CHARLOTTE — In the fast-paced world of NBA commentary, hot takes fly faster than a LaMelo Ball transition pass. Analysts are paid to be loud, bold, and controversial. But every once in a while, the basketball gods conspire to make those takes age like milk left out in the North Carolina sun. This week, the victim of that spoilage is none other than Kendrick Perkins, and the perpetrators are the hottest team in the NBA: the Charlotte Hornets.

Just weeks ago, the narrative surrounding the Hornets was one of dysfunction and impending doom. But after rattling off an impressive 8-game winning streak, the buzz in Charlotte has shifted from “trade rumors” to “playoff push,” forcing one of the loudest voices in sports media to publicly backtrack.

The “Source” of the Problem

To understand the satisfaction Hornets fans are feeling right now, you have to rewind to the comments that sparked the outrage. Not long ago, Kendrick Perkins went on national television with a grim proclamation: “LaMelo Ball needs to ask for a trade.”

Perkins didn’t stop there. Citing his “legit” sources, he claimed that the relationship between the star point guard and head coach Charles Lee had run its course. He argued that the team now belonged to rookie sensations “Khan” (Canipple) and Brandon Miller, and that LaMelo was essentially holding back the franchise’s future. He painted a picture of a fractured locker room where the coach and the star were bumping heads, destined for a breakup.

“He played 25 minutes last night… they are on this [expletive],” Perkins ranted at the time, suggesting the franchise was suppressing Ball’s minutes to tank his value or push him out.

Winning Cures Everything

Fast forward to February 2026, and that narrative has been completely dismantled. The Hornets are currently tied for the 10th seed, surging into the play-in picture with a brand of basketball that is unselfish, energetic, and undeniably winning.

The “broken” relationship between LaMelo and Charles Lee? It seems to be the foundation of the turnaround. Videos have surfaced of the two hugging and celebrating in the locker room. LaMelo, who Perkins claimed needed to leave, has been seen running into the locker room with a hard hat on—a symbol of the team’s new “work first” culture.

In a rare moment of humility, Perkins returned to the airwaves to address the shift.

“5% out of 100 times that I’m wrong, I was wrong this time,” Perkins admitted, albeit while trying to hold onto his dignity. “The Hornets… what happened is coach Charles Lee laid the foundation and those guys have bought in. The culture is there and now they figured it out.”

The “New” Charlotte Culture

Perkins’ backtracking highlights a common misunderstanding in the NBA: the difference between “friction” and “coaching.” As the analyst noted in his retraction, establishing a winning culture often requires a coach to “ruffle the feathers” of his best players.

“Sometimes when you [build a culture], you got to ruffle the feathers of your most talented players because they’re going to be required to lead,” Perkins explained.

It appears LaMelo didn’t run from that challenge; he embraced it. By accepting the hard coaching, he has integrated seamlessly with a roster that is suddenly stacked with talent. The Hornets aren’t just LaMelo anymore. They have Brandon Miller firing on all cylinders, the rookie dominance of “Khan,” the defensive versatility of newcomer Scion James, and the homecoming of Coby White, who was acquired via trade and has brought his scoring punch back to his native North Carolina.

Add in the defensive paint presence of Moussa Diabaté and Ryan Kalkbrenner, plus a rejuvenated Grant Williams, and you have a team that isn’t tanking—they are terrifying.

The Media Narrative vs. Reality

This situation serves as a stark reminder to fans: be wary of the “sources.” The media thrives on drama, and a unhappy superstar in a small market is a profitable story. But the reality in Charlotte appears to be much simpler. A young team, led by a demanding coach, went through growing pains. They shouted, they argued, and they struggled.

But they didn’t break.

“They’ve been lying to y’all about Charles Lee as a coach,” the video commentary noted, vindicating the first-year head coach. “I really like this man.”

The Hornets are now proving that the best way to silence the noise is to win. As they look to extend their streak and cement their play-in position, they do so with a united front. LaMelo Ball is still the engine, but now he has a chassis built for speed and a driver in Charles Lee who knows exactly where he’s going.

Kendrick Perkins might want to check those “legit” sources one more time. Because right now, the only thing LaMelo Ball is asking for is the ball.