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 came upon that Lee is considerably of a standard romantic, as he stated he solely wants his household near him with a purpose to thrive. However when speaking in regards to the Hornets’ roster, he sees pure potential by calling them a “talent-rich group.”
“Now we have a really, superb staff right here,” Charles stated. “We’ve been snakebit with some accidents. … However this group is targeted on the suitable issues. The expectations are that we’re going to compete each night time, whether or not it’s a house sport, street sport or whoever is enjoying. That is going to be a bunch that’s collectively offensively and defensively, irrespective 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 duty, Hornets basic 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 superb communicator,” Peterson shared. “He’s aggressive. He’s continuously making an attempt 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 positively 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 elegance of play,” Williams recalled. “He’s been round a variety of greats and he’ll do wonders for guys like LaMelo and Brandon, who’re making an attempt to be particular.”
The brand new Hornets coach didn’t provide any ensures in regards to the Hornets membership returning to the playoffs quickly
Lee desires to maintain expectations wholesome in Charlotte, and wasn’t keen to present any ensures or timelines about when his new squad will make it as soon as once more to an NBA postseason. Nonetheless, he did say he likes gamers with ambition and can encourage whoever reveals robust character.
“What I can say to the followers is that once I went via 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 staff is that they’re going to be very aggressive, they’ll be targeted on what we will management with our every day progress, course of and energy.”
Because the staff 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 power is shifting right here. You’ll be able to simply really feel the vibe,” the veteran expressed this week. “And I believe individuals are going to be actually shocked right here by how quickly it’ll occur.”
