The Charlotte Hornets are entering a new age, and there is plenty of optimism that they will make the leap in no time, largely because of Charles Lee. The head coach proclaimed that this era will be different, as he has emphasized togetherness as a key quality the team will focus on.
For the Hornets to continue improving, they must indeed learn to play together, particularly on the offensive end.
The last time they had a winning season was in 2021-22. Charlotte's success was mainly driven by a highly rated offense, with its 115.3 points per game in that campaign ranking fourth in the league.
Ball and Miller will thrive in a high-octane offense
This year, Lee has prepared to overhaul the Hornets' offense by increasing their pace on offense, saying as much at training camp in Durham.
He clarified, though, that he plans on the team becoming more than just a run-and-gun squad. Instead, he wants his players to create advantages by getting to their spots more quickly and making the right read. In addition, Lee told his wards to run into screens and crash the offensive boards with pace.
If the idea comes to fruition, the franchise's cornerstones, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, will get more chances to showcase their strengths and do damage against opponents on the offensive end of the floor.
Through his first four years in the NBA, Ball has bloomed in creating opportunities for his teammates, as evidenced by his average of 8.3 assists per contest in the past two seasons. He can sometimes be shot-happy but has also shown flashes of creativity with the rock.
A faster-paced offense can allow the 2022 All-Star reserve to improve his shot selection and dish it out early in search of high-quality shots.
On the other hand, Miller has been better than advertised for the Hornets. He displayed his shooting prowess from the 3-point land and the midrange, which helped him put up 17.3 points per match in the 2023-24 campaign.
A pleasant surprise about the Rookie of the Year finalist's game was his ability to navigate the pick and roll, which should help flourish in Lee's scheme. If he can improve his catch-and-shoot efficiency, Miller can turn out to be an even more excellent fit alongside Ball.
It remains to be seen how the new offense will shape up, and Charlotte's preseason bouts against the New York Knicks (twice), Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, and Indiana Pacers should give fans a glimpse of Lee's master plan on offense.