NBA Power Rankings: Are The LA Clippers, OKC Thunder For Real?

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Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Hornets, being 4-1, should not be a surprise. Even though I didn’t expect them to get off to such a strong start, this team has enough talent to be one of the four best teams out East. I just didn’t expect it to happen. I believed that losing Jeremy Lin, Courtney Lee and Al Jefferson would hurt this team more than Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would help it. I was wrong.

The Hornets are going to be one of those teams that will beat the teams they’re supposed to beat and split the games against the good teams. That should be good enough for this team to carve out a nice playoff spot out East.

Kemba Walker has been insane this season. He’s averaging 24.4 points on 47 percent from the field and 42 percent from three – all career highs.