‘I’m feeling good.’ Healthy Mark Williams eager for Hornets to silence critics, doubters

Beads of sweat dripped off Mark Williams’ face, enough to seemingly create Lake Mead-sized puddles with each step.

As the Charlotte Hornets’ summer league team wrapped up its latest practice, Williams is on one end of the Cox Pavilion court, meticulously going over drives to the basket with members of the team’s new coaching staff. He lets out an expletive every time he misses, ticked off his left-handed layup scoop shot won’t fall.

Chasing basketball perfection is akin to catching a ghost, and Williams is bothered with each carom off the rim. That frustration soon gives way to perspective once he’s cooled down and takes a step back to smell the roses following an injury-riddled sophomore season with the Hornets.

Just getting to this point again almost warms the heart in his 7-foot frame.

“Obviously, I’m working out and you just saw a little bit of it,” Williams told The Observer on Tuesday. “I’m feeling good, being able to be back on the court again. You kind of find a new joy for basketball almost, being out for that long and then now being back, working out, doing all those things. Being around the guys, it feels good.

“So, I’m in a good place.”

Even when his shot isn’t falling the way he’d prefer, despite the constant repetitions.

“That’s why you’re out there,” Williams said. “If you made every shot, basketball wouldn’t be what it is. So, obviously, trying to perfect my reps. Made more shots than I missed, though, so that’s a good thing.

“But yeah, just trying to get my touch back. And I’m feeling good, having a couple of days on the floor, doing some cardio, getting back.”

Williams is one of several key Hornets who’ve been hanging around the summer league team in the desert, joining LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Grant Williams and Tre Mann. And his health is about as important as anyone this side of Ball.

After missing most of the 2023-24 campaign and logging minutes in only 19 games due to what was initially termed as a lower back contusion, Williams has his eyes set on two things: returning to form and proving the naysayers wrong.

The Hornets’ big man spoke exclusively to The Observer about several topics, including his thoughts on coach Charles Lee, Bridges’ returning, being weary of the Hornets’ constantly being the subject of jokes and more.

Roderick Boone: How long have you been able to do basketball activities?

Mark Williams: I’ve been on the court, kind of the pace I’ve been able to go at was being flexible. But now being able to go up to speed is probably the biggest stage. But I’ve been on the court. I think it’s just getting back to being more creative with my finishes, and being able to cut and plant and do all that sort of stuff.

RB: You mentioned missing the game. How much more appreciative are you now?

MW: Yeah, a lot. Definitely a lot. I’ve never really had an injury that’s taken me out for a full season like that before. I’m not somebody that’s going to post every single update of how I’m doing every day.

Like I would just work behind closed doors, and then come Game 1 it would be like nothing ever happened. So, that’s my objective, that’s how I’ve been wanting to approach it. The new staff has done a great job, working with me, understanding where I’m coming from and I feel like I’m in a really good place like I’ve said.

RB: Specifically, health-wise, how are you doing?

MW: Good. You got to see a little bit of it. I don’t know how long you were around. Yeah, I’m feeling good.

RB: What was the biggest issue you were dealing with trying to fight through your back injury? Pain tolerance? Stiffness? Was it worse than you originally thought and how excited are you to get past it?

MW: It was just a matter of being able to handle that impact and being able to move, being able to handle the weight, the movement piece of it. And like I said it’s not something I’ve ever been out that long with. Like anything of that nature. I’ve never been out that long. So, it was definitely something different for me. I’m starting to listen to my body and just really trust all my rehab stuff, and now like I said I’m in a really good place.

RB: Do you get tired of people asking if you are healthy? Hornets fans, in particular, have been worried about your status.

MW: I can appreciate concern. I can understand where they are coming from. Last year wasn’t the year we wanted to have. Me being in a good place, Melo being in a good place, all that is looking bright. We are excited and just ready for Game 1.

RB: You visited with coach Charles Lee in Boston during the Celtics’ Finals championship run. Why did you decide to do that and what was that experience like?

MW: I think it was a good experience for us to get to know him, kind of see how he was working in Boston. Obviously, that’s a championship team. So, him being around a winning coach and winning habits, him bringing that over here will be really exciting.

I was in Sacramento, too, with the team. I wasn’t there playing, but I was doing individual workouts, individual lifts. But just being around him, being around the team was a good experience. And now the rest of the guys are out here in Vegas, so I think it was good for everybody to get to meet him, meet the staff and go from there.

RB: Do you sense the different energy within the team and organization?

MW: Yeah, the vibes are definitely up. I think just having that new energy, that new buzz, it’s exciting. Obviously, it’s a lot of change. It’s an adjustment for everybody. But you definitely feel the excitement. Just the expectations are a little higher and I think I’m ready for that challenge and everybody is — staff, players, front office. I think it’s a great time.

RB: What kind of boost can you get from having LaMelo, Miles, Grant, Tre Mann and others spending time with the team in Las Vegas over the past week, and how might that help going into the season?

MW: I think it’s great that those guys were able to make it out here. We are all kind of doing our own individual workouts, So just being around the team, being around Coach, being around everybody … It’s a bunch of new people.

RB: What’s it mean for the team to re-sign Miles and bring him back?

MW: Yeah, it’s great to have Miles back. Obviously a great player, ironman for us. I’m excited for him, excited he got his money. To have him here is good. He’s excited, we’re excited and now that that’s settled I think he will be even more comfortable becoming the Miles we all know.

RB: Do you guys hear the constant negative shots from outsiders about the organization, and does the Hornets being a punchline bother you? How much are you motivated to change that?

MW: I would be lying if you say you don’t notice it, subtle strays or whatever. I think it’s in one ear and out the other. But at the same time you’ve got to acknowledge it and make sure that come next year — or even now — people are like, ‘They are a team that needs to be - - - - - - with.’