NBA Power Rankings: LA Clippers Are Real, And They’re Spectacular

November 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) celebrates with forward Blake Griffin (32) after scoring a basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) celebrates with forward Blake Griffin (32) after scoring a basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 15, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) dribbles the ball up court in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) dribbles the ball up court in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

In the battle of the two “other” really good teams – based off their hot starts – in the Eastern Conference, the Charlotte Hornets narrowly bested the Atlanta Hawks in a classic of a game a few days ago.

So far this season, the Hornets are proving that they’re going to be a force to reckon with this season. Even though many expected them to take a stepback after the number of contributors that they lost in the offseason, the Hornets have actually improved.

A big part of that has been Kemba Walker’s exceptional play. Coming off a season in which he posted career highs, he’s doing the exact same thing this season. That’s not easy to do.

Of course, they HAD to go on to lose to the New Orleans Pelicans. Talk about ending the week on a negative note.