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NBA Power Rankings: The Los Angeles Clippers’ curse is lame

By Brandon Jefferson

May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) embraces guard Chris Paul (3) after game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Warriors 126-121 to win the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) embraces guard Chris Paul (3) after game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Warriors 126-121 to win the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) shoots over the reach of forward Markieff Morris (5) during the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: /
14

Charlotte Hornets 23-23

Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 13th

Kemba Walker is still making hay towards taking home the NBA’s Most Improved Player award this season. Walker is having the best shooting and scoring year of his five-year career. He’s knocking down 46 percent of his field goals, 41.5 percent of his 3-pointers, and chipping in 23 points a game — all career highs. The Hornets have six players averaging double-digits (Walker, Nic Batum, Marvin Williams, Cody Zeller, Marco Belinelli and Frank Kaminsky) and have two more players (Jeremy Lamb and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) that are a basket a night away from hitting double figures nightly too.

For a defense-first team, the Hornets have a very balanced offensive attack spearheaded by Walker. This team has done just enough this season to remain at the .500 level and their defense is strong enough that they are just about assured to have a spot in the playoffs this year. Injuries have helped contribute to their bouts of inconsistent play, but if they are able to get healthy for the second half of the year, then they could snatch away a valued home-court advantage position in the top four of the East.

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