RECAP: Hornets vs. Suns | Mark Williams’ awesome 1st half | Nick Richards to Suns Trade Rumors
The Charlotte Hornets came up short against the Phoenix Suns, losing 120-113 despite a promising start. Mark Williams was unstoppable in the first half, putting up 22 points and 13 rebounds. However, conditioning concerns and Phoenix’s adjustments stalled his impact in the second half. Doug Branson and Walker Mehl debate whether this game highlights Williams’ potential or exposes areas needing growth.
LaMelo Ball’s three-point shooting continues to be a focal point. With 17 attempts from beyond the arc, his efficiency is under scrutiny as Doug shares a fascinating historical comparison to Michael Jordan’s early Bulls teams. Is LaMelo’s high volume a necessity or a red flag for Charlotte’s roster construction?
Nick Richards has entered the trade rumor mill, with the Phoenix Suns reportedly eyeing him. The duo breaks down possible trade packages, the impact of Yusuf Nurkic’s contract, and whether the Hornets should prioritize keeping Richards or cash in on his value. Plus, how could Grayson Allen or other Phoenix players fit in Charlotte?
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#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall #CharlotteHornets
25 Comments
Melo chucking deep threes in the 2nd half when Mark was doing his thing was deflating to say the least. Why we werent pushing the ball into the paint every possession is beyond me
That man Mark couldve came out with a 40 piece
Do we buy in to the Cooper Flagg Sweepstakes?
Can Melo stop shooting 3 point shots. His percentages are terrible and i don't understand why the coach would allow crap shots when they haven't been falling all year from anyone
Lamelo determined to get up shots. Wants that all star spot.
Nurk is a bad contract. Don't like the trade.
Grayson is a way better 3 PT shooter than anyone on the Hornets.
People on Bleacher report tells me that i am hating when i say that melo needs to stop shooting so many 3's.
I wouldnt trade nick for 2nd rounds
Why is it that when Melo's out the team can shoot we just lose due to no closers. So in theory if you bring back your best player/closer we should be even better. Why do we criticize the other players and say they are bad. To many 3's, bad coaching. Curry, Wong, Simpson, or Diabate would play well then the coach would sit them the next game. Then I hear things like not enough talent. Sun's didn't chuck up 3's they played alot in the midrange and free throw. They attacked the basket and shot open shots when moving the ball around. Hornets play alot of 1on1 and set picks to only shot 3's. Melo was 4 for 8 in the midrange and paint.
Why get rid of good players to contenders, that just tells us we will never get good. 4 of our players- PJ, Monk, Caleb Martin, Terry has all played for a contending team and contribute. It's coaching that can't develop and let other team harvest our talent.
Why is Josh Green STILL starting? He contributes little to nothing on offense and is no better than anyone else on defense.
FUNNY that Coach Clifford didnt give LAMELO THE GREEN LIGHT like Coach Lee has or maybe he just adopting the BOSTON style and jacks 3s
FUNNY that Coach Clifford didnt give LAMELO THE GREEN LIGHT like Coach Lee has or maybe he just adopting the BOSTON style and jacks 3s
Mark has missed a lot of games and time over his first 3 seasons, he’s played 14 this season and is showing some good signs 👍🏻. We need to be patient with Mark and just hope that he can stay healthy. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the Nick trade 🏀
TBF to Mark, he missed over a year and there were conversations about his back injuries keeping him off longer. I like where he's at in getting his legs back under him.
It's not a lack of talent, it's a lack between the ears; low basketball IQ resulting in poor shot selection, sloppy ball handling and turnovers. Too much standing and looking at loose balls and 50/50 rebounds. If Lee prohibited shooting 3's, they would be in all their games. Offensive focus should be on driving to the basket, finishing and drawing fouls.
Love B Miller, for all you stans abt to claw my eyes out, but I hope that he actually works on his deficencies this offseason (physical build and ball handling) because its obvious that he did not take that seriously last offseason.
Mark Williams was absolutely clueless on the defensive end at the end. Cost us the game.
Hear me out…. Nic Richards and a 2nd round pick for Bradley Beal. Hes already coming off the bench put him beside Lamelo, with Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and Mark Williams. THAT 5 would DRASTICALLY increase shooting. And provide a calm veteran presence. Ntm it wouldnt force Melo to throw up 17 3s and not so many forced 3s.
How do we feel about Nurkic?? He was a “DNP CD” before he was out with the Hornets and Plumlee is starting over him. I’ve also heard some Suns fans say they’d be happier with any other center in the league😂 Having Mark makes me not too worried but hoping we get more than Nurkic if the trade goes through
Melo kills rhythm for his teammates. He and Bridges tend to pass to someone who's not in a scoring position, oftentimes Miller, only to get it back and chuck shots. Coach can't say they didnt share the ball since they tried. I think Miller needs to be more vocal at getting better looks. It's hard to get a rythym when the PG who's supposed to set Miller up either takes a horrible shot or looks him off to pass to Miles and Mark. Once Melo goes out Miller is stuck playing with Micic and Martin who dribble too much and scare no defense. Miller and Green both drove the ball well, just didn't get fouls called. Having a coach who is either unwilling or unable to make changes to the system based on personnel is not great. Also, who is the team's shooting coach? Everyone is worse than last year. Maybe bring back Bruce Kreutzer.
Lee focused on mentality and defensive end i think the play style will get better with time
Close one till the end part they led so much mark was a beast then yeah got tired lamelo needs to work on his 3 poi t shooting so much and Josh Green I'm over him starting and getting like 2-4 points hardly any assists or rebounds like what's he doing out there decorating the court at this point I'd replace him with Cody as starting sf
Josh Green is need to GO
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