Hornets Fall to the Lakers, 93-75
Las Vegas, NV - The Summer League has been challenging for the Charlotte Hornets, and their latest game against the Los Angeles Lakers was no exception, resulting in a 93-75 loss.
Despite the defeat, the Hornets showed promise in the first half by taking a lead, a rare occurrence for them in the Summer League. However, they were unable to maintain their advantage in the second half.
One noticeable issue for the Hornets is their coaching, which has led to a lack of motivation and preparedness, particularly in the second half of games. The team's overall schemes appear sloppy, and the responsibility falls on coach Marlon Garnett, who hasn't made a strong impression in his role as the lead coach during the Summer League.
Brandon Miller's performance was a mix of positives and negatives. While he scored 10 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and contributed 4 assists, he also committed 4 personal fouls and struggled with his three-point shooting, going 0-7. It's important not to overreact to Miller's shortcomings as he still has time to develop. However, it's clear that he is not yet ready to be an immediate starter for the Hornets.
It's worth noting that Miller was one of only four players who scored above 10 points in the game, alongside Nick Smith, Travis Scott, and James Bouknight. Speaking of Bouknight, he had a less-than-impressive performance. While not horrendous, he struggled with consistency in his shooting and had moments where his shots were significantly off target.
Standout for the Hornets: James Nnaji
This one was a tough choice, but James Nnaji really impressed in this game. Although he only scored 4 points, his defensive performance stood out. He grabbed 6 rebounds and made 2 impressive blocks. What impressed me the most was his ability to execute pick-and-rolls and screen effectively on defense. His defensive IQ has really stood out.
To be honest, he has been the most impressive rookie from the 2023 Draft Class for the Hornets, not named Brandon Miller. Hopefully for the Hornets' sake, he continues to develop and make long-term contributions to the team, both on offense and defense.
Standout for the Lakers: Colin Castleton
Despite the Lakers not having a ton of promising young stars for the future on there team, they really have something in Colin Castleton. If you don't know Castleton is an undrafted free agent who the Lakers took a chance on signing him to a two-way deal.
With performances like tonight, the Lakers really benefit as he shined on both defense and on offense. He scored efficiently scoring 21 points and even made 3 assists as well. With the 14 rebounds he had, Castleton added so much value to himself. There is a real chance Castleton could make the main roster of he continues to stand out in Los Angeles
The Hornets' next game in the Summer League is scheduled for July 11th, 2023, when they will face the Portland Trail Blazers. This matchup is expected to be a must-watch as it will showcase the talents of Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson, who will likely go head-to-head on the court.
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