarter of the 2024-25 NBA season has come and gone. Let’s hand out some hardware!
Note: these aren’t forward-looking projections for the year-end choices. These are merit-based awards for the first 20-ish games that every team has played so far.
Eastern Conference MVP: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
There isn’t a single superstar in the game as well-rounded as Tatum. His headline ability, scoring, is understated and mathematically elegant. He’s averaging 28.4 points per game by taking advantage of the most valuable areas on the floor: he’s finishing at career-best levels (74% shooting at the rim, the same number as Giannis and a smidge above Anthony Davis), launching a monstrous 10.6 three-pointers per game, and earning the second-most free throws of his NBA life.
But all the high-wattage guys can score. It’s everything else that sets Tatum apart. He’s become an elite positional passer, as we saw in last year’s NBA Finals; he eats defensive rebounds with startling voracity; he’s a mean-as-hell pick-setter:
While star forwards around the league complain about having to guard centers, Tatum is quietly defending bigs more often than ever before (20% of the time, to be exact).
His one surface-level deficiency, offensive rebounding, has more to do with schematic choices than personal flaws.
With apologies to Giannis Antetokounmpo, doing his best to bring the Bucks back to relevance, Tatum is a no-brainer choice.
Western Conference MVP: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic is currently third in scoring, second in rebounding, second in assists, eighth in steals (!), and second in three-point percentage. You already know who’s on top of every advanced metric leaderboard. The Nuggets post a 129.1 offensive rating with Jokic on the floor, miles ahead of the Knicks’ league-leading 123.7; they post a 96.4 offensive rating without him, a Mariana Trench-length beneath the Wizards’ anemic 103.8.
Frankly, I’ve been writing about the NBA for a while, and despite my pharaonic vocabulary (and access to online thesauri), I’ve run out of ways to describe why and how Jokic is the MVP. When we’re talking about the league’s most videogenic player, just listing stats feels wrong, but it’s also the best way to convey his overwhelming dominance.
Not even Tatum can reach the oxygen-deprived heights that Jokic routinely (and literally!) resides in. The Nugget is the MVP of the conference and the quarter, without question.
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
Must Read The Charlotte Hornets are navigating a challenging season, possibly heading towards another lottery pick. This situation raises questions about the team’s future and strategic direction. (Sports Illustrated)
Fans NBA writer hails LaMelo Ball as an All-Star Game snub in early predictions. Fans are rallying behind Ball, showcasing their unwavering support for the young star. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Hornets head to NYC to take on the Knicks tonight at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Must Read It was more than 1,000 days between games for Lonzo Ball. A look inside his grueling recovery and unprecedented return to the league. (ESPN)
Analysis Handing out early hardware for the 24-25 NBA season, including the rarely-seen “Unluckiest Team of the Quarter” award. (Basketball Poetry)
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
