LaMelo Ball’s 38-PT Triple-Double & NEW Leadership | Hornets Rookies SHINE | Miller Injury Update
The Hornets split the weekend, but the big story is LaMelo Ball’s 38-point triple-double and his new leadership role in the locker room. We also look at the incredible early returns from rookies Kon Knueppel and Sion James
The “Big Dub Hat” is officially out! We celebrate a huge Hornets win over the Wizards, a team that gave us fits all last season. It was a weekend split after a tough loss to Philly, but the real story is LaMelo Ball. After one bad possession against the 76ers had critics calling him a “losing player,” LaMelo responded in a massive way. We discuss his 38-point triple-double—a franchise record for points in a triple-double, passing Baron Davis —and what we’re hearing about his new leadership. He’s reportedly calling out teammates like Miles Bridges to “lock in,” and it looks like he’s finally got the talent around him to back it up.
A lot of that new talent comes from the rookies. We are stunned by the immediate, positive impact of Sion James , who is already drawing comparisons to guys like Alex Caruso and Lu Dort. We also look at Kon Knueppel’s scoring punch (11, 14, and 20 points in his first three games ) and why Doug thinks he must be a permanent starter, even when Brandon Miller returns. Plus, we have the latest update on Brandon Miller’s shoulder injury and explain why Collin Sexton is the perfect, high-energy force for this team coming off the bench
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23 Comments
Very proud of the team thus far – Our rookies and new additions are truely bringing an abrupt culture change.
I've been screaming it for years, but I can't wait to be sucessful as a team and throw it at everyone telling me to support someone else.
#HornetforLife
I said to win melo needs to put up 30 a night was great to see ❤
From English here been a hornet fan since 2015 when I played my first 2k game and they drafted me and been a hornet every since been time where I thought do I maybe changed but that’s sports and you can’t switch up on your team being a Manchester United fan taught me that. Basketball best sport in the world and I hope more than anything we can get to the post season we are the most entertaining team in the league I hope Mello stays healthy
I knew that hat was making an appearance! LETS GOOO
Sexton should not be coming off the bench period. You guys change your opinion on a game by game basis and it appears you don’t have a real stance on this, one minute its kon should start, then sexton because he’s reliable and kon can develop off the bench , now its sexton go to the bench which is it? Lol just because sexton is high energy , it shouldn’t lump him in a 6th man role when the man has been a starter his whole career and a primary option. I actually think this 6th man talk is a cop out to avoid completely maximizing because you want the rookie to start. My thing is this the team said they wanna win so they can’t get caught up in politics because Kon is the fourth pick. Anybody who watches a game see that you need two handlers and this narrative that kon is opening up the floor more for LaMelo is silly, especially when you see how the defenses collapse on both Sexton and Melo leaving so much space on the court. Yes Kons shooting will open things up but it is not the same as what Sexton provides in the starting lineup, because one defenses respect him, two he is an offensive threat just as much as LaMelo, and three because of that it’s going to take pressure off of everybody. This is only game three, but you will see is pick up as the season goes along. Not having sexton out there with LaMelo will hurt. Having just shooters in the starting lineup is not going to help when defenses key in on LaMelo. Sexton should start and I don’t know what else he needs to do to prove that.
3 out of 4 rookies are contributing immediately… Allows Tidjane to develop at a good pace without scrutiny! Love it!
Sion James is now my favorite Hornet!
Lamelo is a match up nightmare look at some of his clutch shots his hit so far the philly game he had a few seconds left it's not like he was gonna get to the paint and kick the ball out or lay it up
Couldn’t agree more with sexton awesome comment the guys a beast and def well needed I think tre is in the melo/miller part where he needs more weight and muscle he is so small and seems to get bullied every play and always getting my knocked around or on his butt 😂
Wizards fan here. I don’t watch many hornets games but was very impressed with your team, rookies, and coaching. The Hornets defensive gameplan had Kyshawn rattled, and I also liked the way you continuously blitzed Tre Johnson. From looking at your players body language it seems like a clear difference from the team I watched last year, will be exciting to see if you guys can stay healthy.
Sion is an absolute bulldog, his intensity and on ball defense is something I wish my wizards had more of😂 Also I saw a bunch of hate when you guys selected Kon 4th. It’s clear he’s a winning player, plays the game the right way, and is already showing why he’ll be a staple in your starting lineup for the next decade. I hate to say it but the future is bright for buzz city
25:00 Why is he still traveling with the team? Why is he not back in Charlotte having people figure out exactly what’s wrong and starting to rehab it? I’m sick of seeing dudes in street clothes on the road. Why is he there and not here? If Charles Lee intends to change the Hornets culture start with this.
Compared to last year, I'll take wins against the cellar teams any day.
LaMelo went to bench with 4 mins left, and they couldn't maintain the lead against the sixers. LaMelo should've never been in that position when he did more than enough 😢for them to maintain until he came in. It was 4 minutes in the 4th!
We should’ve beaten the Sixers, but these next two games will really show us where this team stands. My main concern so far is that we’ve allowed opposing bigs to play well against us. I love the effort from Moussa and Kalkbrenner—they’ve both contributed well—but I don’t like the Bam & Ware matchup. If we can contain them, I think we’ll blow out the Heat. The Magic haven’t played well this season, but we don’t match up well against Franz, Paolo, and Bane. Wendell Carter Jr will probably dominate the boards, so we’ll need to outscore them.
Been saying it all summer… Kon should br starting he opens up Melo and Miller more than anybody else … if you don’t go Kon, Sion would be my second pick :.. not Sexton
Also for Doug, I completely agree however do you think Melo doesn’t get the whistle at the rate of say a Maxey? Is it still a strength thing (which I think it is) or is that just a respect things ? Say we start the fist 20 games 15-5 or something like that, media all over Melo and now defense can’t just foul him without consequence
Ayyy Yo we Winning the East
This is sooooo refreshing. We’re watching this team grow up this year.
Sion James reminds me of Tony Allen. If he can find a consistent 3pt shot he's going to be dangerous!
The thing is Lamelo is playing so special on offense and his leadership is growing BUT bro can we take a second to talk about his defense! His weight gain is showing as he is cutting people off, fighting through screens. Imagine if he got superstar calls at the rim
I think we found a good role for tijaun and he is doing it well so far. Not asking to much from him but he can play with his high motor and just be active on the court
Be careful. Lamelo is exerting alot of energy. Conditioning staff needs to have these players ready. Injuries with rear it's ugly face if we don't stay ready.
Big W hat!!! 1:25