Source: OMR Podcast (in German)
Summary: Sion James joined the Numbers On The Board crew at PLYRS UNTD and talked about his first full NBA summer, his approach to the work, individual goals for year two, handling the big roster changes in Charlotte, the team's midseason turnaround, advice for the new young guys, the play-in run, defensive approach, and a light detour into Spider-Man.
He has spent most of the summer in Charlotte putting in work while also traveling and seeing family. His biggest focus for next season is getting better at the things he already does well on defense while improving efficiency on offense, especially three-point shooting and finishing in the paint. He took about two and a half weeks completely away from basketball after the season to recharge.
On the trades that sent LaMelo Ball, Josh Green, and Miles Bridges out, James called it a shock to the system because those were his guys, but said he trusts the front office and is excited about the new additions. He never felt the early-season losses meant the team was truly bad and believed the group had something special the whole time. His main message to the incoming rookies is that the talent is there but you simply have to go through the hard parts and learn from them.
He stayed locked in during the play-in drama rather than getting caught up in individual highlight moments, then reflected afterward that it might have been the best game of his life. On defense he studies tendencies later in the year but ultimately believes you just have to sit down and guard. The interview closed with a fun stretch on Spider-Man, where James ranked Tom Holland highest while acknowledging the nostalgia case for Tobey Maguire.
Summary: Charles Lee discussed the team’s active offseason, the departure of key pieces including LaMelo Ball, the addition of Naz Reid, improved physicality, young players stepping into leadership roles, national narratives about a potential step back, the newly released schedule, and Brandon Miller’s recovery. Lee emphasized gratitude for the contributions of departed players while expressing confidence that the returning core plus new additions can take steps forward both offensively and defensively. He highlighted the group’s work ethic this summer, the importance of creating internal standards rather than reacting to outside noise, and his excitement to get into training camp.
Source: @cbrickley603
Source: @dushawn_
Source: @plyrsuntd
Source: @dushawn_
>Ball is a human Rorschach Test — everyone has a different interpretation of his skills. I see: “Crazy talent but can’t be your lead dog.” Charlotte apparently felt similarly, moving Ball and Green for Reid and a haul of future picks. The Hornets got another first, with Allen and O’Neale, for Bridges, then got three seconds attached to Finney-Smith to take DFS from Houston. It was a mature understanding by general manager Jeff Peterson and Charlotte’s front office that the sugar high of a 25-win improvement last season didn’t mean they’d arrived. They’ll lean into Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel next season — with, now, a war chest of firsts between 2027 and 2031.
>0:50 - Intro & Veteran Advice
5:10 - Brandon’s Rehab, Weight Goal & Leadership
11:10 - Brandon Defends LaMelo
14:35 - Brandon’s All-Star Leap
17:50 - Fanatics Sportsbook
18:30 - Building an MVP Skillset
21:05 - Charlotte’s Healthy Ceiling
23:00 - How Road Trippin’ Started
26:35 - The Miller Foundation
32:35 - Rookie Hazing and NBA Vets
34:20 - Mike Miller Crashes the Show
36:05 - Mike’s High-School Double-Team Story
39:40 - Mike Miller’s Pet Monkey
42:00 - Mike’s Final Praise for Brandon
Now also available on YouTube for those without Spotify.
(they changed the title of the video after posting, now "A Healthy Charlotte Team Is DANGEROUS! Brandon Miller’s Next Leap + Mike Miller Surprise")
Source: @NBA2K
Relevant paragraphs mentioning the Charlotte Hornets:
>In addition, multiple NBA sources told SBJ that DAZN is close to acquiring full exclusive local broadcast rights next season for the T’Wolves, Cavaliers, Pacers, Spurs and Grizzlies, as well as DTC-only arrangements with the Magic and possibly the Hornets.
>While DAZN would not comment specifically about those seven pending deals, CEO Shay Segev did tell SBJ, “We are in discussion with many other teams, and I can promise you that more teams will follow very soon.”
>The Cavaliers, T’Wolves, Pacers, Spurs, Grizzlies, Magic and Hornets were not available for comment Wednesday morning, with sources saying they will likely remain silent until the deals become official.
>Another prospective DAZN team, the Magic, will supposedly take a hybrid linear-digital approach, with sources saying it is finalizing a local TV deal with a Cox OTA partner and then turning to DAZN for DTC. The Hornets likely will follow a similar template.
>"Not because he will. And not because a trade will be made, but simply because the Charlotte Hornets arguably had the single best offseason, non-LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jaylen Brown related, of any team in the league. They are loaded with draft picks. They are loaded with contracts of players that another team would want. And they have players in Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel that maybe Steph would say, 'I can see myself mentoring those two on the way out.'"
Some interesting bits of intel from a "Hornets front office executive."