The Hornets on SI podcast feed has now been retired after three painful years of covering the Hornets. Instead, you can go and find podcast content on the Buzz Beat podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James and Sam return for the 5th Annual End of Season Awards, where they celebrate the highs, cringe at the lows, and relive the most unforgettable moments from the year. From gravity-defying dunks to head-scratching plays, they hand out hardware for: 🏀 Top Dunk 🎯 Best Assist 🎤 Media Moment of the Year 📉 Best/Worst Moment 📈 Best/Worst Win ⛰️ Apex Mountain 🌟 Team MVP 👀 The prestigious Kelly Oubre Award As the episode wraps, James and Sam give a heartfelt thank-you to the listeners before officially announcing James' move to the Buzz Beat Podcast next week. Tune in for laughs, hot takes, and a farewell worthy of a standing ovation. Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James kicks off the episode with a big announcement. Then, in Part 1 (8 minutes), Sam and James dive into reasons for optimism about the Charlotte Hornets’ future. Then, in Part 2 (50 minutes), they break down James' latest LaMelo Ball article for CLTure, exploring his potential trade market and what lies ahead for the young star. Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, James and Sam take a deep dive into the Charlotte Hornets' most pivotal moments over the past five years. From Malik Monk’s journey and the Hornets’ near-miss with Lauri Markkanen to coaching changes, trades that almost went down, and more—it's a look back at the key decisions, players, and what-ifs that have shaped the franchise's path. Tune in for a reflection on the sliding doors moments that could’ve altered the Hornets’ future!\ Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atticus & Eric react to the news that LaMelo Ball is out for the rest of the season with ankle and wrist injuries. What may this mean for the Hornets offseason plans? Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James and Sam dive into the Hornets' struggle as they officially get eliminated from playoff contention and look at the impact of their race to the bottom of the standings. Then, they shift gears to talk March Madness, highlighting standout draft prospects and who might be donning purple and teal come June. Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 1, James sits down with Greensboro Swarm Head Coach D.J. Bakker to break down the team’s most successful season to date. They dive into the Swarm's playoff push, Steve Clifford's influence, and the growth of KJ Simpson and Tidjane Salaun. In Part 2 (15 min), Sam and James unpack the thrilling highs and disappointing lows of the Spurs/Clippers games, discuss Nick Smith Jr.'s removal from the starting lineup, and lastly (31 min) share their thoughts on ESPN’s latest report regarding LaMelo Ball’s future in Charlotte. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James and Sam break down Miles Bridges' impressive recent performance, highlighting his career-high 46 points against the Cavaliers and his game-winning block on Cam Thomas. They then explore potential reasons behind Ball's post-All-Star break struggles. Lastly, they discuss Damian Baugh’s emergence since joining the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atticus & Eric share some of the most frustrating moments from the 24-25 season for Charlotte Hornets fans. LaMelo trade rumors are heating up for the summer, Should the Hornets hold or try to sale high on its franchise cornerstone? Eric and Atticus discuss what the framework for a deal would have to look like for the Hornets to move on from their young superstar. How could the draft lottery effect a potential LaMelo trade? A nuanced discussion on how the LaMelo situation could potentially play out. Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James and Sam dive into a heated debate over the primary reasons behind yet another disappointing and failed season. They dissect the biggest issues and assign percentages of blame across four key categories: 1️⃣ Players – Did underperformance or lack of effort play the biggest role? 2️⃣ Coaching – Were poor strategies and decisions a major factor? 3️⃣ Front Office – Did mismanagement at the top set the team up for failure? 4️⃣ Luck – How much of this season’s outcome was simply out of anyone’s control? Tune in as they break down each category and debate how the blame should be distributed. Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam and James discuss their first impressions of Charlotte's new additions Nurkic, Baugh, Moore Jr and Payton. Before in part 2 (33 min) discussing what success looks like for the final third of the season and what Charlotte's lottery odds will look like. Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attics & Eric are back to discuss Mark Williams return to the Hornets. They also discuss the Hornets big win against the LA Lakers. Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam and James dive into the drama surrounding the rescinded Mark Williams trade, and its impact, before shifting to a discussion about Trae Young being chosen over LaMelo Ball as an All-Star replacement (47 min). Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Plowright and Sam Dracula are joined by Hornets beat writer Matt Alquiza to discuss a dramatic trade deadline day. In part 1 they discusses the Hornets surprising decision to trade Mark Williams for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and future picks (Very good ones). Then, in part 2 (25 mins) they analyze Charlotte's second move of the day, trading Cody Martin and Vasa Micic for Jusuf Nurkic and a future first round pick. Could this trade deadline play a defining role on Jeff Peterson's early days as President of Basketball Operations? Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a week of blockbuster NBA Trades, Sam and James discuss how the potential ripple effects could effect the Charlotte Hornets? The impact on Dallas' 2027 1st Round Pick which the Hornets own Does the De'Aaron Fox trade set the potential market for LaMelo Ball Lessons from how DAL/SAC traded their star players, what has Jeff Peterson learned? Why aren't Charlotte getting involved in these deals? Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark and Tim discuss today's news that LaMelo Ball was not named an All-Star. In addition, they discuss the legal troubles of Terry Rozier, Josh Okogie's debut, and of course- media corner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part 1 Sam and James start the show discussing another LaMelo Ball injury, Okogie's impact and key takeaways from the loss to the Lakers. In Part 2 (29 min) they conduct a draft of the key reasons why the Hornets performances have improved as of late. Including; LaMelo Ball's change in style, a softer schedule, Salaun going MIA, Coaching, Mark Williams impact and players stepping up Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James goes solo to offer his thoughts and reactions to LaMelo Ball missing out on being named an All-Star starter. He discusses his reaction to the news, why did the media didn't support LaMelo and discusses if he thinks Ball will make the All-Star team. James offers a balanced and subjective view of the situation, looking at both sides of the argument. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part 1, James and Sam break down Charlotte's recent win over Dallas, as well as discussing Nick Smith Jr's emergence, Brandon Miller's injury and the Nick Richards/Josh Okogie trade. In part 2, James goes solo to fill listeners in on the trades he's made in the Mock Trade Deadline project he is involved in for the The Center Hub, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim and Mark breakdown all of the implications of the recent Nick Richards trade for Josh Okogie (and +2 second round picks). Check out Charlotte Hornets on SI for the latest news and analysis 💻: https://shorturl.at/nuxDU Part of the Fans First Sports Network: https://shorturl.at/dnsxZ Follow Hornets on SI on X https://x.com/SI_Hornets Follow Hornets on SI on Facebook https://shorturl.at/bitxY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices