NBA MVP Power Rankings: We Should Be Paying Attention To Kevin Durant

10. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

Stats: 18 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds 

I know what you’re thinking – yes, this is a strange selection to have in the rankings. But have you seen what the Charlotte Hornets have been doing this season? They’re tied with the Indiana Pacers for the fourth best record in the conference, and only 1.5 games behind the top-ranked Cleveland Cavaliers.

And a big reason why is Kemba Walker, who is on pace to have a career year. He’s averaging 18 points, five assists and four rebounds per game. He’s shooting 44 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range and has an effective field goal percentage of 49 percent – all of which would be career highs for Walker. He also has a 20.1 PER, which is the highest he’s had at any point in his career.

The Hornets are off to a great start to this season even though not many expected them to be this good after they lost Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (injury) for the season before the year even began. Walker is slowly becoming the player that the Hornets thought he could develop into. And right now, that’s been the difference, amongst other things, for Charlotte.

Next: Dwyane Wade