In this episode of “Locked On Hornets,” host Doug Branson welcomes special guest David Walker to discuss the latest buzz surrounding the Charlotte Hornets. All the news out of training is overwhelmingly positive. Is this business as usual or is this team really built different than previous seasons? Head Coach Steve Clifford is getting rave reviews from his players. He seems to be the right coach for the moment but what about long term? LaMelo Ball is names one of Zach Lowe’s 5 most intriguing players of the NBA season and we do another edition of Stang’n or Clang’n with sneakers, weight gain and team governor’s awkwardly shooting basketballs.
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Today on the lock on Hornets podcast It's all sunshine and Roses at Hornets Training camp what's going on I'm going To ask our friend David Walker he joins The show today plus we do a little fun Friday edition of stanging or clanging That's all today on the locked on Hornets podcast you are locked on Hornets your daily Charlotte Hornets Podcast part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day in a minute Cuz we Live Welcome into locked on Hornets your home for Hornets news and Analysis here on the locked on podcast Network we are part of that Network your Team every day this episode is brought To you by FanDuel sports book the Official sports book of locked on make Every moment more right now new Customers can bet $5 and get 200 in Bonus bets guaranteed visit fanduel.com / locked on to get started thanks so Much for making locked on Hornets your First listen every day we are free and Daily wherever you get Podcast including On YouTube where you can see the bright Shining face I'm not sure what kind of Hat he's wearing right now but it is the Premere of Puma it is the one the only David Walker David what's what's that Head candy you got on there this is Actually a surf company Doug uh big fan
Of Surfing have never surfed uh this is uh Vla It's a VISA company no I mean the Company is called Visa it's it's for Surfing and and and your you know Outdoor activities and whatnot I I love That you're wearing a surfing hat and You've never surfed I you know it's October because I'm wearing my world my Braves World Series hat and I haven't Watched a single Braves game all year I Will I watch him in the playoffs but we Are both repping hats for things that we Have not Participated we just enjoy we like to Support but we don't actually get Involved that's right we do we do get Involved in the Hornets and we are Supporting them and a lot of people are Supporting them right now and they're Getting a lot of love and training camp We're going to get to that plus a lot of Love for Steve Clifford as well what's Going on there the the team seems to be Rallying around this new old head coach Want to dig into that a little bit and Then we're going to do stanging and Stanging or clanging it's our hot or Notot segment that's going to come up uh In the third I'm Doug Branson by the way Uh you can find my work on every Hornets Box score.com the preseason is almost Here Tuesday the Hornets are going to
Put the basketball on the hardwood and So I'll have some Game notes available For you there at every Hornets boox Score.com you can also get 1V one access To my depraved Hornets thoughts in your Messaging app just go to joins sub.com Lockon Hornets to get a 14-day free Trial I've been updating uh Camp updates Every day so uh join in so you can get Those in your messaging app let's talk About this training camp David we Haven't had you on since media day Happen since this Camp has been uh Getting getting going and and just all The news seems to be positive and that Is UN It's Not Unusual for people to Kind of glow up around this time because Nobody's lost anything uh you know Everyone's going to get into some kind Of platitude but it's been different Than in years past because there is no Controversy there is no black cloud Hanging over the training camp but also Everybody just seems to be super engaged What do you think is the difference Between this season and some of the Previous Seasons that we've been Covering this team yeah if I could I Mean does this feel weird to you I mean Obviously it feels weird but do you like It is it a good I mean I a good way I Think so but but I I'm trying to be Careful because I'm a sicko exactly I'm All about the hope that that being a
Sicko is not about being negative being A sicko is being about positive in the Face of a lot of evidence that would Suggest that things are going negatively And I guess that's where I'm G getting a Little sort of nervous about getting Excited because I see all of the Projections David as you do for this Hornets team every ranking that comes Out either has them dead last in the NBA Or 29th to the Wizards like it's it's One of those two things and then you but You contrast that with Clifford going on And on about how the intensity is is High and you've got veterans stepping up Coming to Camp early everybody's healthy Except for Cody Martin you've got lamelo Putting on ankle braces trying to stay Healthy Terry in a good place Brandon With high IQ so what's going on here why Is it different well I'll tell you this From a Charlotte perspective Doug um the Folks uh at Bank of America Stadium it It is so in the dumps where the Panthers Play yeah right that is just the natural Order of things there has to be Somewhere that's being lifted up and Right now it is for the Hornets but I Think you're you're totally right it has A a fresh feeling uh coming off of last Year that I think everyone just wants to Just shake off right just wash just Purify themselves and get rid of what Was last season so like there's a lot of
Positivity I really do think though like The miles Bridges piece and the um the Brandon Miller piece it's almost like Getting two high draft picks uh you know Back into the fold and and and like I do Think there is something also to uh Clifford not having to come in like he's Late for first period right like he's Coming in uh with a full offseason under His belt he's getting a little more Comfortable uh they've got Pat euwing Back in the fold uh there's just a Wholeness to the group that wasn't there Last season at all and like you know There was so many bumps along the road To last season that I like we're going To look back back on that and that was Just too much for any team to overcome And yet you didn't even include the Injuries into all that so like all the Miles Bridges stuff all the coach stuff It was just too wacky it was just too Crazy and now there's just a normal te That is settled in but you also got some Guys that want to prove some things I Mean lamela's got some things to prove I Think Terry still has some things to Prove uh Gordon you know he and Gordon Are kind of the vets that they still Want to say hey we've got some things to Say about this league of course miles Bridges has some things to prove Brandon You know so up and down the roster There's a lot of guys that want to do
Some things and I think Clifford you Know I think he sees it too we've said It for a long time and he said it this Week this is his best roster that he's Ever had and and and and and right now He sees the potential for them to maybe Sneak up on some people early but you Know there's just a A Renewed uh sense of like cleaning the Slate for this team and like that that Can go a long way especially in the Preseason I think in years past Clifford Has had to do a lot of early work Getting these guys motivated to get up To that intensity level required to win NBA to win professional basketball games And I just think this season he hasn't Had to do that early work everyone just Came in with that mentality for a lot of The reasons that you were talking about I think a couple of more reasons the Veterans and I'm I'll include lamelo Into this and Gordon and Terry they're Tired of losing they're tired of being a Joke and and I think it's reached a Point like they didn't love to lose These past couple of years no one loves To lose who's competitive enough to play Professional basketball but I don't Think they were tired enough of it to Commit fully like they've committed this Off season and like they've committed And their health issues have have kind Of inserted themselves and at player
Absences you know miles bridges that Kind of thing but I think they're just Tired of losing and they want this Season to go well so badly that I think It's causing everyone and Clifford talks A lot about this at Camp already like When Terry and Gordon and lamelo come in And they're playing hard every Possession and every scrimmage that They're just going 100% all the young Guys are going to soak that up too They're going to mirror that naturally And they're going to get locked in and They're going to get focused and now you Have a competitive Camp I think you're Seeing the dividends of keeping these Young players together it's when you When you go all right we're going to Rebuild and we're going to go young you Know you're going to have a couple of Difficult Seasons because even if you Have talent it's an experience Talent it Doesn't know you know how to come Together how to have that purpose of Play that's necessary to win basketball Games but eventually if you stay patient With it eventually these guys should Naturally get better and get better Together and I think you're starting to Finally see a lot of these younger Players that didn't wash out start to Improve sign significantly enough where You go whoa all of a sudden multiple Players are getting better and that's
Going to have Ripple effects on the team And then you've got this new crop of Young players Nick Smith Brandon Miller Amari Bailey it's not like certain other draft Classes of the past this is a draft Class that I think is different they're Coming in ready to compete some of them Know that hey I'm probably headed for Greensboro but I have an opportunity Here to show that if there's an injury Or two like there was last season I'm Ready to go I'm ready for a call up I Think it's the perfect competitive Environment and I think it's more of a It's not and when I say perfect Competitive environment it's not a toxic Competitive environment because these Guys generally all like each other the Vets their places within the rotation Are secure but I think there's a feeling In the air right now that the young Players are essentially trying out to Take over at a moment's notice because Gordon could get traded because Terry Could be on the move because there are Going to be opportunities because of Injuries guys don't play 82 games a year Anymore so there are going to be Opportunities and I think these young Players sense that and there is just Everyone's coming together right now It's a beautiful thing to see yeah there Does feel like there's a a certain uh
Mentality that's different with this Crop of of rookies and it's it's odd It's not like they're all um you know Chomping at the bit or super aggressive But like there's a a kind of a quiet Confidence I think with Brandon Miller But like I think you know the other guys Like like Smith I mean he's um he's got A confidence that you see right I mean Like oh yeah you know and like in the Past it felt like maybe the the lights Were too bright for some of the guys Coming in or or things just didn't go Right for them but like even looking Back to Summer League they each had a Chance to kind of shine and I think that It it sounds like it's bearing that out In you know these practices as you said To the competitive standpoint so I mean You know as far as stacking guys up you Know filling the roster out with guys Like that to challenge uh there's that That level or at least the amount of Those guys on the roster feels like it Is amped up this year Well Nick Smith Jr Another player was something to prove Because he was highly highly touted Coming out of high school and then that That year that he had in college Just I yeah I mean always don't don't go To college guys don't go to college why Are you going to college yeah no I mean It it was a disaster so you know he's Got a lot to prove as well so yeah I
Think it's all coming together another Factor I think is uh the head coach who I think is the perfect head coach for The moment and we should talk about that Next segment coming up next on the lock On Hornets podcast don't go to sleep on The Hornets just yet Steve Clifford Old Coach becomes new coach weird last Season but people are giving him glowing Reviews right now we got to talk about That and what it means for this season Of Charlotte Hornets basketball plus Later in the show we're going to do Stanging or clanging so stick around for That uh but first I want to tell you About our friends at FanDuel they've Been sponsoring the show for a long time Please support them snap into action This NFL season with FanDuel America's Number one sports book right now new Customers get $200 in bonus bets Guaranteed when you place a $5 bet That's $200 in bonus bonus bets win or Lose if you've been thinking about Joining FanDuel there's no better time To get in on the action the app is so Easy to use there's a wide range of Betting options including spreads player Props over unders and more so visit Fanduel.com lockon and kick off the NFL Season FanDuel official partners of the NFL more locked on Hornets ahead back Here on the lockon Hornets podcast thank You so much for making us your first
Listen every day and supporting the show Whether you're a member of every Hornets Box.com whether you're listening to Walker mail on WFNZ 12 to3 on the west And Walker show whether you are on the Subtext join sub tex.com lockon Hornets We appreciate you making this show Happen we couldn't do this without the Listeners and the viewers here on YouTube so Steve Clifford MH always Always an interesting situation when You're an old head coach and you come Back and you decide I'm going to coach This team again and you came in late Because they they whiffed on Kenny Atkinson or Kenny Atkinson spurned them However you want to view that situation But Clifford comes in late and then on Top of that that's already a challenge And then on top of that injury filled Season he doesn't really even get his Full compliment of players to install The principles that we've come to know And love from Steve Clifford you know The the discipline on defense the Purpose of play sure he got a lot of Time with certain players like Terry Like PJ Washington that that mattered But you don't get the full compliment It's it's going to be difficult and but Now he not only has that but now he also Has a couple of centers that I think Steve Clifford has always wanted here in Charlotte to make this thing happen and
He's getting good reviews from certain Players including miles Bridges who said The biggest difference said this at Media day the biggest difference between Clifford and James bgo his former coach Is structure of plays so he likes the Structure that Clifford is bringing in Versus the the attitude and the the Structure that JB was bringing and then We also got something from Frank neina Media day who said when when asked why Charlotte why did he sign here he said That he talked to Nick Batum his fellow Frenchman and he talked to his other Fellow Frenchman Evan forier who was Coached by Clifford in Orlando and got Good reviews from them and said you know This is a guy you you definitely want to Play for and Clifford has responded to That by calling Frank an elite Defender And essentially Clifford I I kind of Recruited Frank according to the media Day interview said Clifford you know was In contact with his team what do you Make of all of this that Clifford is Getting these glowing reviews from Players right now and and the second What could be his final season of Charlotte Hornets head coach oh man We'll see just it's just a Love Fest Right now just everybody's having a Great time um the thing about we've Always known with Clifford and we love About him he's a basketball guy like
He's basketball runs in his blood it Literally made it literally affected his Health the first time he was here he had To step away well that's because he Because he went to the doctor and the Doctor was like listen we ran the blood Test and there are basketballs in your Blood there is Literally you have leather in your blood Uh this is not healthy right you've got To take you've got to take a few days Off you have Spalding disease you have Basketballs running through your veins Skin is actually orange and pimply Something is happening to you uh but but I do think that comes across and he's Got a certain gravitas if you will that You know bgo was a younger guy but but Clifford has been around this league Right he can he can talk to guys in a Way that I think Demands a little a Respect maybe that some other guys don't Um and and and that comes across with These with these players who to your Point dude are are just sick of of being The laughing stock you know think of Mention this you didn't even mention This they've come off of two like last Year this time last year they were the Last time people saw them on the Basketball court they got blown out by 70 or whatever for the second year in a Row in a playin game and there was just So much stink on them uh that and the
Offseason went so so a ride that there Was no time to uh to repair that and I Think Clifford being here having a year Under his belt like you said it just Helps them tremendously and you know it It doesn't hurt when former players are Still talking about him glowingly but But like I don't think you know what was The um was a survey it was like half of The guys you know wanted to play for Clifford and half of the guys right you Know maybe didn't want so there is a Certain type of player that doesn't I do Right right but I do think they have Found guys you know right now Everything's going great they have found Guys that are willing to buy into what He's selling and that type of player is Going to respond to a guy like Clifford Who's you know who's pretty No Nonsense I would imagine especially in practice And and in games you know it's he is No Nonsense he's honest but he does his Research and I think that's why players Respect him I don't think they respect Because he has no he has no playoff Series winning record I mean he's been On he's been on staffs that have Competed for championships under Van Gundy and you know in LA and Houston and New York like he's been on staffs like That but he as a head coach does not Have a record such that it would demand Respect how he gets respect is that he
Studies studies studies probably to his Own health detriment but then when he Comes to a player that player cannot Deny that Clifford understands their Game and what makes them successful now And then he can lay in hey this is what Makes you great now here's how you could Take it to the next level and a player Is either going to buy that or not but At least Clifford has the evidence Necessary to to make that argument to a Professional basketball player that is Making significantly uh more money than Than Clifford is you know you got to Find a way to talk to those players in a Way that that you can make sense to them And I think Miles said this too you know Your role with Steve Clifford oh yeah Steve Clifford doesn't come into Training camp saying all right we're Gonna figure this thing out he's got to Figure out playing groups there's no Doubt about that he's going to find out Who's going to start and who's going to Come off the bench in that first quarter Like he's going to figure that out it's Not like he understands what the Rotation is immediately but in terms of Your role like hey I see you as player X For this team why I think it's why Frank Lakina came because Clifford said I Think you are are our Elite defensive Dog Off the Bench that's but you can Also play this particular role too but
He comes to you with that first and I Think there are certain players that Love that that love like tell me what I'm supposed to do on this team because Otherwise I don't know what I'm doing Out there and I get lost well yeah and In any Walk of Life people would rather You know not have surprises right when It comes to whatever they're doing their Role like we want to know where do I Stand what are you asking of me what's Expected of me and you know how do we Get there together so like Clifford I Think it's funny because you heard him On the media Day stuff kind of mention Um the common or or you know the common Misconception maybe in his eyes that he Doesn't play the young guys like that's Been a big thing that people always talk About I just thought it was funny that He brought that up on his own and was Like no he's like that's really not true And and like we've gone back and looked At that and like for the most part his Young guys uh you know sucked so that's Why he hasn't play I think you know so It's if you go back down the list he Played Cody Zeller a good bit I think is The one that comes to mind uh but you Know there were some other ones that Came well when when the situ mkg and Frank I mean got minutes um you know When when the situation provided for it When the team was not good enough but
Yeah I mean he he's about guys earning Minutes and I think that's how you get Respect too like how can you get respect From Terry or Gordon and maybe you're Listening to this and going who cares if You get respect for those guys but the Thing is if you don't get respect from Those guys you're not winning basketball Games so if you're interested in winning Basketball games you need the respect of The players that are right at this Moment some of your more talented Players and are going to affect winning Basketball so you can't get those guys Respect with if you come in and say well This guy was drafted number two overall So and but he hasn't shown anything yet But he's immediately going to get you Know 35 minutes a night um it's about Earning those minutes it's about Everybody on the team being able to see The the same thing that Clifford sees And and I think I think he's got that I Think he's the right coach for the Moment I don't know if that he's the Right coach you know for for the next Five years or whatever but I think for This particular moment it feels like the Right coach and things feel weird right Now David as we mentioned like you know Because there's a cognitive dissonance Going on because we look at the Projections for this team from Vegas or From ESPN or whatever and all these
Things come out and they say hornets Bottom and they have every right to say That because the Hornets haven't proven Anything but but then we see all this Stuff from training camp and you go it Looks like these guys also read that you Mentioned Clifford you know saying the Thing that everybody says about him These guys read this stuff they may deny It they may when you ask them about it They're like I don't look I don't I Don't read ESPN I don't they read it Kevin Durant is proven this he has the Burner account they read what's on Social media they read what's in the Press they're interested in it because It's human curiosity they want to know They see the rankings JT Thor mentioned It in media day they know the Hornets Are being counted out yeah and it seems Like this team and this coach are Perfectly matched to Counter those projections because every Team that Clifford has helmed that is Won it hasn't been many I mean there Have only been a couple of Seasons where This team has won enough to make the Playoffs but every one of those teams Was counted out even even I mean Midway Through the season typically they were They were running behind and everybody Had counted them out and they came back So I'm I'm I'm hopeful hey call me a Sicko call me what you want but I got
Hope David I know well I'll tell you why The other reason you have some hope is I Feel like I don't know if this is a zag Or I don't know if uh just you know the The the the the waves are going the Other way now but you're starting to See uh some Sneaky you Know pieces done like hey My five teams that could outperform Their projections and the Hornets are in There right I wonder if like I wonder if People just feel bad about how much they Dumped on the Hornets over the last 18 Months and they're like no they don't no There's no they sure had a lot of fun They had a lot of fun with it so they Didn't they don't regret it that much But but but I do think they're looking At this team and the projection and they Reflect back on when you know this group Was really together last time they won What 42 games or whatever 43 games so They're saying that wait a minute you Know they've added uh Brandon Miller They've got another season they're not Injured they've got lamelo ball back so Like people are starting to at least uh At least hedge their BET right at least Get out in front of this thing in the in The chance that the Hornets do get off To a quick start or do you know look Better than they thought they might last Year people are starting to kind of dip
Their toe in that water we'll see if it Works out yeah it was Kevin I think it Was Kevin ' Conor from Kevin okon man as I like to call him Kevin Conor from the Ringer who ranked them low and then Someone replied to that on Twitter and Said dude they were like completely Decimated by injuries last season and he Was and he responded I think he Responded fair so yeah I think you're Right I think you're dead on there People but I don't blame them and Honestly I encourage them I want every Pundit to get out there and say that the Hornets are 30th I love it and I hope The Hornets read every bit of it I hope They ingest it and then use that as Competitive gviz it feels like a Galvanizing and you're right like Clifford's the perfect coach for that Like this us against the world thing Mentality uh could prove to be better Than than than whatever you know they Tried to do coming off of of getting Their their ass kicked in the in the in The playing game that didn't work out Too well D this show is getting me so Hyped that I'm hitting my microphone Like I'm getting so hype I'm just like But here's the thing they here's the Difference because people that have paid Close attention to the Hornets that Watch the show are probably thinking to Themselves at this moment okay but what
Does bulletin board material matter when After they got blown out of that La the First playin game that they got blown Out of they put the box score you know Up yeah put it like blew it up on the Practice court and then got blown up in The second play game so what does Bullettin board material matter I'll Tell you why it matters because this is A different team lot of the same players But I'm telling you right now this is a Different team they're older they're More motivated and I think they Understand now Clifford's a part of this They understand now what it takes to win In the regular season and what it takes To win in the postseason they're Starting to understand that and I think They're going to learn it for good if They stay healthy they're going to learn It for Good by the time this season is Over and I think it could mean big Things for the Hornets you mentioned That people are starting to write stuff About the Hornets uh and someone did Zack low had one of the Hornets in his Five most intriguing players of this NBA Season we'll tell you who it is coming Up on the lockon Hornets podcast don't Go to to sleep on the Hornets just yet And as promised we are not getting out Of this fun Friday without doing a Little stanging or clanging what's hot What's not from the week that was in
Charlotte Hornets basketball that's Ahead but not before I tell you about Our good friends at bird dogs bird dogs Make you look good bottom line that's What you have to understand they are Stretch khaki shorts that are designed To fit Slimmer through the thigh and leg Giving you a truly sculpted look I speak From experience I don't have much of a Booty these things though you put them On and you look good it makes you look Good downstairs that's all I'm saying Bird dog shorts do the exact same thing As Lululemon but they fit way better They fit way better than regular shorts That are made of a stiff restricting Cotton bird dogs fix that that issue by Inventing cloudknit fabric that looks Just like khaki but stretches so you get A way Slimmer fit without having to Sacrifice movement bird dogs uses Anti-stink sweat wicking fabric that Keeps you cool and dry all day long bird Dogs are functional for any occasion you Can wear them out to golf date evening Out go to the pool workout Lounge Anything bird dogs is there for you go To birddog.com lockon NBA or enter promo Code locked on NBA at checkout for a Free bird dogs water bottle with your Order that's birddog.com Lockn for a free water bottle at Checkout we've been telling you about Bird dogs for a long time and if you
Haven't gotten them yet if you get them You're supporting the show so get your Bird dogs you won't want to take them Off we promise you more lock on Hornets Ahead welcome back into lockon Hornets Thanks so much for making us your first Listen every day before we get to Staying or clanging I want to talk about Uh Zack low uh mentioning a Hornets Player for one of his five most Intriguing NBA players it was drum roll Please who do you think it is it's Lamelo ball of course he's the most Intriguing player for the Charlotte Hornets and now he's the most intriguing Five most intriguing players for Zack Low and Zack spent a lot of his time in The article really going over sort of The the pro and con of lamelo ball right Now the sort of dichotomy that exists in Lamelo balls game which is that like He's super exciting Super Creative super Effective as a playmaker but as a Defender there's room for improvement But also as an offensive player you know His ability to drive the basketball is Still a question mark uh now he can Playmake for others off the drive but Finishing you know his his stats around The rim are are not very good for the Point guard position and he pulls up a Lot I got a quote here from uh Zach About the work that ball has been doing In the offseason to improve that game at
The Rim he says ball has spent the Offseason developing his prodding game Watching film with Clifford and Marlin Garnett a key Hornet's assistant and Running reps with staffers dotting the Floor as Targets in the Corners under The rim rolling for pocket passes this Is the quote from lamelo if coach wants Me to keep the ball longer I'll do it Ball says he has shown glimpses of it Especially two seasons ago when the Hornets were healthier that encouraging News David that that ball is looking at His offensive game and saying there's a Hole and and I'm I'm gonna fix it and I'm gonna fix it you know with with some Encouragement from the staff I love that I love that visual of these basketball You know nerds and savants getting out There breaking down film and then going Through these drills on the floor like I I love that and and that's why you you Are hopeful right if you've got your Main guy if you got your budding Superstar out there doing that with with Clifford and and trying to improve his Game like that then there's there's Reason to to be hopeful but we kind of Knew that about lamelo like we I mean You know not to go back to stuff we've Already said but like he's a gem rat He's a basketball guy that's all he does I mean now he does fashion uh lefrance I Believe is is his brand or whatever
France yeah um it's actually Lefrance it's lefrance really I think That's how he pronounces it that's which Is how I pronounce it so yes that's I'm Sorry yeah I hey you're the fashion Expert on the show Okay but uh what was the question uh the Question is the question is how do you Pronounce LEF France is it LEF France or LEF France We'll put it on the poll but on the on The ball stuff I think what you're Seeing what's what's ultimately Encouraging about this is that you are Seeing a marrying of lamelo's intense Desire to be better his creativity and His Instinctual understanding of basketball Marrying with some ideas about what Makes players great in the NBA right and That because lamelo could come into this Whole process and say forget it coach I Know basketball ball I've been doing This for I was Rookie of the Year I've Dominated this league already and and And I've dominated other leagues that I've been in I don't need this but you See him even if it's a little bit Reluctantly he's he's at least accepting It and at least understanding it that Was the key to kima's Ascension was Saying all right I've been doing this a Certain way it's it's made for some Success but if I want to take it to the
Next level I might need to make some Adjustments and so whether it's holding The basketball longer uh you know Probing trying to get contact underneath All of these things hopefully we see That even early in the preseason and we Don't see him break another ankle yeah And we talk about this being Clifford's Best roster uh Clifford has got to be The best coach lamelo has probably ever Had I mean let's be honest you know like He didn't play in college uh Professionally when he played out of High school you know what I mean like so Clifford is going to be able to drop Some knowledge on him that either he Hasn't heard or that he's just eating up Like I'm really excited to see this Relationship go into year two with a Full offseason under their belt and to See what improvements they can make that That that prodding thing uh Lo mentioned Like you know like Steve Nash just used To keep the dribble alive and get Somebody on his hip all the time and get Into the pain or wherever take him Wherever he wanted to go you know that's Another level that lamelo could get to And at his height could really do Something and he and he has better Players to set better screens for him And and Screen both in in the sense of Like I can set a good screen for you That can take the player that's
Defending you off but also in the sense Of like there are players that are going To attract more attention this season And Miles Bridges is a part of that if Miles Bridges is screening for lamelo You have to pay attention to him you Can't it's not like Mason plumbley Mason Plumbley screens for you and there's Things that the defense can do and they Can do it because they don't have to Worry about Mason plumbley that's not Going to be the case all the time for Lamelo uh this upcoming season and I Think that's super exciting for the Offensive game all right all right let's Do it let's move in uh to one of the Favorite segments here on the show Stanging or clanging it's what's hot It's what's not in the week that was of Charlotte Hornets Basketball and you are the guest David So you get to kick it off tell me Stanging or clanging choice is yours What you got for me wait do I tell you What it is and then tell you if it's Clanging or tell you if it's stanging or Clanging no you tell me you tell me if In a long time you tell me if it's Stanging or clanging and then you tell Me what it is so you got a staying or a Clanging I got a I got a I got a Clanging I'm starting off with a Clanging oh wow all right give me the Clang well lamelo ball uh I love his
Shoe we love Lefrance uh I love everything about him I love what he's doing but he's wearing Uh so this is clanging with a caveat This is clanging because these shoes They're kids shoes Doug look at those Those are for your baby those are for Those are for those are for playing uh Nickelodeon guts they look like a micro Machine or something like that they look Like they're made out of plastic but Like he's leaning into this and Puma is Leaning into this because first of all Children are the future we know that but Those are the people that are buying These shoes and wearing these shoes like You don't see too many dads uh rocking This one I might be able to pull this Off you know Walker might be able to Pull this off um but these are for kids And so uh for lamelo to run this thing Out there is just it's clanging for me But but you you know what I mean but It's it's stanging for for lamelo and The lamelo hive so it's a halfway Playing how does this feel for a sneaker Head have you talked to older sneaker Heads than you is this just sort of Natural I can't find you're the oldest There's only like one and and we talk on Uh we talk on Twitter sometimes well Yeah I mean this is a weird thing for You right you are aging out of the pop You might be I don't want to say
Definitively but you might be aging out Of popular shoe culture at this point And lamelo might be part of that process Showing you something that might be just Outside of your your comfort level it's It it's I like it but it's for Kids so is is this next one Terry you Got Terry here is that stanging so this Is stanging for a couple reasons one uh Terry is a sneaker free agent so last Year he did wear puma and shout out to Weston Walker they brought this up but These are these are Kobe fivs I mean Everyone's wearing Kobes now this is a Great pair and uh and Terry's going to Be able to wear whatever he wants this Year so I'm a big proponent of free Agency you can just put on whatever People send you and I think this is Going to be great for Terry it's going To be fun to see what he he rolls out There and the fact that he's starting Off with Kobes I think is going to be Fun because Malik monk used to have a Lot of hornets themed Kobes and uh and Terry could fill that role for us so This is this is a big time stanging uh Now these are called Bruce Lee alt which I assume means alternate Bruce Lee Alternate what is what makes these Bruce Lee alternate so you see that little Like Uh scratch mark on there okay yeah I do So so I think it was either Game of
Death or one of the Bruce Lee movies Right uh Kobe did a lot of colorways That were reminiscent or were ODS to That and this is just an alternate Version so I think the original was Maybe the colors were flipped a little Bit so this is another nod to Bruce Lee Uh be water my friend as as Bruce Le Would say all right my turn stanging or Clanging this week's stanging is weight Game every body talking about weight Gain how much muscle they've put on and I love it you want to tell me something Doug just just come out and say it just You don't no I'm telling myself Something I'm saying the next time my my Producer Katie complains about the Poundage that I'm putting on I'm saying Listen I'm just getting ready for Camp Um putting on some muscle um you know Yeah it Jiggles but there's muscle like If you dig down in there far enough uh You'll find muscle so staying in his Weight gang kangan is the waiting game On Cody Martin's injury we still don't Know we're still we still don't really Have a clue we're seeing videos of him Shooting but I don't think he's been Part of five on five drills which Doesn't give you much hope that he's Going to play in the preseason and so I I still think we're waiting on Cody Martin um it's unfortunate because Clifford knows that he would be a nice
Weapon I honestly this is a little bit Of speculation on my part as maybe it's Reckless speculation I don't know but it Seems like Clifford understands that you Got to be careful about some of this Stuff but I get the sense that maybe There's a little bit of like all right Cody like let's come on let's let's get Out there let's let's see how that you Know I think it's it's a little slow for His Pace um because he has mentioned in The past like he loves you know uh guys That can gut it out through minor Injuries now you know if something is is Is really going to hamper you in the Long term obviously you want to get that Figured out uh but but look you can Always find an excuse not to play a game So I I I wonder if there's a little bit Of wonder if there's a little bit of Ention there you know as James Harden Has proven like you can always find a Reason and Kawai can always find a Reason not to play a game yeah the one Thing he's got to be worried about or You know he's probably worried about a Couple things Clifford that is is just The the depth right like he's not sure Exactly where some of that depth is is Going to come from maybe the younger Guys but to your point like he knows What kind of asset he can be on defense And I'm sure he's just wants to get him Out there but um it it'll be interesting
To see how that plays out it feels like This thing's been going on forever so Hopefully hopefully he can get right but Like at the same time the training staff Doesn't have the best record of getting People back I don't know they would Debate they would debate you on that They would you know they would seriously They would say it's not the training Staff oh no no no it's not not their Fault I'm just saying you know then a Lot of yeah a lot of injuries and Reinjuries and guys maybe coming back a Little too soon yeah so uh you could Definitely understand why Cody is Reticent but I'm sure there's I'm not Sure but it feels like there might be Some tension there okay here's another Thing that's Up For Debate it's our Final stanging or clanging I'm not sure If this is stanging or kangan but we did Catch this uh on social media from Rod Boon uh this is Hornets one of the new Uh dual owners of the Charlotte Hornets Rick schnall this is him at Practice shooting a free throw he's Being careful I'll tell you look and he Makes it now that's an ankle brace an Ankle brace he's got the ankle braces on It that's I think that's really Important to show all right so was that Stanging or clanging Rick schn throwing Up a free throw shot there I should say It's definitely a travel violation maybe
Multiple cuz I think he takes a couple Of steps before he puts the ball down And then there was a pro hop um into a Shot uh above not or below the free Throw line so what do you think about That Sanger CL yeah let me tell you what This this this is is clanging all day But it's really not his fault anytime You as a normal person are on the Basketball court with an NBA team you Look ridiculous uh and listen Millionaires and billionaires hardly Ever look ridiculous but Uh this this is a tough beat man you're Trying to wear the same things that the Guy the 6'8 guys are wearing and it just Doesn't come off right it looks great in The locker room it looks it feels Awesome to be like this is my NBA team These I know like not horrible form like He doesn't come out and now now we've Got something going on with the lead Hand there yeah yeah well listen now He's looking up at the basket which uh Which you know of course he is but he's Following the Flight of the ball uh a Lot of Shooters will tell you to keep Eye on the rim at all times well here's The thing we have seen a lot of bad Basketball and entertainment you know You know do it trying to do basketball Things and it looks terrible like this Doesn't look it looks like he's hooped It up a little bit before shot
Now but people the reason why I think This might be clanging is because people Are going to immediately compare this to When Michael Jordan bought the team the Bobcats and he came down and showed the Young guys what's what famously involved In that way uh Rick schn not on that MJ Level kudos for for getting this out of The way right kudos for going down there And being like all right the the for the Old you know main owner was out there I'll get out there I'll show these guys A little something I I'll show lamelo How to prod in the paint you know I'll Keep him on my hip a little Bit should we be I guess the final thing Is should we be worried David that it Looks like Rick schn is closer to Playing in the preseason than Cody Martin he needs to give him at least one Of those ankle braces and maybe his his Leg sleeve you know maybe that would Help is everyone are they handing out Ankle braces to to to get on the court Do you have to wear an ankle brace is That is that what's going on he had I Think he had two on and he was just Shooting around after last season I Think it should be a requirement I think Now you know yeah everyone PJ Washington Really hasn't had any issues there I Think he should wear I think everybody Should wear them I think every I want People to look like you know uh slam
Ball is back I don't know if you heard Slam ball is back and those guys have to Wear uh elbow pads because it's full Contact right I think the Hornet should Do that I think everybody should wear Helmets elbow pads I think I think you Go in there looking like the Michelin Man at this point because Health has Been such a concern and I want everyone 100% healthy through this pre like can We can we just do one regular season Where everybody gets to the finish line Which is not even the Finish Line it's The starting line can we get to the Starting line with everyone healthy yeah I want to see schnall come out with a Little more upper body um you know gear So like a shooting sleeve for sure at Least one wristband I don't know if you Can go headband because because that was Never a great look um when you had you Know the lack of hair up top and the Headband but uh I like what he's Starting out with you know I I I get the Feeling he wants to put on the warm-up Right he wants to do a layup line in the Preseason wasn't he the one that went to Like a Jordan Camp of some kind oh no Yeah or or was it the I you know you got Two owners sometimes I get mixed up but I feel like he mentioned that he went to Some kind of camp that was run by Michael Jordan so maybe he's look I Think it's Brave I'll be honest with you
Like to put yourself out there in that Way is super Brave um you know because You know that you a lot of people are Waiting to get CL but it is a good Situation in that you are the owner of The Charlotte Hornets and no one really Pays attention anyway so it's good you Know get that out of the way now um but Anyway Rick props for for getting out There and shooting it up and again you Look better than like half the people That try to act like they play Basketball on television so I think um That's something there that's true right That's true I mean we know how to grade Tape on people that aren't professional Basketball players that go out there and Try and look like I mean he could be on A Netflix show right now all right now We just got to see you surf that's the Next thing I want to see you surf and I've got to watch a baseball game and We've got to take the weekend off but We're going to be back next week Covering preseason basketball I could Not be more excited thanks so much for Making lockon Hornets your first listen Today now make your second listen game To game NBA I would just go ahead and Subscribe to that podcast because we're Going to be running stuff on the Preseason there it's essentially every Moment every top performance every Result locked on game to game covers
Every game from across the NBA you get That local analysis that only locked on Can deliver follow that and follow Locked on NBA available on YouTube or Wherever you get Podcast for Walker mail For all the great guests we've got the Family back together it's been a family Affair this week because we're getting Ready for Hornets basketball so thanks To Nada thanks to Nick Carboni and Thanks of course to the premier of Puma David Walker for joining us until next Week go Hornets go America let's swarm Charlotte good Break
Moving to Charlotte North Carolina
Events, Life, Sports, Weather, News
Charlotte is a big city with a small town feel. It’s known for its beautiful neighborhoods, a fast-growing financial industry and surprisingly mild climate that doesn’t get blazing hot in summer or frigid in winter.
The city also hosts a number of local festivals that showcase Charlotte’s vibrant culture and cuisine. In the fall, head to Freedom Park for Festival in the Park where you can sample Charlotte’s local food and dance to live music. You can also check out the Kings Drive Art Walk in spring or the Latin-American Festival in the summer.
Sports fans will love the city’s professional teams including the NFL’s Panthers and NBA’s Hornets. The city also has a pro lacrosse team called the Charlotte Hounds who play in Major League Lacrosse, the top level of the sport in the United States.
In terms of crime, Charlotte is a safe city with a low homicide rate and relatively few burglaries. But as a big city, it is not immune to crime and you should always be alert when traveling in unfamiliar areas.
Another thing to keep in mind when considering a move to Charlotte is the state’s income taxes, which are higher than average for US cities. You’ll need to budget about 4%-5% of your household income to cover these fees. However, when compared to other East Coast cities, the city has a competitive cost of living.