Charlotte Hornets Media Day has concluded, and the overwhelming takeaway is a palpable shift in the team's culture and commitment. On today's hodgepodge recap, we explore all the key comments and themes from the event. The biggest story surrounds LaMelo Ball, with Coach Charles Lee and others noting a "different commitment level" from him in the weight room this offseason, resulting in added strength to both his upper and lower body. This newfound seriousness appears to be infectious. GM Jeff Peterson stated he's never seen a team with 100% offseason participation like the Hornets had this summer, with the entire roster in Charlotte working out together.

This collective buy-in is translating to a new on-court identity. The message from the top down was clear: this team wants to play with pace, physicality, and competitiveness. Players like Miles Bridges have focused on conditioning, while Collin Sexton has been building off-court trust with LaMelo to ensure their chemistry translates to the floor. While we've been hopeful before, this year feels different, with a clear alignment from the front office, coaching staff, and a roster that finally seems ready to meet expectations

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