NBA Talent Rankings: How the Timberwolves stack up against other young teams (Part Two)
Mar 22, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba Walker (15) goes up for a shot around Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews (2) during the second half at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Bobcats defeated the Trail Blazers 124-94. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
4. Charlotte Hornets
Young ‘N Hungry: Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson
Thirsty For More: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Noah Vonleh, Cody Zeller, P.J. Hairston
Can We Get The Kid A Happy Meal?: Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Taylor
When the heck did the Charlotte Bobcaaa–I mean Hornets become a hotspot for young NBA talent?
Last year they grabbed Al Jefferson, an under-the-radar move when it happened, and now this summer they stole Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson away from Larry Bird and the Indiana Pacers. All of a sudden it looks like the Hornets know what they’re doing. Seriously, what if it just took Michael Jordan ten years to figure out what how to own a team, and now that he has all of his legendary skills will begin translate into success? Who knows, but Jordan does seem to understand that the East, while improving, is up for grabs, and he’s assembled a team that can really make some noise (buzz buzz) if things break his way.
Stephenson is only 24, yet he brings a toughness and winning mentality from years of on-the-job training with the former powerhouse Pacers. In addition to his invaluable experience, he also brings to the Hornets a variety of offensive skills that enable him to produce a triple-double on any given night (he led the NBA with five last season). Most importantly, though, is that he’s played in big playoff moments, and his confidence in big games should help the young Hornets take the next step from playoff pretender to playoff contender.
Joining Stephenson in the backcourt is rising star Kemba Walker. Walker’s a streaky shooter with low percentages of 39% from the field and 33% from three, but make no mistake, Kemba can fill it up. He’s averaged better than 17 points in each of the last two seasons, and with Stephenson’s added presence, his percentages should increase, even if his scoring numbers do not.
Yet Walker’s greatest offensive skill is probably his ball handling. He has the so-called yo-yo handles and will break ankles all day if you let him. Check out some of his victims from last season:
In addition to Stephenson and Walker, Charlotte has a hive full of 25-and-under players waiting for their time to shine. Last year’s first round pick Cody Zeller has shown flashes of his elite big man athleticism, and looks to solidify his role this season, while this year’s first rounders’ Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston are hoping to crack the rotation as well.
Jordan has finally assembled the talent to win. Now let’s see if he goes all Jordan on the NBA this season and finally takes his Hornets to the top.