The Hornets dropped another one to Orlando, but not without putting their young guys through the fire. Doug Branson is mocked and loaded with another draft projection, and we react to the unveiling of Charlotte’s brand-new practice facility.
It was a loss, but was it a good loss? The Charlotte Hornets fell to the Orlando Magic 111–104, but Doug and Walker argue this might’ve been an "ethical" loss with long-term benefits. Charles Lee kept rookies like Nick Smith Jr. and Tidjane Salaun in the game during crunch time, prioritizing development over a meaningless win. The guys debate whether that’s the right move and praise the young core’s fight despite some late-game struggles and more abysmal officiating.
LaMelo Ball showed real poise and aggression, finishing with 21 points on 13 shots—despite getting hammered without a whistle. But should Charles Lee finally get a tech and stand up for his star? Doug thinks so, and the hosts discuss how coaches send messages to officials with more than just their words.
Doug also shares his latest mock draft pick, revealing why he’s IN on Ace Bailey—despite his inconsistencies—and what makes this draft so tricky for Charlotte. They also go full Severance mode with a game of "Innie or Outie" to decide which players they're irrational buying in on and who still needs to prove something.
Finally, Walker reports live from the groundbreaking of the Hornets' new 160,000 sq. ft. practice facility. Will this new investment finally translate into wins, or is it just window dressing? It’s all here on a jam-packed Locked On Hornets.
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Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise
Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history
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