It took a few years for this Hornets player to become a real impact player for the franchise, but after Charlotte's 112-97 win against Memphis, the proof may be in the pudding.
The Charlotte Hornets have an animal on their hands.
The rise of center Moussa Diabate has been not just encouraging for the future of the franchise, but he’s suddenly become a vital part to this core.
Coming into this season, we didn’t know what to expect out of the fourth-year veteran. In his first season with the club, he averaged 5.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in 71 games played, but only eight games started.
Yet Diabate made sure that his first year with the club, when he initially signed a three-year, $5.6 million contract, was only a stepping stone in what he can truly be.
Halfway through his season with the Hornets, Diabate has ascended his averages, with 8.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. But what has turned him into a force is his work on the offensive glass, averaging 3.6 offensive rebounds in the league, which is sixth in the NBA.
Just last night in a 112-97 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, Diabate had posted career numbers.
Eighteen points on eight-of-nine shooting, 20 rebounds, with seven of them being on the offensive boards, and even threw in a pair of steals and a block for good measure.
What’s even more eye-popping is the chemistry that Diabate has formed with the starters on this roster.
When he starts the game with LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges, the Hornets hold a staggering 10-1 record.
It makes you wonder if the team should even trade Bridges – who’s been rumored to be on the move. But that’s a different discussion for a different day.
After the game against Memphis, head coach Charles Lee was effusive in his praise for Diabate, similar to the thoughts he had on him dating back to earlier in the season.
"It means a lot to a head coach, to an organization, to his teammates,” Lee said. “I'm so happy for him. I'm proud of him, and I'm thankful that I get to coach him. It's so exciting to watch him go out there and compete. The passion, the joy, the energy, and the competitiveness that he plays with on every possession—it's impressive and pretty inspiring. Our whole group rallies around him. They were really excited for his 20 rebounds, but they might have been more excited for his corner 3."
He may not be a household name with a longstanding pedigree, but Diabate is proving game after game that he’s a staple in this franchise, and one that aims to take the franchise to a level it hasn’t seen before.
Greatness.
Hornets Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Hornets. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.