October 22, 2025 • 44 mins
In the final hour of the show, the guys are joined by Charlotte FC captain Ashley Westwood to talk about the playoffs, react to some of the best audio from around the Hornets on opening night and discuss if the CLT media could fair better than the Boston media did playing a pick up game against the Hornets coaching staff.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You were listening to the Wes and Walker Show.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Are you telling me, after fifteen years of unanswered prayers,
we finally get our rint protector only for Dorian Finney
Smith and Danilo Gallinari.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
It's Wes fifty two year old Danilo Gallinari to mess
it all up.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Let's go seven games, seven games into the gear man?
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Are you telling me I actually miss Cody Zeller and Walker.
Forget o hornet starter jacket. I need a straight jacket.
I'm going crazy. I'm rocking back and forth in fetal
position only on Sports Radio ninety two point seven AFM WFNZ, longing.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
For the days of Cody Zeller. It's Prgas Hitto.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
The area with a shot staved off the line, almost.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
A handball took Leamoni a chance for the middle of
a Parker sets.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
We have that man in studio right now. No, I'm
not talking about Willie p Get out of here. Willie.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Time to make the broom for Ashley Westwood, Charlotte FC Captain.
He joins us now on West of Walker Sports Radio
ninety two seven wfn Z. He's here with not only
myself in West but a different form of Wes can
I ask you what's going on over there with the
towel my man.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
And man, this is you know, you know, I'm styling.
So they bought a little tally in. You know sometimes
people have put it under their hats and stuff like that.
So I just put it on my head and put
the hiphone on top of my man.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Astley likes.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
I saw as soon as I did it, he started grinting.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
This is the drip? Is he speaking for you, Ashley?
He put words in your Yeah, I can him pull
it off? Okay, I don't know if I can.
Speaker 5 (01:42):
I get that a lot with a lot of stuff
I wear and do around here from these guys.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Well, you and I both do our hair, man like
we both have. I mean, look, I have been complimented
on my hair. I need to get it cut, but
yours is impeccable. Yours is like high and tight, really
nicely done GQ style. So I need to honestly live
my life a little bit more like you. When it
comes to a hair game. Man, Oh, I mean he
comes in. He looks like such a soccer star, right.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
I mean, I've got to go today a nice jacket
with crispy white shirt on the hair is perfect. I mean,
this guy looks like he's ready to, you know, just
be an international soccer star.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Are you always GQ ready? Just like my wife does
a good job. You do a good job. Your wife
does a good job. You look great.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
I don't address myself.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Ashley Westwood in the Tailor Vault studio getting ready for
the playoffs. Here a couple of big games that we
have in store. But I did want to ask you
because Willie p the man who just gave us the
impeccable call, as he always does, he did tweet out
of practice today that you weren't out there because of backspasms.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
How are you feeling. You're feeling okay, I'm great. Okay, Yeah,
I'm good. You'll be out there. I'll be that Shuesday.
Don't worry about that.
Speaker 6 (02:49):
We'll just I'm having a bit of work during the
week so to get the back right. But yeah, I'm
I feel good. I'm sat up here right Sunday night
was wasn't great, but I'm on meds and I'm on
the mend.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
So you're feeling I mean, we're not worried at all
about you missing this game though. That's just just to
be clear about that.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Yep, the way I'm progressing now will be there Tuesday well.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
And this is a team that has a nice finish
to the season with that victory that you guys had
on Saturday. It's been an incredible season. A roller coaster season,
but an incredible season. How do you guys feel like
as a team? You as the captain, you can speak
for him. How do you guys feel as a team
going into the postseason?
Speaker 1 (03:25):
We're full of confidence.
Speaker 6 (03:26):
I mean, the way we've finished the season is what
we what I thought this team could do anyway. I
think we've obviously we wanted we wanted top four. We
said that from the start of the season, we said
that from after the playoffs last year when we got
beat by Orlando top four with the minimum. But I
still think we could have even gone on and done better.
It's that's that's what I think of this team. I
(03:48):
think we're established ourselves as now as one of the
best teams in the East, and I think the East
is the toughest league to be in. So yeah, we're
in a good spot and lads are full of confidence.
Training grounds was in and let's get the city buzzing
as well.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
Yeah, actually, so to Walker's comment, just to piggyback off
of that one, you guys start the season on a high,
then you go through a crazy load to where people
are thinking the season has lost, it's done. So take
me inside that locker room, man amongst the team, what
was the proverbial switch that turned on that changed the
season for you guys?
Speaker 6 (04:22):
We to be fair, we always knew that room was
going to be tough, them all them away games. It's
not easy to win a to win away from home
in the MLS, so we knew it was going to
be tough. But listen, it was. It was disappointing from
from our standards. We were we were disappointed. Well, it
sounds strange saying this. We were playing well. It wasn't
like that we were getting well beat. It was mistakes
(04:44):
here and there, which were human beings. Let them things happen.
But listen, things things got heated, things were said. That's
that's part of a good a good locker room. Wolf's
come in.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
And is good at that. I'll say things.
Speaker 6 (04:55):
We've got a group now who speaks up and takes
accountabilit for our actions, and that's what you need. And
I think that's what pulled us and got us, got
us back to where we deserve to be.
Speaker 5 (05:06):
So what's your favorite thing from a character standpoint about
this team as you enter postseason play?
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Just the resilience we've shown, resilience all through the year,
the knocks we've taken and listen, we've we don't get
the credit we deserve. I'm going to say, is we
don't get the credit we deserve from the MLS. I
think we're we're an incredible team with if you look
at our team on paper, I think we're stronger than
anyone out there. Obviously, some teams have got some superstars,
(05:35):
which that's what the MLS is. But we've created a
group of twenty twenty five guys who could compete every
week in the in the MLS and that's what that's
what set us on our pathway to finishing top four.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Is it the lack of quote unquote superstars as to
why you feel the MLS doesn't give you enough respect?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Maybe it is.
Speaker 6 (05:52):
That we know we know in that in that changing room,
in that locker room, we've got Listen, we've we've beaten
the best, We've beaten the top of this league. And no,
we're We're happy to go about our business. We won't
we won't let it affect us. We know, we know
good we are. We've got that confidence, We've got that
little bit of arrogance. We've shown that against Philly who
(06:13):
won the league comfortably. But I think we're I think
we're a better team. And then, and that's that's what
all the lads should believe him.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Ashley Westwood, Charlotte FC captain, joining us here in the
Chandler vaulta studio on Western Walker Sports Radio ninety two
seven WFNZ. You said things were said in the locker room.
Don't need to divulge into all of the content of
what was said. But here you are as the captain,
like this is you being a leader? I don't know.
Were you voted on by teammates to be the captain
of the teeth.
Speaker 6 (06:41):
I think it was a decision made even before when
I first got here. It was Christin Latanzio who who
made me captain. But no, he was just carried on
through the managers.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
The manager.
Speaker 6 (06:52):
New managers come in. Dean Smith, he's he's he's a
key part of it as well. He's during that run,
he keeps very grounded even when you're winning games, he
stays the same. So that got us through the difficult period.
But yeah, no, things we've got we've got some good
leaders in that locker room. Now you've got mentioned Will
Tim USA national captain Nathan Burns a leader in there,
(07:14):
and I think he was a loss as well during
during next stretch. So we've we've got we've got leaders
in there. Kelly is another one who will who will
say things. So but you need that we're grown men,
we're athletes, we want to win and things do get
things does get heed?
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Well, I mean you mentioned it you were just named captain.
Is that something you welcomed because that's a large responsibility.
Like now when things are being said in the locker room,
they're going to be looking at some of the leaders
and here you are as that captain. Did you welcome
that responsibility immediately? Were you thinking I got this now?
Like I just wanted to come play. I just wanted
to come play for the club. Like what are your thoughts?
(07:49):
As soon as you get that honor, it is an
honor nonetheless, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (07:52):
I've done it in England with many other clubs that
I've been at, but not the official captain. I've been,
I've dep dinner's captain of but I'm not. I'm not
known for a shout around the place. I'm not allowed
around the place. The way I lead is on the
training field. Every day I turn up. Every day I'm
there on a Saturday. You can rely on me. So yeah,
(08:13):
I even even at the age of thirty thirty two,
I had to grow into it. But I will say
things like anyone should say things, and I give I
give the lads a platform to do that, to use
their voice. The more voices you have out there on
a Saturday, the better chance the team has to win games.
So I encourage things to be said and as long
(08:33):
as it's not taken too far, all right.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
So moving forward to your match up with New York,
I mean, what do you feel like that this team,
the challenges that they bring to you.
Speaker 6 (08:42):
Guys, Yeah, they're they're very good. They're one of the
better teams. The way they the way they play the ball.
But listen, anyone, anyone who comes to the bank knows
they're in for a game. So we've got to use
that to advantage that. That was what Top four was
all about. We were We've just recently played them at
their place, so we want to we want to turn
(09:03):
things around. We when we last played then we were disappointing.
So we know what we didn't do right, we know
what they did right, and it's time to put that
right on on Tuesday. And like I said, if we
just need the it's not ideal. I was disappointed at
anyone finding the games out on Tuesday. I wanted a
weekend game. But hopefully our amazing crowd can turn up
(09:24):
and turn up in the numbers and we're doing a
good show all right.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
Rather than to other sports, though, what do you feel
like the challenges that MLS that the MLS playoffs bring.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
The format is the three game is listen anyway. It's
it's known anyone can be anyone, and that was that's
what did us last year. We we thought we were
better than Orlando. But at the end of the day,
you have two games. They've got two games at home,
which is new for me in England it's one home
run away.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
So that's the that's the diff that's the most difficult part.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
And then when you get through that, you've got to
play the best of the other league. So it's this
this cub's hard to win. It's a real hard, hard,
hard game, hard to competition to win. There's so many
games you're traveling, but no we to finish top four.
It gives you the best chance. That's that's im proven
(10:16):
in the in the past.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
So this is it.
Speaker 7 (10:19):
Now.
Speaker 6 (10:19):
We've we've we've done what we needed to do, but
we've got to we've got to now turn this turn
this playoff run into a successful one.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
We don't we don't want to fall short.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Game Crowd captain Ashley Westwood joining us here in Chandler
Vault Studio on Western Walker Sports Radio ninety two seven WFNZ.
We're getting ready for Charlotte FC series against the NYC,
in which you'll get your couple games hopefully. I mean,
maybe we can just take care of business in the
first two. But you are going to play at Boa
and then you're gonna play at Yankee Stadium. What's it
like playing on a baseball field different? It's it's very different.
Speaker 6 (10:49):
And listen, that's why they use their home advantage like
like we do ours. So we've got to go there.
We've that I can't remember. I don't know what I think.
I don't think we played at that stadium this year.
I think it was. I think we played there two
years ago.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Is that right? What you got over there?
Speaker 8 (11:07):
Flat well, because I think I think the game is
going to be at City Field, where they did play
a couple of years ago. Yankee Stadium is where they
played earlier this season, but I don't think for some reason,
maybe there's a concert or something going on a Yankee Stadium.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
So I got to hear at November first. We'll see.
I mean, well, you'll you'll have to figure that out
because you'll have to be there for the game. I
will say. Well, but anyways, just playing NYC, getting ready
for that series in its totality, you guys aren't going
to have wilfrid Zaha for the first game because of
the red card. And here we are speaking to your
leadership once more. What is it like not having him
(11:41):
out there on the pitch with you.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
It's a huge loss.
Speaker 6 (11:44):
I mean, Wilf's ability has Everyone's seen that he's an
incredible player, and I mean he took a lot of
criticism when he first got here.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
But I've been there, I've done it. He was he's
come in.
Speaker 6 (11:58):
People expect you to to turn up straight away and
score score a load of goals. But that's not the case.
You have to fly back into to England to do
your visa. His wife gave birth and it's it's not easy.
It's not easy to settle down. But once you've seen
him settle down, Wilf has has gone on to I
know what Wilf was. I've played against him many times
and I even used to kick him when I was
(12:20):
at Burnley, So we joke, we joke about it now.
But no, he's going to be a huge loss. But
we've got we've got players who can who hopefully can
replace him. It's their time now to step up, and
step up is now and we need them.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
So that's there's no bigger time.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
So you said that teams they know when they come
into the Bank it's going to be tough on a man.
Tell me from your perspective, what makes Bank of America
such a special place to play games.
Speaker 6 (12:46):
The minute you come out for a warm up, you
can feel the energy from the supporters section. I mean,
they they're with us, wind, rain shine, They're always there.
They turn up in the numbers. They even turn up
away from home. When we go away from home, we
get two thousand, which is incredible. But no, when you
when you turn up at the bank, you hear the
energy from the fans and then that gives us a lift,
(13:10):
It gives us a belief and we say it in
England they're they're the twelfth Man and they certainly are.
In Charlotte, it's it's a tough place to come and play.
We play with a lot of energy. We play. We'll
turn it, we'll turn it in behind, we'll kick it
in behind, and we'll we play different to most teams,
but that's that's the energy you want to bring. And
when the fans turn up, we usually turn up, so
(13:32):
we're going to need them.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
All right, turn up, there you go.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
Ashley Westwood, captain of Charlotte FC, joining us inside the
channel of VAULTA Studios. We can't get you out of
here without asking a Willie p question though. Do you
just have a ring tone anytime somebody texts you, do
you have the Do you have that high pitch sound
going on to the background. How often do you get
to listen to Willie Peace calls?
Speaker 1 (13:53):
I don't.
Speaker 6 (13:53):
I've I've given him some stick before, but I turn
it down when he's talking it's.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
Willie. Man.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
You can't turn down Willy. You gotta turn it all
the way up and get the true Mickey Mouse experience
from one Willie.
Speaker 6 (14:06):
That's he's gonna pull me now on Friday when I
see him, he probably is.
Speaker 9 (14:09):
He was.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
He was upset last time I mentioned that. I'm sure
he was. Man, Willie P. You gotta I mean, you
just have to embrace it.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
You have to embrace the high pitch, you have to
embrace the goald calls, you have to embrace, embrace all
of it.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
He's famous in England, though, is he really? He's famous
in England? Well?
Speaker 6 (14:23):
How famous are He's been on a few Instagram reels
that I've seen?
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Is he just the Mickey Mouse? I was gonna say,
is it okay to call him?
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Charlotte FC's mascot, Minty Simmony is special? I think so too.
We saw Sermenty the other day. By the way, he's
just roaming the halls around here. I love the crown,
I love the smile. Sirmenty's great, but it does feel
like Willi P is also maybe the sidekick mascot to Sirmenty.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
It could be the voice, it could be the voice
of so many.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Imagine that voice coming out of Sir Minty's body, all
of it, the entire thing.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
I would love every single second of it.
Speaker 8 (14:58):
Well and in all seriousnes do you guys like the
support that he gives the club and everything like that,
how enthusiastic he is and everything because it comes from
a very genuine place for him.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
A nuts, Yeah, that's what makes it so.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
It fits him with our support of the energy we
play with. So yeah, we love having him around. We
see him at the training ground a lot. He's always there,
he's always bringing he always brings the vibes.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
You can count him for that, all right, Ashley Westwood
joining us on west and Walker. We're getting ready for
the postseason. They have a series coming up against NYC.
We appreciate his time. Good luck with the health, good
luck in the postseason, Ashley, We appreciate the time, man man, Thank.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
You very much. Thank you.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
That's excited, excited for all of it about to unfold.
The first game going to be on Tuesday. By the way,
don't get a weekend game, but we do get a
game on Tuesday. We'll be back in just a moment
for the Live Wire Sports rated ninety twenty seven WFNZ
(15:56):
thanks to Ashley Westwood joining us inside the chain of
the vaulta studios man.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Awesome stuff, pulling for him, pulling for CHARLOTTEVC.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
We'll see what they can do in their series against
NYC again that game at Bank of America Stadium October
twenty eighth. To be exact, first kick is going to
be six forty five. Is that what you say? First kick?
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Kick?
Speaker 10 (16:15):
You nailed it?
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Is that going to be all right? Yeah? First kick?
Speaker 10 (16:18):
Yeah, you're right.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
I often refrain from saying some of that stuff that
I view as soccer slash football art.
Speaker 10 (16:23):
Yourself, man, that was good.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
I shouldn't.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I shouldn't trust myself all the time, but I should
have there. Anyway, six forty five is when the game starts.
They'll be playing again at Bank of America Stadium, and
on their road game there's going to be a watch
party at Boa. So once they play against New York City,
it says Yankee Stadium on Charlotte fvc's website.
Speaker 8 (16:41):
It's one of the stadium the baseball stadiums in the
New York area, it says, yeah, one of them.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
So that's November first.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
If you want to go to Bank of America Stadium
for the watch party, you can do that as well.
That game starts at three point thirty November. First, what
day of the week is that I'm looking it up.
That will be a Saturday, so Tuesday, October twenty eighth
at Boa, and then they'll hit up New York City
to play on their home turf. Seven oh four five
seven oh ninety six ten again seven oh four, five
(17:10):
seven oh ninety six ten. That's the FANDUL text line.
We appreciate everybody writing in Jack, writing in worldwide. Willie
Panther bo oh no, not a Willie Stray, Perhaps a friendly,
well intentioned Willy Stray that Ashley was throwing his way.
But I like the idea that Willy is quite famous
in England. I want to know exactly how famous he is,
(17:31):
because I don't know if we've got a distinct answer
on his popularity. But it is pretty hilarious to see
that he is a popular figure.
Speaker 8 (17:39):
His call from a couple years ago sure on a
Carol Swoederski goal went very very viral over there.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Well, that's the thing. It was Russell Brand talking about
it on this podcast. He went so viral to the
point where sock like celebrities were talking about it.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Yeah, that's about as big as you can get.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
And I don't even mean soccer celebrities. I mean actual,
real life Hollywood celebrities in the term in terms of
Russell Brand speaking about it and playing it, which is
just hilarious to me. And so I'm glad that he
he does feel mascot is a little derogatory, I don't
mean that. But also I think he embodies as much
(18:17):
Charlotte FC enthusiasm as anybody in the game.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
He's an exit with that.
Speaker 8 (18:21):
He's an extension of the supporter section, right like he
feels like a supporter that's in the booth for his guys.
He's always going to be, you know, very pro Charlotte FC.
And that's what we love about him, man, So we
love about him. Willie p talk to him, I believe
on Friday at twelve forty five to make sure we
get an overview from him on the series ahead for
(18:45):
the Crown. All right, let's do It's play some sound
time now for the Live Wire with Floundey's in the
West in the West up, all right, and let's go
with a little Charlotte Hornets sound here, guys, it is
then it is opening night, so why not talk a
little bit about the Hornets here, Let's go with the
(19:07):
mellow ball. He joined Kyle Bailey yesterday and he was
talking about anti team hopping and whether or not he's
still on that train.
Speaker 11 (19:14):
There's a quote from you that I always reference. I
think it was a piece out of the athletic you know,
when you first got drafted, where it was like an
indication to me that you do have an old school mentality.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
You got a new school look.
Speaker 11 (19:25):
But you have an old mentality where you said you
don't believe in team hopping, you believe in being the
star that gets built around and seeing it out in
the single market.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
You still feel that way five years.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Later, Yeah, for sure. Yeah I tried to, you know,
but at the end of the day, it's business. Wherever
they don't put you in due but yeah, that's that's
my mind.
Speaker 11 (19:40):
Yeah, And it's not a hint that you know, are
you leaving. It's not that it's that you know, It
just it kind of felt like you you're the modern
face of the young NBA, but there's also that old
school approach that I appreciate.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
Yeah, that's just from way back when, like you know
how he developed that because you know you yeah, kids
back then, you play for this team this week, next
week you play for this team. You grab another jersey,
play for this team. We just never thought that's cool.
So my pops had a team. We just we rock
out with us.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
It's us.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
We ain't go try to find nobody. The best people
just is y'all. Who y'all got in this room. Y'all
make it work. So it's just always been like a
little mindset like that.
Speaker 10 (20:15):
All right, classic LaMelo there.
Speaker 8 (20:18):
But the thing that I wanted to ask you, guys,
does it give you a little comfort that he is
a guy that despite everything that he's been through, despite
some of the talking points on social media, I'll beat
at social media, that he is still a guy that
is committed to the city of Charlotte.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
Well, let me say, for one, outside of the curse word,
I thought that that was a great answer from LaMelo,
and he has been getting better at doing this, so
let me start there. Second. Yeah, man, and I think
for the city and he deserves some of the criticism
that he's gotten, but I think of anything in this
city as many athletes as we've seen go other places
(20:54):
and want to go other places and end up leaving.
I think that that's got to score him some points
with the city. For him to say, hey, man, no
matter what, I'm sticking with this thing, thick and thin.
He's never requested a trade, We've never heard about him
griping during the off season, and so I think that's
got to be something that's nice to hear as well,
because when he's on the court, he is box office.
And so for LaMelo to make those types of comments
(21:17):
and for him to and I think it also speaks
to how much he enjoys the city of Charlotte and
he enjoys playing here as well.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
So, Man, I like that answer a lot.
Speaker 5 (21:26):
Yes, it does make me feel more comforted, and it
makes me it gives me a little bit more insight
into who this young man is because his father sometimes
doesn't always abide by that with.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Some of the social media posts that he puts out.
No he doesn't, but LaMelo always has.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
This has always been a story every single season that
he's been here in Charlotte. Anytime anybody wants to talk
about him going to LA it's all been not even hearsay,
you're not hearing it from anything. You're making it up,
you're manufacturing it. You might try to put some truth
behind it because of what LeVar might say. But LaMelo
of time and time again, whether it be an athletic interview,
whether it be a GQQ interview. If I'm not mistaken,
(22:02):
I know there was one from Ricky Tynes of like
four years ago where he also had some comments that
were very similar. Kyle referenced it. The reason he asked
that question was because of comments that he made as
soon as he was drafted. So this has never been
a thing for LaMelo. He's never wanted to leave and
he's always abided by this particular mantra. As soon as
that contract was extended to him. Yeah it was a
(22:23):
super max contract, you're gonna sign it. But we've never
heard any scuttle butt around him wanting to leave the
Queen City. Anytime that we're talking about the off season.
Guess what, he stays in Charlotte. He doesn't even leave
all that much to go to La I know he's
there every once in a while, but he's oftentimes here
in the Queen City. We just heard Jeff Peterson talk
about that. We heard Charles Lee talk about that it's
(22:44):
never been a thing and I'm always glad to hear
it when LaMelo says it.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
What else you got over there? Flown? All right?
Speaker 10 (22:49):
Let's go to Brandon Miller.
Speaker 8 (22:51):
He was on our show back at Media Day and
he talked about how he is trying to extend his
shot profile this year.
Speaker 9 (22:59):
It's gonna be a little like last year, but you know,
I eventually get back to the mid range. I think
just right now, I'm kind of taking what the defense
gives to me, whether it's an open three, open mid range,
or a past to my guy Moles Bridges or a
lob know, anything like that. Just you know, got to
be consistent with with with our play and just you know,
(23:20):
build off of that.
Speaker 8 (23:21):
So when it comes to Brandon Miller, what are you
most looking for from him in terms of improvement this year?
Speaker 5 (23:28):
Can he be a more efficient player? That's the thing
I'm looking for from him. As far as shooting it
is concerned. I want to see him. We talked about
Derek Brown in a Star turn. I would like to
see that from Brandon Miller this year, to where he
becomes a guy that can get into that, you know,
forty five percent range field goal probably at a minimum,
and then get to the point where as a three
(23:49):
point shooter, he becomes even more so of that guy.
I mean for his career shooting around thirty five percent,
to see him maybe get a little closer to forty
and really become that dead ash shooter that he was
touted to be coming out of Alabama.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
All around player would love to see him improve at
playmaking for others, also putting the ball on the deck
and getting to his spots in the restricted area. That's
something that he struggled with. In my opinion, I think
he's great in transition. I think the shot is going
to come around. I wonder if he struggles right out
of the gate because of the yes, scaffolunit injury. I
don't know if I'm pronouncing that correctly, but I do
know scaff alunit. Because of what Brandon Miller experienced last year,
(24:26):
he might get off to a slow start shooting wise.
It's been a long time since he's played and organized
regular season game of NBA basketball, so maybe it is
ten games with him shooting under thirty percent, thirty five
something like that. I think eventually the shooting is real
enough to where it will come along as the season
goes on, but really it's taking contact at the basket
(24:48):
in the half court. In transition, he'll dunk on you.
We see the verticality from him. But when we're talking
about just the athleticism driving by guys, taking some contact,
absorbing it, that's where I think he struggles. And I
think Charles Lee has said as much. So if he
gets better in that area, I think that's going to
increase his shot profile where now maybe you can start
to take some of those bumps in the mid range.
(25:10):
That's what I want to see more from him in
his third year in the league.
Speaker 8 (25:12):
All Right, another guy that a lot of people are
talking about on the team. How about Colin Sexton. He's
a guy that came in in the offseason from Utah.
Speaker 10 (25:20):
What did they think about? What do they think he offers?
Speaker 8 (25:23):
This is Zach Lowe talking about his expectations for him.
Speaker 12 (25:27):
Weever, CJ McCollum, where are you going to end up
after this? What's your appropriate salary level? And Colin Sexton
is undersized to play the two Defensively, he is a
score first guard, hybrid guard. He might be best as
a six man, but he plays hard on both ends
of the floor all the time. He is not a
(25:48):
defensive liability because he doesn't see the game on that
end or he doesn't compete on that end.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
He fights a.
Speaker 12 (25:53):
Rebounds, he fights around screens, he's been he's just a
fearless balls to the wall player to have voids and watching,
and I think he's gonna help this team as long
as he's on the team. I think he's the kind
of player they need. I'm excited for.
Speaker 10 (26:05):
That, all right.
Speaker 8 (26:07):
So we talked about how one of the jobs in
the starting lineup is still up for grabs.
Speaker 10 (26:12):
That would be that two guard spot.
Speaker 8 (26:14):
Ultimately, what role do you think Colin Sexton settles into
on this team, a starter or that sixth man role.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
I think it will probably be that sixth man role
because I amen visioned LaMelo Ball and Kinkin Nipple in
the back court, and I would like to see Colin
Sexton and Trey Mann and those guys coming in with
a second unit that's going to be pretty viable, to
say the least. And so he creates good shots for
his teammates, he takes good shots on his own. The
analytics bear that out, and so I think for him,
(26:40):
he will be a good guy to be able to
be that backup point guard in the second unit and
in Flamelos should not be available. He's a guy that
you still feel comfortable with stepping in as a starting
point guard.
Speaker 3 (26:52):
They've talked so much about him and his leadership that
I think it's going to be hard to put him
on the bench unless he's okay with it, and unless
and if Charles Lee wants to. From the first game
of the season, there could be some experimentation going on.
This matchup, we'll throw out Colchrinter or Musa. This matchup
will throw out Conk Nipple or Colin Sexton. I actually
think we've kind of moved on from Trey Mann starting
(27:14):
with those three guys, and it is more so of
a focus on who starts between Colin and conk Nipple.
You might view con as the better connector between your
two headed monster in LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. But
also all they do, man is discuss just how much
of a leader Sexton is. They brought him over in
part to challenge LaMelo every single day, and if he's
going to give it his all defensively, probably be a
(27:37):
better defenser, a'lbit a defender, albeit smaller than conk Nipple.
I do think that kind of effort, knowing where he's
supposed to be and never giving up is going to
be something that Charles Lee applauds and wants to play.
Benefit of the doubt. Who does it go to in
these situations, the rookie ar of the Vet. I think
it probably goes to the Vet, especially with him complimenting
(27:58):
LaMelo getting to the lane, getting to the foul line,
doing a lot of stuff that LaMelo and Brandon have
struggled with a decent amount.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
I think there is.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
A couple of good complimentary pieces from commin Section as
a part of that starting lineup. I think he'll start tonight.
I think he'll probably start quite a bit as the
season unfolds.
Speaker 8 (28:15):
All Right, we go to Bill Simmons because he was
talking about the Hornets on his podcast. He said he
actually thinks there's a decent chance the Hornets are good
this year.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Charlotte has the makings of maybe being.
Speaker 8 (28:26):
Okay, you know, who knows, yeh, Charlotte di being like
thirteen and seven, Oh yeah, you know, to start the
first twenty and they're.
Speaker 10 (28:33):
Talking like Lamello's figured it out.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
And all that. Who knows.
Speaker 8 (28:37):
All right, high praise, Hi, high praise from him right there?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
All right?
Speaker 8 (28:41):
We talked about the bold predictions earlier that people had,
But what do you think are safe expectations this year
for Hornets fans?
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Like?
Speaker 8 (28:49):
What range do you think you can say going into
the season? Yeah, that makes a little bit of sense.
You're probably not gonna get hurt.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
I would say in the thirty to thirty five win range.
I would probably go if you want to start predicting
winning lost totals and something that people won't say, you're
out of your gord for thinking, and so I would
go there.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
So I agree with that for the most part. I'll
take this time to focus on the start to the season,
which lines up pretty favorably for Charlotte. You have Brooklyn,
you have Philly, you have Washington. Brooklyn is going to
be one of the worst teams in the league. Washington
is supposed to be one of the worst teams in
the league. Yes, I know we always alluse to that,
(29:30):
but we're not supposed to. So I'm hoping that this
year it's a little bit different. In that regard, you're
also I think catching some teams with injury luck on
your side. Joelle embiid he'll suit up for Philly. That's
always a tough thing to focus battle against. But Paul
George isn't expected to suit up for the seventy six ers.
I don't think Jared McCain is either. I need to
go check that because I talked about that yesterday. You
(29:51):
have Utah in your first ten games. You have Miami,
no Tyler Hero. Miami feels like they're on their last
days with that nucleus. So you have Miami in the
first ten to fifteen. The Lakers November tenth at home,
No Lebron doesn't look like Lebron's gonna play, which does
suck for the kids that want to see Lebron, but
also it kind of helps if you're talking about having
the best chance to get a win against the La Lakers.
(30:13):
So yeah, man, it lines up pretty well. I get
where Bill Simmons is coming from. It lines up well
the first twenty games of the season, and if you
can provide yourself a nice cushion to still be able
to reach thirty thirty five, maybe beyond that. I really
like the way that your schedule lines up before the
turn of the new year.
Speaker 8 (30:30):
All right, final clip here, Let's go to Charles Lee
because he was talking and joking around with the media
a little bit, and he has a suggestion for how
the media can get a little bit closer to him
and his staff.
Speaker 11 (30:41):
Charles Folks time in Boston had a media coaches pickup game?
Speaker 1 (30:45):
How'm loxcited? Do you think that would be here? And
would you some of you would consider? Yes?
Speaker 7 (30:51):
I saw the pickup game in Boston, and doesn't surprise
me at all that it was that lopsided. Does the
Boston staff haves some really good ballers, but they're very
competitive as well, And sure I'd be open to doing
it here, But maybe we find something else too.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
I love pickleball, so we can do a.
Speaker 7 (31:08):
Pickleball competition between media and coaching.
Speaker 6 (31:11):
Seven.
Speaker 8 (31:12):
Okay, well, we know how this show feels about pickaball,
so we're not even gonna worry about that. But would
you be interested in playing a pickup game against the
Charlotte Hornet staff? And do you think that our media
would fare better than the Boston media?
Speaker 5 (31:28):
I would probably say no, and yours truly as much
as I wouldn't mind being a part of that. Those
same interviews that can happen in pickleball can happen in
basketball too, because you're not gonna go out there half step.
And if I go out there and play against those guys,
I'm not gonna be playing like it's the NBA Finals.
But I'm also not gonna go out there and embarrass
myself like I'm gonna try to get it in. And
(31:49):
so when you start to play at that kind of level,
you open yourself up to things. And so the minute
the calf pools or something like that, you know, that's
when I have to go ahead and bow out and
hit the injury report there. So I would say I
probably would not do it, But yeah, I don't think
we would hold up those coaches. They know too much,
they're too crafty, and a lot of those guys used
(32:11):
to play ball at the collegiate level at least, so
you're probably gonna get cooked.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
They have a pretty young staff, That's what I'm looking
at first, and foremost, what's your age looking like? I mean,
am I going against Jay Triano because I feel like
no disrespect to the Wizard of slob plays. Okay, but
I feel like I can do all right against Jay
Triano if Mitch Kupcheck was still suiting up. I know
you're a big dude, but I feel like I can
take Mitch cup Check for a couple of possessions on
(32:38):
the staff you might have. Ah, I feel like i'd
have a shot. Okay, Greg Popovich, Right, I feel like
i'd have a shot. These guys aren't that old. Charles
leek and stillball. He still works out with the team.
He had actually during the coaches luncheon had said, yeah,
I actually just got done practicing with the team myself.
He's still a high level competitor. We have a whole
bunch of other younger coaches as well that I feel
(32:59):
like at least can be dead.
Speaker 1 (33:02):
I shooters from deep. Right.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
Do I think we'd fare better than the Celtics media, Yes,
I do. All we'd have to do is score six points, nay,
five points. If we score five points, we'd be better
than what Boston media did. I'm not telling you we
would win. I think we'd probably get beat by a
solid thirty five. But hey man, this is a little
bit of a testament to Charlotte media around here too.
(33:24):
I feel like I could grab a couple of rebounds
and be all right down on the post. Not like
I was back at Bunker Hill, but I feel like
i'd be all right in the post. But Charlotte Media,
they still bother now and then give me Hunter Bailey,
give me Gabe McDonald out there. Gabe still hoots. Oh yeah,
be all right. We'd score more than four points. Okay,
that's that's what I'm saying. It's a low bit, it's
(33:46):
a lowlow. We wouldn't win, but I think we'd score
more than four. That was a ridiculous scoreboard that I
saw when those clips were circulating on social media.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Trying more than four. Oh my god, he's an NBA coaches.
Speaker 5 (34:00):
They're gonna be implementing their stuff, their defenses and all that.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
And they're crafty.
Speaker 5 (34:05):
Like I said, they're coaches, so they're gonna start to
figure out, all right, we're gonna do this to this,
we're gonna run this type of defensive coverage. I don't
know that Hunting gave McDonald the guard positions getting it done.
I think they guard well, they're short enough of what
else they gonna do. Gay McDonald is a fullback. We're
putting him on the block.
Speaker 1 (34:22):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, you cook.
Speaker 3 (34:24):
He's like five sounds like GAMEE shots to me, he's
like five six.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
Now, how tall do you think he's not five six?
About putting him on the block.
Speaker 3 (34:33):
Yeah, he's gonna be fine as a fullback. Who's the
tallest coach they have? Charles Lee's probably like sixty three six'.
FOUR i don't know who the tall long staff.
Speaker 5 (34:41):
Tall i'm thinking about ball handling. Too i'm, wondering can
we you know we're gonna be able to handle the
ball to?
Speaker 1 (34:48):
Turnover is gonna Behind.
Speaker 3 (34:49):
Jeremy, grandison who is young and can handle the rock
just a little? Bit, Okay LIKE i did See eric
McClain out there on the, court and just give it
to mc clain and he's just gonna be bigger than,
everybody and then we could just give it to him
in the.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
Post the autos coach is playing, COLLEGE i don't. KNOW
i would imagine they.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
PROBABLY i know they're on AN nba STAT i Know
Charles lee played a buck now that's WHAT i. KNOW
i Know Kyle neptune Coached. Villanova, UH i. DON'T i
can't tell you anything else about this. Guys four points,
really that's. It, yeah that's. IT i think an indictment
On charlotte. Media it Said gabe McDonald too. Small he
gave us the too low selling With gabe. McDonald that's rough.
(35:25):
Stuff that's your boy. Too, yeah that's. What let's move.
On it's the walk off coming up next On Sports
radio ninety two seven w F z.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Are the challenge for to a walk. Off oh, yeah
that's a walk off, challenge my, friend it's a walk,
off the walk.
Speaker 3 (35:55):
Off we ran into a problem when we were Discussing
charlotte versus The hornet's coaching. Staff we forgot about the
Greatest hornet of all, Time Kimba. Walker if kim is,
playing it might be a little bit harder to get
any stops on them. Whatsoever i'm not even telling you
THAT i think we would be good at Stopping Charles,
lee who played At bucknell and is still balling with
(36:18):
the team as we. Speak this was no disrespect To
Charles lee or really anybody else in terms of stopping.
Them my whole point of having any level of confidence
was saying we could score more than four, points Unlike
Boston media against The celtic, staff the other thing that's
helping us, Out. Wes, yeah not, you because you're hating from.
Afar you said you're not, playing and then you are
(36:39):
going to point and laugh at us while also going
to the SIDE.
Speaker 5 (36:42):
I find THAT i don't respect. That i'll be cheering for, y'all,
Man i'll try to help with some.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
Strategy hooters FIFTY p, says you, guys forget About Dell curry. Too,
Dell i'm Sure i'm looking at these boys right. Now
they look like they can. Hoop they, do BUT i
think we can. Score but the other thing That i'm
putting at play here Is Joe mizula is kind of
a crazy. Man and you, Know Joe mizula doesn't Like boston.
(37:08):
Media he doesn't like media. Period SO i think he
used that as a source of aggression to where he's
just gonna take it out on everybody that asks him
that one, question that one time after that one. Game
Charles lee does not have that kind of anger inside.
Him he, Doesn't So Charles, LEE i don't think is
going to give us the crazy eyes When i'm telling
you right, now you give me the ball up. Top
(37:29):
With Joe missoula getting in a defensive, stance ready for
me to just put the ball on the. Deck it's
cookies every single. Time but, SEE i think.
Speaker 5 (37:38):
That Coach lee is one of those guys that he's
gonna smile on your, face but then you know he's
gonna be giving you the business like he's gonna make
sure like, no these media members aren't going on, Me
like he's gonna be nice about.
Speaker 1 (37:51):
It but he's, about oh, yeah, yeah, guys let's have
a good.
Speaker 5 (37:53):
Time and then he's gonna get out of there and
be stripping you and just absolutely hooping with a smile
on his face the whole, time having himself a good old.
Speaker 3 (38:00):
Time but But i'm with you on. That Charles lee
is highly. Competitive but Even Charles lee talks About Joe
miszula like he's a different. Breed, yeah so when he
talked about those two going against one another last, season
he tried to go Shake missula's, Hand missoula wouldn't do.
It That's Charles. Lee that's a dude that was on his. Staff,
yeah he's not mad At. Charles he's mad At boston.
Media charles is not mad At hornets. Media, YEAH i
(38:23):
don't think he's going to give it to us Like
missoula gave it To Boston media and gave a mandate
to the rest of the members on his. Staff And Joe,
mizula you, know Played West, virginia was a part of
that team that went to The final.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
FOUR i, mean if we're.
Speaker 3 (38:36):
Talking about who played at a higher, Level Joe mozula
did play at a higher. Level, YEAH i don't Want
Charles lee to get that sound clip and then use
it against me if we're going to ever suit up against.
Him five Points wes, FIVE i know we can throw.
Up how in the world Did boston get four points
against somebody?
Speaker 5 (38:55):
Else, WELL i just feel like somebody's got to hit a,
Three like somebody got to hit an im A book
three that they felt like they didn't know if it
was going in when they put it, up but it
ends up going.
Speaker 3 (39:04):
In we also HAVE i believe my Guy joey From
Queen City, News christian plays enough to where He joey,
yells joeyellis can, Shoot christianati can.
Speaker 1 (39:16):
SHOOT i think we can do. It chris can do.
Everything he plays hockey.
Speaker 10 (39:20):
Place, HOCKEY i mean he, does he plays.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
Softball christian's gonna sound isolated and sent to him.
Speaker 8 (39:26):
Like, yeah he's, great and then we Do i'm trying
to think of other media members we do. Have some
of the ladies in the area used to play sports.
Too some of them used to play, basketball so some
of THEM i might be able to get a shot.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
OFF i will.
Speaker 3 (39:40):
Say when we were, shooting or when we did the
shoot around at The Jordan Brand classic when that was in,
TOWN i Watched Ashley stroline hit seven free.
Speaker 8 (39:49):
Throws wait do we count her? Though or is she
now part Of, YEAH i don't. Know we got to
figure that.
Speaker 3 (39:54):
Out if it just if we can have an all
time free throw, shooter then stro can just shoot it
from the charity. Stripe because she did hit seven free
throws in a. Row i'm here to tell you that
she was hitting a much higher percentage THAN i. Did my,
GRANDPA i know he was not happy with my free
throw shooting at The Jordan Brand. Classic oh, yeah my
dad can't be happy about it. Either what's On tap
(40:15):
let's go ahead and tell. You what's On tap is
presented By Twin. Peaks Twin peaks has a couple of
locations In concord And Fort. Mill Twin peaks is your
local sports. Lost you could come in From may From
Scratch food and signature twenty nine degree draft.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
Beers it's The. Hornets they host The nets tonight seven. O'clock.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
Tip you can hear it right here On Sports radio
ninety two to SEVEN wfnz pregame starting at six o'clock
With Kyle.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
BAILEY i Believe travis T.
Speaker 3 (40:40):
Bone hancock also going to join him on the stream
game show as always that crew running it back once.
Speaker 1 (40:45):
More give me the score? Prediction what you? GOT i
think The hornets will.
Speaker 5 (40:49):
Win let's go one twenty seven to, one one high scoring.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
Affair you got The hornets covering in a high scoring?
Affair what you?
Speaker 1 (40:58):
Got?
Speaker 8 (40:58):
OH i think The hornets will. WIN i think they'll
get in the one. THIRTIES i think with that amount
of pace that they're playing with The nets or that's
they're not good, Man SO i think it's. UH i
think it's smash shitty for The. HORNETS i think they
win one thirty three to.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
One. Ten, okay you? Got?
Speaker 8 (41:15):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (41:15):
Wow what whoa twenty? Three?
Speaker 8 (41:17):
Right do you understand how bad This nets roster? Is
so this, LIKE i love my. Guys they got Day
Ron sharp And Drake powell on the. Roster those are
guys that you're going to be playing significant minutes.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
Tonight they're really. Young they kept all five draft.
Speaker 5 (41:31):
Picks, yeah i'st the gonna say so, unpredictable very.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
Unpredictable but also it doesn't feel like they fit well
with one. Another so even it's With, charlotte they drafted
a few. Guys, OKAY i could See con share the
floor With, sion share the floor With, liam share the
floor With. Cochprinner It's Igor demon was a. Reach then
It's Drake, palell and it's a. WHOLE i forget all
the other guys that they, drafted but they all are similar.
Speaker 1 (41:56):
In Sing Michael portaginia goes for thirty.
Speaker 3 (41:58):
PACE i do THINK mp is going to be a
great answer to who could like be the sneaky leads
the team in scoring or score on the. Team, Right,
yeah Camp tom's gonna get a shot out, too.
Speaker 8 (42:09):
Broh, YEAH i was gonna say he gonna throw up
a bunch of, shots no, doubt no.
Speaker 3 (42:12):
Doubt So i'll Say charlotte wins the. Game i'm not
gonna go against. Him they've won four. Straight hornets have
won four straight season. Openers what's your? Score, Yeah i'm
about to give it to. You i'm just gonna give
you a little bit of a, background all. Right so
they won four. Straight this has always been something for The.
Hornets it's like this little hole of sunshine and the
dark cave of what has been Recent hornet. Seasons they
always win the opener for some. Reason even the seven win,
(42:34):
season they won the season. Opener it's been this weird
thing around us here in The Queen. City hornets. Win
i'm gonna go with the score of one twenty one.
Speaker 1 (42:46):
To oneh. Eight.
Speaker 5 (42:48):
OKAY i was gonna ask you, now with that trend
and some of the bad seasons that came behind those
season opening, wins would you feel better about a season opening.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
Loss, NO i would.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
NOT i understand the work at, play the reverse, JINKS
i get. IT i don't think. SO i want to
get the. VICTORY i want to get started off in
a positive, light And i'm hoping that they can beat
The nets and then they can set themselves up for.
Success Philly washington is that third? Game, yeah, MAN i
don't want. To we only have so many losses that
We're you're gonna welcome here, like we can't sacrifice. Wins,
(43:19):
yeah you, know so if we're gonna get to, FORTY
i don't think we can just give away wins because
of reverse. Jinxes BUT i do like the idea that'll
do it For wes And. Walker keep it right here
On Sports radio ninety two to SEVEN. Wfnz it's The
Kyle Bailey show Alongside Smoke. Ludwig coming up. Next they'll
take you all the way up again until six o'clock
where they'll provide pregame coverage up until seven o'clock where
(43:40):
The hornets tip off their season against The nets against sixty.
Seven that'll Be Kyle bailey And travis T Bone handcock Hand.
Cock excuse, me he's not a, cop he's hand. Cock
we'll be back tomorrow to recap a. Victory, baby let's.
Go THEN i turn everybody on to The. Hornets listen to.
Speaker 5 (44:00):
The wes And Walker show weekdays from noon to three
only On Sports radio ninety two point SEVEN FM, wfnz
the
Speaker 11 (44:08):
Official home of The charlotte Sports fan
You were listening to the Wes and Walker Show.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Are you telling me, after fifteen years of unanswered prayers,
we finally get our rint protector only for Dorian Finney
Smith and Danilo Gallinari.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
It's Wes fifty two year old Danilo Gallinari to mess
it all up.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Let's go seven games, seven games into the gear man?
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Are you telling me I actually miss Cody Zeller and Walker.
Forget o hornet starter jacket. I need a straight jacket.
I'm going crazy. I'm rocking back and forth in fetal
position only on Sports Radio ninety two point seven AFM WFNZ, longing.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
For the days of Cody Zeller. It's Prgas Hitto.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
The area with a shot staved off the line, almost.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
A handball took Leamoni a chance for the middle of
a Parker sets.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
We have that man in studio right now. No, I'm
not talking about Willie p Get out of here. Willie.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Time to make the broom for Ashley Westwood, Charlotte FC Captain.
He joins us now on West of Walker Sports Radio
ninety two seven wfn Z. He's here with not only
myself in West but a different form of Wes can
I ask you what's going on over there with the
towel my man.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
And man, this is you know, you know, I'm styling.
So they bought a little tally in. You know sometimes
people have put it under their hats and stuff like that.
So I just put it on my head and put
the hiphone on top of my man.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Astley likes.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
I saw as soon as I did it, he started grinting.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
This is the drip? Is he speaking for you, Ashley?
He put words in your Yeah, I can him pull
it off? Okay, I don't know if I can.
Speaker 5 (01:42):
I get that a lot with a lot of stuff
I wear and do around here from these guys.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Well, you and I both do our hair, man like
we both have. I mean, look, I have been complimented
on my hair. I need to get it cut, but
yours is impeccable. Yours is like high and tight, really
nicely done GQ style. So I need to honestly live
my life a little bit more like you. When it
comes to a hair game. Man, Oh, I mean he
comes in. He looks like such a soccer star, right.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
I mean, I've got to go today a nice jacket
with crispy white shirt on the hair is perfect. I mean,
this guy looks like he's ready to, you know, just
be an international soccer star.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Are you always GQ ready? Just like my wife does
a good job. You do a good job. Your wife
does a good job. You look great.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
I don't address myself.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Ashley Westwood in the Tailor Vault studio getting ready for
the playoffs. Here a couple of big games that we
have in store. But I did want to ask you
because Willie p the man who just gave us the
impeccable call, as he always does, he did tweet out
of practice today that you weren't out there because of backspasms.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
How are you feeling. You're feeling okay, I'm great. Okay, Yeah,
I'm good. You'll be out there. I'll be that Shuesday.
Don't worry about that.
Speaker 6 (02:49):
We'll just I'm having a bit of work during the
week so to get the back right. But yeah, I'm
I feel good. I'm sat up here right Sunday night
was wasn't great, but I'm on meds and I'm on
the mend.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
So you're feeling I mean, we're not worried at all
about you missing this game though. That's just just to
be clear about that.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Yep, the way I'm progressing now will be there Tuesday well.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
And this is a team that has a nice finish
to the season with that victory that you guys had
on Saturday. It's been an incredible season. A roller coaster season,
but an incredible season. How do you guys feel like
as a team? You as the captain, you can speak
for him. How do you guys feel as a team
going into the postseason?
Speaker 1 (03:25):
We're full of confidence.
Speaker 6 (03:26):
I mean, the way we've finished the season is what
we what I thought this team could do anyway. I
think we've obviously we wanted we wanted top four. We
said that from the start of the season, we said
that from after the playoffs last year when we got
beat by Orlando top four with the minimum. But I
still think we could have even gone on and done better.
It's that's that's what I think of this team. I
(03:48):
think we're established ourselves as now as one of the
best teams in the East, and I think the East
is the toughest league to be in. So yeah, we're
in a good spot and lads are full of confidence.
Training grounds was in and let's get the city buzzing
as well.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
Yeah, actually, so to Walker's comment, just to piggyback off
of that one, you guys start the season on a high,
then you go through a crazy load to where people
are thinking the season has lost, it's done. So take
me inside that locker room, man amongst the team, what
was the proverbial switch that turned on that changed the
season for you guys?
Speaker 6 (04:22):
We to be fair, we always knew that room was
going to be tough, them all them away games. It's
not easy to win a to win away from home
in the MLS, so we knew it was going to
be tough. But listen, it was. It was disappointing from
from our standards. We were we were disappointed. Well, it
sounds strange saying this. We were playing well. It wasn't
like that we were getting well beat. It was mistakes
(04:44):
here and there, which were human beings. Let them things happen.
But listen, things things got heated, things were said. That's
that's part of a good a good locker room. Wolf's
come in.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
And is good at that. I'll say things.
Speaker 6 (04:55):
We've got a group now who speaks up and takes
accountabilit for our actions, and that's what you need. And
I think that's what pulled us and got us, got
us back to where we deserve to be.
Speaker 5 (05:06):
So what's your favorite thing from a character standpoint about
this team as you enter postseason play?
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Just the resilience we've shown, resilience all through the year,
the knocks we've taken and listen, we've we don't get
the credit we deserve. I'm going to say, is we
don't get the credit we deserve from the MLS. I
think we're we're an incredible team with if you look
at our team on paper, I think we're stronger than
anyone out there. Obviously, some teams have got some superstars,
(05:35):
which that's what the MLS is. But we've created a
group of twenty twenty five guys who could compete every
week in the in the MLS and that's what that's
what set us on our pathway to finishing top four.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Is it the lack of quote unquote superstars as to
why you feel the MLS doesn't give you enough respect?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Maybe it is.
Speaker 6 (05:52):
That we know we know in that in that changing room,
in that locker room, we've got Listen, we've we've beaten
the best, We've beaten the top of this league. And no,
we're We're happy to go about our business. We won't
we won't let it affect us. We know, we know
good we are. We've got that confidence, We've got that
little bit of arrogance. We've shown that against Philly who
(06:13):
won the league comfortably. But I think we're I think
we're a better team. And then, and that's that's what
all the lads should believe him.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Ashley Westwood, Charlotte FC captain, joining us here in the
Chandler vaulta studio on Western Walker Sports Radio ninety two
seven WFNZ. You said things were said in the locker room.
Don't need to divulge into all of the content of
what was said. But here you are as the captain,
like this is you being a leader? I don't know.
Were you voted on by teammates to be the captain
of the teeth.
Speaker 6 (06:41):
I think it was a decision made even before when
I first got here. It was Christin Latanzio who who
made me captain. But no, he was just carried on
through the managers.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
The manager.
Speaker 6 (06:52):
New managers come in. Dean Smith, he's he's he's a
key part of it as well. He's during that run,
he keeps very grounded even when you're winning games, he
stays the same. So that got us through the difficult period.
But yeah, no, things we've got we've got some good
leaders in that locker room. Now you've got mentioned Will
Tim USA national captain Nathan Burns a leader in there,
(07:14):
and I think he was a loss as well during
during next stretch. So we've we've got we've got leaders
in there. Kelly is another one who will who will
say things. So but you need that we're grown men,
we're athletes, we want to win and things do get
things does get heed?
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Well, I mean you mentioned it you were just named captain.
Is that something you welcomed because that's a large responsibility.
Like now when things are being said in the locker room,
they're going to be looking at some of the leaders
and here you are as that captain. Did you welcome
that responsibility immediately? Were you thinking I got this now?
Like I just wanted to come play. I just wanted
to come play for the club. Like what are your thoughts?
(07:49):
As soon as you get that honor, it is an
honor nonetheless, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (07:52):
I've done it in England with many other clubs that
I've been at, but not the official captain. I've been,
I've dep dinner's captain of but I'm not. I'm not
known for a shout around the place. I'm not allowed
around the place. The way I lead is on the
training field. Every day I turn up. Every day I'm
there on a Saturday. You can rely on me. So yeah,
(08:13):
I even even at the age of thirty thirty two,
I had to grow into it. But I will say
things like anyone should say things, and I give I
give the lads a platform to do that, to use
their voice. The more voices you have out there on
a Saturday, the better chance the team has to win games.
So I encourage things to be said and as long
(08:33):
as it's not taken too far, all right.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
So moving forward to your match up with New York,
I mean, what do you feel like that this team,
the challenges that they bring to you.
Speaker 6 (08:42):
Guys, Yeah, they're they're very good. They're one of the
better teams. The way they the way they play the ball.
But listen, anyone, anyone who comes to the bank knows
they're in for a game. So we've got to use
that to advantage that. That was what Top four was
all about. We were We've just recently played them at
their place, so we want to we want to turn
(09:03):
things around. We when we last played then we were disappointing.
So we know what we didn't do right, we know
what they did right, and it's time to put that
right on on Tuesday. And like I said, if we
just need the it's not ideal. I was disappointed at
anyone finding the games out on Tuesday. I wanted a
weekend game. But hopefully our amazing crowd can turn up
(09:24):
and turn up in the numbers and we're doing a
good show all right.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
Rather than to other sports, though, what do you feel
like the challenges that MLS that the MLS playoffs bring.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
The format is the three game is listen anyway. It's
it's known anyone can be anyone, and that was that's
what did us last year. We we thought we were
better than Orlando. But at the end of the day,
you have two games. They've got two games at home,
which is new for me in England it's one home
run away.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
So that's the that's the diff that's the most difficult part.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
And then when you get through that, you've got to
play the best of the other league. So it's this
this cub's hard to win. It's a real hard, hard,
hard game, hard to competition to win. There's so many
games you're traveling, but no we to finish top four.
It gives you the best chance. That's that's im proven
(10:16):
in the in the past.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
So this is it.
Speaker 7 (10:19):
Now.
Speaker 6 (10:19):
We've we've we've done what we needed to do, but
we've got to we've got to now turn this turn
this playoff run into a successful one.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
We don't we don't want to fall short.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Game Crowd captain Ashley Westwood joining us here in Chandler
Vault Studio on Western Walker Sports Radio ninety two seven WFNZ.
We're getting ready for Charlotte FC series against the NYC,
in which you'll get your couple games hopefully. I mean,
maybe we can just take care of business in the
first two. But you are going to play at Boa
and then you're gonna play at Yankee Stadium. What's it
like playing on a baseball field different? It's it's very different.
Speaker 6 (10:49):
And listen, that's why they use their home advantage like
like we do ours. So we've got to go there.
We've that I can't remember. I don't know what I think.
I don't think we played at that stadium this year.
I think it was. I think we played there two
years ago.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Is that right? What you got over there?
Speaker 8 (11:07):
Flat well, because I think I think the game is
going to be at City Field, where they did play
a couple of years ago. Yankee Stadium is where they
played earlier this season, but I don't think for some reason,
maybe there's a concert or something going on a Yankee Stadium.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
So I got to hear at November first. We'll see.
I mean, well, you'll you'll have to figure that out
because you'll have to be there for the game. I
will say. Well, but anyways, just playing NYC, getting ready
for that series in its totality, you guys aren't going
to have wilfrid Zaha for the first game because of
the red card. And here we are speaking to your
leadership once more. What is it like not having him
(11:41):
out there on the pitch with you.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
It's a huge loss.
Speaker 6 (11:44):
I mean, Wilf's ability has Everyone's seen that he's an
incredible player, and I mean he took a lot of
criticism when he first got here.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
But I've been there, I've done it. He was he's
come in.
Speaker 6 (11:58):
People expect you to to turn up straight away and
score score a load of goals. But that's not the case.
You have to fly back into to England to do
your visa. His wife gave birth and it's it's not easy.
It's not easy to settle down. But once you've seen
him settle down, Wilf has has gone on to I
know what Wilf was. I've played against him many times
and I even used to kick him when I was
(12:20):
at Burnley, So we joke, we joke about it now.
But no, he's going to be a huge loss. But
we've got we've got players who can who hopefully can
replace him. It's their time now to step up, and
step up is now and we need them.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
So that's there's no bigger time.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
So you said that teams they know when they come
into the Bank it's going to be tough on a man.
Tell me from your perspective, what makes Bank of America
such a special place to play games.
Speaker 6 (12:46):
The minute you come out for a warm up, you
can feel the energy from the supporters section. I mean,
they they're with us, wind, rain shine, They're always there.
They turn up in the numbers. They even turn up
away from home. When we go away from home, we
get two thousand, which is incredible. But no, when you
when you turn up at the bank, you hear the
energy from the fans and then that gives us a lift,
(13:10):
It gives us a belief and we say it in
England they're they're the twelfth Man and they certainly are.
In Charlotte, it's it's a tough place to come and play.
We play with a lot of energy. We play. We'll
turn it, we'll turn it in behind, we'll kick it
in behind, and we'll we play different to most teams,
but that's that's the energy you want to bring. And
when the fans turn up, we usually turn up, so
(13:32):
we're going to need them.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
All right, turn up, there you go.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
Ashley Westwood, captain of Charlotte FC, joining us inside the
channel of VAULTA Studios. We can't get you out of
here without asking a Willie p question though. Do you
just have a ring tone anytime somebody texts you, do
you have the Do you have that high pitch sound
going on to the background. How often do you get
to listen to Willie Peace calls?
Speaker 1 (13:53):
I don't.
Speaker 6 (13:53):
I've I've given him some stick before, but I turn
it down when he's talking it's.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
Willie. Man.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
You can't turn down Willy. You gotta turn it all
the way up and get the true Mickey Mouse experience
from one Willie.
Speaker 6 (14:06):
That's he's gonna pull me now on Friday when I
see him, he probably is.
Speaker 9 (14:09):
He was.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
He was upset last time I mentioned that. I'm sure
he was. Man, Willie P. You gotta I mean, you
just have to embrace it.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
You have to embrace the high pitch, you have to
embrace the goald calls, you have to embrace, embrace all
of it.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
He's famous in England, though, is he really? He's famous
in England? Well?
Speaker 6 (14:23):
How famous are He's been on a few Instagram reels
that I've seen?
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Is he just the Mickey Mouse? I was gonna say,
is it okay to call him?
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Charlotte FC's mascot, Minty Simmony is special? I think so too.
We saw Sermenty the other day. By the way, he's
just roaming the halls around here. I love the crown,
I love the smile. Sirmenty's great, but it does feel
like Willi P is also maybe the sidekick mascot to Sirmenty.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
It could be the voice, it could be the voice
of so many.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Imagine that voice coming out of Sir Minty's body, all
of it, the entire thing.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
I would love every single second of it.
Speaker 8 (14:58):
Well and in all seriousnes do you guys like the
support that he gives the club and everything like that,
how enthusiastic he is and everything because it comes from
a very genuine place for him.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
A nuts, Yeah, that's what makes it so.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
It fits him with our support of the energy we
play with. So yeah, we love having him around. We
see him at the training ground a lot. He's always there,
he's always bringing he always brings the vibes.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
You can count him for that, all right, Ashley Westwood
joining us on west and Walker. We're getting ready for
the postseason. They have a series coming up against NYC.
We appreciate his time. Good luck with the health, good
luck in the postseason, Ashley, We appreciate the time, man man, Thank.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
You very much. Thank you.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
That's excited, excited for all of it about to unfold.
The first game going to be on Tuesday. By the way,
don't get a weekend game, but we do get a
game on Tuesday. We'll be back in just a moment
for the Live Wire Sports rated ninety twenty seven WFNZ
(15:56):
thanks to Ashley Westwood joining us inside the chain of
the vaulta studios man.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Awesome stuff, pulling for him, pulling for CHARLOTTEVC.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
We'll see what they can do in their series against
NYC again that game at Bank of America Stadium October
twenty eighth. To be exact, first kick is going to
be six forty five. Is that what you say? First kick?
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Kick?
Speaker 10 (16:15):
You nailed it?
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Is that going to be all right? Yeah? First kick?
Speaker 10 (16:18):
Yeah, you're right.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
I often refrain from saying some of that stuff that
I view as soccer slash football art.
Speaker 10 (16:23):
Yourself, man, that was good.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
I shouldn't.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I shouldn't trust myself all the time, but I should
have there. Anyway, six forty five is when the game starts.
They'll be playing again at Bank of America Stadium, and
on their road game there's going to be a watch
party at Boa. So once they play against New York City,
it says Yankee Stadium on Charlotte fvc's website.
Speaker 8 (16:41):
It's one of the stadium the baseball stadiums in the
New York area, it says, yeah, one of them.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
So that's November first.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
If you want to go to Bank of America Stadium
for the watch party, you can do that as well.
That game starts at three point thirty November. First, what
day of the week is that I'm looking it up.
That will be a Saturday, so Tuesday, October twenty eighth
at Boa, and then they'll hit up New York City
to play on their home turf. Seven oh four five
seven oh ninety six ten again seven oh four, five
(17:10):
seven oh ninety six ten. That's the FANDUL text line.
We appreciate everybody writing in Jack, writing in worldwide. Willie
Panther bo oh no, not a Willie Stray, Perhaps a friendly,
well intentioned Willy Stray that Ashley was throwing his way.
But I like the idea that Willy is quite famous
in England. I want to know exactly how famous he is,
(17:31):
because I don't know if we've got a distinct answer
on his popularity. But it is pretty hilarious to see
that he is a popular figure.
Speaker 8 (17:39):
His call from a couple years ago sure on a
Carol Swoederski goal went very very viral over there.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Well, that's the thing. It was Russell Brand talking about
it on this podcast. He went so viral to the
point where sock like celebrities were talking about it.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Yeah, that's about as big as you can get.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
And I don't even mean soccer celebrities. I mean actual,
real life Hollywood celebrities in the term in terms of
Russell Brand speaking about it and playing it, which is
just hilarious to me. And so I'm glad that he
he does feel mascot is a little derogatory, I don't
mean that. But also I think he embodies as much
(18:17):
Charlotte FC enthusiasm as anybody in the game.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
He's an exit with that.
Speaker 8 (18:21):
He's an extension of the supporter section, right like he
feels like a supporter that's in the booth for his guys.
He's always going to be, you know, very pro Charlotte FC.
And that's what we love about him, man, So we
love about him. Willie p talk to him, I believe
on Friday at twelve forty five to make sure we
get an overview from him on the series ahead for
(18:45):
the Crown. All right, let's do It's play some sound
time now for the Live Wire with Floundey's in the
West in the West up, all right, and let's go
with a little Charlotte Hornets sound here, guys, it is
then it is opening night, so why not talk a
little bit about the Hornets here, Let's go with the
(19:07):
mellow ball. He joined Kyle Bailey yesterday and he was
talking about anti team hopping and whether or not he's
still on that train.
Speaker 11 (19:14):
There's a quote from you that I always reference. I
think it was a piece out of the athletic you know,
when you first got drafted, where it was like an
indication to me that you do have an old school mentality.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
You got a new school look.
Speaker 11 (19:25):
But you have an old mentality where you said you
don't believe in team hopping, you believe in being the
star that gets built around and seeing it out in
the single market.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
You still feel that way five years.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Later, Yeah, for sure. Yeah I tried to, you know,
but at the end of the day, it's business. Wherever
they don't put you in due but yeah, that's that's
my mind.
Speaker 11 (19:40):
Yeah, And it's not a hint that you know, are
you leaving. It's not that it's that you know, It
just it kind of felt like you you're the modern
face of the young NBA, but there's also that old
school approach that I appreciate.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
Yeah, that's just from way back when, like you know
how he developed that because you know you yeah, kids
back then, you play for this team this week, next
week you play for this team. You grab another jersey,
play for this team. We just never thought that's cool.
So my pops had a team. We just we rock
out with us.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
It's us.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
We ain't go try to find nobody. The best people
just is y'all. Who y'all got in this room. Y'all
make it work. So it's just always been like a
little mindset like that.
Speaker 10 (20:15):
All right, classic LaMelo there.
Speaker 8 (20:18):
But the thing that I wanted to ask you, guys,
does it give you a little comfort that he is
a guy that despite everything that he's been through, despite
some of the talking points on social media, I'll beat
at social media, that he is still a guy that
is committed to the city of Charlotte.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
Well, let me say, for one, outside of the curse word,
I thought that that was a great answer from LaMelo,
and he has been getting better at doing this, so
let me start there. Second. Yeah, man, and I think
for the city and he deserves some of the criticism
that he's gotten, but I think of anything in this
city as many athletes as we've seen go other places
(20:54):
and want to go other places and end up leaving.
I think that that's got to score him some points
with the city. For him to say, hey, man, no
matter what, I'm sticking with this thing, thick and thin.
He's never requested a trade, We've never heard about him
griping during the off season, and so I think that's
got to be something that's nice to hear as well,
because when he's on the court, he is box office.
And so for LaMelo to make those types of comments
(21:17):
and for him to and I think it also speaks
to how much he enjoys the city of Charlotte and
he enjoys playing here as well.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
So, Man, I like that answer a lot.
Speaker 5 (21:26):
Yes, it does make me feel more comforted, and it
makes me it gives me a little bit more insight
into who this young man is because his father sometimes
doesn't always abide by that with.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Some of the social media posts that he puts out.
No he doesn't, but LaMelo always has.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
This has always been a story every single season that
he's been here in Charlotte. Anytime anybody wants to talk
about him going to LA it's all been not even hearsay,
you're not hearing it from anything. You're making it up,
you're manufacturing it. You might try to put some truth
behind it because of what LeVar might say. But LaMelo
of time and time again, whether it be an athletic interview,
whether it be a GQQ interview. If I'm not mistaken,
(22:02):
I know there was one from Ricky Tynes of like
four years ago where he also had some comments that
were very similar. Kyle referenced it. The reason he asked
that question was because of comments that he made as
soon as he was drafted. So this has never been
a thing for LaMelo. He's never wanted to leave and
he's always abided by this particular mantra. As soon as
that contract was extended to him. Yeah it was a
(22:23):
super max contract, you're gonna sign it. But we've never
heard any scuttle butt around him wanting to leave the
Queen City. Anytime that we're talking about the off season.
Guess what, he stays in Charlotte. He doesn't even leave
all that much to go to La I know he's
there every once in a while, but he's oftentimes here
in the Queen City. We just heard Jeff Peterson talk
about that. We heard Charles Lee talk about that it's
(22:44):
never been a thing and I'm always glad to hear
it when LaMelo says it.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
What else you got over there? Flown? All right?
Speaker 10 (22:49):
Let's go to Brandon Miller.
Speaker 8 (22:51):
He was on our show back at Media Day and
he talked about how he is trying to extend his
shot profile this year.
Speaker 9 (22:59):
It's gonna be a little like last year, but you know,
I eventually get back to the mid range. I think
just right now, I'm kind of taking what the defense
gives to me, whether it's an open three, open mid range,
or a past to my guy Moles Bridges or a
lob know, anything like that. Just you know, got to
be consistent with with with our play and just you know,
(23:20):
build off of that.
Speaker 8 (23:21):
So when it comes to Brandon Miller, what are you
most looking for from him in terms of improvement this year?
Speaker 5 (23:28):
Can he be a more efficient player? That's the thing
I'm looking for from him. As far as shooting it
is concerned. I want to see him. We talked about
Derek Brown in a Star turn. I would like to
see that from Brandon Miller this year, to where he
becomes a guy that can get into that, you know,
forty five percent range field goal probably at a minimum,
and then get to the point where as a three
(23:49):
point shooter, he becomes even more so of that guy.
I mean for his career shooting around thirty five percent,
to see him maybe get a little closer to forty
and really become that dead ash shooter that he was
touted to be coming out of Alabama.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
All around player would love to see him improve at
playmaking for others, also putting the ball on the deck
and getting to his spots in the restricted area. That's
something that he struggled with. In my opinion, I think
he's great in transition. I think the shot is going
to come around. I wonder if he struggles right out
of the gate because of the yes, scaffolunit injury. I
don't know if I'm pronouncing that correctly, but I do
know scaff alunit. Because of what Brandon Miller experienced last year,
(24:26):
he might get off to a slow start shooting wise.
It's been a long time since he's played and organized
regular season game of NBA basketball, so maybe it is
ten games with him shooting under thirty percent, thirty five
something like that. I think eventually the shooting is real
enough to where it will come along as the season
goes on, but really it's taking contact at the basket
(24:48):
in the half court. In transition, he'll dunk on you.
We see the verticality from him. But when we're talking
about just the athleticism driving by guys, taking some contact,
absorbing it, that's where I think he struggles. And I
think Charles Lee has said as much. So if he
gets better in that area, I think that's going to
increase his shot profile where now maybe you can start
to take some of those bumps in the mid range.
(25:10):
That's what I want to see more from him in
his third year in the league.
Speaker 8 (25:12):
All Right, another guy that a lot of people are
talking about on the team. How about Colin Sexton. He's
a guy that came in in the offseason from Utah.
Speaker 10 (25:20):
What did they think about? What do they think he offers?
Speaker 8 (25:23):
This is Zach Lowe talking about his expectations for him.
Speaker 12 (25:27):
Weever, CJ McCollum, where are you going to end up
after this? What's your appropriate salary level? And Colin Sexton
is undersized to play the two Defensively, he is a
score first guard, hybrid guard. He might be best as
a six man, but he plays hard on both ends
of the floor all the time. He is not a
(25:48):
defensive liability because he doesn't see the game on that
end or he doesn't compete on that end.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
He fights a.
Speaker 12 (25:53):
Rebounds, he fights around screens, he's been he's just a
fearless balls to the wall player to have voids and watching,
and I think he's gonna help this team as long
as he's on the team. I think he's the kind
of player they need. I'm excited for.
Speaker 10 (26:05):
That, all right.
Speaker 8 (26:07):
So we talked about how one of the jobs in
the starting lineup is still up for grabs.
Speaker 10 (26:12):
That would be that two guard spot.
Speaker 8 (26:14):
Ultimately, what role do you think Colin Sexton settles into
on this team, a starter or that sixth man role.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
I think it will probably be that sixth man role
because I amen visioned LaMelo Ball and Kinkin Nipple in
the back court, and I would like to see Colin
Sexton and Trey Mann and those guys coming in with
a second unit that's going to be pretty viable, to
say the least. And so he creates good shots for
his teammates, he takes good shots on his own. The
analytics bear that out, and so I think for him,
(26:40):
he will be a good guy to be able to
be that backup point guard in the second unit and
in Flamelos should not be available. He's a guy that
you still feel comfortable with stepping in as a starting
point guard.
Speaker 3 (26:52):
They've talked so much about him and his leadership that
I think it's going to be hard to put him
on the bench unless he's okay with it, and unless
and if Charles Lee wants to. From the first game
of the season, there could be some experimentation going on.
This matchup, we'll throw out Colchrinter or Musa. This matchup
will throw out Conk Nipple or Colin Sexton. I actually
think we've kind of moved on from Trey Mann starting
(27:14):
with those three guys, and it is more so of
a focus on who starts between Colin and conk Nipple.
You might view con as the better connector between your
two headed monster in LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. But
also all they do, man is discuss just how much
of a leader Sexton is. They brought him over in
part to challenge LaMelo every single day, and if he's
going to give it his all defensively, probably be a
(27:37):
better defenser, a'lbit a defender, albeit smaller than conk Nipple.
I do think that kind of effort, knowing where he's
supposed to be and never giving up is going to
be something that Charles Lee applauds and wants to play.
Benefit of the doubt. Who does it go to in
these situations, the rookie ar of the Vet. I think
it probably goes to the Vet, especially with him complimenting
(27:58):
LaMelo getting to the lane, getting to the foul line,
doing a lot of stuff that LaMelo and Brandon have
struggled with a decent amount.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
I think there is.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
A couple of good complimentary pieces from commin Section as
a part of that starting lineup. I think he'll start tonight.
I think he'll probably start quite a bit as the
season unfolds.
Speaker 8 (28:15):
All Right, we go to Bill Simmons because he was
talking about the Hornets on his podcast. He said he
actually thinks there's a decent chance the Hornets are good
this year.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Charlotte has the makings of maybe being.
Speaker 8 (28:26):
Okay, you know, who knows, yeh, Charlotte di being like
thirteen and seven, Oh yeah, you know, to start the
first twenty and they're.
Speaker 10 (28:33):
Talking like Lamello's figured it out.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
And all that. Who knows.
Speaker 8 (28:37):
All right, high praise, Hi, high praise from him right there?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
All right?
Speaker 8 (28:41):
We talked about the bold predictions earlier that people had,
But what do you think are safe expectations this year
for Hornets fans?
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Like?
Speaker 8 (28:49):
What range do you think you can say going into
the season? Yeah, that makes a little bit of sense.
You're probably not gonna get hurt.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
I would say in the thirty to thirty five win range.
I would probably go if you want to start predicting
winning lost totals and something that people won't say, you're
out of your gord for thinking, and so I would
go there.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
So I agree with that for the most part. I'll
take this time to focus on the start to the season,
which lines up pretty favorably for Charlotte. You have Brooklyn,
you have Philly, you have Washington. Brooklyn is going to
be one of the worst teams in the league. Washington
is supposed to be one of the worst teams in
the league. Yes, I know we always alluse to that,
(29:30):
but we're not supposed to. So I'm hoping that this
year it's a little bit different. In that regard, you're
also I think catching some teams with injury luck on
your side. Joelle embiid he'll suit up for Philly. That's
always a tough thing to focus battle against. But Paul
George isn't expected to suit up for the seventy six ers.
I don't think Jared McCain is either. I need to
go check that because I talked about that yesterday. You
(29:51):
have Utah in your first ten games. You have Miami,
no Tyler Hero. Miami feels like they're on their last
days with that nucleus. So you have Miami in the
first ten to fifteen. The Lakers November tenth at home,
No Lebron doesn't look like Lebron's gonna play, which does
suck for the kids that want to see Lebron, but
also it kind of helps if you're talking about having
the best chance to get a win against the La Lakers.
(30:13):
So yeah, man, it lines up pretty well. I get
where Bill Simmons is coming from. It lines up well
the first twenty games of the season, and if you
can provide yourself a nice cushion to still be able
to reach thirty thirty five, maybe beyond that. I really
like the way that your schedule lines up before the
turn of the new year.
Speaker 8 (30:30):
All right, final clip here, Let's go to Charles Lee
because he was talking and joking around with the media
a little bit, and he has a suggestion for how
the media can get a little bit closer to him
and his staff.
Speaker 11 (30:41):
Charles Folks time in Boston had a media coaches pickup game?
Speaker 1 (30:45):
How'm loxcited? Do you think that would be here? And
would you some of you would consider? Yes?
Speaker 7 (30:51):
I saw the pickup game in Boston, and doesn't surprise
me at all that it was that lopsided. Does the
Boston staff haves some really good ballers, but they're very
competitive as well, And sure I'd be open to doing
it here, But maybe we find something else too.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
I love pickleball, so we can do a.
Speaker 7 (31:08):
Pickleball competition between media and coaching.
Speaker 6 (31:11):
Seven.
Speaker 8 (31:12):
Okay, well, we know how this show feels about pickaball,
so we're not even gonna worry about that. But would
you be interested in playing a pickup game against the
Charlotte Hornet staff? And do you think that our media
would fare better than the Boston media?
Speaker 5 (31:28):
I would probably say no, and yours truly as much
as I wouldn't mind being a part of that. Those
same interviews that can happen in pickleball can happen in
basketball too, because you're not gonna go out there half step.
And if I go out there and play against those guys,
I'm not gonna be playing like it's the NBA Finals.
But I'm also not gonna go out there and embarrass
myself like I'm gonna try to get it in. And
(31:49):
so when you start to play at that kind of level,
you open yourself up to things. And so the minute
the calf pools or something like that, you know, that's
when I have to go ahead and bow out and
hit the injury report there. So I would say I
probably would not do it, But yeah, I don't think
we would hold up those coaches. They know too much,
they're too crafty, and a lot of those guys used
(32:11):
to play ball at the collegiate level at least, so
you're probably gonna get cooked.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
They have a pretty young staff, That's what I'm looking
at first, and foremost, what's your age looking like? I mean,
am I going against Jay Triano because I feel like
no disrespect to the Wizard of slob plays. Okay, but
I feel like I can do all right against Jay
Triano if Mitch Kupcheck was still suiting up. I know
you're a big dude, but I feel like I can
take Mitch cup Check for a couple of possessions on
(32:38):
the staff you might have. Ah, I feel like i'd
have a shot. Okay, Greg Popovich, Right, I feel like
i'd have a shot. These guys aren't that old. Charles
leek and stillball. He still works out with the team.
He had actually during the coaches luncheon had said, yeah,
I actually just got done practicing with the team myself.
He's still a high level competitor. We have a whole
bunch of other younger coaches as well that I feel
(32:59):
like at least can be dead.
Speaker 1 (33:02):
I shooters from deep. Right.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
Do I think we'd fare better than the Celtics media, Yes,
I do. All we'd have to do is score six points, nay,
five points. If we score five points, we'd be better
than what Boston media did. I'm not telling you we
would win. I think we'd probably get beat by a
solid thirty five. But hey man, this is a little
bit of a testament to Charlotte media around here too.
(33:24):
I feel like I could grab a couple of rebounds
and be all right down on the post. Not like
I was back at Bunker Hill, but I feel like
i'd be all right in the post. But Charlotte Media,
they still bother now and then give me Hunter Bailey,
give me Gabe McDonald out there. Gabe still hoots. Oh yeah,
be all right. We'd score more than four points. Okay,
that's that's what I'm saying. It's a low bit, it's
(33:46):
a lowlow. We wouldn't win, but I think we'd score
more than four. That was a ridiculous scoreboard that I
saw when those clips were circulating on social media.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Trying more than four. Oh my god, he's an NBA coaches.
Speaker 5 (34:00):
They're gonna be implementing their stuff, their defenses and all that.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
And they're crafty.
Speaker 5 (34:05):
Like I said, they're coaches, so they're gonna start to
figure out, all right, we're gonna do this to this,
we're gonna run this type of defensive coverage. I don't
know that Hunting gave McDonald the guard positions getting it done.
I think they guard well, they're short enough of what
else they gonna do. Gay McDonald is a fullback. We're
putting him on the block.
Speaker 1 (34:22):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, you cook.
Speaker 3 (34:24):
He's like five sounds like GAMEE shots to me, he's
like five six.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
Now, how tall do you think he's not five six?
About putting him on the block.
Speaker 3 (34:33):
Yeah, he's gonna be fine as a fullback. Who's the
tallest coach they have? Charles Lee's probably like sixty three six'.
FOUR i don't know who the tall long staff.
Speaker 5 (34:41):
Tall i'm thinking about ball handling. Too i'm, wondering can
we you know we're gonna be able to handle the
ball to?
Speaker 1 (34:48):
Turnover is gonna Behind.
Speaker 3 (34:49):
Jeremy, grandison who is young and can handle the rock
just a little? Bit, Okay LIKE i did See eric
McClain out there on the, court and just give it
to mc clain and he's just gonna be bigger than,
everybody and then we could just give it to him
in the.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
Post the autos coach is playing, COLLEGE i don't. KNOW
i would imagine they.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
PROBABLY i know they're on AN nba STAT i Know
Charles lee played a buck now that's WHAT i. KNOW
i Know Kyle neptune Coached. Villanova, UH i. DON'T i
can't tell you anything else about this. Guys four points,
really that's. It, yeah that's. IT i think an indictment
On charlotte. Media it Said gabe McDonald too. Small he
gave us the too low selling With gabe. McDonald that's rough.
(35:25):
Stuff that's your boy. Too, yeah that's. What let's move.
On it's the walk off coming up next On Sports
radio ninety two seven w F z.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Are the challenge for to a walk. Off oh, yeah
that's a walk off, challenge my, friend it's a walk,
off the walk.
Speaker 3 (35:55):
Off we ran into a problem when we were Discussing
charlotte versus The hornet's coaching. Staff we forgot about the
Greatest hornet of all, Time Kimba. Walker if kim is,
playing it might be a little bit harder to get
any stops on them. Whatsoever i'm not even telling you
THAT i think we would be good at Stopping Charles,
lee who played At bucknell and is still balling with
(36:18):
the team as we. Speak this was no disrespect To
Charles lee or really anybody else in terms of stopping.
Them my whole point of having any level of confidence
was saying we could score more than four, points Unlike
Boston media against The celtic, staff the other thing that's
helping us, Out. Wes, yeah not, you because you're hating from.
Afar you said you're not, playing and then you are
(36:39):
going to point and laugh at us while also going
to the SIDE.
Speaker 5 (36:42):
I find THAT i don't respect. That i'll be cheering for, y'all,
Man i'll try to help with some.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
Strategy hooters FIFTY p, says you, guys forget About Dell curry. Too,
Dell i'm Sure i'm looking at these boys right. Now
they look like they can. Hoop they, do BUT i
think we can. Score but the other thing That i'm
putting at play here Is Joe mizula is kind of
a crazy. Man and you, Know Joe mizula doesn't Like boston.
(37:08):
Media he doesn't like media. Period SO i think he
used that as a source of aggression to where he's
just gonna take it out on everybody that asks him
that one, question that one time after that one. Game
Charles lee does not have that kind of anger inside.
Him he, Doesn't So Charles, LEE i don't think is
going to give us the crazy eyes When i'm telling
you right, now you give me the ball up. Top
(37:29):
With Joe missoula getting in a defensive, stance ready for
me to just put the ball on the. Deck it's
cookies every single. Time but, SEE i think.
Speaker 5 (37:38):
That Coach lee is one of those guys that he's
gonna smile on your, face but then you know he's
gonna be giving you the business like he's gonna make
sure like, no these media members aren't going on, Me
like he's gonna be nice about.
Speaker 1 (37:51):
It but he's, about oh, yeah, yeah, guys let's have
a good.
Speaker 5 (37:53):
Time and then he's gonna get out of there and
be stripping you and just absolutely hooping with a smile
on his face the whole, time having himself a good old.
Speaker 3 (38:00):
Time but But i'm with you on. That Charles lee
is highly. Competitive but Even Charles lee talks About Joe
miszula like he's a different. Breed, yeah so when he
talked about those two going against one another last, season
he tried to go Shake missula's, Hand missoula wouldn't do.
It That's Charles. Lee that's a dude that was on his. Staff,
yeah he's not mad At. Charles he's mad At boston.
Media charles is not mad At hornets. Media, YEAH i
(38:23):
don't think he's going to give it to us Like
missoula gave it To Boston media and gave a mandate
to the rest of the members on his. Staff And Joe,
mizula you, know Played West, virginia was a part of
that team that went to The final.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
FOUR i, mean if we're.
Speaker 3 (38:36):
Talking about who played at a higher, Level Joe mozula
did play at a higher. Level, YEAH i don't Want
Charles lee to get that sound clip and then use
it against me if we're going to ever suit up against.
Him five Points wes, FIVE i know we can throw.
Up how in the world Did boston get four points
against somebody?
Speaker 5 (38:55):
Else, WELL i just feel like somebody's got to hit a,
Three like somebody got to hit an im A book
three that they felt like they didn't know if it
was going in when they put it, up but it
ends up going.
Speaker 3 (39:04):
In we also HAVE i believe my Guy joey From
Queen City, News christian plays enough to where He joey,
yells joeyellis can, Shoot christianati can.
Speaker 1 (39:16):
SHOOT i think we can do. It chris can do.
Everything he plays hockey.
Speaker 10 (39:20):
Place, HOCKEY i mean he, does he plays.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
Softball christian's gonna sound isolated and sent to him.
Speaker 8 (39:26):
Like, yeah he's, great and then we Do i'm trying
to think of other media members we do. Have some
of the ladies in the area used to play sports.
Too some of them used to play, basketball so some
of THEM i might be able to get a shot.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
OFF i will.
Speaker 3 (39:40):
Say when we were, shooting or when we did the
shoot around at The Jordan Brand classic when that was in,
TOWN i Watched Ashley stroline hit seven free.
Speaker 8 (39:49):
Throws wait do we count her? Though or is she
now part Of, YEAH i don't. Know we got to
figure that.
Speaker 3 (39:54):
Out if it just if we can have an all
time free throw, shooter then stro can just shoot it
from the charity. Stripe because she did hit seven free
throws in a. Row i'm here to tell you that
she was hitting a much higher percentage THAN i. Did my,
GRANDPA i know he was not happy with my free
throw shooting at The Jordan Brand. Classic oh, yeah my
dad can't be happy about it. Either what's On tap
(40:15):
let's go ahead and tell. You what's On tap is
presented By Twin. Peaks Twin peaks has a couple of
locations In concord And Fort. Mill Twin peaks is your
local sports. Lost you could come in From may From
Scratch food and signature twenty nine degree draft.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
Beers it's The. Hornets they host The nets tonight seven. O'clock.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
Tip you can hear it right here On Sports radio
ninety two to SEVEN wfnz pregame starting at six o'clock
With Kyle.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
BAILEY i Believe travis T.
Speaker 3 (40:40):
Bone hancock also going to join him on the stream
game show as always that crew running it back once.
Speaker 1 (40:45):
More give me the score? Prediction what you? GOT i
think The hornets will.
Speaker 5 (40:49):
Win let's go one twenty seven to, one one high scoring.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
Affair you got The hornets covering in a high scoring?
Affair what you?
Speaker 1 (40:58):
Got?
Speaker 8 (40:58):
OH i think The hornets will. WIN i think they'll
get in the one. THIRTIES i think with that amount
of pace that they're playing with The nets or that's
they're not good, Man SO i think it's. UH i
think it's smash shitty for The. HORNETS i think they
win one thirty three to.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
One. Ten, okay you? Got?
Speaker 8 (41:15):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (41:15):
Wow what whoa twenty? Three?
Speaker 8 (41:17):
Right do you understand how bad This nets roster? Is
so this, LIKE i love my. Guys they got Day
Ron sharp And Drake powell on the. Roster those are
guys that you're going to be playing significant minutes.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
Tonight they're really. Young they kept all five draft.
Speaker 5 (41:31):
Picks, yeah i'st the gonna say so, unpredictable very.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
Unpredictable but also it doesn't feel like they fit well
with one. Another so even it's With, charlotte they drafted
a few. Guys, OKAY i could See con share the
floor With, sion share the floor With, liam share the
floor With. Cochprinner It's Igor demon was a. Reach then
It's Drake, palell and it's a. WHOLE i forget all
the other guys that they, drafted but they all are similar.
Speaker 1 (41:56):
In Sing Michael portaginia goes for thirty.
Speaker 3 (41:58):
PACE i do THINK mp is going to be a
great answer to who could like be the sneaky leads
the team in scoring or score on the. Team, Right,
yeah Camp tom's gonna get a shot out, too.
Speaker 8 (42:09):
Broh, YEAH i was gonna say he gonna throw up
a bunch of, shots no, doubt no.
Speaker 3 (42:12):
Doubt So i'll Say charlotte wins the. Game i'm not
gonna go against. Him they've won four. Straight hornets have
won four straight season. Openers what's your? Score, Yeah i'm
about to give it to. You i'm just gonna give
you a little bit of a, background all. Right so
they won four. Straight this has always been something for The.
Hornets it's like this little hole of sunshine and the
dark cave of what has been Recent hornet. Seasons they
always win the opener for some. Reason even the seven win,
(42:34):
season they won the season. Opener it's been this weird
thing around us here in The Queen. City hornets. Win
i'm gonna go with the score of one twenty one.
Speaker 1 (42:46):
To oneh. Eight.
Speaker 5 (42:48):
OKAY i was gonna ask you, now with that trend
and some of the bad seasons that came behind those
season opening, wins would you feel better about a season opening.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
Loss, NO i would.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
NOT i understand the work at, play the reverse, JINKS
i get. IT i don't think. SO i want to
get the. VICTORY i want to get started off in
a positive, light And i'm hoping that they can beat
The nets and then they can set themselves up for.
Success Philly washington is that third? Game, yeah, MAN i
don't want. To we only have so many losses that
We're you're gonna welcome here, like we can't sacrifice. Wins,
(43:19):
yeah you, know so if we're gonna get to, FORTY
i don't think we can just give away wins because
of reverse. Jinxes BUT i do like the idea that'll
do it For wes And. Walker keep it right here
On Sports radio ninety two to SEVEN. Wfnz it's The
Kyle Bailey show Alongside Smoke. Ludwig coming up. Next they'll
take you all the way up again until six o'clock
where they'll provide pregame coverage up until seven o'clock where
(43:40):
The hornets tip off their season against The nets against sixty.
Seven that'll Be Kyle bailey And travis T Bone handcock Hand.
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we'll be back tomorrow to recap a. Victory, baby let's.
Go THEN i turn everybody on to The. Hornets listen to.
Speaker 5 (44:00):
The wes And Walker show weekdays from noon to three
only On Sports radio ninety two point SEVEN FM, wfnz
the
Speaker 11 (44:08):
Official home of The charlotte Sports fan
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