Tag: Charlotte Hornets

Former Alabama SF Brandon Miller ranked a top-25 player under the age of 25 by The Ringer

Charlotte Hornets Brandon Miller ranked No. 17 in The Ringer’s top 25 players under the age of 25

The San Antonio Spurs‘ No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama stole the show this season with one of the most remarkable rookie seasons in NBA history as he finished runner-up in Defensive Player of the Year rankings while averaging 21.4 ppg, 10.6 rpg and 3.9 apg. Quietly though, former Alabama Crimson Tide SF [autotag]Brandon Miller[/autotag] was phenomenal for the Charlotte Hornets after being their No. 2 overall selection in the 2023 NBA draft.

This year, Miller became just the third rookie in Charlotte history to win the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award in three consecutive months alongside LaMelo Ball in 2020-21 and Raymond Felton in 2005-06. Miller appeared in 74 games for the Hornets this year, averaging 17.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 2.4 apg in 32.2 minutes a night. As a 6’7″ lights-out shooter with a ton of defensive potential, he is the perfect player for the modern-day NBA. The Ringer staff ranked the NBA’s next generation with the top 25 players under 25, where Miller was ranked No. 17.

The Ringer believes there is a lot of hope for Miller saying,

“In his first season, Miller quickly established himself as a franchise pillar. His GOAT is Paul George, and Miller paid tribute to him by producing a better rookie season than George’s, averaging 17 points, four boards, two assists, and at least one highlight play per night. His combination of athleticism, versatility, offensive efficiency, and smooth shooting has the Hornets giddy about his potential ascent into superstardom.”

However, if there is a reason for doubt it’s because,

“During its second run as the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise has struggled to build competent teams, mired by curious draft choices and free agent signings. Even LaMelo Ball, the 2021 Rookie of the Year, has struggled to stay on the floor and lift the team out of the play-in. In March, the Hornets hired Jeff Peterson, a former assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets, to lead a front office with a lot to prove. Time will tell whether the Hornets can get back to relevance, but Miller will be the face of the next era, for better or worse.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players now in the NBA.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Charlotte Hornets’ Brandon Miller named to 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie first team

Former Alabama F Brandon Miller named to NBA All-Rookie first-team.

If it was virtually any other year, former Alabama Crimson Tide superstar [autotag]Brandon Miller[/autotag] would have had a legitimate argument to be the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2024. Unfortunately for the Hornets’ ascending young star, he happened to be in the same draft class as Victor Wembanyama, the most highly-regarded draft prospect of all time.

Wembanyama, of the San Antonio Spurs, backed it up with 21.4 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game and 3.6 blocks per game, as well as finishing second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Miller was sensational himself with 17.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 2.4 apg and earned three Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month awards. One of the greatest things about Miller is that he is very rarely hurt too, and availability is the best ability as he appeared in 74 of 82 games and started 68 of them.

Today, the NBA announced that Miller was named to the 2023-24 All-Rookie team alongside Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Bradin Podziemski

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama basketball news and former players in the NBA.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

NBA All-Rookie: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren unanimously voted to first team

Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and Brandon Miller headlined the 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie first team announced on Monday.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller headlined the 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie first team announced on Monday by the league.

Wembanyama, the Rookie of the Year, and Holmgren were unanimous selections to the first team, earning all 99 votes from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Miller finished in third place with 97 first-team votes.

Joining the trio are Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski. Jaquez received 89 first-place votes, while Podziemski earned 64 in the final tally released in the announcement by the league.

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Thunder guard Cason Wallace and Memphis Grizzlies guard GG Jackson II were named to the All-Rookie second team.

Jackson, after a strong finish to the season, edged Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson and Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson for the 10th and final place on the second team.

The 10 players selected to the two teams emerged as the top of the class following productive campaigns. They each have bright futures ahead and are cornerstones for their respective organizations.

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Reacting to the Charlotte Hornets hiring Boston Celtics assistant Charles Lee as head coach

Lee has reportedly been named the next head coach of the Hornets.

Boston Celtics assistant head coach Charles Lee has reportedly been named the next head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, replacing current Hornets coach Steve Clifford as he moves to a front office role next season.

Lee will finish the Celtics’ playoff run before transitioning full-time into his new role with the Hornets next season. Lee, who reunites with Hornets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson, brings championship experience from his time with the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks under then-Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer. What does this mean for the future of Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s bench in future seasons?

CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning, reporting from the Cavs shootaround, provides his reaction to this significant coaching hire.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee hired as next Charlotte Hornets head coach: Woj

The Celtics assistant “will complete the Celtics’ playoff run before moving over to join the Hornets on a full-time basis.”

Boston Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee will soon be the head coach of his own team, according to recent reporting from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Per Woj, Lee has been hired by the Charlotte Hornets to be their next head coach, replacing their current coach, Steve Clifford, as the latter moves into a front office role.

The Celtics assistant will get a four-year contract, but “will complete the Celtics’ playoff run before moving over to join the Hornets on a full-time basis” according to the ESPN reporter. “Lee started his coaching career in 2012 at Bucknell, where he had been the Patriot League Player of the Year in his senior season of 2006.”

“After playing two years of international professional basketball, Lee joined (Mike) Budenholzer’s staff with the (Atlanta) Hawks in 2014 before moving to the (Milwaukee) Bucks in 2018 and the Celtics last summer,” adds Woj.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama reacts to winning NBA Rookie of the Year

Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama was named the NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the sixth player in history to win the award unanimously.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama on Monday was named the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the sixth player in history to win the award unanimously.

Wembanyama became the first player to win the award unanimously since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2016. He received all 99 first-place votes from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. He is the third player from the Spurs to win, joining David Robinson (1990) and Tim Duncan (1998).

The Frenchman finished with 495 points in the final voting, topping the 295 Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren received. Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller finished in third place with 86 points.

“My goal was always to help my team as best as I could and get better as the year went on,” Wembanyama told Ernie Johnson on “NBA on TNT” on Monday. “I knew that in order to do this, I had to be individually good and dominant on the court. It was a huge thing for me and a big thing to get. It has always been really important, and I’m glad it’s finally official.”

Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals in 71 games. He led the league in blocked shots and registered the most 30-point games (11) by a rookie since Trae Young in the 2018-19 season.

The 7-footer is the first player in history to record at least 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 blocks and 100 3-pointers in a season. He is the second rookie to lead the league in blocks (Manute Bol, 1986) and the 10th player to average 20 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

Wembanyama, who is a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, finished 22nd in steals. He also ranked second in defensive box plus-minus (plus-3.3), fifth in defensive win shares (4.4) and eighth in rebounds. He also had the most games with at least five blocks (24).

He explained to Kenny Smith how he improved throughout the year.

The simple stats, but also the advanced stats — everything pretty much got better. On my side, what I made big efforts on, is the playmaking, the shot selection. After the minutes restrictions I’ve had, I had to get back in good shape to play more than 30-35 minutes. The cardio, I think I’ve made huge improvements on. I’ve never gotten so much better in such a few months, so I’m really glad.

He achieved numerous other accomplishments, including becoming the youngest player in history to register a 5×5 game and recording a triple-double with blocks. He also became the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993 to record 40 points and 20 rebounds in a game.

Tabbed an “alien” by LeBron James because of his unique size and skill set, Wembanyama entered the season with tremendous expectations. He exceeded them in his first year with the Spurs and established himself as a franchise cornerstone for years to come.

He believes there is still much to improve on entering the offseason.

“There is plenty of stuff I plan on working on,” Wembanyama told O’Neal. “Physically, of course, the work is never going to be done. I’ve had my plan for months ready for all of my body. We’re going to keep discovering new ways to get better and work on my body. For basketball, there is a lot I want to work on and (head coach Gregg Popovich) Pop wants me to work on, so I’m excited.”

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Mock trade sees Spurs land Grant Williams from Hornets

Should the San Antonio Spurs trade for Grant Williams this offseason?

The San Antonio Spurs should be looking to significantly improve their roster around Victor Wembanyama this summer. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report suggested a deal that would see the Spurs land Grant Williams in exchange for Devonte’ Graham and a lottery-protected 2025 first-round pick.

“With the Hornets knee-deep in an organizational overhaul, they should be fully focused on the future and landing the No. 1 pick would only further cement that stance,” Buckley wrote. “While Williams is young enough (25) to fit that future, he’d also be immediately expendable if Charlotte planned on taking stretch big man Alexandre Sarr first overall. And Williams’ plug-and-play ability might be coveted by San Antonio, as Victor Wembanyama already sounds eager to start winning.

“Moving Williams would give Charlotte more flexibility moving forward. He’s owed $40.9 million over the next three seasons, which isn’t outrageous but is a significant salary, especially if the Hornets wouldn’t keep him in the starting lineup. Graham, who spent his first three seasons in Buzz City, has just a partially guaranteed $12.7 million salary left on his deal. While the Hornets’ lottery protection will likely keep their 2025 first-rounder from changing hands, the pick would then convert to their second-rounders in 2026 and 2027. Those would be helpful for Charlotte if this ongoing rebuilding projection takes a while to finish.”

Having Williams’ defense and three-point shooting next to Wembanyama could help improve the Spurs on both ends of the court.

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Charlotte Hornets floated as potential Zach LaVine trade destination

Should the Charlotte Hornets trade for Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine this offseason?

As the Chicago Bulls look to trade Zach LaVine this summer, it’s unclear how many teams will want to give up real assets for him. However, there will undoubtedly be some teams that show interest. Aaron Kellerstrass of Pippen Ain’t Easy suggested some potential destinations, listing the Charlotte Hornets as one of them.

“Like the Pistons, the Hornets are terrible and need to do something to excite fans who have nine toes out the door,” Kellerstrass wrote. “Like the Bulls, the Hornets will be hoping for a comeback from a Ball and would love to put another star around LaMelo and Brandon Miller.

“The Hornets are an interesting possibility, as they have moveable contracts in Davis Bertans and Grant Williams and a potential salary slot for LaVine depending on what they do with Miles Bridges. The Bulls should be looking to avoid any long-term money unless they are getting back someone who can actually play, and Bertans would at least be one expiring deal.”

Putting LaVine next to LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and the rest of the Hornets’ core could definitely improve the ceiling of Charlotte’s team.

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Grant Williams opens up on his rep, Mavs, trade to Charlotte Hornets and more

Since Grant Williams left the Boston Celtics to join the Dallas Mavericks in free agency, things have not exactly gone his way.

Since Grant Williams left the Boston Celtics to join the Dallas Mavericks in free agency, things have not exactly gone his way. The North Carolina native got traded to the team in his home city, the Charlotte Hornets, but not under the best of terms. He reportedly clashed with teammates in Dallas beforehand, and found himself accused of being a bad teammate in the press.

To get us up to speed, Williams joined a recent episode of the CLNS Media “Cedric Maxwell” podcast to talk it all over with the show’s hosts Cedric Maxwell and Josue Pavon on a recent episode.

They get into his reputation since splitting his season between Dallas and Charlotte, playing with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, and the difference between playing for former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka and Joe Mazzulla. Check it out below.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee reportedly a Los Angeles Lakers coaching target

It is looking increasingly less likely that the Boston Celtics will have assistant coach Charles Lee on their sidelines next season.

It is looking increasingly less likely that the Boston Celtics will have assistant coach Charles Lee on their sidelines next season, with new reporting from the Athletic’s Jovan Buha suggesting another ball club is considering hiring him as head coach.

Lee, who is a candidate for the open Charlotte Hornets head coaching gig, is reportedly also a candidate for the now also-open Los Angeles Lakers coaching job recently vacated by Darvin Hamm. For this job, however, Lee is not one of the top candidates. That short list includes former NBAer and current podcaster JJ Redick, former Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, onetime Brooklyn Nets head coach and current Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson.

Per Buha, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue “would immediately become another candidate” if he were to split with his current employer, and Lee “is also an option.”

While that does not sound like the most ringing endorsement, that doesn’t mean Lee would not get the job, given his extensive experience and popular support in his current and prior coaching gigs.

One of the more popular names in coaching searches in recent seasons, even if this is not the gig he ends up taking, Celtics fans should expect one will open up soon.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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