1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,320 Speaker 1: We're breaking down the NBA schedule on schedule release day, 2 00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: sports Rading ninety two to seven WFNZ, the West Coast Roadies, 3 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:10,239 Speaker 1: the home stands, back to backs, national games. All love 4 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:12,159 Speaker 1: it and who better to talk about it more than 5 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, Charles Lee. He 6 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:17,439 Speaker 1: now joins us on the guest line Coach, thank you 7 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:19,239 Speaker 1: so much for the time, my man, how are you doing? 8 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:21,599 Speaker 2: I'm doing phenomenal, Walker, Thanks for having me. 9 00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:24,200 Speaker 1: Am Absolutely, I do want to know this. So we 10 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 1: look at all that stuff, the back to backs and 11 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:28,319 Speaker 1: all of it. What's the thing you're looking at first 12 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: and foremost, as the head coach of an NBA basketball team, 13 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:33,520 Speaker 1: what's the first thing you're looking at on schedule release day? 14 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 2: So, first thing I'm looking at, who do we play 15 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 2: the first game of the season, and like, who do 16 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:41,559 Speaker 2: I already like, my mind starts swing towards how are 17 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:42,800 Speaker 2: we going to guard them? How are we going to 18 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:44,560 Speaker 2: do this? And so I think, get to back it 19 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:47,479 Speaker 2: up a little bit and remember there's other stuffs before that. 20 00:00:48,159 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 2: But first game is the first thing I look at. 21 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 2: And the second thing is like, when are we going 22 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:53,319 Speaker 2: to play at home? So it's good to know. Are 23 00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 2: we on the road, how's all the logistics of Christmas 24 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 2: is going to go with the fans? 25 00:00:57,560 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 1: October twenty second is when you guys will be playing 26 00:00:59,840 --> 00:01:02,520 Speaker 1: that first home game and the first game of the season, 27 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 1: So you get to cross off a couple of things there. 28 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 1: But what are some things that we should be watching 29 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,840 Speaker 1: for come preseason, coach, because we got that schedule just 30 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 1: a couple of days ago as well, what are some 31 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:15,959 Speaker 1: things that you really want to iron out as you 32 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 1: approach the regular season. How much does the preseason matter 33 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:18,680 Speaker 1: to you? 34 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:22,840 Speaker 2: Preseason matters a ton to us. I would say everything 35 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 2: matters to us. We talk a ton about daily improvement 36 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 2: and being obsessed with what that process looks like and 37 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 2: not skipping steps and just being present in that current moment. 38 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 2: And so anyway, just competing at a really high level, 39 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 2: how some we all impact winning and the things that 40 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 2: we've talked about. I think everyone has heard me talk 41 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 2: a ton about defense, But I would also like to 42 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:45,120 Speaker 2: see our offense ive prove this year too, So as 43 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 2: we kind of go into the preseason, it will be 44 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 2: important for us to start improving in the offensive area too. 45 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 1: All right, Well, let's just break down all the schedules, then, 46 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,720 Speaker 1: shall we. The Cup schedule also released yesterday. We have 47 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: those games all taking place in November on a scale 48 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: from a normal regular season game to playoff game mode. 49 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 1: And you've had a lot of experience in the postseason, 50 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: how do you approach an NBA Cup game? 51 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, Number one, the league has done a phenomenal job. 52 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:15,800 Speaker 2: I think implementing these Cup games. I think the whole 53 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:18,920 Speaker 2: process of it, I've really enjoyed it. It increases the 54 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 2: stakes with some of these regular season games and makes 55 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,959 Speaker 2: them even a higher level of competition. I will say 56 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:27,680 Speaker 2: my staff and I we try to elevate even our 57 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 2: level of prep going into those games. And so I 58 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 2: look forward to getting to those Cup games and seeing 59 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 2: how it all plays out. And then obviously you have 60 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:38,520 Speaker 2: the point differential and needing to know do you need 61 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 2: to win by a certain amount or you can't lose 62 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:42,959 Speaker 2: by a certain amount as you kind of continue in 63 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 2: the pool play and stuff. So I think we've got 64 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 2: a really good group that's going to challenge us in 65 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 2: our pool, and I look forward to really competing at 66 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:51,920 Speaker 2: a high level there. Well. 67 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: I mean, you guys do pretty well in Vegas. I guess, so, 68 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 1: let's we got to get to Vegas and then we 69 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 1: can start bringing in some more titles, just like we 70 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 1: won with the some league title around here. And I 71 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:04,440 Speaker 1: told you last year, coach, they denied us the California 72 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 1: Classic title. I still say we won it. We got 73 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 1: the championship and they decided not to give us one. 74 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: So I'm glad that you guys just went out there 75 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:13,840 Speaker 1: and took it this time, fair and square. Of course, 76 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 1: we love Chris Gent around here. Now he's going to 77 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:18,679 Speaker 1: be up in New York being the associate head coach 78 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 1: with Mike Brown working with him again. He was the 79 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: head coach for the Summer League squad. Coach, what are 80 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: you losing in Chris Jen's absence. 81 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, first I'd just say, I'm with you. We 82 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 2: won every title we can possibly get. Yeah, and so 83 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 2: the Summer League title was really exciting. I was really 84 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 2: just proud. I think of our whole group for having 85 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 2: the right mindset, the right approach going in the Summer League, 86 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 2: understanding the importance of trying to build those winning habits 87 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 2: from day one, and I think that our young guys, 88 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 2: I think the coaching staff. I was just yelling in 89 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 2: a quick period of time and having to figure out 90 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 2: that uh got banged up along the way and missed 91 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 2: some games. And the compit that you play and the 92 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 2: atmosphere that you're in is a little bit closer to 93 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 2: an NBA setting. So it was really good to see 94 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 2: our guys perform well and the guy at the helm 95 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 2: making sure it all real ran really well and really smoothly. 96 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 2: With Christient and I think I'm number one, I'm really 97 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 2: happy for him. I think that he has a tremendous 98 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:23,359 Speaker 2: opportunity ahead of him. I'm extremely grateful and thankful for 99 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 2: everything he did for our organization. He really helped us 100 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 2: last year, I think set a foundation for who we 101 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 2: want to be and what we want to be about. 102 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 2: And he's just he's been a great friend to me 103 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 2: throughout my whole coaching career, and so it'll be bittersweet 104 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:40,400 Speaker 2: to have him leave, but I'm excited for him and 105 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 2: his new journey. 106 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:44,479 Speaker 1: Breaking down the NBA schedule on Hornet's Schedule release Day, 107 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:47,480 Speaker 1: head coach Charles Lee joining us now on the guest 108 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:48,840 Speaker 1: line and coach. We've got to get to some of 109 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: these offseason moves man, especially free agency. I think the 110 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,479 Speaker 1: move that got Hornets fans the most excited they kicked 111 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 1: everything off. It was the Colin Sexton trade. I host 112 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 1: the Lockdown Hornets podcast Wes and Walker here on w FNZ. 113 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:04,880 Speaker 1: That got like a one hund approval rating from all 114 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 1: the sickos whom I engage with every day. Was Sexton 115 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 1: a guy you and Jeff Peterson had talked about before 116 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 1: then targeted. Did you find out he was available and 117 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: then make an offer like this move caught people by surprise? 118 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 1: Did it do the same to you? 119 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 2: You know? I think Jeff and and his group, uh, 120 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 2: they are just so well prepared. I think that opportunities 121 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:32,160 Speaker 2: that that come about they have studied, They understand are 122 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 2: are what we're looking for in players, and like what 123 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:37,719 Speaker 2: those qualities look like. They understand what we need to 124 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 2: do from a rostered depth and balance standpoint two. And 125 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:45,920 Speaker 2: I think as they were approached with a situation, they 126 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 2: broke it down, they prepared like they usually do. They 127 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 2: chopped it up and figured out what makes sense for 128 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:53,479 Speaker 2: our team going forward. And I've been pleasant. I've been 129 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 2: very excited about Colin Sexton joining our group. I think 130 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:02,720 Speaker 2: that I've always witness him competing at a really high level. 131 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:06,279 Speaker 2: He can score the ball. I think that he's already 132 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 2: since he's been in with our group and around our group, 133 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 2: he's elevated. They all workouts and all the interactions competing. 134 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 2: Definitely a expociable, in your face type guy. But I 135 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:22,000 Speaker 2: love it and I think that he's going to add 136 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:23,600 Speaker 2: a lot to our group, into our culture. 137 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: You have a lot of guards this year, not only 138 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 1: Colin Sexton, but you guys signed a lot in free agency. 139 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 1: You drafted a few guys out there on the perimeter 140 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:34,679 Speaker 1: h this past election process. How does your team change 141 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: with the roster makeup you have now compared to what 142 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 1: it was last year. 143 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:40,919 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, I think that we had a pretty 144 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 2: good roster last year, but this year we're definitely a 145 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 2: little bit more versatile. I think, you know, we we 146 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 2: are big. We can play a lot of different ways 147 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 2: this year. Having Plumbly, having Cal Brinner, having Musa, it 148 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:58,720 Speaker 2: allows you to be in center fields sometimes be able 149 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 2: to switch. And then, like you just said, having so 150 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:04,400 Speaker 2: many guards and so many just competitors with high basketball IQ, 151 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 2: it's going to help us be able to play a 152 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 2: lot of different ways. I think if we watched the league, 153 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 2: everybody's playing a lot faster. It's becoming a lot more positionless. 154 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 2: And so I think that, you know, with this versatility 155 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 2: that we have of our of our roster and having 156 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 2: a lot more guards, a lot more ball handlers, that 157 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 2: can help us hopefully create some more open shots. I'm 158 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 2: really excited to see how how it all kind of 159 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:26,679 Speaker 2: comes together. 160 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, a lot of people have questions about the center rotation, 161 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 1: just because there was such a focus on guards in 162 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 1: the off season. But you did pick up Ryan Kalchbrenner, 163 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 1: you signed Mason Plumley. Of course you have Musa Diabate. 164 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: We love letting the moose loose around here, baby, So 165 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 1: we love Musa Diabate. How to see that center rotation 166 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:42,680 Speaker 1: play now? 167 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, I think it's a good balance. Again, 168 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 2: you get a veteran and Plumbly, it's been around the 169 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 2: league a ton of experience. I think all that experience 170 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 2: has kind to help him understand what it takes to 171 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:58,679 Speaker 2: really win. I think that he's been used as a starter, 172 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 2: he's been used as a role player coming off the bench, 173 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 2: and so he's going to be able to adapt to 174 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 2: whatever we need. I think that he's going to be 175 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 2: able to give a lot of corporate knowledge of the NBA. 176 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 2: He's a professional. He's in every day focused on his body. 177 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 2: He's focused on improving in the weight room and even 178 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 2: as however many years he's been in the league. Now 179 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 2: he understands and has a growth mindset, which is really 180 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 2: important I think for our group and being open minded. 181 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 2: And then again, I think Mussa had a phenomenal opportunity 182 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 2: to summer. He's continued to grow. He's like one of 183 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:34,439 Speaker 2: our great success stories from a player development standpoint, and 184 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 2: his all in and commitment to just trying to be 185 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 2: better and try to be the most versatile and energetic 186 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 2: big you could possibly be. And we saw what Ryan 187 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:46,319 Speaker 2: brings in Summerly, I think that he's going to be 188 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:48,560 Speaker 2: able to play both sides of the court at a 189 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,319 Speaker 2: really high level. I see a lot of Brook Lopez 190 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 2: in him, and it's funny that he wears number eleven, 191 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:56,079 Speaker 2: So he's going to continue to grow and get a 192 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 2: lot of under feet in the. 193 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 1: Form of Indeed, I like maybe Splash Mountain Junior being 194 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 1: here in the Hornets, you know, for would love to 195 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 1: see it. That would be exciting, and he talked about 196 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 1: it we talked to him, I think not too long ago. 197 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: He said that you guys told him to let it 198 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: fly if he's open from three, and sure enough he 199 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:17,319 Speaker 1: did that hit a couple out there in Vegas. Last 200 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 1: thing before we get you out of here, coach, just 201 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 1: some injury house cleaning. How are Grant Williams and Josh 202 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 1: Green progressing? And do you think they'll be ready by 203 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: the regular season. 204 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 2: You know, I think both guys have been attacking their 205 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 2: rehab plans really well. Again, I can't. I always have 206 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 2: to just give credit to our performance staff and to 207 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 2: our coaching staff. They work so well together and putting 208 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:41,600 Speaker 2: together these these roadmaps for our guys to be able 209 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 2: to return to play. And both guys are making progress. 210 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,199 Speaker 2: I can't put a timetable on it as right now 211 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 2: when they will be back, but they are making positive 212 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 2: strides and I'm just really happy with how they show 213 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 2: up every day, how they're attacking their rehab. And you know, 214 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 2: you take a couple of steps forward and then all 215 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 2: of a sudden you might have a stepward step back. 216 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 2: But I think that in their mindset has just kind 217 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:07,040 Speaker 2: of been not to let that slow them down, and 218 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 2: they're really focused on trying to be around the team 219 00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 2: and get back to the team as soon as they can. 220 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:13,079 Speaker 1: Charles Lee joining us here to discuss the schedule on 221 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:15,840 Speaker 1: NBA schedule release Day, the head coach of the Hornets, 222 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:18,400 Speaker 1: certainly wishing him a lot of luck. Coach, thank you 223 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 1: so much for the time. We appreciate it and we'll 224 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: talk to you down the road. 225 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:23,439 Speaker 2: No problem, thank you. I'm getting excited. 226 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 1: Ah, same here, coach. Thanks again. That's Charles Lee joining 227 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:29,359 Speaker 1: us here on Sports Rated ninety two to seven WFNZ.