July 2, 2023 • 23 mins
Hornets 2023 2nd Round Picks James Nnaji and Amari Bailey sit down with Sam Farber for their 1st podcast interview since being selected by Charlotte.
Plus, Sam Farber and Sam Perley discuss the Hornets 2023 Summer League Roster on the eve of Summer League.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to the Hornets High Past, present it by Charlotte
I ear nosen Throat Associates, the official I ear nosen
throat Care provider of the Charlotte Hornets. Here's your host,
Sam Farber.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Welcome to another edition of the Hornets Podcast, Your Hornets
Podcast with all the notes quote Sam daily buzz around
your favorite NBA team. I'm Sam Farber and it is
a pleasure and a privileged have you with us here
once again on the Hornet's ide Cast, brought to you
by Santa Charlotte EE ear Nose and Throat Associates, the
official I ear noosen throat Care provider of the Charlotte Hornets.
We got a jam packed edition of the HHC today,
(00:37):
We're gonna get right into it. We got not one,
but two Hornets draft picks to introduce you to James
Nase and Amari Bailey. We have had them in studio
now and so we're gonna let you hear from each
of the two Hornets second round picks from the twenty
twenty three NBA Draft. Plus the Hornet Summer League roster
has finally been finalized, so we'll bring Sam Purleyhornets dot
Com in to talk about that as well. But first up,
(00:58):
we've got James Nase joining me right here on the
Hornetsipe cast.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
James, congrats on being drafted. Welcome to Charlotte.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
First off, congrats on being drafted. Had to be a
huge day for you.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Take me through that moment hearing your name called, knowing
that you were entering the NBA.
Speaker 5 (01:15):
For me, that night was a dream moment for me,
like the day all drammed off, get into Hay and
m caught an MBA draft, you know, for so many
people as well as space like a dream country, you know,
to play in the NBA, you know, and being caught
that night was just seeing my dream come true.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Picks are moved a lot in the draft these days,
especially around the range that you were selected. I think
the picks started with Detroit and then got traded to
Boston and then Charlotte traded up to get you.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I'm not even sure all the moves that made.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
So at what point did you realize not only okay,
you're in the NBA that's a big realization, but who
exactly was taking you?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
The Charlotte Hornets had traded up to get you.
Speaker 5 (01:52):
And at first I didn't know what team exactly because
I just said Elliott. It was Detroit after Boston, and
I saw one of the agents of this cud came
to me asid, oh, James, you're not going to do
They did try to come with us to Chilot and
I was like, oh, yeah, you know, I wasn't expecting that.
So yeah, that was when I realized when he told
me that he is going to give me the heart
of the of Charlotte, because I was wearing the one
(02:14):
of Detroit at a moment, So that was when I
realized I was coming here.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
In terms of Draft night, the NBA invites a certain
number of potential draft picks to be in the room
and they go to a certain level. You weren't on
that first list, but you were there on draft night.
Why was it important to you to be there for
that moment? Knowing I mean you were, you were on
everyone's board going so there was a lot of confidence
you would be drafted at some point. But what made
(02:38):
it important for you to be there in the building
in that moment.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Firstly, it was not in my position to choose it
to come on not because that week I had finess
and we were supposed to have five games, and it
was against Madrid, and for us, we didn't see a
possibility of winning for three zero, so I would think
it out. I wouldn't make it, you know, because I
had had my finest. But luckily for us, all like
we did our best and we won three zero. So
(03:02):
on Tuesday we won. On Wednesday we came back to
Barcelona and the TODs I flew to New York, so
I didn't have in mind that I was going to
be here, So when it happened, I was really excited, like, oh, like,
it's making more sense with that our the dead during
my draft night, so I was super excited to be there.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Let's talk about your basketball journal. You're only eighteen, one
of the youngest players in this year's draft class, and
from what I've read, you didn't start playing basketball really
until you were twelve. So you talked about dreaming about
this all your life, but it's been a very short
amount of time that you've really been involved in the game.
What in your mind drew you to basketball? Can you
tell us a little bit more about finding the game
(03:38):
and finding your talent within it.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
To be honest, I never liked basketball. I never thought
of playing basketball, but someone told me that I should
try it because I was tall, So I mean, I was, okay,
I'm going to give you to try. I tried it. Firstly,
I didn't like it because there was a lot of run.
No one was passing, the boy was shooting the ball
by themselves. I was just running clos to cus, you know.
And I start of liking the game and trying to
understand the game. When I started dominating in my own
like being the paint and getting some block shots, and
(04:02):
I said that to Dunk. I was like, oh, this
this gume looks really fun. Then I said, I liking
the game, and I got passion for it, and I
realized that I could go really far playing the highest level,
which is the NBA. When I started playing in Basa,
you know, I started seeing some greater potential, not just
playing Basa because is such a big club in Europe,
but also playing in the NBA because I was able
to dominate some guys even in the even in Barcelona.
(04:24):
So I thought, okay, maybe I could have a chance
to play in the NBA. That was when I realized
I could play here.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
He's one of the best players in the world. So
I would I would shudder to compare anyone to but
your your journey, your path definding basketball finding success. There's
some elements of what we heard about Gianna Sante to
Kumpo when he was discovered coming to the game a
little bit later, figuring out his skill set and eventually
realizing his talent, becoming a champion, becoming an MVP. Two
stories like that or are those some of the ones
that inspire you?
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Uh? Not really?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
I mean some of the stories inspire me, But I
also as a person to have my own inspiration by myself.
I just whatever I do, whatever I find myself doing,
I just want to be great in it. I don't
want to end up being immediate, Okay, I don't want
to be like every other guy out there, you know.
So this is what inspires maybe just to go harder,
you know, just to be the best. What is it
being best? Maybe not being the best got up, but
being the best a short blockout of being the best
(05:13):
in the picic and rob being the best ridding the
game or something, just one thing, you know, just be
the best at it, because if you try to be
good at everything, you end up being good at none
of them.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
You mentioned your your first blocks, your first dunks kind
of developed your love of basketball.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Can you take me through that first.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
Dunk, first dunk? I think it was in two thousand
and seventeen. I was just trying, you know, so many
other young guys like we were trying to dunk, and
I also try it. It was really cool, you know,
and I could also like dunk and I had the
rim and I saw the ground from a phone. Oh
it's good, you know, just the dunk and hold the
room for long women. So I sat in loving the
(05:48):
game and having more passion for it.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
You've got a very interesting journey to where you are
now and where you're headed here in Charlotte, born in Nigeria,
As you mentioned, you went to play professionally in bars
alone or What are some of the lessons you've learned
from living so many places, playing professionally at such a
young age.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
One of the most important lessons I've learned is that
every day you're learning, you know, make you make a
little mistakes, But from those mistakes you learn. And I
don't have regrets from those mistakes. I just see them
as a way of learning, like real quick. When once
I do something wrong, I see it strong. I'm the
old Next time, I don't have to do it this,
so I have to do it the right way. And
all this learned from my mistakes. So this is the
biggest lessons I've learned during these years.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
One thing about playing professionally is those teams they're about winning.
And so you entered the Barcelona program that is a
champion one that has a lot of great players that
have at NBA time, and you have to earn your
spot on those teams and your abilities on the Florida
contribute towards winning. They're catching up to your physical gifts.
How do you feel you are in terms of the
progress you've made having been able to play on a professional.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Team and a championship team, one of the best in Europe.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
It's helped me a lot. I have pressure, you know,
I people like watching me, you know, because they gave
me a big chance. You know, it was like a
bet for the club to give me, because they gave
me an extension contract for five years. You know, they
just all had the better men. All this guy is
gonna turn out something great. So for me, every single
time I stepped on the card, I just wanted to
want to show them that I really appreciate what they're
giving to me and I'm gonna give them my best.
(07:13):
And they're being there playing with a lot of players
in Europe, some of them also playing the NBA. You know,
you have two MVPs in our team. Most they did
play in the NBA. You know, play with them, just
give me a lot of experience. And playing with them
was they were teaching me. You know, you have to
role right now, you have to wait, you have to jump,
you have to fake like two times and kick it out.
You know, playing with a lot of experience player really
helped me grow in the game quickly.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Last one for you, James. We're thrilled the Heavier and Charlotte.
We're excited to see you Summer League and beyond here.
But fans maybe who are not as clued into the draft,
maybe don't know you just yet. What's one thing fans
in Charlotte should know about.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
James Naji as a person, as a player. Both, whatever
you like in anything I do, I give you my best.
That's a great attribute to have. We appreciate so much
you're spending some time with us. Best of luck in
Summer League and beyond. We can't wait to see the
Hornet's uniform.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
A thank you, thanks again to James Naji.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Coming up next, Amari Bailey has his first ever sit
down with me right here on the AHHC. Welcome back
to the Hornets, iive cast. Thanks again to James Naji
for joining us segment one. But there are two Hornets
second round picks that we have the pleasure and privilege
of introducing you to today, and.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
This one I'm really excited about.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
You're gonna find out why in just a moment, without
further ado, let's welcome the Hornets' second second round pick
from the twenty twenty three NBA draft, Amar Bailey.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Here to the Hornets. I'vee cast, Amari, Welcome to Charlotte.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Thank you guys for having me.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Before we get started, I have a confession to make.
When I call your games in preseason, it's not gonna
be the first time I've actually called your games. I
used to work in southern California doing a lot of
high school sports for ESPN and Fox, and so those
Sierra Canyon teams you were on, think you were a
sophomore at the time.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
You're playing with two.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Already current NBA guys and Zion Williams and BJ Boston.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
So I'm very excited to see you in action again, and.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
I appreciate it. It's such a small world.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
It really is. There's one other confession I have to make.
I'm a USC guy.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
I went there for grad school, but I'm putting the
rivalry aside. But when I start bragging around football season,
that's where.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
That comes from.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Oh no, I get that. That's pure. I get that
for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
You're taking forty first overall by the Charlotte Hornets. Take
me through that moment, what you were thinking, what it
meant to you.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
Truth be told, it still does a seem real just
to be here and just for Charlotte to embrace me
and just believe in my game and just who I
am as a person. I'm very appreciative of it.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
The NBA invites a certain amount of prospects to draft
night based off draft boards and whatnot. You were on
everyone's draft board to be selected, but weren't invited to
the room. Why was it important to you, though, to
be there that night, to get a chance to be
a part of the event.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
I just believe that you only get your name called once,
and I just wanted to experience everything that comes with it,
whether or not that I was selected into the green room.
So that was kind of my decision making process with that.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
You've been around high level basketball for a long time
and I'm sure following the NBA for a long time.
What were your initial thoughts when you saw the Charlotte
Hornets with the team that drafted you.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
You know, I was talking about it earlier. You never
know what's going to happen on draft nights, So just
being able to go into this with a free mind.
I didn't go into it with any expectations on where
I thought I would go. I knew at the end
of the night hopefully I would be somewhere, but to
be here in Charlotte, it's just amazing.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
The draft class you're part of. There's two other people
that were in your recruiting class in high school that
are part of I think if we rewound the clock
back to when you were committed all to college and said, Okay,
these three guys are going to be on the same team,
the assumption would be, well, someone had three top ten picks,
you were all extremely highly rated. What does it mean
to you to get to go through this process as
(10:48):
a rookie now with Nick Smith junior Brandon Miller, two
guys that were also top ten recruits out of high school,
just like yourself.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
I would just say just being around first and foremost
two great guys I really just want to get better
each and every day. That just goes to show throughout
their game and just how they live their life that
they're just about working business. Then on top of that,
they're just pure people and peer individuals. So being able
to just put it all back together here on an
organization like Charlotte Hornet's is just amazing.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
You were one of the top rated players, as I
mentioned in your high school class. Going back to you,
I think your sophomore year when I was covering you,
you were the number one player in the class on some.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Of those boards.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
What lessons did you learn from playing at a very
high profile high school where you had a lot of
success and then going to UCLA where at times you
played a role, but by the time the tournament hit
you were one of the stars of the team again.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Right, I just think it all comes down to being
adaptable and at the same time just doing what's asked
of you. I came to UCLA. I had a job
to defend, rebound, shoot when I'm open, past when I'm not,
and I just kept it pretty simple. I had a
great group of guys that really just all knew their role.
I just came into a role and try to perfect it.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
That's such a hard thing to do for young players
entering the NBA because it's just assumed you You've always
been the star of your team at high school. You
were certainly the star of your team in college. Many
times you're the star of the team for you in particular,
you play it at such a high profile high school
with other NBA players, you play in college with other
NBA players, Certainly you shine very brightly, But there are
times that you're playing a role. How much better do
(12:21):
you think that will make you here as you make
this jump into the NBA where oftentimes there's going to
be a more experienced player on the floor with you.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
It's just the nature of the game, for sure.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
One hundred percent. I would say, really, just growing up
playing with a bunch of great guys across the country,
across the world, it just gives you perspective. I would
give this analogy all the time when I wasn't drafted,
so don't hate me for it. But I would always say, say,
I got drafted to the Bucks. There's no way that
I'm about to be the star whin there there's Giannis
on the floor. Do you know what I'm saying? You're
(12:51):
gonna have to fit a roll. You're atter to do
whatever it takes to win and what's being asked to
be Really, so that's the only mindset that I come
into it. It's not the Mario Bailey All Stars. Luckily
it's the Charlie Hornets, so I could just come in
and just make an impact whatever it's asked to me.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
You eventually did take over that starring role at UCLA
when it got to tournament time.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
The games that meant the most.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
That last two week stretch you jumped to averaging seventeen
points per game. You shot forty six percent from three.
What did that run in tournament play with all the
success you had tell you about yourself as a player
and maybe solidify your decision to go pro.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
I would just say, wow, I was out at a
lot of time to just figure out the college game.
It takes a couple months just to figure out the
spacing and where everyone's going to be out on the floor,
and really, all I wanted to do is just slow
it down for myself, and that's what happened. Towards the
second half of the year. I got more of a
coach's perspective on what's to see on the floor, the
reds and what you're looking for. So then I was
(13:48):
just able to implement that. And it's the second half
of the season and leave off on a good note.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Now you're here, You're in the NBA, your first summer
league is going to get started first, and then you'll
be in your rookie year. What are some of your
goals here for your first season in Charlotte.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
Really just to come in every day and work. I
know nothing's going to be given to me, and I'm
just ready to come in with my heart head on
and just work.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
What should fans maybe know about you? This can be
on the court, off the court. What should fans know
about you that they don't yet, or maybe what's something
they think they know about you that would either like
to affirm what they think they know about you or
appoint them in the right direction.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
I'm a real goofball off the floor, I'll say that
I look a hell of serious on the floor, but
I'm a goofball off of the floor. And then one thing,
I'll say, a lot of people think I'm from la
now and you're not. I'm notch Chicago, so that's all say.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Well, I had a lot of fun watching you early
in your amateur career. I was very excited to see
you drafted by putting my USC blinders away. But we're
very excited to have you here, looking forward to seeing
what you do in Summer League and beyond.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
Mari, welcome to Charlotte.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
Appreciate you guys having me. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Coming up next, those two are anticipated to be featured
performers in Summer League action for the Hornets, both in
Sacramento in about hours away now at this point, as
well as in Las Vegas. We're going to talk about
that entire roster which has been put out there. Sam
Parley from Hornets dot Com joins me next here on
the Hornets I've cast Welcome back to the Hornets. Iive
(15:18):
cast Sam Farber and Sam Purley. It's a two Sam's
segment of the HHC and the Hornets Summer League roster
has been made official. These guys are going to be
out in Sacramento just hours from now to take on
these Spurs and then the Warriors in the California Classic,
and then head on over to Las Vegas to participate
in the Summer League there, taking on the Spurs, Lakers, Blazers,
(15:40):
and Pelicans, possibly up to two extra games on top
of that. Sam Purley, thanks so much for joining us here.
Let's get the pleasantries and go right into the roster.
What sticks out to you, I'll say, for me, a
lot of draft picks both this year and prior years
that are going to be featured prominently, I would imagine
here for the Hornets.
Speaker 7 (15:57):
Yeah, I definitely agree with that rundown of the roster.
I think the first thing that sticks out, like you said,
is a lot of guys that have been drafted by
the Hornets, and also a lot of guys that have
been in the program before, whether it was in Greensboro
or was in training camp, or was it Summer League
last year that might not have been on the Hornets
or been drafted by the Hornets too. So a lot
of experience and guys that have been through this process
before I think really helps just kind of eyeballing it
(16:19):
You've got least a whole rotations where the players that
have been out to Summer League before that have been
in this Hornet system to some capacity. To so combine
that with some of the new guys coming in, I
think it's a really really nice blend of experience talent
and definitely will be fun to watch for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
I agree with you.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
I think the thing that I'm most excited about is
to see not just the rookies. Obviously Brandon Miller, He's
going to be the headliner in this rookie class, but
also some of the guys who are coming back for
their second, in one case third edition of Summer League action,
Seeing the progression from a Kai Jones who's on this roster,
Seeing how James Booknight looks. From all reports I've heard,
he's had a tremendous start to his summer. This could
(16:57):
be a real turning point for him. Obviously a lottery
talent who has struggled to crack into the rotation. This
might be his chance to really set the tone for
his upcoming third season in much the same way Nick
Richards did the previous year. It all started for him
in Summer League. He set the tone and became a
focal point as that number two center in the rotation
from start to finish essentially and earned himself an extension
(17:17):
of his stay here, So if you will, with the
Charlotte Hornet. So those are some of the things I'm
looking forward to. Let's talk predicted starting five. Who would
you like to see as you're starting five for the
Hornet summer league roster?
Speaker 7 (17:30):
Yeah, just on paper, looking at who's on the roster
right now, I think just kind of a penciled in
starting five, and you can kind of get creative with
these two depending on who you're going against, some different
lineups and things like that. But James Booknight and Bryce
McGowan's in the backcourt, Brandon miller at the three, and
then kind of got a little creative afterwards, Kai Jones
and James Naji in the front court there. I think
(17:51):
maybe the only trickiness there would be a little bit
of the spacing. But if you wanted to go smaller,
you could also go maybe Xavier Snead, who's very experienced
in the system at the three, brand to Miller at
the four, and then Kai Jones at the five. A
little bit of a smaller lineup and I think again,
you could see a lot of the draft picks off
the bench, Nick Smith, Amari Bailey, guys like that, and
maybe once they kind of get their feet wet a
little bit and get further into Summer League, maybe you
(18:12):
start working them into the starting lineup. But I think
that's one of the cool things about Summer League is
and maybe one of the challenges. You've got a lot
of new guys that have not played a whole lot
together and kind of trying to fit them all together
and make for the best lineup and rotation out there,
and to kind of get everybody working together and get
the wheels turn in is a fun process to watch.
I'm sure it's challenging, but I think with what the
Hornets have right now, they have some fun lineups they
(18:32):
can run out there and could definitely be playing a
lot of small ball. I mean, there's a lot of guards.
It's wing heavy roster out there, too, So I'm curious,
what do you got for starting five.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Well, I appreciate you throwing in guys like Xavier Sneid,
Kobe Simmons. These are guys, these are pros. They know
the system well, they've been in Greensboro, for a couple
of years. Both those guys in particular got opportunities with
the Charlotte Hornets towards the ends of last year very
well deserved, and those will be some of the key
veterans for this Summer League roster as well. I'm a
sucker for the draft capital that's been invested here. You've
(19:02):
got a lot of young guys who have had, in
some cases some time to get into the system, have
opportunities to make the rotation. Some of them stuck for
a little while, but none of them really have cemented
their role. This is their chance to break out, and
last year we saw it with Nick Richards. So I'm
excited to see in my starting lineup three guys that
I think have an opportunity here to at least reset
the bar I think for coming off what we saw
(19:24):
at the end of last year. I don't know that
any of them have put themselves in a position to
say they're for sure going to be locked into the
rotation come day one. But again I'll use the Richards example,
based on what they do here in Summer League, they
might be able to set that tone for the upcoming season.
So in my starting five, I've got three guys who
are all recent draft picks, who are all going to
(19:44):
be back here in Summer League based off what we've seen.
Now you've got Kai Jones, first round pick from a
couple of years ago. This will be his third time
in Summer League. We saw a lot of progression from
year one to year two. We'll see what kind of
jump he makes here in his third Summer league. James
Buckknight did not participate as a player in last Summer League.
He did go and he was sitting down with head
coach Steve Clifford quite a bit there. But he'll get
(20:05):
a chance to play. We'll get the chance to see
how much progression he's made. I've heard a lot of
good things from the coaching staff so far this summer.
And Bryce McGowan's who did in his rookie season, have
some occasions to be in that rotation as well. Will
he be able to take another step in his progression.
So those three I'm excited to see, plus the first
round picks Nick Smith Junior Brandon Miller, I expect those
(20:26):
two to be in here. So this is a little
bit of a fantasy lineup. I don't know exactly how
it all fits together. Quite frankly, it's unlikely it's all
to fit together just like this. But if you were
going to open up Summer league spotlit matchup from the
NBA that you've got Victor wembin Yama on one side
for the Spurs, Brandon Miller for the Charlotte Hornts and
the other what could be better than putting all top
forty draft selections over the last three years, including four
(20:50):
first rounders.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
What could be better than that?
Speaker 7 (20:52):
Sam Purley will definitely be entertaining, and I think that's
that's what a lot of Summer League is. You know,
you go out there and for the guys that have
been here, you want to see sort of the progress
made between the end of the season and now. This
is sort of like almost like a mid off season tournament.
I guess you kind of see where guys are at,
see the growth they've made since the season ended, and
kind of used this as a springboard into the second
half of the season. But you know, if you don't
(21:13):
have a stake in either the Spurs the Hornets, I
think you want to see as much first round draft
picks and talent out there. Doesn't matter positionally, if it
fits together, if it's five guards all at once, if
it's four centers running out there. I mean, that's kind
of the beauty of Summer Leaguease you'll see some crazy
stuff halfway through and you're like, Okay, that's something I
probably won't see in a regular season game, but right
now in summer league, and I'm enjoying it and it's
fun too, So I'm with you. I would say all
(21:35):
the draft picks, whether they start or not, they're going
to get a chance to play and see what they've got,
and they kind of use this as sort of a
springboard themselves into their first I guess time with the
NBA organization to kind of leading up into training camp
in a few months.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
We will see what those lineups are. In reality, it
all starts tomorrow Hornets in the California Classic. They'll take
on the San Antonio Spurs, And in addition to previewing
the California Classic, we'll all so get a chance to
sit down and talk to Hornets Summer League head coach
Marlon Garnett. He is going to be in tomorrow's episode
of the HC. Look forward to bringing that to all
(22:09):
of you. Thanks to Sam Purleyhornets dot com for joining
me for a two Sam's segment of.
Speaker 7 (22:13):
The ac of course, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
Thanks as well to James Najiena Mari Bailey. Welcome to
them both here to the Charlotte Hornets. Congratulations to them
on being drafted. A huge day, a huge draft hall
for the Hornets, and those two a big part of it.
So we're excited to have them here in the Queen
City and excited to see them participate in Summer League.
Thanks as well to our producer Rob Longo for putting
this podcast together.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Most of all to all of you for tuning in.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
For everyone here, I'm Sam Farber saying it's been a pleasure,
in a privilege having you long and we will talk
to you again next time right here on the Hornets Popecast.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Thank you for listening to the Hornets Hypecast, brought to
you by Senta, the official i ere Nosen Throatcare provider
of the Charlotte Hornets. For more coverage, visit Hornets dot com.
Welcome to the Hornets High Past, present it by Charlotte
I ear nosen Throat Associates, the official I ear nosen
throat Care provider of the Charlotte Hornets. Here's your host,
Sam Farber.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Welcome to another edition of the Hornets Podcast, Your Hornets
Podcast with all the notes quote Sam daily buzz around
your favorite NBA team. I'm Sam Farber and it is
a pleasure and a privileged have you with us here
once again on the Hornet's ide Cast, brought to you
by Santa Charlotte EE ear Nose and Throat Associates, the
official I ear noosen throat Care provider of the Charlotte Hornets.
We got a jam packed edition of the HHC today,
(00:37):
We're gonna get right into it. We got not one,
but two Hornets draft picks to introduce you to James
Nase and Amari Bailey. We have had them in studio
now and so we're gonna let you hear from each
of the two Hornets second round picks from the twenty
twenty three NBA Draft. Plus the Hornet Summer League roster
has finally been finalized, so we'll bring Sam Purleyhornets dot
Com in to talk about that as well. But first up,
(00:58):
we've got James Nase joining me right here on the
Hornetsipe cast.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
James, congrats on being drafted. Welcome to Charlotte.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
First off, congrats on being drafted. Had to be a
huge day for you.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Take me through that moment hearing your name called, knowing
that you were entering the NBA.
Speaker 5 (01:15):
For me, that night was a dream moment for me,
like the day all drammed off, get into Hay and
m caught an MBA draft, you know, for so many
people as well as space like a dream country, you know,
to play in the NBA, you know, and being caught
that night was just seeing my dream come true.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Picks are moved a lot in the draft these days,
especially around the range that you were selected. I think
the picks started with Detroit and then got traded to
Boston and then Charlotte traded up to get you.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I'm not even sure all the moves that made.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
So at what point did you realize not only okay,
you're in the NBA that's a big realization, but who
exactly was taking you?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
The Charlotte Hornets had traded up to get you.
Speaker 5 (01:52):
And at first I didn't know what team exactly because
I just said Elliott. It was Detroit after Boston, and
I saw one of the agents of this cud came
to me asid, oh, James, you're not going to do
They did try to come with us to Chilot and
I was like, oh, yeah, you know, I wasn't expecting that.
So yeah, that was when I realized when he told
me that he is going to give me the heart
of the of Charlotte, because I was wearing the one
(02:14):
of Detroit at a moment, So that was when I
realized I was coming here.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
In terms of Draft night, the NBA invites a certain
number of potential draft picks to be in the room
and they go to a certain level. You weren't on
that first list, but you were there on draft night.
Why was it important to you to be there for
that moment? Knowing I mean you were, you were on
everyone's board going so there was a lot of confidence
you would be drafted at some point. But what made
(02:38):
it important for you to be there in the building
in that moment.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Firstly, it was not in my position to choose it
to come on not because that week I had finess
and we were supposed to have five games, and it
was against Madrid, and for us, we didn't see a
possibility of winning for three zero, so I would think
it out. I wouldn't make it, you know, because I
had had my finest. But luckily for us, all like
we did our best and we won three zero. So
(03:02):
on Tuesday we won. On Wednesday we came back to
Barcelona and the TODs I flew to New York, so
I didn't have in mind that I was going to
be here, So when it happened, I was really excited, like, oh, like,
it's making more sense with that our the dead during
my draft night, so I was super excited to be there.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Let's talk about your basketball journal. You're only eighteen, one
of the youngest players in this year's draft class, and
from what I've read, you didn't start playing basketball really
until you were twelve. So you talked about dreaming about
this all your life, but it's been a very short
amount of time that you've really been involved in the game.
What in your mind drew you to basketball? Can you
tell us a little bit more about finding the game
(03:38):
and finding your talent within it.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
To be honest, I never liked basketball. I never thought
of playing basketball, but someone told me that I should
try it because I was tall, So I mean, I was, okay,
I'm going to give you to try. I tried it. Firstly,
I didn't like it because there was a lot of run.
No one was passing, the boy was shooting the ball
by themselves. I was just running clos to cus, you know.
And I start of liking the game and trying to
understand the game. When I started dominating in my own
like being the paint and getting some block shots, and
(04:02):
I said that to Dunk. I was like, oh, this
this gume looks really fun. Then I said, I liking
the game, and I got passion for it, and I
realized that I could go really far playing the highest level,
which is the NBA. When I started playing in Basa,
you know, I started seeing some greater potential, not just
playing Basa because is such a big club in Europe,
but also playing in the NBA because I was able
to dominate some guys even in the even in Barcelona.
(04:24):
So I thought, okay, maybe I could have a chance
to play in the NBA. That was when I realized
I could play here.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
He's one of the best players in the world. So
I would I would shudder to compare anyone to but
your your journey, your path definding basketball finding success. There's
some elements of what we heard about Gianna Sante to
Kumpo when he was discovered coming to the game a
little bit later, figuring out his skill set and eventually
realizing his talent, becoming a champion, becoming an MVP. Two
stories like that or are those some of the ones
that inspire you?
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Uh? Not really?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
I mean some of the stories inspire me, But I
also as a person to have my own inspiration by myself.
I just whatever I do, whatever I find myself doing,
I just want to be great in it. I don't
want to end up being immediate, Okay, I don't want
to be like every other guy out there, you know.
So this is what inspires maybe just to go harder,
you know, just to be the best. What is it
being best? Maybe not being the best got up, but
being the best a short blockout of being the best
(05:13):
in the picic and rob being the best ridding the
game or something, just one thing, you know, just be
the best at it, because if you try to be
good at everything, you end up being good at none
of them.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
You mentioned your your first blocks, your first dunks kind
of developed your love of basketball.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Can you take me through that first.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
Dunk, first dunk? I think it was in two thousand
and seventeen. I was just trying, you know, so many
other young guys like we were trying to dunk, and
I also try it. It was really cool, you know,
and I could also like dunk and I had the
rim and I saw the ground from a phone. Oh
it's good, you know, just the dunk and hold the
room for long women. So I sat in loving the
(05:48):
game and having more passion for it.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
You've got a very interesting journey to where you are
now and where you're headed here in Charlotte, born in Nigeria,
As you mentioned, you went to play professionally in bars
alone or What are some of the lessons you've learned
from living so many places, playing professionally at such a
young age.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
One of the most important lessons I've learned is that
every day you're learning, you know, make you make a
little mistakes, But from those mistakes you learn. And I
don't have regrets from those mistakes. I just see them
as a way of learning, like real quick. When once
I do something wrong, I see it strong. I'm the
old Next time, I don't have to do it this,
so I have to do it the right way. And
all this learned from my mistakes. So this is the
biggest lessons I've learned during these years.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
One thing about playing professionally is those teams they're about winning.
And so you entered the Barcelona program that is a
champion one that has a lot of great players that
have at NBA time, and you have to earn your
spot on those teams and your abilities on the Florida
contribute towards winning. They're catching up to your physical gifts.
How do you feel you are in terms of the
progress you've made having been able to play on a professional.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Team and a championship team, one of the best in Europe.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
It's helped me a lot. I have pressure, you know,
I people like watching me, you know, because they gave
me a big chance. You know, it was like a
bet for the club to give me, because they gave
me an extension contract for five years. You know, they
just all had the better men. All this guy is
gonna turn out something great. So for me, every single
time I stepped on the card, I just wanted to
want to show them that I really appreciate what they're
giving to me and I'm gonna give them my best.
(07:13):
And they're being there playing with a lot of players
in Europe, some of them also playing the NBA. You know,
you have two MVPs in our team. Most they did
play in the NBA. You know, play with them, just
give me a lot of experience. And playing with them
was they were teaching me. You know, you have to
role right now, you have to wait, you have to jump,
you have to fake like two times and kick it out.
You know, playing with a lot of experience player really
helped me grow in the game quickly.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Last one for you, James. We're thrilled the Heavier and Charlotte.
We're excited to see you Summer League and beyond here.
But fans maybe who are not as clued into the draft,
maybe don't know you just yet. What's one thing fans
in Charlotte should know about.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
James Naji as a person, as a player. Both, whatever
you like in anything I do, I give you my best.
That's a great attribute to have. We appreciate so much
you're spending some time with us. Best of luck in
Summer League and beyond. We can't wait to see the
Hornet's uniform.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
A thank you, thanks again to James Naji.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Coming up next, Amari Bailey has his first ever sit
down with me right here on the AHHC. Welcome back
to the Hornets, iive cast. Thanks again to James Naji
for joining us segment one. But there are two Hornets
second round picks that we have the pleasure and privilege
of introducing you to today, and.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
This one I'm really excited about.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
You're gonna find out why in just a moment, without
further ado, let's welcome the Hornets' second second round pick
from the twenty twenty three NBA draft, Amar Bailey.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Here to the Hornets. I'vee cast, Amari, Welcome to Charlotte.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Thank you guys for having me.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Before we get started, I have a confession to make.
When I call your games in preseason, it's not gonna
be the first time I've actually called your games. I
used to work in southern California doing a lot of
high school sports for ESPN and Fox, and so those
Sierra Canyon teams you were on, think you were a
sophomore at the time.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
You're playing with two.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Already current NBA guys and Zion Williams and BJ Boston.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
So I'm very excited to see you in action again, and.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
I appreciate it. It's such a small world.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
It really is. There's one other confession I have to make.
I'm a USC guy.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
I went there for grad school, but I'm putting the
rivalry aside. But when I start bragging around football season,
that's where.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
That comes from.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Oh no, I get that. That's pure. I get that
for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
You're taking forty first overall by the Charlotte Hornets. Take
me through that moment, what you were thinking, what it
meant to you.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
Truth be told, it still does a seem real just
to be here and just for Charlotte to embrace me
and just believe in my game and just who I
am as a person. I'm very appreciative of it.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
The NBA invites a certain amount of prospects to draft
night based off draft boards and whatnot. You were on
everyone's draft board to be selected, but weren't invited to
the room. Why was it important to you, though, to
be there that night, to get a chance to be
a part of the event.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
I just believe that you only get your name called once,
and I just wanted to experience everything that comes with it,
whether or not that I was selected into the green room.
So that was kind of my decision making process with that.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
You've been around high level basketball for a long time
and I'm sure following the NBA for a long time.
What were your initial thoughts when you saw the Charlotte
Hornets with the team that drafted you.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
You know, I was talking about it earlier. You never
know what's going to happen on draft nights, So just
being able to go into this with a free mind.
I didn't go into it with any expectations on where
I thought I would go. I knew at the end
of the night hopefully I would be somewhere, but to
be here in Charlotte, it's just amazing.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
The draft class you're part of. There's two other people
that were in your recruiting class in high school that
are part of I think if we rewound the clock
back to when you were committed all to college and said, Okay,
these three guys are going to be on the same team,
the assumption would be, well, someone had three top ten picks,
you were all extremely highly rated. What does it mean
to you to get to go through this process as
(10:48):
a rookie now with Nick Smith junior Brandon Miller, two
guys that were also top ten recruits out of high school,
just like yourself.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
I would just say just being around first and foremost
two great guys I really just want to get better
each and every day. That just goes to show throughout
their game and just how they live their life that
they're just about working business. Then on top of that,
they're just pure people and peer individuals. So being able
to just put it all back together here on an
organization like Charlotte Hornet's is just amazing.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
You were one of the top rated players, as I
mentioned in your high school class. Going back to you,
I think your sophomore year when I was covering you,
you were the number one player in the class on some.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Of those boards.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
What lessons did you learn from playing at a very
high profile high school where you had a lot of
success and then going to UCLA where at times you
played a role, but by the time the tournament hit
you were one of the stars of the team again.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Right, I just think it all comes down to being
adaptable and at the same time just doing what's asked
of you. I came to UCLA. I had a job
to defend, rebound, shoot when I'm open, past when I'm not,
and I just kept it pretty simple. I had a
great group of guys that really just all knew their role.
I just came into a role and try to perfect it.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
That's such a hard thing to do for young players
entering the NBA because it's just assumed you You've always
been the star of your team at high school. You
were certainly the star of your team in college. Many
times you're the star of the team for you in particular,
you play it at such a high profile high school
with other NBA players, you play in college with other
NBA players, Certainly you shine very brightly, But there are
times that you're playing a role. How much better do
(12:21):
you think that will make you here as you make
this jump into the NBA where oftentimes there's going to
be a more experienced player on the floor with you.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
It's just the nature of the game, for sure.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
One hundred percent. I would say, really, just growing up
playing with a bunch of great guys across the country,
across the world, it just gives you perspective. I would
give this analogy all the time when I wasn't drafted,
so don't hate me for it. But I would always say, say,
I got drafted to the Bucks. There's no way that
I'm about to be the star whin there there's Giannis
on the floor. Do you know what I'm saying? You're
(12:51):
gonna have to fit a roll. You're atter to do
whatever it takes to win and what's being asked to
be Really, so that's the only mindset that I come
into it. It's not the Mario Bailey All Stars. Luckily
it's the Charlie Hornets, so I could just come in
and just make an impact whatever it's asked to me.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
You eventually did take over that starring role at UCLA
when it got to tournament time.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
The games that meant the most.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
That last two week stretch you jumped to averaging seventeen
points per game. You shot forty six percent from three.
What did that run in tournament play with all the
success you had tell you about yourself as a player
and maybe solidify your decision to go pro.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
I would just say, wow, I was out at a
lot of time to just figure out the college game.
It takes a couple months just to figure out the
spacing and where everyone's going to be out on the floor,
and really, all I wanted to do is just slow
it down for myself, and that's what happened. Towards the
second half of the year. I got more of a
coach's perspective on what's to see on the floor, the
reds and what you're looking for. So then I was
(13:48):
just able to implement that. And it's the second half
of the season and leave off on a good note.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Now you're here, You're in the NBA, your first summer
league is going to get started first, and then you'll
be in your rookie year. What are some of your
goals here for your first season in Charlotte.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
Really just to come in every day and work. I
know nothing's going to be given to me, and I'm
just ready to come in with my heart head on
and just work.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
What should fans maybe know about you? This can be
on the court, off the court. What should fans know
about you that they don't yet, or maybe what's something
they think they know about you that would either like
to affirm what they think they know about you or
appoint them in the right direction.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
I'm a real goofball off the floor, I'll say that
I look a hell of serious on the floor, but
I'm a goofball off of the floor. And then one thing,
I'll say, a lot of people think I'm from la
now and you're not. I'm notch Chicago, so that's all say.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Well, I had a lot of fun watching you early
in your amateur career. I was very excited to see
you drafted by putting my USC blinders away. But we're
very excited to have you here, looking forward to seeing
what you do in Summer League and beyond.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
Mari, welcome to Charlotte.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
Appreciate you guys having me. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Coming up next, those two are anticipated to be featured
performers in Summer League action for the Hornets, both in
Sacramento in about hours away now at this point, as
well as in Las Vegas. We're going to talk about
that entire roster which has been put out there. Sam
Parley from Hornets dot Com joins me next here on
the Hornets I've cast Welcome back to the Hornets. Iive
(15:18):
cast Sam Farber and Sam Purley. It's a two Sam's
segment of the HHC and the Hornets Summer League roster
has been made official. These guys are going to be
out in Sacramento just hours from now to take on
these Spurs and then the Warriors in the California Classic,
and then head on over to Las Vegas to participate
in the Summer League there, taking on the Spurs, Lakers, Blazers,
(15:40):
and Pelicans, possibly up to two extra games on top
of that. Sam Purley, thanks so much for joining us here.
Let's get the pleasantries and go right into the roster.
What sticks out to you, I'll say, for me, a
lot of draft picks both this year and prior years
that are going to be featured prominently, I would imagine
here for the Hornets.
Speaker 7 (15:57):
Yeah, I definitely agree with that rundown of the roster.
I think the first thing that sticks out, like you said,
is a lot of guys that have been drafted by
the Hornets, and also a lot of guys that have
been in the program before, whether it was in Greensboro
or was in training camp, or was it Summer League
last year that might not have been on the Hornets
or been drafted by the Hornets too. So a lot
of experience and guys that have been through this process
before I think really helps just kind of eyeballing it
(16:19):
You've got least a whole rotations where the players that
have been out to Summer League before that have been
in this Hornet system to some capacity. To so combine
that with some of the new guys coming in, I
think it's a really really nice blend of experience talent
and definitely will be fun to watch for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
I agree with you.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
I think the thing that I'm most excited about is
to see not just the rookies. Obviously Brandon Miller, He's
going to be the headliner in this rookie class, but
also some of the guys who are coming back for
their second, in one case third edition of Summer League action,
Seeing the progression from a Kai Jones who's on this roster,
Seeing how James Booknight looks. From all reports I've heard,
he's had a tremendous start to his summer. This could
(16:57):
be a real turning point for him. Obviously a lottery
talent who has struggled to crack into the rotation. This
might be his chance to really set the tone for
his upcoming third season in much the same way Nick
Richards did the previous year. It all started for him
in Summer League. He set the tone and became a
focal point as that number two center in the rotation
from start to finish essentially and earned himself an extension
(17:17):
of his stay here, So if you will, with the
Charlotte Hornet. So those are some of the things I'm
looking forward to. Let's talk predicted starting five. Who would
you like to see as you're starting five for the
Hornet summer league roster?
Speaker 7 (17:30):
Yeah, just on paper, looking at who's on the roster
right now, I think just kind of a penciled in
starting five, and you can kind of get creative with
these two depending on who you're going against, some different
lineups and things like that. But James Booknight and Bryce
McGowan's in the backcourt, Brandon miller at the three, and
then kind of got a little creative afterwards, Kai Jones
and James Naji in the front court there. I think
(17:51):
maybe the only trickiness there would be a little bit
of the spacing. But if you wanted to go smaller,
you could also go maybe Xavier Snead, who's very experienced
in the system at the three, brand to Miller at
the four, and then Kai Jones at the five. A
little bit of a smaller lineup and I think again,
you could see a lot of the draft picks off
the bench, Nick Smith, Amari Bailey, guys like that, and
maybe once they kind of get their feet wet a
little bit and get further into Summer League, maybe you
(18:12):
start working them into the starting lineup. But I think
that's one of the cool things about Summer League is
and maybe one of the challenges. You've got a lot
of new guys that have not played a whole lot
together and kind of trying to fit them all together
and make for the best lineup and rotation out there,
and to kind of get everybody working together and get
the wheels turn in is a fun process to watch.
I'm sure it's challenging, but I think with what the
Hornets have right now, they have some fun lineups they
(18:32):
can run out there and could definitely be playing a
lot of small ball. I mean, there's a lot of guards.
It's wing heavy roster out there, too, So I'm curious,
what do you got for starting five.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Well, I appreciate you throwing in guys like Xavier Sneid,
Kobe Simmons. These are guys, these are pros. They know
the system well, they've been in Greensboro, for a couple
of years. Both those guys in particular got opportunities with
the Charlotte Hornets towards the ends of last year very
well deserved, and those will be some of the key
veterans for this Summer League roster as well. I'm a
sucker for the draft capital that's been invested here. You've
(19:02):
got a lot of young guys who have had, in
some cases some time to get into the system, have
opportunities to make the rotation. Some of them stuck for
a little while, but none of them really have cemented
their role. This is their chance to break out, and
last year we saw it with Nick Richards. So I'm
excited to see in my starting lineup three guys that
I think have an opportunity here to at least reset
the bar I think for coming off what we saw
(19:24):
at the end of last year. I don't know that
any of them have put themselves in a position to
say they're for sure going to be locked into the
rotation come day one. But again I'll use the Richards example,
based on what they do here in Summer League, they
might be able to set that tone for the upcoming season.
So in my starting five, I've got three guys who
are all recent draft picks, who are all going to
(19:44):
be back here in Summer League based off what we've seen.
Now you've got Kai Jones, first round pick from a
couple of years ago. This will be his third time
in Summer League. We saw a lot of progression from
year one to year two. We'll see what kind of
jump he makes here in his third Summer league. James
Buckknight did not participate as a player in last Summer League.
He did go and he was sitting down with head
coach Steve Clifford quite a bit there. But he'll get
(20:05):
a chance to play. We'll get the chance to see
how much progression he's made. I've heard a lot of
good things from the coaching staff so far this summer.
And Bryce McGowan's who did in his rookie season, have
some occasions to be in that rotation as well. Will
he be able to take another step in his progression.
So those three I'm excited to see, plus the first
round picks Nick Smith Junior Brandon Miller, I expect those
(20:26):
two to be in here. So this is a little
bit of a fantasy lineup. I don't know exactly how
it all fits together. Quite frankly, it's unlikely it's all
to fit together just like this. But if you were
going to open up Summer league spotlit matchup from the
NBA that you've got Victor wembin Yama on one side
for the Spurs, Brandon Miller for the Charlotte Hornts and
the other what could be better than putting all top
forty draft selections over the last three years, including four
(20:50):
first rounders.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
What could be better than that?
Speaker 7 (20:52):
Sam Purley will definitely be entertaining, and I think that's
that's what a lot of Summer League is. You know,
you go out there and for the guys that have
been here, you want to see sort of the progress
made between the end of the season and now. This
is sort of like almost like a mid off season tournament.
I guess you kind of see where guys are at,
see the growth they've made since the season ended, and
kind of used this as a springboard into the second
half of the season. But you know, if you don't
(21:13):
have a stake in either the Spurs the Hornets, I
think you want to see as much first round draft
picks and talent out there. Doesn't matter positionally, if it
fits together, if it's five guards all at once, if
it's four centers running out there. I mean, that's kind
of the beauty of Summer Leaguease you'll see some crazy
stuff halfway through and you're like, Okay, that's something I
probably won't see in a regular season game, but right
now in summer league, and I'm enjoying it and it's
fun too, So I'm with you. I would say all
(21:35):
the draft picks, whether they start or not, they're going
to get a chance to play and see what they've got,
and they kind of use this as sort of a
springboard themselves into their first I guess time with the
NBA organization to kind of leading up into training camp
in a few months.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
We will see what those lineups are. In reality, it
all starts tomorrow Hornets in the California Classic. They'll take
on the San Antonio Spurs, And in addition to previewing
the California Classic, we'll all so get a chance to
sit down and talk to Hornets Summer League head coach
Marlon Garnett. He is going to be in tomorrow's episode
of the HC. Look forward to bringing that to all
(22:09):
of you. Thanks to Sam Purleyhornets dot com for joining
me for a two Sam's segment of.
Speaker 7 (22:13):
The ac of course, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
Thanks as well to James Najiena Mari Bailey. Welcome to
them both here to the Charlotte Hornets. Congratulations to them
on being drafted. A huge day, a huge draft hall
for the Hornets, and those two a big part of it.
So we're excited to have them here in the Queen
City and excited to see them participate in Summer League.
Thanks as well to our producer Rob Longo for putting
this podcast together.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Most of all to all of you for tuning in.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
For everyone here, I'm Sam Farber saying it's been a pleasure,
in a privilege having you long and we will talk
to you again next time right here on the Hornets Popecast.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Thank you for listening to the Hornets Hypecast, brought to
you by Senta, the official i ere Nosen Throatcare provider
of the Charlotte Hornets. For more coverage, visit Hornets dot com.
Hosts And Creators
Sam Farber
Rob Longo
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