Green With Envy: Are the Hornets for Real? + Eastern Conference Contenders w/ Kevin Lynch

Date: March 5, 2026
Hosts: Will, Greg Manakis
Guest: Kevin Lynch (The Block, The Shot, The Stop Podcast)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Boston Celtics’ surprising blowout loss to the streaking Charlotte Hornets (118–89), shaking up perceptions of both teams. Will and Greg analyze whether the Hornets are a genuine Eastern Conference threat, what the Celtics’ performance reveals, and preview the rest of the conference. Special guest Kevin Lynch joins to break down the Cleveland Cavaliers post-trade, the James Harden experiment, and the evolving hierarchy in the East.

Celtics-Hornets Recap & Analysis

The Loss:

• The Celtics, coming off three games in four nights, were routed by a Hornets team that had arrived in Boston at 5am ([01:04]-[02:55]).

Talent and Grit:

• Will: "There's no excuses to be made here. Charlotte whoops the Celtics, 118 to 89." ([01:09])
• Despite the Celtics having star talent like Jalen Brown and Derrick White (fresh off winning Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month), they were outplayed in key areas: hustle, turnovers, three-point shooting, and athleticism ([02:55]-[04:46]).

Hornets' Growth:

• The Hornets exemplify the NBA’s shift toward versatile, two-way players and deep rotations.
• Co-host: "What’s becoming really important is guys that compete on both ends and are multidimensional... they can bring more than one thing on either side of the ball." ([06:19])

Turnover Troubles:

• Celtics lost the turnover battle 15–4; Hornets had 89 field goal attempts to the Celtics’ 79 ([05:08]).
• These “margins” typically fuel Boston’s success but flipped the other way in this blowout.

The New NBA Blueprint

Young, System-Buying Talent:

• Will and Greg discuss the rise of young coaches and rosters built on effort and multidimensional contributors.
• Will: "You have to go eight, nine deep... It’s a bunch of guys that buy into a system, a philosophy, and an ethos, and... manifest that on the court." ([08:11])

Changing of the Guard:

• Discussion of Luka Doncic’s issues with defensive accountability versus Jalen Brown’s leadership and work ethic ([07:21]).
• Shout-out to teams like the Thunder and Pacers for building deep, energetic identities.

Quote:

• Co-host: "Almost all the top teams kind of follow that type of mold. Or the teams that are overachieving, like the Phoenix Suns, the Charlotte Hornets..." ([09:17])

Eastern Conference Picture

Can the Hornets Be a Threat?

• Will: "There's no reason why they can't be a team that upsets somebody in the first round or pushes someone to seven games." ([10:02])
• Caveat: Celtics’ experience still gives them an edge—but Hornets can "make some noise."

Who’s Scary in the East?

• The hosts agree: There isn’t a “boogeyman” team in the East.
• Giannis’s Bucks? "There's nobody in the east that really should scare you." ([11:22])
• Knicks, Cavs, Pistons are all mentioned as talented but beatable.

Tatum’s Return Saga

• Awaiting Jason Tatum’s return; uncertainty over recovery ([15:24]).
• Greg: "Are you getting at all worried, Greg, or do you feel like it's probably happening Friday night?" ([16:02])
• Importance of Tatum to overall team structure is highlighted.

Celtics Personnel Focus

Derrick White:

• Celebrated for winning Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month ([03:10]).

Peyton Pritchard:

• Concerns over post-break struggles; two goose eggs in last three games ([12:13]).
• Will: "I got to flag it. It's some type of flag. I don't know if it's a red flag, but it's a flag." ([13:29])
• Counterpoint: Teams are now game-planning specifically to neutralize Pritchard.

Eastern Conference Deep Dive (w/ Kevin Lynch)

Cleveland Cavaliers Check-In:

• James Harden trade for Darius Garland:
  • Kevin: "I've swore on our podcast... six times and four of them were the... podcast after the James Harden trade. I respect the heck out of his game, but I'm not a fan." ([20:27])
  • Harden’s role: More distributing, less scoring; helps unlock Jared Allen ([21:45]).
  • "If they're ever going to win with Harden, it has to be this year because it usually progressively gets worse with Harden the longer he's at a stop.” ([21:19])

Jared Allen Surge:

• Massive production leap with Harden and Schroeder facilitating the pick and roll ([22:16]):
  • 25 PPG, 12 RPG in February
• Allen as a “creature of environment”—shines with the right playmaker.

Assessment of Recent Trades:

• De’Andre Hunter’s exit: Talent but didn’t “play the way they needed,” not a role-player.
• Jalen Tyson emergence: “Found money” — shooting, defense, and versatility.
• Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroeder: High-impact defenders; bring needed “dogs” mentality ([27:19]).

The Hornets’ Legitimate Rise:

• Kevin: “I thought they remind me of a team that ended up really good, three years before they're really good, like Golden State in Klay Thompson’s second year.” ([28:38])
• Hornets’ recent winning surge includes iconic wins on the road; very real contender for a playoff spot ([30:01]).

Playoff Matchups & East Hierarchy

Top Threats & Matchup Worries

• General consensus ("Celtics, Knicks, Cavs, Pistons") as East favorites ([33:38]).
• Celtics' overachievement in Tatum's absence complimented by Kevin ([32:14]).
• Pistons' depth and Cade Cunningham’s rapid ascension.

Who scares whom?

• Kevin on Cavs’ POV: "I think the Cavs might be better prepared for the playoffs than last year... biggest thing they were missing was perimeter defense. Now they've got it." ([33:38]-[34:38])
• Co-host: Home court less important; “styles make fights” ([34:48]).

Specific Matchup Fear

• Cavs would rather avoid Celtics with healthy Tatum.
• Pistons matchup actually favored by Cavs due to defensive strengths.
• Knicks and Hornets could be tough outs due to physicality and cohesion.
• Kevin: "That would be the team I don't want to see," referencing Boston if Tatum looks healthy. ([37:19])

All-NBA Debates: Jalen Brown vs. Donovan Mitchell

• Kevin: Thinks Donovan Mitchell is having perhaps his best season ([38:15]).
• "As far as first team NBA... I think like second team is right for Donovan because... team success counts." ([38:15])
• Jalen Brown gets props for superior two-way ability; Mitchell called an “above average” defender, in part out of necessity.
• "He's certainly not a one-way only player." ([40:07])

Injury & Scheduling Notes

• Tatum expected back soon, but timing still cloudy ([15:24]).
• Cavs benefiting from a rare four-day break before Celtics matchup ([41:47]).
• Dean Wade’s value as a role player and defensive stopper highlighted ([44:09]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Charlotte whoops the Celtics, 118 to 89." (Will, [01:09])
• "All the things on the margins that the Celtics typically do, they didn’t do tonight." (Co-host, [05:08])
• "Peyton Pritchard... I got to flag it. It's some type of flag. I don't know if it's a red flag, but it's a flag." (Co-host, [13:29])
• "If they're ever going to win with Harden, it has to be this year because it usually progressively gets worse with Harden the longer he's at a stop.” (Kevin, [21:19])
• "I think the Cavs might be better prepared for the playoffs this year than they were last year." (Kevin, [33:38])
• "Donovan [Mitchell], he's certainly not a one-way only player. I think he makes contributions on the defensive end... almost two steals a game." (Kevin, [40:07])
• "That would be the team I don't want to see," on facing a healthy Celtics in the playoffs. (Kevin, [37:19])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:04] Celtics-Hornets loss breakdown
• [04:46] The Hornets as up-and-comers
• [06:19] Two-way player emphasis and team construction
• [09:17] Emerging team blueprints; parity among contenders
• [12:13] Peyton Pritchard’s struggles
• [15:24] Jason Tatum’s injury and return timeline
• [18:13] Kevin Lynch joins; Cavs’ Harden trade, Allen’s rise
• [28:38] Hornets’ legitimacy in the playoff race
• [33:38] Breaking down East contenders and matchups
• [37:19] Why the Cavs fear a healthy Celtics
• [38:15] Jalen Brown vs. Donovan Mitchell All-NBA discussion

Final Thoughts

• Hornets are for real—they embody the new NBA DNA: effort, two-way skill, and depth.
• Celtics have maximized their “margins” but get exposed when those slip—Tatum’s return looms critical.
• The East is open; there is no single dominant team and playoff matchups will hinge greatly on style and health.
• Cavs’ blend of newfound perimeter defense, Allen’s surge, and Harden’s facilitating is intriguing, but a healthy Boston may be the true measuring stick.
• All-NBA and playoff debates will revolve around fine margins, health, and consistency as the season closes.