The Hornets decided not to bring out the big guns for the crucial climax! The fans have all the right to be upset, as Coach Charles Lee benched LaMelo Ball while the team looked to close out a clutch game. Importantly, the star point guard is literally made for this situation. Nevertheless, the Charlotte side blew the game away after Brandin Miller failed to sink the game-tying three-pointer. And now the Buzz City went 0-2 down in the NBA Cup.

With 3:48 left in the clock, the Hornets were chasing a one-point deficit. At the time, Charles Lee, first-year head coach, decided to bench Ball, replacing him with Tre Mann. Mann, coming off the bench, had an impressive night dropping 19 points in 26 minutes. Not to forget his flurry late in the third quarter.

However, this wasn’t convincing enough for the fans, as a fan literally asked, “We demand answers”. Even with 5 seconds remaining on the clock, Coach Lee took time out as the Hornets needed a sniper to tie the game with a three-pointer. LaMelo Ball, who is fifth in clutch player ranking this season and leads the league for most points scored in the fourth quarter, didn’t get the chance either.

The coach once again went with Tre Mann in the lineup and the sophomore star Brandin Miller had the pressure to sink it. The 21-year-old has already done it, but it was on the paint. Nevertheless, the Brooklyn Nets, led by Cam Johnson, snatched the win.

Fans demand answers as Coach Lee warms the bench with LaMelo Ball

The Hornets never reached the playoffs since 2016 and never won a playoff series since 2002. So, the team has been on the hunt for a breakthrough for a long time. In that same vein, LaMelo Ball came into the side in 2020 as a guiding light, winning the ROYT Award as well. However, things didn’t go well for him, as he struggled with constant ankle injuries. Around the same time, the team has changed head coaches since 2016. Now, a fan wrote, “Fire Charles Lee” 

Another fan went a bit overboard with their emotion, reacting to the controversial decision, as they wrote, “And people really try laughing when we say this shit rigged.” This has been a common phrase that goes around the NBA world whenever someone’s favorite loses. Well, personally, looking at the way, things are handled in split seconds, this game is really hard to rig. Moreover, it’s also important to note that Melo had a rough night, shooting the ball with a disappointing 3-13 FG and 3-8 FG from the deep.

On the other hand, this fan took a shot at the Hornets’ disappointing run over the last two decades. The fan wrote, “They already achieved their win total goal for the season.” Well, even though it’s an exaggerated comment, it sure does have the humor to it. Last season, the Hornets ended their season as the 13th seed with a 21-61 record, slipping down from their 27-55 record from the previous season. This season, the team went off to an impressive start, currently holding the 11th seed with a 5-9 record, looking to make the playoffs.

Finally, another fan dropped a solution for the Hornets’ two-decade-long misery with a simple solution. The fan wrote, “Capture the Flagg,” hinting at the front office to rope in college sensation, Cooper Flagg. Currently, the Brooklyn Nets seemed to be the favorites to get the No.1 pick in the lottery. However, if the Hornets finish with a poor record this season, they can be eligible for the #1 pick. Will the Hornets go for it? Let us know in the comments below.