Three things Hornets’ brass is eyeing in preseason opener vs. Oklahoma City
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Hornets begin five-game preseason with opener vs. reigning champs Oklahoma City.
- Coaching staff will use game action to evaluate rotations, sets and defensive spacing.
- Rookies and veterans aim to refine execution and chemistry amid camp monotony relief.
Fresh off the final workout some 24 hours before putting on his true uniform attire for the first time, Liam McNeeley appears calm on the exterior.
Inside, though, the Charlotte Hornets rookie is about to burst from uncontrollable excitement thanks to the anticipation.
“It’s a dream come true,” McNeeley said Saturday afternoon. “Literally dreamed about this moment at night. So, I’ve got to thank God for this opportunity. I wouldn’t be here without Him and I give all the glory to Him.”
After four days of training camp practices in the Lowcountry, the Hornets get to switch gears on Sunday evening. They tip off their five-game preseason schedule with a date against defending champion Oklahoma City at North Charleston Coliseum.
Let the next phase of the evaluation process begin.
“Yeah, I’m looking forward, No. 1, to playing somebody else,” coach Charles Lee said. “These guys, as competitive as they are, they are crawling up into one another defensively, taking sets away because they know the play calls and all those things. And so it’ll be nice.
“Go play somebody else who just doesn’t know all of your sets and plays.”
It is a welcome changeup for the Hornets, particularly the veterans. There’s a certain monotony that engulfs the gym during the rigors of training camp, and that dissipates somewhat when a game day is in view.
Now, it’s all about refining things against an extremely respectable opponent.
“Main focus for us is just getting better at our stuff,” Miles Bridges said. “What better team to do it against than the NBA champs?”
Here are three areas to keep an eye on in the Hornets’ preseason opener.
Defensive focus
If there’s one thing Lee doesn’t tolerate, it’s a lack of effort defensively.
He can deal with good shots not falling and a turnover here and then resulting from unselfish play. Not digging in on defense is non-negotiable, however, and that mentality doesn’t change in preseason action.
Whether it’s in an exhibition, practice or a game that counts in the standings, Lee’s edict on that side of the ball doesn’t change and the Hornets know it. The rookies are learning that firsthand.
“There’s definitely been an emphasis on defense during training camp and preseason,” McNeeley said. “So, we’ve been going at it hard in drills and practice, and when we scrimmage, that’s been a big emphasis. So, everybody should see that (Sunday).”
Execution
For Lee, it’s not all that complicated. There’s a small checklist of things he wants marked off before the final buzzer sounds.
“I’m really just looking for us to compete, continue to to show our identity, continue to build our identity,” Lee said. “Nothing should stray from what we just worked on these last few days. I don’t want all of a sudden throwing a different opponent in front of us make us be somebody that we’re not.”
Those words have been virtually ingrained in the players’ heads.
“Basically, yeah, just transition into the game,” Bridges said. “That’s our main thing. Everything that we do in practice, that’s our recipe for success. So, we have to use that in the game. We can’t just use it in practice.”
Remember the points of emphasis
Every season, the NBA has officials stress certain rules that are going to be more strictly enforced, figuring it will help strengthen the overall product.
That’s the case again this season.
Fouls during closeouts on jump shots and straight-line pathway plays are two of the points being emphasized this season, and the Hornets got a head start on understanding the rules thanks to having actual NBA officials making the calls during scrimmage sessions.
“I love the new program the NBA implemented to allow the officials to come and referee,” Lee said. “I think that our video guys, they are ecstatic that they don’t have to referee another game with these competitive guys out here.
“But then it also just helps us understand some of the points of emphasis, new rules.”
Lee mentioned specifically how having the trio of officials at camp benefited the Hornets during their time together preparing in South Carolina.
“I think there was a couple of times (Friday),” Lee said. “Free throw-wise, the guys want to touch the ball. And they’re like, ‘No, that’s going to be a delay of game going into the season.’ So, it’s extremely helpful.”
In more than one way.
“I think it’s also good for just relationship building,” Lee said. “We always talk about the state of our league and all the communication between coaches and officials and players and officials, and they kind of get to see us doing our job.
“They’re in training camp right now, too, trying to get themselves back together. So, I think all in all it’s just a wonderful thing.”
