Charlotte Hornets center Naz Reid scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a crucial win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, his third 20-point performance of the season, Basket USA reported.
The victory snapped a six-game losing streak for the Hornets.
Reid’s performance came after a public disciplinary incident where coach Charles Lee benched him for an entire half during a loss in Detroit. Lee had cited Reid not meeting the team’s expectations in the first half of that game.
Despite shooting 10-for-26 from the field, including 4-for-9 from three-point range, Reid’s impact was undeniable. He also added four assists as the Hornets secured a solid victory against the Cavaliers. This game served as a significant response for both Reid and the team, which had been struggling to find its footing.
“He understands better and better the pace at which we want to play at the start of possessions,” Lee said of Reid, according to Basket USA. “He takes more time on set plays and realizes that, for example, if he gets a pick-and-roll, he can then play one-on-one, with a potential size advantage. Overall, he is more and more comfortable.”
Lee’s praise stood in contrast to his comments less than two weeks prior. Following the Detroit game, the coach justified benching Reid for the entire second half, stating the player “was not up to our standards in the first half.” The incident had drawn considerable attention in Charlotte.
Lee had since confirmed that Reid had apologized to him and his teammates. The coach even suggested that the episode had strengthened their relationship, a claim that was put to the test as the team looked to rebound from its recent skid.
The incident had not been directly addressed by Reid until after the Cleveland win. When asked about it, the player explained the competitive nature of the sport. “As in any sport, when the competition is that intense, this kind of thing happens,” Reid said, as reported by Basket USA. “We have to be able to learn from it to move on to the next situation, and so on.”
According to Reid, his relationship with Lee is now on solid ground. “You see us talking a lot on the court. We have been able to communicate as if nothing had happened,” he stated. “I am not really worried about it. The fact that we both were able to turn the page and focus on what we had to do is a good thing.”
This episode has carried extra weight in Charlotte because of the new role Reid is expected to fill. Acquired in a trade for LaMelo Ball this summer, Reid is now seen as a leader, with the responsibilities and example that entails. It is a new dimension he is still learning to manage.
“I am approaching this by trying to do what I do best and stay myself,” Reid explained. “But at the beginning, I am mostly trying to see what place I can take. I know they brought me here to be that type of player. But it’s in my personality not to try to impose myself right away; I try to find my place in this situation gradually.”
The Hornets will look to build on this win as they continue their season.
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