Fansided

Midseason Grades for Each NBA Team

By Cody Williams

Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

Charlotte Hornets. C+. player. 170. . 19-23. 12th East

Things were not looking good for the Charlotte Hornets coming into the 2015-16 NBA season. Not only were they coming off of disappointing season last year, but they also lost Michael Kidd-Gilchrist—the heart and lifeblood of the team—to a likely season-ending injury in the preseason. Coupled with injuries to star center Al Jefferson this season, you’d think that the Hornets were sitting in the league’s basement with the 76ers. However, they’ve actually been quite competitive.

Granted, the Hornets have dropped off a bit as of late as more and more injuries mount throughout their roster. However, Charlotte has been as high as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference this season and is still heavily in the mix for a playoff spot at this midseason point in the year. They have shown remarkable resolve this season and seem to have recaptured the defensive spirit and perseverance that made people favor this team just a few seasons ago as they made it to the postseason.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Hornets can get healthy in the second half of the year or if they are destined to fall off a cliff and land back in the lottery. However, this Charlotte team has unquestionably blown past preseason expectations to this point and have been one of the better semi-success stories of the season to date.

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