The one and only Michael Jordan has come out in support of the NBA’s protocols leading up to the regular season arriving. For a while now, there’s been plenty of drama across the NBA when it comes to players getting vaccinated and having to follow the league’s protocols on COVID-19. Most notably, Kyrie Irving has
Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball has endless talent, creativity and imagination. What can he do for the Charlotte Hornets now that he has experience too? In a May contest against the moribund Pistons, LaMelo Ball did one of the coolest things anyone has done on the basketball court in a long time. Detroit turned the ball over and
Point guard Grant Riller has been signed by the Philadelphia 76ers to a two-way contract, according to an announcement made today by Daryl Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations. On November 30, 2020, the guard signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets. In the 2020-21 season, Riller spent time playing for both Charlotte
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The frantic rush of free-agent signings from the beginning of this month has given way to a steady progression of major contract extensions. Earlier this week Joel Embiid and
Per sources, the Indiana Pacers‘ front office are contemplating a potential in-season trade involving Jeremy Lamb. On October 20, 2021, their season opener begins at the Spectrum Center against the Charlotte Hornets. The team’s backcourt currently consists of Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. McConnell. In the 2021 NBA Draft, the Pacers also selected Oregon
For NBA rookies, the start of the 2020-21 season was vastly different than in the past. The COVID-19 pandemic had caused the 2019-20 season to be put on temporary hiatus, and the league eventually resumed play in the bubble in Orlando, FL. The bubble played out long into October and as a result, the 2020
Summer is drawing to a close and while the buzz surrounding free agency has lessened, there are still some impactful moves that teams can make. Now is the time for the front office executives to trim out their roster, take a closer look at some veterans, and possibly taking a chance on a young prospect
Charlotte Hornets power forward PJ Washington is denying the social media rumor that he is paying $200k per month in child support payments to ex-girlfriend Brittany Renner. Yesterday on Twitter, the 22-year-old power forward broke his silence. He posted, “Stop the cap.” For older adults, this is slang for “stop the lies.” Renner is a
Kelly Oubre remained without a deal well into NBA free agency deals being announced, and the Charlotte Hornets have swooped in to buy low. Days into the NBA free agency period, at least when deals can be announced, Kelly Oubre lingered as one of the top names still available. Thursday night that changed, with Yahoo!’s
For the past several years, the Western Conference has widely been considered the deeper, more talented conference. Don’t look now, but the teams in the East have caught up and passed them as the premier conference in the league. Considering the elite-level talent (superstars) and the rising young stars, the argument could easily be made
Lauri Markkanen is a restricted free agent on the Chicago Bulls. The organization is now willing to trade the power forward, however, Bulls general manager Marc Eversley is demanding a first-round pick in return. Two days ago, Markkanen told the media that he has no plans to re-sign with Chicago. According to sources, the New
Devonte’ Graham celebrates his three point shot in the second quarter against the New York Knicks. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Lakers fans are thrilled with Rob Pelinka’s moves so far in Free Agency by Alicia de Artola After losing Lonzo Ball to the Chicago Bulls after a sign-and-trade deal, Devonte Graham commits to a sign-and-trade
The Detroit Pistons traded Mason Plumlee and a second-round draft pick to the Hornets in a move clearly designed to free up space for another move. It’s not often a team trades down for nothing, but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. That’s the Detroit Pistons‘ mantra on Thursday night after
May 9, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Malik Monk (1) looks to pass against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Spectrum Center. The New Orleans Pelicans won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports How would Lonzo Ball fit with LaMelo Ball on the Charlotte Hornets? by Ian Levy
Welcome back to Basketball Insiders’ “What’s Next” series. We previously covered the teams that missed both the playoffs and the Play-In Tournament. Now, we’re focusing on teams that are either on the cusp of making the playoffs or are trying to build contenders. The Charlotte Hornets, despite the outcome, had quite a fantastic season. There’s
Charlotte Hornets. (Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports) The Charlotte Hornets can accomplish so much if they were to make the 2021 NBA Playoffs. With serious playoff aspirations, it all starts with a win on Tuesday night vs. the Indiana Pacers for the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte is finished the 2020-21 NBA regular season in 10th
The Indiana Pacers wiped the floor with the Charlotte Hornets in the first play-in game before the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Here are the three biggest takeaways. The 2021 NBA Playoffs are nearly here, but before they begin, the league is giving four teams in each conference their shot at filling the final two playoff-spots for
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 18: Edmond Sumner #5 of the Indiana Pacers makes a basket at the end of the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets in the 2021 NBA Play-In Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The NBA’s play-in tournament kicks off Tuesday and every team will need stars and role players to come up big. Here’s the secret weapon each team will count on.
At the conclusion of Sunday’s NBA games, the Eastern Conference play-in round is now officially set. The 2020-21 NBA season reached its conclusion on Sunday, with many keeping their eyes peeled on the new play-in round. While there were teams looking to avoid the mini-bracket altogether, there were others looking at it as their final
With the NBA season winding down, there is limited left time for rookies to make their cases for the Rookie of the Year award. In all, three rookies are leading the charge and will likely be named the top three rookies of the season. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how the race
LaMelo Ball has been the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year and even LeBron James was impressed after his first look at the up-and-coming star. LaMelo Ball played down the stakes of his first career matchup with the GOAT, LeBron James. Earlier this week he responded to a question about whether or not he
NBA Twitter was in disbelief as Malik Monk lit up the Miami Heat once again. The last time Malik Monk faced the Miami Heat, he dropped 36 points on 11-of-18 shooting in a 129-121 overtime win for the Charlotte Hornets. In their latest meeting Friday night, Monk continued his ascent up the list of notorious
LaMelo Ball is already playing like a savvy veteran. Apparently, he’s approaching big games like on too. For NBA rookies, that first season is just a progression of firsts. Your first home game. Your first road trip. Your first time playing in the 29 other NBA arenas. Your first win, your first loss. Maybe your
LaMelo Ball has been the front-runner for Rookie of the Year almost since the season began, but somehow Draymond Green missed that. Luckily his mom filled him in. It’s hard to miss just how good LaMelo Ball has been this year. His shooting has been much, much better than advertised. He’s averaged 15.8 points, 6.3
With the Orlando Magic floating near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, four playoff teams are eyeing star center Nikola Vucevic. The 2021 NBA All-Star Game is in the books, which means the trade deadline is on the horizon. March 25 is the date that team executives will keep an eye on, as playoff
Feb 20, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, argues with referee Marc Davis (8) as Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington looks on during the second half at Spectrum Center. The Charlotte Hornets won 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports Latest update on J.J. Watt is bad news for
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 08: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after defeating the Chicago Bulls 117-115 in a game at Staples Center on January 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to