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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets stall in Week 26 power rankings, Kemba Walker named to Team USA

By Jerry Stephens

CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 8: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against the Indiana Pacers on April 8, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 8: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against the Indiana Pacers on April 8, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.

In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at where the Charlotte Hornets sit in the Week 26 NBA power rankings, Kemba Walker being named to the Team USA roster and Buzz Peterson remaining as the assistant general manager.

Charlotte stalls in Week 26 power rankings (USAToday.com)

"This past week, Kemba Walker became the Hornets’ all-time scoring leader, said he’s “tired of missing the playoffs” and combined to score just 17 points on 16 shots (to go along with eight turnovers) in a two-game span."

The Hornets remained at the No. 21 spot for the sixth consecutive week in the power rankings. They went 1-2 this past week with losses to the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers while getting their lone victory over the Orlando Magic. Charlotte came in just behind the Los Angeles Lakers who have a similar record.

Considering that the season is coming to an end and the team has stayed in the same spot for a number of weeks, it’s safe to bet that they will be at No. 21 when the regular season is over. The top-six teams were unchanged from last week with the Houston Rockets at No. 1 followed by the Toronto Raptors (2), the Golden State Warriors (3), the Boston Celtics (4), the Portland Trail Blazers (5) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (6).

Kemba named to 2018-20 Team USA roster (NBA.com)

"USA Basketball announced today that Hornets guard Kemba Walker is one of the 35 players selected to make up the 2018-20 USA Men’s National Team roster of players who are expected to attend the July 25-27 USA Men’s National Team minicamp in Las Vegas."

Walker last participated with Team USA in 2013 when he attended the mini-camp. Kemba joins a number of All-Star, All-NBA and MVP-level players on the Team USA roster including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and James Harden. It is quite the honor for the Hornets’ point guard to even be considered alongside these great players and it speaks to how much his game has grown over the years.

Walker joins Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Curry, John Wall, Isaiah Thomas, Kyle Lowry, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving and Mike Conley Jr. as one of the 10 point guards named to the 35-man roster. Being named to the roster gives Kemba a chance to play for Team USA during the 2019 World Cup and 2020 Olympic team.

Buzz Peterson to remain as assistant GM (Twitter/ @Rick_Bonnell)

"Buzz Peterson confirms he’ll continue as the No. 2 (now working with Mitch Kupchak) in the Hornets front office."

Peterson will enter his second season as the Hornets’ assistant GM next year. He was the No. 2 under Rich Cho during the 2017-18 season and now will work alongside Mitch Kupchak. It’s unclear how much input Buzz with have with the team but he will have an important role in the front office.

Next: 10 best performances from the 2017-18 season

The expectation is that Kupchak will continue to groom Buzz so that he can eventually take over as the GM at some point in the future. (ESPN.com) It remains to be seen if that is truly the team’s plan going forward. For the time being, Peterson will remain in his current role.

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