Z Man's Blog: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! And yes, we are happy to flip the calendar and begin, not only the fresh year of 2024, but a new beginning for the Charge as they embark on the Regular Season portion of the NBA G League schedule. Why, you ask, am I so upbeat about the new year? Well my friends, that’s what I’m here to tell you.

December 2023 was not a good one for our guys in Wine and Gold. They finished the Showcase portion of the schedule at 6-10, including a split of 2 games in Orlando during the Winter Showcase. Hoping to finish the year with a bang while opening Regular Season play, the Charge played 2 games at home against Long Island the final 2 days of the month. In the 1^st meeting, the Charge pulled off an exhilarating 123-122 win in the 2^nd to last game of 2023. However, on night number two, the Nets bounced back in a big way, trouncing the Charge 147-105.

OK. So, new year, fresh look on life, resolutions and all that garbage, time now for the Charge to move forward and see what they can do in the Regular Season. Can they repeat last season and make another postseason run? We’re about to find out. But, before we close the book on 2023, how about a couple of highlight’s from the 1^st 2 months of the schedule.

Cavs rookie 2-Way forward Emoni Bates wowed crowds, showing an incredible ability to create (and make) shots from anywhere on the floor. The rookie averaged just over 24ppg while shooting 42% from 3, with games of 8 and 7 from 3-point land.

One of the other 2-Ways on part-time loan from the Cavs, Isaiah Mobley, picked up where he left off last season, averaging over 22ppg and 10rpg in 9 games with the Charge.

And in the local interest angle, how about the play of Akron’s Pete Nance? The son of Cavs legend Larry, Pete has gotten better and better with every outing, posting over 12 points and just under 8 rebounds per game.

And while things on the floor certainly could have been better, I don’t think anyone would disagree that things could NOT have been better when the team enjoyed a day off at Universal Studio’s in Orlando during the Winter Showcase.

While players and staff split into mini groups to enjoy the day, we all re-convened with some fun stories after. One of which was the fact that Gabe and Pete both opted out of riding the coasters, while staff members including VP of Communications Sean Wyatt, Strength and Conditioning Coach Jamie Pasquin and Manager of Charge Operations / Player Development Brandon Halupnik couldn’t get enough of them. I meanwhile could have stayed at Dr. Seuss’s world all day, that place is awesome! So, a special shout out to Charge GM Liron Fanan for making it all happen.

I know, I know, enough already of 2023. So, from all of us with the Charge, the front office, coaching staff, support staff, the players themselves and even your friendly neighborhood play by play announcer, here’s hoping you have a safe and happy New Year. All the best, and we hope to see you at a Charge game this year!

Zman.