It's been a long windy road for Hornets fans, but it's been one of, if not the most successful season's in franchise history. And it's all been because of the culture that head coach Charles Lee has implemented.
Time heals all wounds. Just a few months ago, it felt like the Charlotte Hornets were approaching a season’s familiar finish of disappointment and despair.
But how quickly a few months can change a narrative.
Lee’s methods were heavily questioned after the decision to roll LaMelo Ball off the bench in certain games. But it wasn’t a disciplinary action, nor was it a signal that times were getting tough.
It was all done with pure intention.
As we’ve come to realize with Ball’s six-year NBA career, injuries had dominated his career to the point where not just his durability was being questioned, but his future with the team was.
Winning heals all, though.
Ball had only come off the bench a handful of times this season, but it’s become a rallying cry for the Hornets.
Since that shift, Charlotte hasn’t just been better, they’ve been historically dominant.
No, that’s not an exaggeration. It literally has been.
Lee has been a catalyst for this team’s success.
For a team that had a dark cloud hanging over them for 20-plus years, Lee has managed to instill an environment of positivity and accountability.
Hornets legend and color commentator Dell Curry, whose number was retired two weeks ago, hopped on Sirius XM on NBA Radio and discussed the impact that Lee has had on this team.
"He's the most positive, upbeat, energetic coach that also holds his players accountable every single day that I've seen in a long time. They believe in him... they trust in his commitment, his preparation, his game plan."
As sports fans, we all become armchair analysts. Whether it be judging the way a player plays, or if a player cares enough.
But the care factor is one of the most important traits someone can have. When you combine care with high-end talent, you become impossible to defend.
“Every game is meaningful, every possession is meaningful,” Lee said after dominating the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. “To watch that group at the end of the game compete and communicate the way they did… it just shows, from up and down the roster, the commitment level, the ‘care factor' by everybody is really high.”
This was Lee’s vision coming to life when he accepted the job as Charlotte’s bench boss in June of 2024.
Back in his introductory press conference, Lee made sure that he was going to have his players compete, but he emphasized “togetherness.”
“The only expectations that we’re going to put in front of ourselves are that we’re going to compete every night on a night to night basis. No matter home game, road game, who’s playing - there’s going to be a competitive group on the floor. Not only that, but it’s going to be a group that’s together on both ends of the floor.”
Fast forward almost two years later, and the Hornets have the best starting five unit in the NBA, the best margin of victory in NBA history, and a real shot to skip the Play-In altogether as a possible six seed.
Togetherness doesn’t just win you games, it sustains success.
When you have a talented roster with one common goal in mind, it translates everywhere.
Fans become invested, the wins keep racking up, and the trophy case gets a little cluttered.
Not the worst problem to have, right?
We’re in the beginning stages of Lee’s vision, but the job isn’t close to being finished. It’s only starting.