CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Less than two weeks after being traded by the Charlotte Hornets to the Miami Heat, point guard Terry Rozier is already taking shots at his former franchise.
Rozier was asked about the difference between Charlotte and Miami in the midst of the Heat's seven-game losing streak. Rozier didn't pull any punches.
"It's the total opposite," he said. "In Charlotte, you're kind of used to losing. It's in the DNA. It sucks to say that because of how much of a competitor I am. Over here, it's the total opposite. Nobody wants to lose, nobody is fine with it."
While Rozier's comments bothered some folks, especially fans who loved him during his time in Charlotte, Locked On Hornets host Walker Mehl says it's hard to argue with any of it.
"What's unfortunate about Terry saying this about the very team and teammates that he loves is no one can really disagree with what he's saying," Mehl said.
Mehl's co-host Doug Branson was conflicted about Rozier's remarks. Not so much with the substance, but the timing of when he decided to call out Hornets management, including new owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall.
"What he said was true and I'm glad he said it," Branson said. "I'm glad when anyone says it. I'm glad when this ownership group is confronted with shame, and it's not all on their plate ... Where I'm conflicted, though, Terry, why didn't you say that when you were part of the organization and could have influenced change by saying something like this publicly?"
The Hornets were mostly bad during Rozier's run but they did finish above .500 two years ago before a quick elimination in the play-in tournament. Charlotte hasn't made the NBA playoffs since the 2015-16 season, which is the longest drought in the league.
Branson hopes more players speak out going forward, saying whatever it takes to convince ownership to compete is what's necessary.
"That's the only thing that's going to move this organization in the right direction," he said.
The Hornets return to action Wednesday night at home against the Chicago Bulls.
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