Nov 18, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) leads the team out onto the floor to warm up before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
12. Charlotte Hornets
At the moment it feels like the Charlotte Hornets just took last year off and now are back to where they were in their final year as the Bobcats. They’re pretending Lance Stephenson didn’t happen, and they’ve got a top five offense and a top ten defense in the early exchanges. The Buzz is back.
Nicolas Batum is playing with a new freedom, stuffing the stat sheet and looking like a potential All-Star. Kemba Walker is scoring more than ever before, averaging 18 points with five assists to go with them. Then there’s the contributions of guys like Marvin Williams, Jeremy Lamb and Jeremy Lin, all helping to make Charlotte really competitive again.
Next: 11. Atlanta Hawks