On today’s episode, we dive into some national media discussions, starting with Zach Lowe's Eastern Conference tier list. Lowe places the Hornets in the bottom tier alongside Washington and Brooklyn, calling Charlotte the "most interesting of those three teams." We break down his main concerns, including his view that the Hornets have "no pathway... to be a competent defense" and a significant lack of starting-caliber centers.

Next, we tackle an ESPN article naming the "worst mistake" for every team in the 2020s. For the Hornets, they chose the four-year, $120 million Gordon Hayward contract. We debate whether that's the correct choice, offering our own candidates for the title, including the disastrous 2021 draft that involved trading up for Kai Jones and the broader failure to aggressively build around LaMelo Ball after he won Rookie of the Year.

Finally, we open up the "Sicko Satchel" to answer your questions. We strategize how the Hornets can combat their center problem with creative solutions like small-ball lineups featuring Grant Williams and a high-chaos defensive identity. We also touch on which new player combinations we're most excited to see and the future of players like Nick Smith Jr.

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