Something special is brewing in Charlotte. Since December 18th, the Hornets rank second in the league with an offensive rating of 120.6. They’ve dismantled Utah by 55 points and Philadelphia by 37. Beyond the metrics, the eye test doesn't lie: Charlotte is playing basketball "the right way." Unlike teams like Miami, who have largely moved away from screening, or the Portland Trail Blazers, who run a more basic, minimalist offense (which has its own merits), Charles Lee’s squad is showcasing intricate sets. Their offense has evolved into far more than just high pick-and-rolls and isolations - despite featuring LaMelo Ball, a dominant force for whom such plays are bread and butter.

Much of Charlotte’s offensive engine is fueled by the gravity of Brandon Miller, who dropped 30 points in the 130-93 rout of the Sixers, and rookie Kon Knueppel. Coach Lee leans heavily on "Zoom" actions, a league staple where a guard curls off a pin-down screen directly into a handoff from a big man. In the first quarter against Philly, this connection between Knueppel and backup center Ryan Kalkbrenner generated six quick points, demonstrating the Hornets' improved decision-making and half-court execution.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Subscribe to 1440 today.

It began with a Sideline Out-of-Bounds (SLOB) play. The ball found Ryan Kalkbrenner at the extended elbow, who then dribbled toward the opposite elbow. Meanwhile, Knueppel came off a baseline screen from Grant Williams into a handoff from Kalkbrenner, the classic Zoom motion. The defense’s reaction was…lazy: Kelly Oubre Jr., chasing Knueppel, got hung up on the screen, while Adem Bona (guarding Kalkbrenner) found himself stranded in "no man's land." Bona failed to stick to his man and didn't hedge out to contain Knueppel. By the time Oubre recovered, Knueppel had already slipped a pass to Kalkbrenner for an easy dunk.

NBA defenses typically adjust fast. Later in the quarter, the Hornets initiated the same Zoom action out of a Horns set. Collin Sexton entered the ball to Kalkbrenner at the elbow and cut off an Exit screen from Sion James to the corner. Kalkbrenner again pivoted toward the opposite elbow; Williams set the pin-down for Knueppel, leading into the identical handoff. This time, Philly’s initial response - a switch between Knueppel’s defender, Quentin Grimes, and Williams’ defender, Jabari Walker - was solid. However, both Bona and Walker aggressively over-committed to Knueppel, leaving Kalkbrenner wide open for another flush, as Tyrese Maxey’s late rotation proved futile.

Later in the quarter, they ran a variation with a different entry angle: Sexton passing from the wing to Kalkbrenner at the top of the key. The familiar rhythm followed - Williams’ screen, Knueppel’s Zoom curl. This time, Philadelphia’s coverage was tighter, with Quentin Grimes top-locking Knueppel to deny the catch. Reading the play, Knueppel continued his cut to the paint and cleared out to the corner to maintain spacing. Williams then became the second option, receiving the handoff from Kalkbrenner himself. Walker tried to fight through the screen while Bona dropped back in coverage. Williams, a vital veteran presence returning from injury, finished with a smooth floater.

This sequence shows that Charlotte is developing healthy offensive habits, reading the floor, and reacting to defensive counters in real time. It’s a process that, for now, has them on a steady upward trajectory.