There are countless ways to sort and analyze NBA teams, many which are too complicated to even follow. Wins and losses are obviously the most important measuring sticks at the end of the day, but the season is very long and sometimes recent performance can be more meaningful than the balance of an entire season.
Advanced stats, rankings, and standings are readily available. But today I’d like to focus on a metric that has largely been ignored but seems relevant at the moment. That is, of course, the team's record over their past two games only. If we only focus on our most recent sample size, let’s how the standings may look, specifically in the Eastern Conference, where the Hornets reside.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
- Charlotte Hornets 2-0
- Boston Celtics 2-0
- Milwaukee Bucks 2-0
- Philadelphia 76ers 2-0
- Orlando Magic 2-0
- Cleveland Cavaliers 1-1
- Indiana Pacers 1-1
- Miami Heat 1-1
- Chicago Bulls 1-1
- Atlanta Hawks 1-1
- Brooklyn Nets 1-1
- Detroit Pistons 1-1
- New York Knicks 0-2
- Toronto Raptors 0-2
- Washington Wizards 0-2
Wow, that’s interesting! If we only key in on what has just happened, it would appear that the Hornets are right atop the conference, battling for supremacy with the likes of the Celtics and Bucks. That sounds about right…if I had woken up from a coma and only watched the past two games.
Sadly these standings will have no real bearing on much of anything, but Hornets fans need small victories wherever they can be had, and right now a two-game winning streak is a small victory.
If they can do it again on Wednesday and topple the Hawks for the team’s first three-game winning streak of the season, the irrational takes will come flying in from the clouds. At this point in the season, it’s much more important to focus on playing the right way, building good habits, growing and developing young players. But, man it feels good to win sometimes.
I know there are some fans out there who would even argue that winning is counterproductive, as it could ultimately hinder the Hornet’s draft selection. And that is certainly a very fair and reasonable argument. But if that comes at the expense of building a winning culture in Charlotte, then that trade-off will be well worth it.