With the NBA season quick approaching and coaching camp looming, Miles Bridges has a message for Charlotte Hornets followers.
“Will probably be a special strategy each recreation,” Bridges mentioned in an interview with The Observer. “You are going to see a special kind of depth from this staff, numerous guys shopping for into issues. So they need to be very excited for this season.
All of it begins in earnest Tuesday when Bridges, LaMelo Ball and the remainder of the Hornets meet on the Michael W. Krzyzewski Heart at Duke College in Durham for his or her first official observe beneath coach Charles Lee.
Listed here are 5 issues to look at for within the coming weeks main as much as the common season opener at Houston on Oct. 23:
Will Mark Williams bounce again and keep off the injured checklist?
To date the reply is not any.
Issues are already off to a nasty begin for the large man getting into his third season. Just some days earlier than the beginning of camp, the Hornets introduced Williams sprained a tendon in his left foot throughout an offseason exercise Thursday, and he shall be out till he’s reevaluated in not less than two weeks.
This newest harm solely provides to the query marks after Williams missed most of 2023-24 with what was initially described as a decrease again contusion, needing extra time to get well than initially deliberate. This left a veil of thriller round his well being.
In his most up-to-date public feedback, who got here to The Observer throughout the Summer season League in Las Vegashe insisted he was wholesome and prepared for a bounce-back season.
“I can respect the priority,” Williams mentioned on the time. “I can perceive the place they’re coming from. Final yr was not the yr we needed to have. Me being in the proper place, Melo being in the proper place, all of it appears good. We’re excited and simply prepared for the primary recreation.
Now who is aware of, he shall be obtainable for the season opener towards the Rockets.
Can LaMelo Ball keep wholesome and return to All-Star kind?
Good well being and LaMelo Ball’s title haven’t been synonymous in his NBA profession.
In Ball’s 4 seasons, he performed in additional than 36 video games simply as soon as, which, not coincidentally, got here throughout his solely All-Star marketing campaign. He performed in a career-low 22 video games final season after experiencing lingering soreness in his surgically repaired proper ankle, forcing him to take a seat out the ultimate three months.
He is solely appeared in 58 of a possible 164 video games over the previous two seasons, and the Hornets are a totally completely different staff when he isn’t on the courtroom. In his restricted motion a season in the pasthe posted profession highs in factors, subject objectives per recreation, 2-point share, free throws, free throw makes an attempt and steals.
He understands the significance of staying off the injured checklist.
“Yeah, he is been in Charlotte all summer season, engaged on his recreation, bettering and displaying that he is dedicated to being the franchise participant for this franchise,” Bridges informed The Observer. “He did an incredible job enjoying in all of the open gyms. He’s bettering on protection. I really feel like he will have a superb yr.
How will issues be completely different beneath Charles Lee?
The 39-year-old lastly will get the chance to take a seat on the top of the bench after studying from quite a few coaches, and brings a championship pedigree to a franchise that desperately wants to alter its notion as a perennial loser.
Lee has the references, on condition that it’s reached the NBA’s promised land twice within the final 4 years with two completely different groups – Boston and Milwaukee.
He started laying the groundwork for this season at the same time as he was wrapping up his tenure with the Celtics, utilizing group texts and video chats to remain in contact along with his new staff. This continued via the preliminary part of NBA Summer season League motion, with Lee teaching the group throughout the California Basic earlier than giving method to Josh Longstaff.
Such strikes – alongside along with his enthusiasm and enthusiasm – helped him rapidly win over the Hornets.
“Coach Lee is youthful, so he’s extra energeticneeds to compete on each ends, gained’t actually allow you to take video games away, which I respect,” Nick Smith Jr. mentioned throughout Summer season League. “He needs to make numerous photographs, offensively, however the principle factor is to be aggressive.”
Who will develop into the staff chief?
This would be the first coaching camp in 5 years with out the presence of Terry Rozier.
All through his tenure in Charlotte, Rozier has been among the many loudest. When issues received powerful, he would communicate his thoughts and the gamers would observe his lead.
Final yr’s participant preseason exercises had been organized by Rozier and, partly, by Gordon Hayward. Neither is there anymore – with Rozier traded to Miami in January and Hayward retires after temporary stint in Oklahoma Metropolis after being handled in February – and it is crucial that somebody helps fill that void. Taj Gibson must be an enormous asset for Lee, however the Hornets can even want somebody within the common rotation to make his voice heard.
Possibly that particular person is Bridges. He informed The Observer he was up for the problem.
“I need to are available in,” he mentioned, “and present that I’m actually a pacesetter on and off the sector.”
What to think about rookie Tidjane Salaun?
Some organizations have the posh of progressing their recruits slowly, particularly lottery picks. Usually, the Hornets usually are not one in every of them.
However that would change this season with Tidjane Salaün. At the least at first.
As a result of he is nonetheless uncooked and desires time to develop — and adapt to the best way basketball is performed on this aspect of the pond — the Hornets might choose to bolster Salaün by giving him spot minutes and by making him a situational participant from the beginning of the season.
Defensively, he’s able to guarding a number of positions and that might be a technique he’s used till his offensive repertoire catches up along with his sense on the opposite aspect of the ball. However it is going to be fascinating to see if the Frenchman can contribute on a staff that has its share of query marks with its second unit.
One factor is definite: he has a discreet swagger.
“I could also be removed from the 3-point line, however I’m certain I’ll get there.” he mentioned throughout summer season league. “And that’s crucial factor for me: to be assured. And match after match, I’ll (have) extra confidence. You will notice.
