Hornets Notes: Green, Lee, Defense, Ball, Peterson

Offseason acquisition Josh Green has been a bright spot thus far for the Hornets in training camp, writes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Green had a very busy summer, making the NBA Finals with the Mavericks and then suiting up for his native Australia in the Olympics.

“It’s a different training camp time for me,” Green said. “Different than previous years. So, getting back into shape, making sure my body is ready. Just making sure certain injuries are taken care of since last year. So, overall, the training staff has been great here … making sure that I’m ready to go, and adjusting to a new system and everything. But I think the staff has done a great job making me welcome, and making sure I’m ready to go.”

Green was acquired from Dallas in the six-team mega-trade that saw Klay Thompson end up with the Mavs. Known for his defense, energy and athleticism, Green is looking forward to an expanded offensive role with Charlotte, though he acknowledges there will be an adjustment period.

“I think just getting used to having the ball back in my hands a lot,” Green said, per Boone. “In Dallas, I was in the corners and just playing the role that was given to me. I think the coaches have done a great job of being open with me dribbling, passing and creating. And I think I’m comfortable with that, too. It’s just getting back into that rhythm.”

Here’s more on the Hornets:

• New head coach Charles Lee has emphasized defense in the first few days of camp after the Hornets finished with the second-worst defensive rating in the league last year, Boone writes for The Charlotte Observer. “On our coaching staff and our program, it’s on the top of the list for us,” Lee said. “So, that’s why we wanted to start training camp with our first drill being defense. Every film session we have is going to start with defense. I’ve learned, as I’ve gone through this journey as an assistant and a coach, that you end up getting good at the things that you emphasize. So, we are just going to continue to emphasize it and eventually it’s going to sink in. A lot of it is a mindset and we have to be willing to do it consistently.”
• Point guard LaMelo Ball has been limited to 58 combined games over the past two seasons due to a series of ankle injuries, including just 22 contests in 2023/24. Head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson says Ball is healthy entering the ’24/25 season, according to Boone, who notes that the former All-Star is wearing protective braces on both ankles. “Yeah, Melo, he is in a really good place from a health standpoint,” said Peterson. “He’s had a really, really good summer as well and it’s been neat to see his commitment level. He loves Charlotte and he stayed in Charlotte basically the whole time, which is great. He’s put the time in, not only on the court, but in the weight room and training room. He’s in a really good place. I’m excited. I didn’t get to see him play last year when I was here. He was out. So, I’m excited to get to see him and take the next steps.”
• At media day, Peterson discussed Charlotte’s offseason and the team’s general plans for the future, as Boone relays. “We wanted to take a holistic approach in terms of just having sustainable success,” Peterson said. “It’s not one of these things where we want to make the playoffs one year, and then we’re out for another four years; Or make the play-in game one year, and then we’re out for five. We want to be a consistent, relevant contender. You don’t do that overnight, right? It takes time. You have to build it the right way. You can’t skip steps. We’re very strategic in every move to see if that’s possibly going to impact that goal, knowing it’s the north star.”