Top 5 talking points from Week 1 of the 2021-22 NBA season

#3 The Charlotte Hornets are moving up in the NBA

LaMelo Ball will be a superstar before you know it

After a 3-0 start that turned NBA heads, the Charlotte Hornets fell to the Boston Celtics in a wild game, 140-129. Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Miles Bridges, continued to play well and had 32 points and 9 rebounds. LaMelo Ball had 18 points, 5 boards and 5 assists.

James Borrego's crew are all about the points. The Hornets are 2nd in the NBA in scoring with 121 points a game. The Charlotte Hornets shoot 40% as a team behind the arc and have held opponents to 33% shooting from deep in four games.

LaMelo Ball is hitting 50% of his threes and he is often way behind the line when he lets it fly. Lonzo Ball's brother is quickly making a name for himself in his second season, and combined with Miles Bridges wrecking shop in his third year, the Charlotte Hornets are changing the franchise's culture.

Teams must be in shape to run and defend the Charlotte Hornets, and even Ish Smith is contributing in big spots. Look out for Charlotte!

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#2 Will the Los Angeles Lakers figure it out?

The Los Angeles Lakers put together a veteran team that will be prepared and alert for the playoffs. LeBron James and his teammates average 30 years of age -- which leads the NBA.

That hasn't mattered to Carmelo Anthony. The 37 year old had 28 points and passed Hall of Fame center Moses Malone for 9th on the all-time NBA scoring list with 27,423 points in the 121-118 win (Shaq is next on the list with 28,596 points). Ja Morant had 40 in the loss.

''I keep saying it's an honor and a blessing to be on that list and pass Moses (Malone) for what he did for the game of basketball. It's hard to put it into words. That I'm still here and doing it, that's what I'm excited about, that I'm here in year 19 and doing what I'm able to do. I'm still passionate about the game, and I'm still passionate about coming to work and getting better,'' said Anthony.

Russell Westbrook bounced back with a 13 point 13 assist game. The 1-2 Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with LeBron James' minor ankle sprain, and are just trying to figure out the chemistry.

Carmelo Anthony has been a plug-and-play scorer since he was the 3rd pick in the draft in 2003 and his veteran leadership will help the Lakers find the chemistry on offense and defense that they need to continue to get better.

Malik Monk is a positive, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard have squashed their beef, and maybe the sideline dustup was good for the team to get out their frustration. The Lakers are seemingly turning it all around. We'll see.

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#1 Are the Brooklyn Nets in trouble?

Similar to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Brooklyn Nets have to figure out their chemistry and defensive issues. The loss of Kyrie Irving is obviously glaring, yet as the NBA season progresses, the Brooklyn Nets have to put aside a dependence on Irving and get it together themselves.

A 104-90 win vs. the no longer undefeated Washington Wizards (2-1) is a sigh of relief for the Eastern Conference favorites. Kevin Durant and Patty Mills paced the Brooklyn Nets with 25 and 21 points, respectively. Patty Mills will be seen as a key pick up if his stellar play continues.

James Harden seems to be pacing himself offensively and had an off night from the field -- 5-17 field goals and just 1-8 from the arc. James Harden has always been laid back, and maybe he's onto something considering the Brooklyn Nets are back even at 2-2.

James Harden is the key because he has so much playmaking and pace responsibilities, and as he and Kevin Durant shoulder most of the scoring load, which Brooklyn Nets players will step up in support?