Moussa Diabate began the season as the Charlotte Hornets fourth-string center and fifth-string power forward. He was buried behind Mark Williams, Nick Richards, and Grant Williams at the five, the position he would eventually play big minutes in. Injuries to Mark Williams and Richards opened the door, and Diabate's defense has carved out a role in the NBA.
According to NBA Draft analyst Nic Thomas, the Hornets' defensive rating with Diabate on the floor is 96.7. The best-ever defensive rating by any team is 102.4. When Diabate sits, the defensive rating skyrockets to 121.