The Charlotte Hornets are still a long way from contender status, but for the first time in years Spectrum Center is becoming a place opposing coaches circle on the schedule. Head coach Charles Lee made sure the fans got their share of credit after Charlotte's statement win over the Phoenix Suns.
Lee was asked whether the arena's noise had tipped the balance in some late-game calls. His response was part gratitude, part acknowledgement of how loud the building has become in recent weeks.
"Yeah, extremely hard, especially some of those calls afterwards. I thought that our crowd did a good job of really amping up their thoughts on that," Lee said. "But I think that our team is feeding off of it. We're super appreciative that we get to play in front of some of the best fans in the NBA. And it's definitely becoming more and more of a home-court advantage."
Charlotte's defensive turnaround was the thread Lee kept pulling. After a slow start, the Hornets tightened their principles and began ending possessions with a body on shooters.
"Too many moments of not locking into tendencies. Having an active X5 at the rim to help protect the paint. Just a lot of our defensive principles and who we are, and the habits we built weren't there in the first quarter, especially consistently enough," Lee said.
On Phoenix, Lee offered a nod before the nod turned into a win. "It's a heck of a team, a heck of a victory. They're a very good team, very talented. I think they're really well coached."
The game's subplot belonged to Josh Green, the Australian guard whose fingerprints were all over Charlotte's defensive adjustments. Lee broke down Green's approach with visible affection.
"Just understanding people's tendencies and having the subtleties of the game to understand how to beat somebody to a spot," Lee said. "Having that technique where you're being physical, being physical — now that guy's waiting for you to be physical again, and then you all of a sudden release contact. Josh is such a hard-playing young man and such a consistent competitor."
Rookie Sion James echoed the point in his own locker-room remarks. "I didn't see the one today. I was in helpside and I just look over and he was guarding the post. I look away and look back and he's running the other way. I mean, that's the kind of stuff that Josh does all the time."
Grant Williams, recently back in the rotation, earned his own billing. Lee said the Hornets forward brings "a winning spirit, a competitive spirit" and highlighted his basketball IQ and communication as difference-makers down the stretch.
Still, Lee refused to let the tone drift toward back-patting. Charlotte has taken a steadying step forward this year; the coach wants the next one.
"We're proud of the direction that we're going in," Lee said. "But the biggest thing that we want to try to find is consistency, sustained success. While this is a great stepping stone, we are all hungry and focused on just the continued commitment to getting better."
The Hornets are not selling playoffs. They are selling progress — and, for once, a home arena that sounds like it believes them.
