If you are going to keep posting trash takes, have some brass and leave them out there. I think your general take that Micic isn’t good is a laughably inaccurate one so maybe just skip that part next time
Regardless of take on Melo, Mann looks like he gives us a quick, under control guard that can run a half court offense, which is where I feel like we've struggled the most in the last several years.
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$4,908,373 $4,908,373 $6,964,982
Third year QO
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If you have .3 left on the clock, Bertans is the guy to get the shot off.
Peacing out for a bit. Happy V Day, HP crew!
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They are competent. And that is wayyy better than this time last week
Why take miller out? Come on Clifford
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Could Hugo be the 3&D guy (mascot) we have been looking for? That half court shot was lethal
1So if I'm hearing you all correct…
Brandon Miller = good.
Tre Mann = also good.
1 1 1Melo does, you’re just not a fan of his style. He averaged over 27, 8, and 5 on 42% from 3 for the whole month of November
1You know what else is nice about the trade… Veterans speaking up to refs… Controlling on the court. Curry and Williams just turned a possession. And if they dont turn it, the refs are at least aware of Charlotte
1One for the good guys!
2Good gracious we are so much more competent
Miller drawing fouls is really bonus
2 1He has had an easy 26 tonight. Career high for 3 quarters
1I know you guys are annoyed with my melo opinion. Good thing trey young isn't a hornet. You all would have me on ignore
1Fight. Tenacity. Diving for loose balls. Is this what basketball is like?
1He's like a sane Draymond
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A 50% more sane draymond!
2Also if we play like this the rest of the season we are definitely going above .500 lol
1Im having a good time
1So nobody misses PJ "don't care" Washington?
1But seriously, how can Seth, Mann, Micic, and Williams turn us from the worst defense in the league to the 2000 Ravens defense
5Can you imagine this team as it is with a competent center right now?
1I love Micic. he’s such a smart savvy player. Big BBIQ
and I love what he’s able to do without having to be uber athletic.
1We went to the library to learn the Dewey decimal system and how to get information from microfiche in the reader
Imagine another era in Hornets basketball that on a scoring drought, we are able to check Bertans into the game as a third option
4The hornets have controlled this game from the start. It's a new feeling for us
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We watching the UConn game after? Gotta watch our future back up Center and Power Foward in Clingan and Karaban 
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Micic!!!
2Vasa killing it
2He reminds me of a 90's pg. He's like Bob sura type
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Trying not to go all white guys haha. I am all about the cross race comps
2There was also one more taller PG from Serbia in the NBA, called Marko Jaric
Though, people remember mostly because of his marriage to Adriana Lima
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It's not just that we win, it's that we play good basketball
2Miller ecstatic. That's why they can't lose on purpose go Bob's
1Martin and Seth getting too many minutes in my opinion
Seth being the only one with negative +/-
1I'm really not a fan of his defense 
It’s really incredible the difference in intelligence on the court and in turn the energy (or vice/versa). I’m pretty blown away the night and day change this mix of new guys have brought. Hope they’re able to continue to gel and grow together.
One thing I did notice even though we did great against the Hawks, I was kind of jealous the size and athleticism they have at the SG and Forward spots. Murray, Hunter and Jonhson particularly. We could look for adding that at some point down the road I think.
My second post was deleted by mistake. I can’t watch games at this time so I am relegated to a screen with updates. Based on that it appeared VM was struggling. It is too soon to make an accurate judgement call on him. My knee jerk reactions to any kind of adversity is because I have been conditioned to do so. Usually it is our team that chokes some time in the second half of basketball games. Glad it wasn’t us. None the less we are on a three game winning streak after all the trades so it looks good up to this point. I won’t get my hopes up too high just yet but so far so good!
Clifford mentioned Cody’s defense. Cody and Miles were each a +33 tonight.
Ah man Jalen Johnson is fantastic. I really like his game.
Micic is such a crafty veteran. I know I won’t shut up about it, but that look off/head fake thing he does while driving is nasty. It’s like a QB using his eyes to bait the safety into helping in coverage, but they going to the WR on the other side of the field. It just freezes the help coverage. You don’t need to be an inside athlete to do stuff like that. Just smart.
Cody and GW has set a tone on defense that spreads . We are way more physical and our guys are buying in. Miles and Miller both has shown more effort on that end.
I hate I wasn’t able to watch this one live. That game thread would’ve been fun to be a part of. It’s funny because as I was watching I was also trying to figure out who Micic reminded me of. I think Sharpshooter nailed it with the Andre Miller comp. I love how under control he is. Court vision is off the charts and though he’s not lightening fast, he’s quicker than you think.
I’m blown away by Mann though. This kid is a legit starting PG. He can shoot it, finish at the rim, sees the floor, can sky for boards and is always under control. He’s a trip dub threat every night. I’m starting to come around to Chef’s view that Lamelo may be better off the ball. I promise I’m not hating on Lamelo GoBobcats, but I just love how our offense flows with Mann/Micic at the helm versus Lamelo. I do have to say I’m a little concerned about the fit between Lamelo and the new guards given how ball dominant Lamelo is. The beauty of the new roster is that we are sharing the ball and no one guy needs to go off for 35. The ball can tend to stop with Lamelo at times so I’m curious to see how his re-entry into the lineup impacts the synergy these guys seem to be developing with one another.
Other thoughts…watching Grant Williams is a testament to how important fit is. He didn’t fit in Dal. But he fit in Bos and he definitely fits here. His combination of energy, toughness and shooting ability is exactly what we need and is a better fit, even though I would argue that PJ is overall, a more talented player.
Richards gets a hard time on most of these game threads but to me he’s been very solid. He’s not elite on the defensive end for sure, but dude is posting a near double double most nights, he protects the rim and makes his FTs. We could do WAY worse for a back up C. He’s one of the better values in the league at his salary.
Cody seems to be finding his footing. He seems more bouncy these past several games. Don’t know if he’s finally getting back to 100% or maybe it’s just the energy the new guys have brought. But I do think with more talented guys around him, he can just relax and be the jack of all trades energy guy, which he excels at. When he feels like he’s got to do too much he’s not nearly as effective. But he’s definitely not a PG so Clifford needs to stop with that.
This is fun!
The other edge to that sword is he didn’t have many NBA calibre players to pass the ball too. I think he’ll fit right in and enjoy himself. Look at Miles. He’s passing the ball because there are viable shooter who have found space to pass to. He’s driving the ball because of the space created. I know where yuu’re coming from, but I’ll very surprised and disappointed if LaMelo plays too much iso/hero ball.
Had much the same thought. I like Cody, and it’s great to see him settle back into his role. I really hope his injury is behind him.
Didn’t get to watch the game , but watch full game highlights. So fun!
I actually think Melo will fit right back in. That’s the good news to me, but the bad news is that it’ll mean less playing time for Mann and Micic. I’ve enjoyed watching both mann and Micic so far.
Melo, mann, Micic
Martin, Curry
That’s a fairly crowded room. I’m wondering if the addition of mann and Micic means that they’re not rushing Melo back at all.
Edit: also I’m doubting that Mark Williams is back anytime soon. I’m seeing Cliff go with the “five out” lineup more often. Hence, that group of 5 guards will see more time with smaller lineups being played.
I do think the Serbian Second Stint Jason Kidd comp for Micic works. Similar size and build, Kidd definitely lost a step, but became a really good shooter, had to learn to work around the limitations of his athleticism with a sharp mind and great fundamentals. Here’s highlights of SSJK that last year.
I’m actually not worried about Melo fitting in. Teamwork, energy, camaraderie, sharing, selflessness - these are contagious. As someone mentioned, Miles and Miller aren’t forcing it anymore like they were the last few weeks of the Old Hornets Guard. Even Cody has calmed down his inner Kobe.
I know it was ages ago, but remember rookie and 2nd year Melo, the incredible passes he was making. Everyone was shocked, compared his passing to a Magic or Kidd like flare, incredible vision for a teenager. And these were the years there was a free flowing offense and general good enough health to make the play-in.
His usage rate is definitely way too high now, maybe it was part necessity to scrape out any chance of getting a win, part trying to earn a max contract, and part everyone else jacking up shots when they touch it, I need to get mine.
But he always emphasized winning whenever he’s interviewed, was always excited with Ashley after the games when we won.
I do think being able to watch this new cultural change, seeing how well the ball movement works, I bet he’s itching to get out there. He can see the team can win without him having to carry as much a load, and he does have a good basketball IQ, just gets a little myopic at times, but playing with other high IQ guys does bring out the best in good players.
I don’t agree with moving him completely off the ball. I think a hybrid of Melo and Mann, or Melo and Micic both being able to bring the ball and set up the offense makes us more versatile rather than pigeonholing players into roles, making it harder to scout and game plan against.
He’s really good off the ball being able to catch and shoot, but he’s also great with the ball in his hands and creating looks. I think the synergy with the new backcourt will look so much better than the days of sharing with Terry and Oubre.
Couldn’t have said it better myself and especially what’s quoted.
You took the words out of my mouth. I was thinking earlier about how infectious Melo’s passing and unselfishness was on the team early on. You had everyone starting to look for one another and good passing, ball movement. That was the year we ranked very high on assists per game.
And I’m right there with you on when Melo’s usage was very high. I think he was frustrated from being injured and then losing on top of that. I don’t believe that is truly his game.
The Dallas Kidd year is a fantastic comp for Micic. I really think Micic can be a great veteran leader to help Melo refine his game, and I’d like to see Micic continue the passing style when Melo is out of the game. I’m torn, because I really like Mann as well, but the passing and play style of Micic is so fun to watch.
Totally agree. Micic is a pure PG, Mann a genuine combo. The thing I’m realty looking forward to is seeing 48 minutes of elite passing from LaMelo & Micic. With their vision and passing ability, others are encouraged to work that little bit harder to find space and get open because they know LaMelo or Micic can find them.
This is what I was getting at when I said think harden and cp3 on the rockets where melo is harden and Mann is cp3