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The NBA preseason is officially underway, and Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee stepped to the podium before his team's exhibition opener to share his thoughts on the upcoming campaign. With no more hypotheticals, Lee addressed a variety of topics, including the team's distinctive approach to pace, injury updates, and the development of rookie Hannes Steinbach.
Lee was asked about a comment he made during Media Day regarding how the Hornets internally measure pace. The coach elaborated that while the team values offensive and defensive rebounding—finishing second in both categories last season—their transition frequency was among the league's lowest. Lee explained that their pace philosophy centers on quick inbounds passes, a next-play mentality, and generating early advantages through passing rather than dribbling. He emphasized that the staff gauges success by how many pass-aheads and pass-acrosses occur, and how quickly players execute after-action decisions in closeout situations. According to Lee, the team's pace metric on the NBA website may not reflect their true intentions, as they interpret and engage with pace in a more nuanced manner.
On the injury front, the Hornets announced before the press conference that Christian Anderson Jr. and Brandon Miller would not play. Lee confirmed that Coby White suffered an injury during training camp and is in good spirits as he works through rehab. Anderson Jr. and Miller sustained injuries during practice and are considered day-to-day. With White, Anderson Jr., and Kylan Boswell all sidelined, Sion James is expected to see significant minutes at point guard behind Dennis Schröder. Lee declined to provide a detailed return timeline for White.
Despite the injury news, there is a silver lining: 14th overall pick Hannes Steinbach will make his debut and is slated for extensive playing time. When asked how practice battles with Moussa Diabaté have sharpened Steinbach, Lee noted that the rookie is adjusting to Diabaté's relentless rebounding and physical style. However, Lee praised Steinbach's skill set, physicality, and high basketball IQ, noting that he adjusts quickly and has benefited from strong mentors at his position and elsewhere on the roster.
The Hornets are taking a cautious approach with their injured players, and with the preseason just beginning, there is no need for alarm. Tip-off against the Brooklyn Nets is set for 7:00 PM EST at the Spectrum Center.
Key Analysis
Lee's insights reveal a coaching staff that prioritizes efficiency and decision-making over raw speed. By focusing on pass-aheads and time-and-action, the Hornets aim to create early offensive advantages without relying solely on transition opportunities. This approach could maximize the strengths of their roster, particularly if players like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller can thrive in a system that values quick decisions and ball movement. However, the injury situation bears watching, as the team's depth will be tested early. Steinbach's development will also be a key storyline, especially if he can adapt quickly to the physicality of the NBA. For now, the preseason serves as a proving ground for these strategies and rotations.