On the age of 39, Charles Lee will get his first probability to change into a head coach within the NBA, as the previous Celtics assistant will take over the position at Charlotte subsequent season. Regardless of his lack of expertise as a frontrunner of the pack, he was already a part of two championship groups; the Bucks’ 2021 title and final week’s NBA Finals victory in Boston.
When requested if he was prepared, we discovered that Lee is a little bit of a conventional romantic, as he stated he solely wants his household near him to be able to thrive. However when speaking concerning the Hornets’ roster, he sees pure potential, calling them a “gifted group.”
“We’ve a really, superb crew right here,” Charles stated. “We’ve been bitten by some accidents. … However this group is targeted on the precise issues. The expectations are that we’ll compete each night time, whether or not it is a residence recreation, street recreation or whoever. This can be a bunch that’s collectively offensively and defensively, no matter who’s on the ground.”
Coach Charles Lee has landed in Charlotte! pic.twitter.com/9uDaJe6HQI
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 25, 2024
When requested why Lee was chosen to tackle this duty, Hornets basic supervisor Jeff Peterson stated he was “blown away” in the course of the interview, which was later confirmed by references made by each Celtics and Bucks organizations about gave him.
“He is a wonderful communicator,” Peterson stated. “He’s aggressive. He is continuously attempting to consider methods to get higher. I do know he goes to sleep at night time considering, ‘How can I make the Charlotte Hornets higher?’ And he’s a winner.”
For instance, Grant Williams, who now performs for Charlotte, is satisfied that Lee has the profitable mentality wanted to stimulate this dressing room. “It positively carries some weight and respect as a result of he is aware of what it takes to win all of it.
“He was the top coach of each championship groups, so he had a direct affect on the event and enjoying model,” Williams remembers. “He is been round a number of greats and he’ll do wonders for guys like LaMelo and Brandon who’re attempting to be particular.”
The brand new Hornets coach didn’t provide any assure that the Hornets membership would return to the playoffs shortly
Lee desires to maintain expectations wholesome in Charlotte and was unwilling to provide any ensures or timelines on when his new crew will make one other NBA postseason. Nevertheless, he did say that he likes gamers with ambition and can encourage anybody who reveals sturdy character.
“What I can say to the followers is that Gabe, Rick and Jeff made it clear in the course of the interview course of that they need this to be probably the greatest franchises within the NBA,” he stated. “… The issues we are able to promise from this crew is that they are going to be very aggressive, they are going to be targeted on what we are able to management with our day by day progress, processes and efforts.”
With the North Carolina crew desperately needing to rebuild themselves after years of poor competitors, Grant Williams assured that there’s a feeling across the Hornets camp that they’re about to show issues round for the franchise.
“The vitality is shifting right here. You simply really feel the environment,” the veteran stated this week. “And I believe folks listed below are going to be actually shocked at how shortly it’ll occur.”