Charles Lee’s Charlotte Hornets set the tone in the opening game of the California Summer League

For the first time since the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, Charles Lee led his troops into battle. The 1778 battle was more important from a world history standpoint, but tonight’s battle was important for the Queen City as it marked the beginning of a new era in Charlotte Hornets basketball.

The Hornets beat the Spurs 97-65 in Lee’s debut. It was a truly dazzling effort on both ends over four quarters for Charlotte’s California Summer League team.

What I took away most from the game was… By Charles Lee Energy on the bench. Lee, the only full-time acting head coach calling the shots in the California Summer League, was in high spirits on the bench. Encouraging his players, applauding the defensive effort, calling the shots on offense, Lee was focused. If you told me Lee brought the same energy to this game that he brought to last month’s Game 5 win for the Boston Celtics, I wouldn’t doubt you.

The team lived up to Lee’s energy. Charlotte was first to every loose ball in the first quarter, setting the tone. They went up and down the court, dictating the pace from the opening tip. It was a truly impressive effort from a ragtag group of players who could have done what they needed to do in a seemingly meaningless summer scrimmage. Kudos to Charles Lee, his staff and the players on the roster for their spirited effort.

The tireless effort didn’t come at the cost of protecting the ball. In an up-and-down, fast-paced game (as most Summer League games are), Charlotte only turned the ball over. Seven Hornets fans and pundits have been clamoring for the team to employ true point guards in the Summer League for a few years now and Charlotte delivered in 2024. A refreshing sight.

The protagonist of this matchup was the Spurs’ first-round pick (number four overall) Stephon Castle against the Hornets’ sophomore. Nick Smith Jr. Both guards handled the primary playmaking duties, and Charlotte’s Smith Jr. did a masterful job directing the offense from the start. Smith did exactly what he was supposed to do as a seasoned NBA player in the California Summer League. He did his job from the start and looked comfortable handling the ball throughout the night.

On the other hand, the Hornets Bryce McGowens He failed to make a real impact. After being fired earlier in the day, McGowens struggled in Charlotte’s offseason debut. You’d think a third-year player with more than 100 NBA games under his belt would dominate in this environment. McGowens didn’t. He won’t be wearing purple and teal next year, but these next few weeks are critical to him earning a second contract with an NBA team.

He most The dominant player on both ends was Charlotte. Muhamadou Gueye. His impact on both ends was astonishing. In the first half alone, Gueye had 15 points, four rebounds and three blocks, but numbers don’t tell the whole story. He finished through and around contact, knocked down jumpers, protected the rim and thwarted everything the Spurs tried to do on offense with his Mr. Fantastic wingspan (7’2” compared to his 6’1” height). His best moment in the first half was a slick European pass around former Hornet Nathan Mensah.

And his highlight of the second half was this nasty punch to the face in the fourth quarter.

Not everything was perfect for Gueye, though. He had foul trouble (he finished the night with seven, a la Brandon Miller last summer) and had some erratic closeouts, but he showed enough play to earn himself a little more firepower as Summer League continues.

The last Hornet of note was a big man. Actor Jake Stephens became a film and television actor. Like Gueye, Stephens displayed impressive two-way ability all over the court. He extended his offensive range to the three-point line while protecting the paint as a defensive anchor on the other end.

The last recognition goes to Matt MorganI watched him play in high school at Cox Mill in Concord, North Carolina, and I’ve always rooted for him. Cornell’s all-time leading scorer has a chance to play for his hometown team in the Summer League, and that’s a cool story. He also got loose in the fourth quarter of tonight’s game, which made his hometown people proud.

More than any individual effort, Lee’s ability to motivate his youngsters is the story of the night. Charlotte has played mediocre basketball in the Summer League for some time, and Lee’s change of mindset changed that from the start of tonight’s action. Overall, it was a super-impressive effort for Charlotte. Lee got his young Hornets buzzing, which bodes well for their (and the team’s) future.

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