Sep 29, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Lance Stephenson (1) during Media Day at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
13. Charlotte Hornets -44.5
Prediction: Over
New colors. New team name. New personnel.
Does this also mean new playoff hopes? Maybe.
After nine years of nothing but losing and misery (minus the 2009-2010 season), the Hornets finally played like an above average NBA team last season, ranking 6th in defensive rating and clinching the playoffs with new head coach/defensive guru Steve Clifford under the helm.
Now with Lance Stephenson and rookies Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston joining the club, Charlotte should capitalize on their new-found success and be a legitimate playoff threat in the Eastern Conference once again.