LaMelo Ball makes the game winning defensive play against Indiana AND goes crazy in the 4th Q of the Mavs loss… is he back? Walker and Doug go over all their weekend observations including LaMelo’s fun back to backs, Mark Williams offensive punch, and if shooting will continue to be a proble
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#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall
The Hornets go one in one over the Weekend but the real question is did Lamelo ball get his groove back we talk About it today locked on Hornets 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 it's lockon hornets part of the Lock on podcast Network it's your team Every day thanks for making us your First listen we are free and available Anywhere you get your podcast and don't Forget that always includes YouTube this Episode is brought to you by Game Time Today's episode is brought to you by Game time the website that that you can Download the game time app or go to the Website doesn't matter create an account And use code locked on NBA for $20 off Your first purchase so again thanks to Game time thanks to Doug too joining me As always you can find him on his Substack every Hornets boox score.com There you can also find his sub text Information and you can listen to me on Sports radio 927 WFNZ every weekday from 12:00 to 3: p.m. where I'll at least be Talking about one team that got a win Over the weekend a lot of that show will Be shared speaking about a team that got Destroyed over uh you know by a team That had among the worst defenses in the League but at least the Charlotte
Hornets got one win Doug and I think if You were to say okay the Hornets going Into the weekend I'll give you a one In-one record will you take it I would Have said absolutely I will take a Oneon-one record after the start they Win the opener they Dro three straight They at least two and six now with a Chance to win last night and Doug they gave up a pretty big Lead but we saw lamelo Go Bananas in the Fourth quarter and that was what was fun So a couple of things as to why we could Ask if lamelo got his group back one we Got to see a lock down defensive Possession what against Indiana against Tyrese halberton who also went bananas In a certain quarter in their matchup so Lamelo had the defensive possession that Was that was fun that was as fun as a Defensive possession for the win as You're going to get just lock up steal Lamelo pounding his chest feeling great That was awesome awful shooting night Though okay so then Dallas it looks like More of the same awful shooting night And then the fourth quarter happens and He's shooting it all over the place he's Getting to the rim I actually thank God Lamelo did not shoot from the hip he Actually took the ball two hands Welcomed contact and had an N1 Opportunity where he's also doing Dipsy Do reverse layups all that to say Doug
Is it okay to say if lamelo got his Groove back this week I think so because The pro the progress wasn't just the Scoring although that that is a lot of It I mean and against Dallas he scored Seven points in through the first three Quarters in the four fourth quarter he Scored 23 points on eight of n shooting And he hit five three-pointers and he Only took four three-pointers in the First three quarters so a lot of those Misses uh were around the rim which We've seen a lot of so far this season But I think where you can see the Progress is how involved he was on the Boards and getting others involved and That's what Gordon Hayward uh gave him Advice uh in terms of which was Hey Listen listen if you're out of the Groove Get others involved get get Within the flow of the game and then Everything else will take care of itself And you know if you're asking me hey do You want your star player to you know Struggle a little bit early in a game But come through it in and the clutch Period of the game I'm going to take That at least at least for a little While while he's finding his Groove you Know I think he is look triple double 30 Points 10 rebounds 13 assists it's hard To you know it's hard to look at that And say well you know he still got some Stuff to work on I mean yeah you know
You'd like him to come out of the gates Firing on all cylinders and they did Lose the game no doubt about that but he Is finding a little bit of progress each And every game and I think that has to Be uh you know that has to be promising For fans yeah lamelo affected the game In a big way facilitating at least the First half he I think he finished with 11 in the first half and then only would Get two the rest of the way and so he Was on triple double watch immediately In fact Doug he ends up with 30 and and I did have the thought I didn't think it Would happen because it's so rare but I Did have the thought is he going to be Shy in the points category of a triple Double because that to me at least was On the table for just a iny wiy bit and Then he explodes and goes eight of nine But I thought it was the way he got his Points too in the fourth Doug like That's what I was so excited about I I Thought you you did see his flare you Did see him you know bragging about the Three-point shots great feeling himself About it and and to me if we're talking About him looking different and in the First five games compared to his film Last year in the games that he was Healthy I thought the fourth quarter was Kind of the same I thought the fourth Quarter looked different than what we Had seen in the first three or four
Games of this season where it looked Like he was laboring so much just to get To the rim you know it and again this is All about the not explosive driving by His guys but he's so crafty he's quick Enough he's got crazy handles he likes The the quick crossover to the left and Then behind the back to the right to Create some space was doing that and That was effective again so it it to me I do think lamelo looked like a Different basketball player which is Helping hopefully we can get something a Little more consistent where we don't Get it just one quarter but we get Something even close to that Neighborhood throughout the course of a Game like we had seen earlier in his Career yeah a couple of other things That I liked I mean I think he's Generally staying engaged on the Defensive end there are those Possessions where you go like what what What is he doing there why isn't he Closing out what where is he why is he Taking those gambles that just resulted In a TR in an easy transition bucket for The other team you're going to have Those moments for the rest of his career You have to come to terms with those Moments but I think generally he stayed Engaged and then again game on the line 1 V one ISO opportunity against Halbert And he shuts him down so that's nice
What's also nice I think particularly in The Dallas game is that in the first Three quarters again three of 14 0 of Four from three so a lot of takes near The rim and he got a lot of contact and I didn't see in that game against Dallas As much of lamelo begging the refs for a Call so much so that he takes himself Out of the defensive play he doesn't get Back in transition and the teams that They've been playing Walker over this uh First six game slate have mostly all Been teams that love to push it in Transition I mean it is crazy how fast These games have been played and the Hornets uh generally like to run as well And so it requires everyone to quickly Get back on defense and I thought Against Dallas stopped doing that and I Think he's got to continue that keep Going to the rim uh keep welcoming Contact if you don't get the call pick Your spots because if the game's still Going on youve got to get back on Defense and you've got to hit some stuff At The Rim I think when you start Hitting at The Rim because not all of These misses have been because he's Gotten contact and not gotten a call Have been Focus issues have been you Know just shooting it long or shooting It short you know he's got to start Hitting those and when he does I think The refs will wake up and start
Respecting what he's doing at The Rim Uh but I love that at least against Dallas he was focused on winning the Game well and I do think that that's What I liked about it right that's Exactly what I'm talking about is and Him getting to the rim and actually you Know welcoming contact and not shying Away from it not because he's soft but Just because he thinks that's the right Play to move the basketball around and Then all of a sudden you're moving it Around and the arm that's swatting at The basketball doesn't hit you and You've just created a harder shot for Yourself but he goes in and welcomes the Contact to that point and you see him Finish a little bit more at the basket Which is great and then the three-point Shot you know once that one went in then You know just the dam was no longer There it it started rushing in and we we Even saw this what was it a couple of Games back I don't think it was against Brooklyn I it wasn't against Indiana but It was the game before that I believe Where lamelo like had two threes in a Row and you could see it got him going a Little bit very much a once I see one go In watch out because it it could just be A crazy quarter for you that's what Happened fourth totally and and of those 13 assists I counted three or four that Were those sort of magic physics
Breaking laser passes that we've grown Accustomed to seeing lamelo make on a Regular basis but that I did not see him Making uh accurately or even trying to Make in the first five contest and That's why I think this particular game Against Dallas was different and it's I Think it started with that stop against Halberton against Indiana it carried Over into this game against Dallas and It's nice that he's fighting through all Of these scoring struggles we can't take That for granted he could he could Shrink in that moment in the fourth Quarter and say look I'm three or 14 but I've got a lot of assists I'm just going To keep facilitating to others instead You know he goes into the phone booth he Puts on the Superman costume and tries To go out there and win a game despite And this is the one worry that I have Despite the fact that he goes in for a Layup uh Falls hard on that right ankle Grabs the right ankle wines does pop Right back up but goes to the bench they Were looking at it he looked like he was In pain they they tied his shoes tighter Which I don't know is that some kind of Tourniquet system like ti ti I'm so Tight I can't feel my toes anymore uh But that's concerning that there's that They're looking at the right ankle That's the one he fractured that's the One that he that he you know had the
Surgery on and that you know made made It so that he didn't do contact until Right before Camp oh man he got his Groove back and now I'm starting to Worry again yeah no it it's a Ronnie lot Situation Ronnie lot cut off his fingers So he could play football and wouldn't Have to miss more time it's it just tie The shoes so tight that I can't feel Pain and I'll go out there and bring you A great fourth quarter gutsy man gutsy But concerning yeah it is concerning all Right so in a way I thought this game Against Dallas was the exact opposite Than what we saw against Indie and we Can explain that a little more coming up Next on the lockdown Hornets podcast Tease me don't go to sleep on the Hornets just yet it's an Indiana Indiana Recap coming up next Tyrese halberton Goes crazy but lamelo has the winning Play we'll get to all of it in just a Moment this episode is brought to you by Game time game time is the only Ticketing app that gives you complete Peace of mind with your purchase and you Can see the view from your seat too Before you buy so you know exactly what To expect when you arrive they're Obsessed with finding ways to help you Save money on tickets you can find Exclusive Flash Deals and sponsored Deals on tickets for football basketball Baseball concerts comedy theater even
More than that with Zone deals you pick The section and Game Time pick the seats And Game Time excuse me picks the seats For an average of 18% savings too in the Game time guarantee means you'll always Get the best price if you find tickets In the same section and row for Less Game time will credit you 110% of the Difference take the guess work out of Buying tickets with Game Time download The game time app create an account and Use code locked on NBA for $20 off your First purchase terms apply again create An account and redeem code l c d o n NBA Locked on NBA for $20 off download game Time today last minute tickets lowest Price guaranteed more lockdown Hornets Coming up next so Doug I thought this Dallas game was the exact opposite of The Indiana game because I think what You saw Was lamelo scoring again in the fourth Quarter you saw him you know scoring at At a couple of different levels and it Felt like lamelo was the story that was Good even if they got the loss I think What what's interesting too is you go Back to lamelo not scoring at all Against Indiana but they get the win now What might be the main takeaway in fact I do think it's the main takeaway it's The defensive possession that Everybody's going to be paying attention To I had a few buddies that were
Discussing okay yeah I I know he shot Four of what whatever it was um against Indiana I'm trying to pull up the box Score right now now but at least he had That defensive possession you was 4 15 And it's not good and lamelo has Struggled so much shooting the Basketball I mean it's been every game It's been awful percentages it's not Been a good efficiency but at least they Won the game despite him not shooting Well because he locked up at the other End I think in this game okay he shot Well it feels like lamelo is the story Except it comes in a loss and so no Matter what how you slice it it's it's It's all about lamelo what we saw the Last couple of games well and the Problem with him not shooting it well is That this team does not feature a lot of Three-point shooting it's it's not it's Not as if that those shots can start to Go to other players and they'll be okay Especially um if Terry Rosier has to Miss a few more games with the left Groin strain that he suffered at the end Of this game against Indiana I the Hornets right now I believe are dead Last in three-point attempt rate and They are not hitting them either and I And I think after those first first four Games where they weren't hitting well There seem to be there seems to be an Adjustment where they've said all right
Forget trying to shoot a ton of Threes We're going to attack the rim over and Over and over and just wear these teams Down at the rim and and it's worked to Be fair I mean against Indiana it was a Battle of the Hornets going to the rim Versus Indiana trying to kick out drive And kick out for threes and typically When you trade Twos for threes it's not Going to go great but the Hornets thanks To Gordon Hayward and PJ Washington and I think Rosier and Miller for sure Brandon Miller hitting these mid-range Pull-ups they've been able to accumulate Just enough threes to deal with the fact That they're playing at a disadvantage Against teams that are going to shoot a Ton of three-pointers it worked out Against Indiana because of a crazy Sequence there at the end I mean that Was an insane ending and it didn't work Against Dallas who had enough Firepower And LCA donic and Grant Williams the Charlan and Kyrie Irving to to combat How well Gordon Hayward and PJ Washington have been playing inside of The Ark all right so do you want to go With a a fullon Indiana recap maybe go Outside of lamelo a little more I know You opened up the doors with PJ with Brandon where do you want to start dog Well I think it's an I think Indiana is An important game because it did get Them off the three-game losing streak um
It you know this this would have been Apocalyptic I think I mean we would have Been talking about you know where is This team going in terms of head coach In terms of lineup changes if they had Just completely blanked here before Washington and Steve Clifford for his Part said look I'm not going to panic I'm not going to make a bunch of changes And they went into this game and played I think well in the first half Especially defensively and then Tyrese Halberton just completely exploded in That third quarter 25 points in a 50-point quarter Walker when you give up 50 points in a quarter you simply just Don't win basketball games that's what's That might be the I think samly pulled this from stad that It's only happened on the road 11 times In in NBA history or no it's I think It's only happened 11 times and only two Times on the road like that's Nuts oh well I actually was listening to Uh Sam Farber on the broadcast live at First last night against Dallas and what He was saying against Indiana was yeah I It's the wildest quarter that I've ever Called in my life from an individual With Tyrese halberton going off and even From a team scoring 50 I mean Doug I Remember man it it's not like that Anymore but I remember for a while like 77 and a half was the most that I had
Seen through two quarters of play and Just like it would barely break 80 Eventually it would but 50 yeah it's It's absolutely crazy and the Hornets Are still able to win because it it it's Fresh off the heels of a 19point Performance in the second a third Point Difference from the Pacers from their Second quarter scoring output to what They did in the third and you're right About Tyrese halberton uh or the the Play against him the the quarter all of It it's it's crazy one thing I'll say Too you mark oh yeah I was waiting I was Waiting you know I mentioned Gordon I Mentioned PJ I mentioned Brandon Miller I've yet to mention the guy who was the Leading scorer in this game 27 points And I was waiting for you to just come In and drop the hammer on me like how Could you not mention Mark Williams at This point oh no no Hammer no all those Guys deserve uh some love but but Mark I Think at the end of the game the fact That he does not miss a free throw in That contest I think about how big that Is man from your Center taking that many Going nine of nine from the foul line Including hitting two real clutch free Throws with inside two minutes and 30 Seconds and there was only other one Bucket scored by the Hornets inside 230 And that was a lamelo alleyoop to Mark Williams so
Mark going for 27 his high he needed a Good game too and he's leading the League in field goal percentage they're Not all dunks but actually even we saw Against Dallas just some nice hands from From Mark again yesterday against Dallas You know making some there there was the Bad pass honestly from PJ in the paint And it bounces around be bop be bop Pinball boom got it and then scores on The other side what we're seeing Mark Offensively really help this team we Want defensively to for him to just be Nothing is going to go up here around The rim and that's great um he has that We that's why we love Mark but Offensively Doug we we've had a couple Of eight for eight performances from the Field I mean even if they're easy shots We haven't had that before still and I Still think there's a lot of value in That going back to that alleyoop that he Had at the end of that game which was an Important possession melo's pass was off And Mark Williams on the role it was off Both I think in accuracy and timing and And Williams by the time he he finished His role he was almost behind the rim When he reached back to tap that Alleyoop in I mean it's the length that The guy has just makes him able to make Plays that other centers are simply not Going to be able to make and he did it Against Dallas too as you said the one
The one against Dallas should have been A foul call well there were two the First one should have been a foul call And they they they called it side out on Kyrie because he pushed him while he was Trying to tap it in even these the Second tap yeah the official said he Tapped it twice which does show you're Right it it's it encapsulates everything You're saying right now it's the exact Play I thought of too and they said nope It was the second tap and there the foul Happened on the first and so it wasn't Shooting don't give me stop I'm gonna Listen I'm Gonna Save My ref thoughts For this third segment against Dallas so Stay tuned because I was I was smelling Brisket on these refs okay some home Cooking against Dallas don't get me Started on these folks uh but I think Huge win against Indiana there are Obvious problems this is not this is not A good basketball team and there are a Multitude of reasons why that is the Case um but you know what they are a Tougher basketball team than they were Pre Indiana I and honestly I'm going to Give a lot of credit to Brandon Miller Who got into another little Kur fuffle In this one um that nce and N Smith uh Who he gave n Smith like a big shoulder To the chest because nce Smith was Moving his screen and Brandon Miller was Trying to get around and close out on
The corner and nce Smith was moving Around you can't do that you're not an Offensive lineman a n Smith you're not An offensive lineman this is basketball It's is not football so he gets a big Shoulder to the chest and then cries About it and tries to go fight Brandon Miller and I love Brandon Miller's face If you're not watching on YouTube he was Basically like what what are you what Are you what what are you doing like I Mean come on so I love Brandon Miller's Attitude right now and I think it's Leaking into everyone and this team is Much tougher and they showed it against Dallas too they lost the game yes but This is a much tougher team than they Were to start the season they might not Be better because they don't have enough Shooting but they'll be in some of these Games that that they have no business Being in I want to talk about the more Shooting thing and Brandon Miller Moore I want to I want to continue that Conversation on both fronts let's do it Coming up next on the lockdown Hornets Podcast don't go to sleep on the Hornets Just yet we'll give you the Dallas recap Not only discuss lamelo but start to Look at some of the other players and What they did in this game not before FanDuel though this episode is brought To you by FanDuel you can score early And often this NFL season with FanDuel
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And I think okay they're still threats They're still guys that have the ability To knock them down and yet they haven't This season lamelo is still in the game Our problems with lamelo have been his Health facilitation for sure because You're talking about the magic right That's the word we've been using it Hasn't been there except for maybe the Last two games certainly against Dallas So why are you so down on the shooting Is it because you think the roles have Changed and last year is going to be Somewhat transitioning to this season Because now we even have Brandon Miller Off of the bench and so why are you Right because I I didn't see it coming To be honest with you and and we'll see If it fixes itself but in the short Sample you're right so far I think there Are are a couple of issues I mean Obviously in the micro when you just Look at this section of the Season that They're in right now guys that typically Should be shooting a little bit better From three are not and then you've got This weird Bizarro situation where Lamelo turns it on in the fourth and Gordon Hayward and PJ Washington turn Into pumpkins in the fourth and they've Been they were depend night I know I Mean two of seven for Gordon against Dallas in the fourth quarter uh PJ who I Think took a knee to the quad and was
Trying to kind of gut through it and and He missed three shots in the fourth Quarter too and then finally gave up The Ghost and couldn't play anymore uh on That final uh final couple of Possessions there but yeah so I I think There there's that issue but then if you Look beyond the starters I mean that That's really where the core of my take Was is that if you look beyond the Starters there's not enough shooting Coming off the bench yes Brandon Miller But look at look at what happened when Terry Rosier went out who did they go to They went to they went to Bryce and they And they brought ish off and not neither Of those are answers for a lot of Questions but one of those questions is How are they going to generate more Three-point shooting which by the way is His first appearance what I mean three Fouls bang like immediately picking up Three fouls as soon as he entered and And also you look at the center position I think that's where the final piece of My take is is they can't play five out Because Mark's not shooting threes I Don't think he's gonna hit his over Under of 10 I don't think he's shoot I Know I know uh Nick Nick is still hiding It I don't know why I don't know why he Keeps hiding this shot under a bush but He is he's playing a little bit better That's nice uh but he's hiding it but
Look at the I mean some of these teams That they've played that can play five Out you just like immediately see the Difference that it makes offensively for Teams for I mean the moonball God this Stupid moonball by Miles Turner just Like it changes the calculus of how you Defend the team and the Hornets can't do That so you put all of those together in A basket and you look at the stats and You go yeah I mean this team unless they Go out on the trade market and find more Shooting are going to have to be Incredible at The Rim incredible for Mid-range to make up for the fact that Despite having a few good Shooters on This team they don't have enough cuz That's the NBA we're in it's it used to Be I mean even as the three-point Revolution was happening early on in the Three-point Revolution if you had three Or four good Shooters you were fine you Could make it but now it's turned into Of your nine or 10 man rotation you need Five or six of those guys to be able to Shoot and it's better to have six or Seven or eight of those guys who could Shoot that's what that's what the good Teams are dealing with right now and the Hornets maybe have three or four um so You mentioned Mark Williams I looked up His stats I was looking up his shot Chart I wanted to see how many Mid-ranges he's taken so far I do you
Remember a mid-range shot from Mark Williams this Season I feel like I have one in my head I feel like I have one in my head but This zero is the answer zero I think It's zero I'm trying to look it up now What I will tell you is if you go to Cleaning the stats or cleaning the glass Looking at the stats yes his points per Shot attempt he's in the 100th Percentile because it's he's just Shooting everything at the rim and so That Net game that Net game is going to Be an outlier for a little while because I mean he was Uh they were giving him free looks at The Rim because that was the strategy Well and and then he he took it a little Bit against Alice in Indiana but you're Right so I we can just remember that Game against Phoenix where Mark Williams Did hit a couple of jump shots I wonder If that's going to be a part of Anything somewhat consistently as we go On Doug he's not even not only is he not Taking threes is my point I mean there's Not even the the 15 foot pick and pop Like there's no pick and pop with lamelo Running off a markk screen Mark not Diving and instead just hanging out I Guess it's just because you think Mark Williams is going to be able to finish Anything and look he has like it would Be I I I'll admit it would be kind of
Funny for me to suggest hey I know he's Making everything I know he's quite Literally the most efficient center Right now when it comes to pick and roll And when it comes to pick and roll but When it comes to just Flatout shooting Percentage maybe we move it back but do You think there's anything there with a Lamelo markk Williams pick and pop it All for him to start just leaking a Little bit away from the rim instead of Standing in front of it the whole time And being the lob threat that he's done Such a great job being not right now Right now they have to have him at The Rim I mean I mean he's not rebounding Particularly well when he's standing Under the rim I mean I can't imag and The team in general also it's not just Mark Williams the team is still Struggling to rebound so I can't imagine What that would look like if you're Talking about strategically pull pulling Him away from the rim to to start Looking for looks outside of the paint So I think at this moment in time that's Not in the cards but absolutely it's Something you want to look at towards The future I I a couple of other things From this Dallas game I sort of Telegraphed it in the second segment I Want to know your take on this because I Think I've made mine clear I think the Referees in the third quarter were
Pretty determined to make a close game Out of this Hornets Mavericks game I'm Not one that typically comes on here and Complains about refereeing because I see A lot of it almost every game that the Charlotte Hornets play and I think it's For the most part I think talking about The referees is excuse making uh but Some of the non- calls on Teo madone as He was getting I mean he looked like a Character from Mike Tyson's punch out After you get done winning a match like I mean he had a gauze in his nose he had A bruise on his eye I mean the guy was Getting pummeled no calls there and then They were making all these Ticky Tac Calls um and you know the the call that I already mentioned that Mark Williams Should have been shooting free throws it Was just ridiculous I didn't love the The whistle in that third quarter Smelled like brisket smelled like home Cooking in Texas no I I didn't like it Either it's also been a theme this year More than not I mean if if you look at The officiating against the Hornets look My timeline Hornets Twitter usually Complains about officiating and I get it But it feels like that's been a little More prevalent this year at the start of The Season than it has in years's past They're just not getting them I I was Happy that Luka donic got a tech was Like okay great I'm it I I know I think
Eric Collins made the joke about Ashley Saying Luca is really attempting to not Get the technicals anymore and then Eric Said Ashley you told me that wasn't Gonna happen anymore I'm just glad they Gave him a tech but you're right it Wasn't very good even if we can say That's not why the Hornets lost that's Not specifically why the Hornets lost we Can also acknowledge it didn't help it's Not why they lost and and I'll tell you Why they lost the Dallas game in Particular I think when you're going up against a Dallas team that has as much offensive Talent as they do you have to nail all Of the details and for at least two and A half quarters the Hornets did just That their defensive game plan against Luca in in the first two quarters was Stellar guys were flying all around of The of the place the the rotation on the Backside was amazing they were double Teaming Luca forcing the ball out of his Hands I texted Nick angstead host of the Locked on Mavericks podcast and said all Of the guys that I want to shoot for Dallas are shooting right now because Those guys were not Kyrie Irving for the Most part and they weren't Luca donic it Was everybody else because the Hornet's Defensive game plan was solid but then When when push came to shove you had Some detail issues that started to leak
Out in the third quarter they had three Goals by the third quarter that's six Points like what is this the 1980s teams Don't have three goals anymore uh so you Had issues like that but then and and Even flashing back to to the Indiana Game cuz Walker you and I talked about That amazing stop that lamelo had on Tyrese halberton but it didn't even have To come down to that we they had to Defend halberton on that final Possession because they got the ball With less than eight seconds to go the Hornets did got it to PJ in open space And all he had to do was hold on to the Ball and knock down free throw shots and And it could have made it a three Possession game and a much tougher Opportunity and they would have had to Throw it out of bounds Instead you give halberton an ISO Opportunity that I think nine times out Of 10 he takes advantage of especially Because he had 43 points by that by that Time and then in this Dallas game walker Uh you you have an opportunity they gift You Dallas gifts you an opportunity to Get a Sidelines out of bounds play to Tie the game up because the Hornets Defense again coming through they double Donic it rotated around to Grant Williams but it was too late they forced A shot clock violation and gave Themselves a possession and then what
Happens 5-second violation Brandon Miller can't get the ball out of his Hands it's partly on Brandon Miller it's Partly on Steve Clifford these issues Have been going on since the Bobcats Days with Steve Clifford Sidelines out Of bounds plays either not getting you a Good look or not getting you a look at All it was details that's why they lost The game yeah that was awful the Sidelines out of bounds play that's Going to be a big talking point honestly Maybe when we should have addressed Sooner but we're we're happy with lamelo And so that was the storyline but man That was a frustrating play and and just One thing before I move on I will say I'm I'm usually not if if we're to you Know boil this down into simple Philosophies I'm usually not a fan of Allowing a or playing like you did Against a star player and allowing Everybody else to get easier shots Because I just think the star player is Going to get theirs no matter what and Luca you you played well against Luca I Don't deny that at all 2 three points I'll take that from Luca I there are People that think he's the best Offensive player in the league that Might be true you don't allow him to Even I I don't even think um they sent Him to the foul line he shot seven times That was three off of his average last
Year PJ Washington I thought did a good Job when he stayed in front even on the Baskets he gave up he's just hands up We're not going to give you easy ones You're gonna have to work for it the Shots he did hit were faders two in a Row so I I get all that my problem is Grant Williams gets a little bit more Space that way and then he knocks him Down Hardy gets a little bit more space Because of that and he knocks him down These are still NBA players that are Absolutely crazy at what they do they're Not Luca crazy they're not Kyrie Irving Crazy but they're still really good and So when you give the guys that just need To see something go in and you allow Them to get a rhythm that's a philosophy I'm not usually one to back I I I like Making sure nobody else beats you and Letting Luca go off for 35 and honestly I you know Dallas hasn't been a winning Franchise unless they get to the Postseason Luca you know where we know About yeah at least with Luca right it's Not they got to the Conference Finals we Know how it is that's just kind of my Philosophy and last night they played a A nice defensive game plan against Luca And Kyrie but everybody else man like Hardy just kept draining them Grant Williams just kept draining him to the Effect at what you were talking about But it wasn't until late that that
Happened I mean they they were able to Good fourth quarter for them yeah yeah It was an incredible fourth quarter and I think it does it comes down to two Things it comes down to details and it Comes down to gas and if the Hornets had Had better shooting through the first Three quarters and taken you know if you Take a 15 or 20o lead which wasn't out Of the question had they knocked down a Few more shots if you had taken that Into the fourth quarter then you could Have sustained that blow from Dallas but I think it was both details because you Look at lamelo and Nick Richards at the Beginning of that fourth quarter they Turn it over a couple of times and it Results in a Hardway corner three Hornet Had to call timeout and then Jaden Hardy Attacked the rim uh really well for them At the early part of that fourth quarter That's when Luca picked up the tech uh But Gordon misses a couple of wideopen Shots and again they had to depend so Much on Gordon Hayward on a second night Of a back toback when they had to throw Him the ball a ton Gordon Hayward was You know in front of his home crowd in Front of his family and uh you know he Played well um but I just think by the End of that fourth quarter The Hornet Just ran out of gas and then you leave It to Dallas who's a great offensive Team to finish the job but had you
Gotten had you just not had you just Gotten an opportunity with that Sidelines out of bounds play uh that one Hurt man that would really hurt that 5-second violation just really gave me Bobcat's trauma flashbacks but I would Say the generally Walker the attitude That I've seen around the subtext and Around every Hornets box score and the Fans that I interact with is that Hope Springs Eternal in the hearts of hornets Fans because they saw lamelo ball get a 30p point triple double and they're Dreaming big lamelo is the story no Doubt that is absolutely the story That's Doug Branson the substack the sub Tex he was talking about you can find All that information on every Hornets Boox score.com make sure you go check it Out then listen to me on sports radio Every weekday from 12: to 3:00 p.m. 927 FM tomorrow we'll continue to break down What we saw maybe a little more Brandon Miller conversation tomorrow how he's Getting his points only three of 12 in This game against Dallas by far wor Shooting performance but defensively I Think there was some things to like so We'll dive into a little more of the Brandon Miller combo so have a great Rest of your day and we'll be back with You Tomorrow
Living in Charlotte North Carolina
Events, Life, Sports, Weather, News
A city’s look and feel can have a big impact on its appeal. NYC is known for its grit, LA is famous for innovators, and Charlotte has that small town charm that makes it feel like home.
The city is home to teams in baseball, basketball, football and hockey as well as NASCAR. It has a strong job market especially in the banking industry and a beautiful cityscape that rivals those of bigger metros.
Its central business district is booming with popular restaurants, bars and shopping centers. There’s plenty of cultural and educational institutions including the Mint Museum, Discovery Place and 7th Street Public Market. It’s also a hub for art and music with regular live performances and a thriving music scene.
For those who want to enjoy the outdoors there are plenty of parks and trails with water features, paved bike paths and dog-friendly areas. It’s a great place for foodies with a wide variety of culinary options from local and international chefs.
The city is home to many universities including Johnson & Wales University, Central Piedmont Community College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. There’s also a variety of private schools that serve lower-income students. And, there’s a large selection of preschools. One drawback is that the state’s income taxes are among the highest in the country. This may cause some families to reconsider moving to the area. You should also be prepared for a hot and humid summer, but the good news is the city is equipped with plenty of cool-weather activities.