yahoo
During Naz Reid's early days with the Charlotte Hornets, head coach Charles Lee had an issue with the forward that resulted in him being benched in a game the team could have won. Since that moment, Lee's approach appears to have lit a fire under Reid, whose performance has steadily improved.
With the Hornets missing star players Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, the team has needed others to step up. In recent games, Reid and Grayson Allen have answered the call, most notably in a dominant victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. Reid poured in 25 points, while Allen added 27, as the duo powered the Hornets to a convincing win.
Over the six games since his benching, Reid has averaged 17.6 points per contest, establishing himself as a reliable go-to option. Following the win over Cleveland, Lee made a point to highlight Reid's contributions, emphasizing not just his scoring but also his defensive intensity. "I'm glad that some shots went down, but I love the defensive intensity probably even more. It's really cool to see (Naz Reid) becoming an elite two-way player and giving it to us on both ends of the floor," Lee said.
Key Analysis
Reid's emergence as a two-way force comes at a critical time for Charlotte, which remains without Miller and Knueppel. His ability to shoulder a first-option role will be crucial as the season progresses. Lee's willingness to hold players accountable—as shown by the benching—seems to have paid off, with Reid responding positively and becoming a key contributor on both ends of the floor.
Originally reported by yahoo.