Risk appetite, Charles Lee knows. The Hornets' new coach is a former Wall Street trader whose wife thought it was a little crazy that he left his job at Bank of America in 2012 to become a full-time basketball coach.
“ When I left Wall Street, it was for the love of sports. I just wanted to help players be as good as possible “, remembers the technician who succeeded quite well in his bet. Arriving in the big league as an assistant in Atlanta in 2014, he won two NBA titles: that of 2021 with the Bucks, then that of a few days ago with the Celtics.
Enough to allow him to enjoy an aura already favorable to Charlotte. Grant Williams, who did not have the opportunity to meet him in Boston, believes that his arrival brings “ a certain respect, because he knows what it takes to win. […] He's been around a lot of great players and he'll do wonders for guys like LaMelo and Brandon, who are trying to be unique. »
Present like Grant Williams during his introductory press conference, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are among the young cornerstones of a franchise in decline on a sporting level. Since 2002, the team has not won a single playoff series and had to settle for three first-round eliminations. Over the past two seasons, the Hornets have only won 48 games. Cumulatively.
But Charles Lee obviously prefers to see the positive in this “ very, very good team » who was not spared from injuries. “ I look forward to this talented group doing everything they can to be healthy. Part of this task will fall to us as coaches and physical trainers. But this group is focused on what needs to be done. The only thing we expect of ourselves is to be competitive every night », he stares.
Becoming a leading franchise
Steve Clifford's successor is described by the franchise's new GM, Jeff Peterson, as a “ excellent communicator. He is competitive. He is constantly trying to find ways to improve. I know that at night he goes to sleep wondering how to improve the Hornets. He's a winner. »
And a technician who “ blown away » directing him during his interview and after speaking about him with members of the Bucks and Celtics, where Charles Lee won his rings. After having evolved in the shadow of a main coach, the new “head coach” says he “ finally the possibility » to do it his way. A perspective that “ gives you chills “.
If, however, he does not anticipate the date of the Hornets' return to the playoffs, he is aware of the course set by the leaders: “ What I can tell the fans is that when I was interviewing, Gabe (Plotkin), Rick (Schnall, the owners) and Jeff made it clear to me that they wanted this club to become one of the premier franchises in the NBA. And they told me what a passionate fan base North Carolinians can be. As soon as I heard that, I was excited. »
