Locked On NBA – Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association HORNETS RISING: LaMelo Ball And Charlotte Hornets OUTLAST Spurs | Are They The NBA's HOTTEST Team?
Feb 1, 2026
Charlotte’s sudden surge and LaMelo Ball’s leadership are front and center as the Hornets outlast the Spurs. Defensive breakout plays and an unconventional coach spark discussion. Late-game heroics, Joel Embiid’s 40-point night, Cooper Flagg’s breakout, and trade deadline intrigue keep the league-wide storyline buzzing.
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Diabate Is The Unsung Defensive Glue
- Musa Diabate has been the defensive glue allowing Charlotte to handle bigs like Victor Wembanyama.
- His switchability and offensive rebounding materially impacted the Hornets' win over the Spurs.
Killer Bees Lineup Is Historically Dominant
- The 'Killer Bees' lineup (Ball, Miller, Bridges, Diabate) posts historic net rating with significant sample size.
- That unit's performance underpins Charlotte's rapid rise in road net differential.
Trust Unconventional Coaching Choices
- Trust Coach Charles Lee's unconventional moves; they foster late-game cohesion and buy-in.
- Keep players engaged with rotation choices that prioritize end-of-game availability.