The Hornets drop preseason opener but show potential

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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball looks to get past New York defender Mikal Bridges in the first quarter of their preseason game on Oct. 6. The Knicks won 111-109.

The Hornets opened the preseason with a 111-109 loss to the New York Knicks, but without blowing things out of proportion, here are three takeaways:

1. The Charles Lee defense is no joke

The new coach talked since he was hired about playing a physical defense that leads to offense. While the Hornets did commit 19 turnovers, they forced 10 and added six blocked shots.
“As you saw today, [the team] is so bought in,” he said. “I thought there were a ton of multiple efforts. I thought there were some plays that just had the discipline in transition to show your hands and allow other guys to come over and block some shots.”

The forwards and centers did a great job of rotating and altering shots. Lee was pleased with the frontcourt effort.

“I thought our bigs did a great job,” he said. “Nick [Richards], Taj [Gibson], and even Moussa [Diabate] coming over and blocking some shots and altering some things. The guys that were in shift activity whenever [Knicks guard Jalen] Brunson was trying to get to some pull up two- [pointers], and I thought we also had some good corner activity and contests as well. [It was] a really good all-around defensive game from our team.”

2. The rookies showed potential

The draft class of Tidjane Salaün and K.J. Simpson showed why Hornets management decided to pick them. Salaün played 22 minutes and Simpson just over 10. Salaün finished with 11 points and shot 50% overall and 3-for-5 from three-point range. Simpson’s impact was felt on the defensive side, creating havoc for his matchup.

“To see those two rookies get a chance to play tonight in a close game and a game that we were up and we had to battle back” Lee said. “You find yourself down and I thought that they just showed you their competitive character and who they are. I challenged them in one timeout that we have to continue to play the way that we play, play the way that we built the lead.”

Trailing late in the fourth quarter, Simpson created a turnover which led to a Salaün three-pointer to narrow the deficit.

“Defense leading to offense – I love it,” Lee said. “Nothing makes me happier.”

Lee said he thought the defense got a bit soft in the fourth, which allowed the Knicks to run out to a double-digit lead. After challenging the rookies, he thought they answered the call.

“Defensively, we were just a little too soft on the ball, our reads weren’t tight and they got a couple offensive rebounds,” Lee said. “I just reminded them of who we are, and they picked it up really quickly. K.J. and Tidjane are going to have a bright future and I think everyone got to see why tonight.”

3. A healthy LaMelo is a top five point guard

It goes without saying Ball has struggled with injuries throughout his career. He reminded Buzz City of how electric he can be with 18 points in 19 minutes of play. He dished out seven assists and grabbed four rebounds as well. Ball started the game with a block to Lee’s delight.

“He also took on the challenge of guarding Jalen Brunson,” Lee said. “We talked about this isn't just a preseason game. This is a hell of an opportunity to get better and to play someone else, and this is a playoff-caliber team. [Ball] took the responsibility. He wanted that matchup at the beginning of the game. I thought that you just saw him refusing to be screened. If it was an off-ball screen, or denying grunts on the ball, but then also being able to guard different people and being able to switch a little bit more. We've talked a lot about him embracing individual pride, and it was on display tonight.”

Ball is OK doing what the coaches have been asking him to.

“[I’m just] listening to the coaches,” Ball said. “They want me to be a two-way [player], so I am definitely just trying to do that. [We] are trying to be a better team this year and the years [after] so definitely just locking in on defense.”

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