Please

...

he asked about, like, why the, the Hornets would move on and, and I do think it is multilayered.

I don't think it was one thing, and I don't think the relationship between LaMelo and the organization was poor, or the relationship between LaMelo and Charles Lee was poor, or that LaMelo really, like, his conduct within the organization had anything to do with this.

I think this was simply about a player that was making the most money on the team, and the Hornets were going to eventually run up into the same situation that so many of these franchises run up when you're making ex- extensions to younger players and, and suddenly you're getting capped out.

Except the difference is the Hornets haven't made the playoffs, and so it was going to be a whole different calculation for them.

And, and this was an opportunity to move this team in a more physical direction.

Yeah

How does Steinbach factor in, and what kind of playing time could he perhaps expect right away?

Yeah, it's interesting.

I mean, I think Moussa outworked everyone last season, including Cock Brenner, for the starting job.

But Moussa is limited by his size, you know, just as, just raw height.

I mean, you know, he, he could get outplayed by bigger centers.

But it'll be interesting to see with Steinbach, 'cause I mean, one of his weaknesses, I think, is, is rim protection.

And so, uh, Moussa i- is a more switchable big.

How does Steinbach help unlock what those guys do at their best?

Are the Hornets just gonna win the championship, Doug Branson? Is that what we're watching this year in 2025, 2026? Are we watching a championship contender?

I already came into this game saying that there wasn't any need at this point in time to put a ceiling on what the Charlotte Hornets could accomplish.

We spent all preseason doing that, like saying, "Well, you know, with this and that, maybe this could happen and that." All bets are off at this point.

I, I think with the way this...

Th- they came into this game, the Hornets and the Celtics, one, two in net rating, uh, starting i- in, in January 1 for the calendar year.

These, these were the top two teams in net rating, and what you just saw was a massive win by the Charlotte Hornets, decimating, uh, their opponent.

And I'll just read you...

I think people understand the Charlotte Hornets are very real, and I want no part of them if, if that is a team that we could potentially play in the first round playoff series.