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Charlotte Hornets: 3 reasons to upgrade the center position

By Jacob Phillips

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 27: Kai Jones #23 of the Charlotte Hornets poses for a portrait during Media Day at Spectrum Center on September 27, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 27: Kai Jones #23 of the Charlotte Hornets poses for a portrait during Media Day at Spectrum Center on September 27, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 20: Domantas Sabonis #11 and Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers battle Mason Plumlee #24 and Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 20: Domantas Sabonis #11 and Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers battle Mason Plumlee #24 and Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Charlotte Hornets reasons to upgrade at center: The Hornets are being bullied in the interior

The center position has been a mismatch every game this season. As long as there is a capable center on a team, they will get their buckets against the Hornets

Plumlee has played just like he was expected to. He is here to make an impact on offense, but on defense, do not expect him to provide much resistance.

His inability to play defense has hurt Charlotte. When the ball gets in the paint the team is forced to either let Plumlee get cooked or send over a help defender. This leaves a man open, usually on the perimeter, causing the Hornets defense to scramble and give up easy buckets.

During the losing streak, Plumlee has struggled. Before the Lakers loss, which he performed well in, Plumlee averaged 4 points and 6 rebounds in the team’s four consecutive losses. This is not the production you want to see from your starting center.

Meanwhile, whoever he is matching up with is having their best game of the season. Against Cleveland, Jarrett Allen took over in the first quarter. He finished the game with 24 points and 16 rebounds. In the Kings game, Richaun Holmes dominated, scoring 23 points and 20 rebounds.

While Plumlee has not been as horrible as most fans think, he is not enough to carry the center rotation on a playoff team. He needs another guy with him whose playstyle differs from his own.

During the losing streak, the Hornets have been outrebounded in every game except against the Lakers. Charlotte was outrebounded by 28 in the blowout loss to Sacramento. While Plumlee is not a horrible rebounder, he is not great, nor is anybody else on the roster.

If the Hornets want to turn things around, they need to make a move and acquire a defensive-minded center who is an above-average rebounder. Not making a move leaves the team vulnerable on the inside and the losses will keep accumulating.

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