SUMMER LEAGUE Stang’n or Clang’n! Liam McNeely’s BREAKOUT | Knueppel STUMBLES. Hornets Worried?

It’s time for the return of Stang’n or Clang’n! Doug and Walker break down everything from the Charlotte Hornets’ first two Summer League games, starting with the surprise standout: Liam McNeeley. The 29th overall pick played with poise and confidence, showing off shot-making, rebounding, and leadership that wasn’t on many scouting reports.

But not everyone was stang’n. Fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel had a rough debut, missing nearly every shot and looking out of sync. Is it a cause for concern or just the usual Summer League jitters? Doug and Walker weigh in.

Tidjane Salaun once again showed flashes of brilliance—and chaos—with unorthodox finishes and a knack for getting to the line. Ryan Kalkbrenner made his presence felt defensively but had trouble finishing and staying vertical. Sion James surprised with his playmaking, though his shot needs work. Meanwhile, K.J. Simpson and M.J. Walker made strong cases for bigger roles, and Jaylen Sims quietly impressed with efficient scoring.

Plus, which rookie had the best “Stang’n” moment of the week? And who’s got the most work to do?