Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
Kemba Walker is currently the third-most efficient scorer in the NBA so far this season. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the numbers behind the Charlotte Hornets, the underrated wizardry of Kemba Walker and Oscar Mayer taking notice of Dwayne Bacon‘s last name.
Charlotte Hornets: by the numbers (AmicoHoops.net)
"Preseason expectations varied widely for Michael Jordan’s club — some outlets forecasted a letdown in Charlotte, while others predicted home-court advantage in the playoffs. With the help of a few numbers, let’s take a quick look at where the Hornets stand as we head into the winter, the official dog days of the NBA."
The big number that stands out is Dwight Howard‘s 14.5 rebounds per game which ties a career-high that he set back in 2012. It remains to be seen if he can continue that level of play throughout the season but the eight-time all-star has turned back the clock a bit and is putting up numbers that he did when he was in his prime. It wouldn’t surprise me if he finishes the year with over 13 RPG.
Another notable number is Charlotte’s 112 points per game at home this season. They have a clear home-court advantage. The Hornets have also moved up from 29th in points in the paint last year to 23rd this season and from 28th in fastbreak points to 20th. November is going to be a tough month for the team as they face only two opponents who missed the playoffs in 2016-17.
The Wizardry of Kemba Walker (ESPN.com)
"Walker is the most underrated must-watch showman in the NBA — a magician who ascends into rapturous frenzies of ball-handling wizardry that can last entire quarters. Some of what he does is so mean, so manipulative, it should be illegal."
Kemba doesn’t get the same hype as other all-star point guards like Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving and John Wall but he arguably has the same, if not more, highlight plays per game. Since the Hornets don’t have a lot of nationally televised games and most of the average NBA fans don’t watch Charlotte on a regular basis, they miss out on Walker’s exciting style of play. That is the main reason why he is underrated despite being on his way to a second consecutive all-star appearance.
Zach Lowe points out that Kemba is nearing the 50-40-90 territory and how he has improved his shooting from everywhere from at the rim to behind the arc. The growth of Walker has truly been amazing to see from year to year and shows no signs of slowing down just yet. There’s an argument to be made that he has the best handles in the NBA or at least second-best to Kyrie.
Dwayne Bacon receives shipment from Oscar Mayer (ClutchPoints.com)
"the Hornets rookie forward shared the blessing he just got which is a box full of bacon from Oscar Mayer. As if that wasn’t enough to make us envious, Bacon got it all for free. All it took for him was his name. Ah, the perks of being a Bacon."
Next: Is Kaminsky ready to make the leap?
In the box from Oscar Mayer, the second-round pick received bacon (of course) as well as a bacon scarf and a Wake Up and Small the Bacon device. Oscar Mayer also tweeted out a picture with “Dwayne Bacon for MVP” written out with Bacon. I wonder if Jeremy Lamb has ever gotten anything because of his name?