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Buzz City Beat: Kemba Comes Through in the Clutch, What is the Charlotte Hornets Deal?

By Jerry Stephens

Mar 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) shoots for a basket over Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. The Hornets won 110-106. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) shoots for a basket over Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. The Hornets won 110-106. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

The Charlotte Hornets were able to get a much-needed win that kept their playoff hopes alive while also snapping the Toronto Raptors‘ six-game win streak. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at what P.J. Tucker thinks of Kemba Walker‘s play in the clutch, what the deal is with the team and Nicolas Batum being the director of basketball operations for French basketball team.

P.J. Tucker Praises Kemba’s Clutch Play (Twitter.com)

"Tucker on Kemba: “He could miss 30 million shots in a row and he’s going to shoot the next one like he’s been making all of them.”"

Kardiac Kemba made an appearance in Toronto. It’s March so it makes sense that Walker is stepping up his play. He scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and hit the game-winning three on a step-back jumper over the outstretched hand of Cory Joseph.

P.J. Tucker’s quote is the perfect way to sum up Kemba’s level of confidence in his game. There is no other player that Charlotte would rather have taking a shot with the game on the line than Walker. Looking at the entire NBA, the Hornets’ point guard ranks as the fifth highest scorer in clutch situations this season.

What is the Deal With the Hornets? (FanSided.com)

"The Hornets, though, have actually outscored their opponents on the season, and have the sixth-best point differential in the conference. Per Basketball-Reference, a team with Charlotte’s point differential would actually be projected to go 40-35 (this is called Pythagorean Expectation), meaning the Hornets have underperformed by six wins in 75 games."

With the season the Hornets are having, it looks like they will become one of the biggest underperforming teams (in terms of wins) the league has seen in the past decade. Charlotte’s just so strange because on the surface, they look like a good team but their record does not match that. Jared Dubin did a great job of breaking down why the team’s underperforming.

It is pretty crazy to think that based on their numbers this year, the Hornets should have six more wins. If they did have their projected 40-35 record, Charlotte would be the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Yet another reason why this season has been a disappointment.

Nic Batum’s Role With ASVEL (BeBasket.fr)

"Nicolas Batum will be the director of basketball operations of ASVEL."

Next: Rumor: Johnny O'Bryant Likely Out for the Season

Nicolas Batum will be the director of basketball operations for a top-tier French basketball team that already has Tony Parker as their president. It is really interesting that these two NBA players are teaming up and are shareholders of ASVEL. Parker said that Nic will work on scouting, recruiting and training for the team.

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