At 39-years of age, Charles Lee will get his first probability to move coach within the NBA, as the previous Celtics assistant will take over the function in Charlotte this upcoming season. Regardless of his lack of expertise main the pack, he’s already been a part of two championship groups; the Bucks’ 2021 title and this previous week’s NBA Finals win in Boston.
When requested if he was prepared, we discovered that Lee is considerably of a conventional romantic, as he stated he solely wants his household near him as a way to thrive. However when speaking concerning the Hornets’ roster, he sees pure potential by calling them a “talent-rich group.”
“We’ve a really, superb workforce right here,” Charles stated. “We’ve been snakebit with some accidents. … However this group is targeted on the best issues. The expectations are that we’re going to compete each night time, whether or not it’s a house sport, highway sport or whoever is enjoying. That is going to be a bunch that’s collectively offensively and defensively, regardless of who’s on the ground.”
Coach Charles Lee has landed in Charlotte! pic.twitter.com/9uDaJe6HQI
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 25, 2024
When requested about why Lee was chosen to tackle this accountability, Hornets normal supervisor Jeff Peterson stated he was “blown away” by him in the course of the interview, which was later confirmed by references given about him by each Celtics and Bucks organizations.
“He’s a wonderful communicator,” Peterson shared. “He’s aggressive. He’s continuously attempting to determine methods to get higher. I do know that at night time he goes to sleep considering, ‘How can I make the Charlotte Hornets higher?’ And, he’s a winner.”
Grant Williams, for instance, who now performs for Charlotte, is satisfied that Lee has the successful mentality wanted to stimulate this locker room. “It undoubtedly carries some weight, some respect, as a result of he is aware of what it takes to win all of it.
“He was the affiliate head coach on each championship groups, so he had a direct impression within the growth and magnificence of play,” Williams recalled. “He’s 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 ensures concerning the Hornets membership returning to the playoffs quickly
Lee needs to maintain expectations wholesome in Charlotte, and wasn’t prepared to provide any ensures or timelines about when his new squad will make it as soon as once more to an NBA postseason. Nevertheless, he did say he likes gamers with ambition and can encourage whoever exhibits sturdy character.
“What I can say to the followers is that after I went by the interview course of, Gabe, Rick and Jeff made it clear they need this to be one of many NBA’s premier franchises,” he stated. “… The issues that we will promise from this workforce is that they’re going to be very aggressive, they’re going to be targeted on what we will management with our day by day progress, course of and energy.”
Because the workforce from North Carolina badly must rebuild themselves after years of poor competitions, Grant Williams assured that there’s a feeling across the Hornets camp that claims that they’re about to show issues round for the franchise.
“The vitality is shifting right here. You may simply really feel the vibe,” the veteran expressed this week. “And I feel individuals are going to be actually shocked right here by how quickly it’s going to occur.”
