How to copy the blueprint of Hornets pacers for the success of NBA, originally appeared on the athlon sports.
When Indiana pacers punched their ticket in the 2025 NBA final, some fans in Charlotte could see without any thinking: Why don’t we?
Both franchises added dynamic point guards in the last five sessions. Indiana traded for Tieres Haliberton and Hornets drafted Lamelob, yet their streets have dramatically deviated. Passers are now Eastern Conference Royalty. Hornets? Coming out of the 19-63 season, is quite poor for the third worst record of NBA.
But there is a roadmap, and Indiana is catching it.
Passers made a jump on doing business for all-star Pascal Siakam in January. Siakam’s scoring, rebounding, and playoff experiences balanced the load for Heliberton, a true one or two punch.
Cherlotte does not yet need to hit the business market, they can already do themselves in Brandon Miller. 2023 Number 2 Samagra Pick scored 21.0 points per game on an average of 21.0 points before finishing its season in February. Earlier, he was walking towards a Sophomore breakout.
Charlotte Hornets Guard Lamelo Ball (1) and Forward Brandon Miller (24) © Jim Deadmon-Imagon
Under Rick Carlisley, Indiana has become NBA’s fastest-vertical crime, the number 1 ranking in speed and fast-break points this season. Their style is not just entertaining; This is ending for opponents.
Hornets equipped with athletes such as ball, Miller and Nick Smith Jr. also have equipment to do the same. Charles Lee, known for his aggressive creativity in Milwauki and Boston, has the opportunity to highlight Charlot’s young legs in the transition.
Haliberton is an engine in Indiana. He received 9.2 aid per game (third in NBA). Indiana’s crime flows through their decision making.
Lamelo ball, when healthy, simply occurs as electric. In 2023-24, he took an average of 25.2 points, 7.4 aid and average of 4.9 rebounds. Hornets must constantly surround him with shooters and Slesters, just as Pacers did with Miles Turner, Benedict Mathurin and Aaron Nemith.
Hornet is at an intersection. Indiana did not draft a super team, they Make One. Charlotte can do the same.
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Related: Op-Ed: Hornets Trading Lamelo to La
The story was originally reported by Ethalon Sports on June 2, 2025, where it first appeared.