The Charlotte Hornets looked as good as they have in years in their season-opening win. In the process, rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner may be changing everything for the Hornets this season and beyond.
The best way to tank in the modern NBA is to have a terrible or inexperienced point guard rotation. Just behind it, however, is to have an overmatched center rotation. If you don't have any big men of note, your ability to play NBA defense is essentially shot.
That was the expectation for the Charlotte Hornets heading into this season. They upgraded their guard room behind LaMelo Ball, drafting Kon Knueppel and Sion James and trading for Collin Sexton; add in Tre Mann getting healthy and a weakness turned into something approximating a strength.