How the Hornets’ NBA summer league run could benefit the team’s long-term growth
As the Charlotte Hornets prepare for the NBA summer league in Las Vegas, the team’s focus extends beyond X’s and O’s.
Instead, the emphasis is on establishing habits that can carry players through the rest of the offseason and into training camp.
Blaine Mueller, an assistant under Charles Lee who is serving as the Hornets’ summer league head coach, said the opportunity to lead the team is one he doesn’t take for granted. He also has insight on being a former G League head coach for the Maine Celtics.
“Yeah, it’s awesome,” Mueller said. “I got a taste of head coaching for a year. It was the best year of my life. I had so much fun. It’s such a unique opportunity.”
The confidence in Mueller extends to the players as well. Forward Liam McNeeley is returning for another run and will be in the lineup when the Hornets match up with the Orlando Magic at Cox Pavilion on Thursday.
McKeeley believes Mueller is well-suited to lead the group during summer league. "Blaine, he's going to do great," McNeeley said. "He's a great coach and we're looking forward to go win another championship."
Mueller said the role allows him to step into a leadership position while also giving assistant coaches and staff members a chance to take on greater responsibilities during practices.
“I know myself and the other 29 coaches that get to do it and lead and step into that role of being a decision maker,” Mueller said. “It’s super fun watching the crew, watching the staff that supports me and supports us really make everything work, step into their roles in terms of being able to run drills and take ownership of some spaces that they otherwise might not do during the regular season.”
Hornets prep for the NBA Summer League
With only a few days to prepare before summer league competition begins, Mueller stressed how the coaching staff has had to carefully prioritize what it wants the group to accomplish.
“We talk about building winning habits,” Mueller said. “It’s a short period of time, three weeks of training camp. We’re going out there, we’re playing three games in four days. We want to do everything offensively and defensively.”
However, he acknowledged that time constraints force coaches to simplify their approach.
“You want the basketball piece to look so good,” Mueller said. “The reality is you can’t do everything. So prioritizing those spaces and, obviously, we’re going to teach a lot on both sides of the floor and really try to install our philosophy.”
That philosophy centers less on individual statistics and more on how the team plays together.
“At the end of the day for us, we’re about competing, playing together and playing with joy,” Mueller said. “Those three things, however they manifest on both ends of the floor and in the locker room, the film room, the meal room, that’s what we’re focused on.”
Success starts with team-first mentality
For veteran summer league player Sion James, the habits the Hornets are trying to establish go beyond basketball strategy. Success starts with a team-first mentality and the willingness to do the little things that build a winning culture.
“The biggest thing is just being about the right stuff,” James said. “Being about competing, playing for your teammates, making the right play, being aggressive when it’s your turn, taking criticism and picking your teammates up when they fall. All those things really bleed onto the court.”
The Hornets will use summer league as an opportunity to evaluate young talent, while giving players valuable game experience in a competitive environment. For Mueller and his staff, the hope is that the habits developed during these practices will translate into success once games tip off.
