Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.
Watch Kemba Walker’s clutch performance versus the New York Knicks and takeover with 11 points and three assists in overtime. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at where the Charlotte Hornets stand in the Week 24 NBA power rankings while also looking at Kemba being tired of losing and the team’s future compared to other lottery teams.
Week 24 NBA power rankings (USAToday.com)
"We’re not sure which was more impressive, Kemba Walker’s 46 points (and 10 three-pointers) in 28 minutes in Thursday’s shellacking of Memphis or Dwight Howard’s 32 points and 30 rebounds in Wednesday’s win over Brooklyn."
Charlotte remained in the No. 21 spot of the power rankings for the fourth straight week as the bottom 10 teams remained unchanged from Week 23. Despite going 3-1 with a three-game win streak this past week, the Hornets couldn’t move into the top-20. Although, if they continue their current form, there’s a good chance that they can pass the Los Angeles Lakers for No. 20.
Even though Charlotte’s outside of playoff contention this year, they have had a number of exciting and record-breaking games to close out the season. Looking at the top of the power rankings, the Houston Rockets remained at the top spot followed by the Toronto Raptors (2), the Golden State Warriors (3), the Boston Celtics (4) and the Portland Trail Blazers (5). The Philadelphia 76ers were the biggest winners as they climbed six spots from No. 14 to No. 8.
Kemba is tired of not being in the playoffs (RealGM.com)
"“At this point, I want to win. I want to be in the playoffs,” Walker told the Observer on Monday morning. “I’m tired of not being in the playoffs. … I hate watching them on TV. “I’ve been there twice in seven years, and it’s just not fun” missing out."
Both times that Walker has been to the playoffs, Charlotte’s has failed to make it out of the first round. They were swept by LeBron James and Miami Heat in 2014 and took the Miami Heat to seven games in 2016. After a promising 2015-16 season where the Hornets won 48 games, they’ve had back to back disappointing years. It’s clear that the consistent losing is weighing on the two-time all-star.
Kemba is a winner and despite missing the playoffs in five of his seven years with the Hornets, he wants the chance to win in the Queen City. He added that he hopes to be in Charlotte for a long time but also said that once the new GM is hired, Walker will see what direction the new GM wants to go and then make a decision that is best for him which could mean leaving.
Ranking the future of each lottery team (BleacherReport.com)
"No imminent cap space. No high-ceiling prospects. No desirable trade chips not named Kemba Walker. Unless you’re into stanning for Malik Monk or excited about the prospect of overpaying a 29-year-old Walker in 2019, the Hornets’ future is not for you."
Next: Why Sam Hinkie would be perfect for Charlotte
Charlotte’s future ranks dead last out of all lottery teams this season. While Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon have looked promising at times, they haven’t been all that consistent this season. The Hornets desperately need to make the right pick in this year’s draft and get a prospect that can develop into a great player. They’ve made a number of poor draft selections over the past decade and that’s why their future isn’t all that bright.