About this episode
The Charlotte Hornets continue to be the talk of the league, and the excitement only intensified with the long-awaited debut of Coby White. Facing his former team, the Chicago Bulls, White provided an immediate spark that showcased why Jeff Peterson was so aggressive in acquiring him. We look at the fluid two-man game already developing between White and LaMelo Ball, providing a dynamic backcourt look reminiscent of the Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lin era. White’s ability to score in the mid-range and survey the floor as a secondary playmaker offers a level of steadiness the second unit has desperately needed.
The national respect for the Queen City is reaching new heights as well, evidenced by The Ringer’s latest Top 100 NBA player rankings. With four Hornets making the cut, the most striking takeaway is rookie Kon Knueppel landing at number 40, five spots ahead of LaMelo Ball. We weigh the validity of these rankings and what they say about the current impact of the roster’s young core. Furthermore, we highlight the significant growth in LaMelo Ball’s game since the turn of the calendar year. Ball has slashed his turnover numbers while maintaining his status as one of the league's most impactful offensive engines. By pairing this improved ball security with the spacing created by elite shooters like Knueppel, the Hornets are building an offensive identity that could be devastating in a seven-game playoff series. As the "Sicko" energy continues to grow on Reddit and beyond, it is clear this team is no longer just a fun story—they are a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… ? https://linktr.ee/lockedonhornets
Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More ? https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com
Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM
? Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter
Locked On Hornets https://twitter.com/LockedOnHornets
Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl
Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for y
