Locked On Hornets - Daily Podcast On The Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets took a major step backward with a frustrating loss to the Brooklyn Nets, handing one of the league's struggling teams their first home win. We open the show exploring how a team that looked so promising against Toronto and Chicago completely fell flat against Brooklyn. Rookie sensation Kon Knueppel didn't mince words postgame, calling the performance "unacceptable," and we discuss why his vocal leadership might be the most refreshing aspect of this young season.

The spotlight also turns to LaMelo Ball. Despite dishing out a season-high 14 assists, his shooting struggles continue to plague the offense. We look at the disconnect between his elite playmaking and his inability to find a rhythm from the field, asking the tough questions about his role, his minutes restriction, and his efficiency. Miles Bridges also had a night to forget, struggling on both ends of the floor against Michael Porter Jr. and the Nets' defense.

Finally, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. We provide an update on Josh Green, who has been assigned to the Greensboro Swarm for practice, signaling a return to the lineup is imminent. We discuss how his defensive presence and perimeter shooting could help stabilize the rotation alongside Grant Williams. 

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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

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

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

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The Charlotte Hornets are finding ways to win, securing an overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors thanks to some rookie heroics. We examine Kon Knueppel’s cold-blooded corner three that sent the game to overtime and discuss how he is quickly becoming a fan favorite—and apparently a guest on Jimmy Fallon. Miles Bridges also deserves credit for a dominant overtime performance, helping the team secure a victory despite shooting struggles from the stars.

The conversation turns to the curious case of LaMelo Ball's fourth-quarter absence. Head Coach Charles Lee cites a minutes restriction, but we explore whether the star point guard’s inconsistent engagement and shooting woes played a role in the decision to keep him on the bench during winning time. We also analyze Brandon Miller’s rough shooting night and why the team’s ability to win without their top two scorers firing on all cylinders is a massive sign of growth.

Finally, the roster is shifting. Tidjane Salaun has been recalled from the Greensboro Swarm after a month-long stint in the G-League. We discuss what his return means for the rotation and provide a promising update on Grant Williams, who was spotted practicing with the team as he recovers from his knee injury.

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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

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

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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On this episode of Locked On Hornets, Doug opens up the "Sicko Satchel" to answer your most pressing questions. First, we look at Kon Knueppel. After an electric start to the season, the rookie sharpshooter has struggled from deep in recent games against the Bulls and Knicks. Is he hitting the rookie wall? We compare his current workload to his college schedule at Duke and explain why a mid-season slump might actually be a positive development for the team as LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller return to full strength.

Then, we shift focus to the bench unit. Tre Mann has been labeled by some fans as the "biggest flop" of the season thus far. We analyze his alarming true shooting percentage—which sits near the bottom of the league—and discuss why his shift to an on-ball playmaker role has led to efficiency issues and turnovers.

Finally, we look at the long-term picture. With the team still battling injuries and minutes restrictions, is it possible to sell fans on the vision for next season? We discuss why patience is still required and why the development of the young core remains the true indicator of future success.

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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

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

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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The Charlotte Hornets have finally returned to the win column, defeating the Chicago Bulls 123-116 to snap a seven-game skid. On this episode of Locked On Hornets, we examine how Brandon Miller put the team on his back, scoring 27 points on efficient shooting while adding three blocks. We discuss the return of the team's offensive rhythm and why this performance was crucial for avoiding a disastrous stretch of the season.

While the win was a relief, it wasn't perfect. We look at LaMelo Ball’s continued shooting struggles as he finished 6-of-19 from the field, and question if the minutes restriction is affecting his rhythm. The show also highlights the defensive intensity brought by Collin Sexton and the disciplined fourth-quarter play of Miles Bridges that helped close out the game.

Plus, we address the strange incident involving a courtside fan interacting with Josh Giddey that led to an ejection and explain why fans need to stop trying to be part of the show. Finally, we open the "Sicko Satchel" to answer a listener's question comparing this Hornets team to that one inconsistent relative at Thanksgiving dinner.

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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

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

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl

Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

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Walker goes solo to discuss the cornucopia of compliments Kon Knueppel has received from some of his teammates and even one of the best shooters of all time. How crazy is “too crazy” when complimenting Kon Knueppel? Can Kon help turn around the Hornets like some of the players on Detroit’s roster have for the Pistons? Walker explores the Pistons blueprint further and finishes with a conversation on whether the Hornets are still fun.

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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

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

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH
 

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#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall #CharlotteHornets

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We unpack a whirlwind weekend of news starting with the conflicting reports surrounding LaMelo Ball. After a report surfaced claiming LaMelo was "increasingly frustrated" and open to a trade, the star point guard shut it down with a "clown" emoji and a direct denial to the media. We discuss the validity of the rumors, the team's stance on listening to offers, and why we believe LaMelo wants to stay in Charlotte—for now.

Then, we shift focus to the cognitive dissonance of this season: the team is losing, but rookie Kon Knueppel is playing historic basketball. We look at his incredibly efficient shooting numbers, his versatility, and why his performance looks closer to a top-15 player in the East than a standard rookie. Is he already a cornerstone piece alongside Brandon Miller?

Finally, we examine the "crunch time issues" plaguing the Hornets, specifically looking at the recent loss to the Hawks. We discuss the struggles of Miles Bridges, whose finishing at the rim has plummeted to the 6th percentile among forwards. We explore why the "hero ball" approach isn't working and how the lack of playmaking in late-game situations is costing the Hornets wins.

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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

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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

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

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl

Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

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Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

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Emergency podcast time. A report from Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko has sent shockwaves through Buzz City, claiming LaMelo Ball is "open to a trade" and the organization is hesitant about his future as a foundational piece. Walker Mehl and Doug Branson react immediately to the news, dissecting the validity of the "league sources" cited and discussing whether this is actual fire or just smoke from a frustrated camp.

The guys analyze LaMelo’s social media response—a simple clown emoji—and the team’s strategic release of a bonding video featuring Ball at rookie Kon Knueppel’s family home. Is this damage control, or is the report overblown? We look at the timeline of events, the mounting losses, and the lingering injury frustrations that may have led to this boiling point.

Furthermore, if the unthinkable happens, what does a LaMelo Ball trade look like? Walker and Doug fire up the trade machine to explore potential destinations, including a "mess for mess" swap involving names like Zion Williamson or Ja Morant, a talent consolidation with the Orlando Magic, or a move to the Golden State Warriors involving Jonathan Kuminga. The conversation shifts to how a move would impact the timeline of young stars like Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. Join us for a raw, real-time reaction to the biggest storyline of the Hornets' season.

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🎧 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

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

📲 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

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

OpenPhone

Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonnba

Hungryroot

With Hungryroot, it’s like having a personal shopper and a nutritionist all in one. For a limited time, get 40% off your first box and a free item in every box for life! Just go to Hungryroot.com/lockedonnba and use code LOCKEDONNBA.

Monarch Money

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first year

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Charlotte Hornets continue their frustrating trend of being the "get right" team for struggling opponents, this time handing the Indiana Pacers just their second win of the season. Walker Mehl and Doug Branson open the autopsy on a 127-118 loss where the defense vanished, and the offense sputtered outside of a few bright spots.

The biggest conversation centers on LaMelo Ball. In what might be his worst performance of the season, the star point guard shot just 5-of-21 from the field and committed six turnovers. The guys discuss if this is just rust from the injury layoff or a concerning trend regarding his rhythm and decision-making.

However, it wasn't all bad news. Rookie sensation Kon Knueppel continues to rewrite the record books. He is currently on pace to shatter Kemba Walker’s franchise record for three-pointers in a season. Doug even goes as far as to compare Knueppel’s offensive game to Devin Booker, a comparison that might sound crazy until you look at the film.

Plus, the show covers the relentless energy of Moussa Diabate, who continues to produce despite playing out of position, and why losing to bottom-tier teams is becoming an unacceptable habit for this franchise.

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Kon Knueppel isn't just playing well for a late lottery pick; he is playing like the best rookie in the NBA. Walker Mehl and Doug Branson discuss Kon's second straight week atop the NBA.com Rookie Ladder and why he is separating himself from the pack. We look at his high usage, efficiency, and how his play style is translating faster than anyone expected. We also touch on the contributions of other rookies like Ryan Kalkbrenner and Sion James.

Then, the conversation shifts to the end of games. The Hornets appear to have a "closing time" problem. We analyze recent final possessions involving Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball, specifically looking at the losses to New Orleans and Toronto. Is the issue coaching, personnel, or just injuries? With Brandon Miller out, who should be taking the final shot?

Finally, we open the "Sicko Satchel" to answer a listener question about LaMelo Ball's long-term future. With Kon's emergence, does it make trading LaMelo more palatable? We explain why trading a star point guard is a dangerous game for a small market team and why the goal should be pairing LaMelo with this new core rather than moving him.

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Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

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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Walker Mehl goes solo to recap the Hornets loss to Toronto and whether the Hornets were robbed by the officials after today's 2 minute report. Did you miss what the refs missed? How did the Raptors alter Charlotte's shot profile? Walker wonders if the Hornets are sneak tanking before finishing with thoughts on Tre Mann's struggles to begin the season.

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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

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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