Episode Details

The Charlotte Hornets just wrapped up a rare successful West Coast road trip, returning to the Queen City with a 3-2 record and some serious momentum. While the fan base should be celebrating a winning roadie for the first time in years, Draymond Green decided to throw some shade on his latest podcast. Draymond specifically targeted the benching of LaMelo Ball, labeling the move "blatantly tanking" and calling the Hornets a "sorry team". We clarify the actual strategy at play, emphasizing that this is about long-term health and managing a star player who has dealt with a laundry list of ankle injuries over the last three seasons. Bringing Ball off the bench for roughly 25 minutes a night in back-to-back scenarios isn't a race for a high draft pick; it’s an attempt to keep the franchise cornerstone on the floor for more than 50 games a year.

The episode also highlights a major historical milestone for Miles Bridges, who continues an ascent through the Hornets record books. By surpassing legends like Larry Johnson and Gerald Wallace, Bridges now sits third on the all-time franchise scoring list, trailing only Dell Curry and Kemba Walker. We examine what this longevity means for his legacy in Charlotte and whether individual stats on a struggling team carry the same weight as the playoff runs of the past. From "competitive joy" under Charles Lee to the emerging depth of the rookie class, we provide a full perspective on where this team stands heading into late January.

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