Hoops Habit
Fansided

4 Teams That Will Regress In 2016

By Colby Giacubeno

Dec 16, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives around Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Orlando Magic won 113-98. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives around Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Orlando Magic won 113-98. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
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

The Hornets entered the 2015-16 season as a team that would have a chance to compete for one of the last playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. One thing that not many could predict was how strong the East would be as a whole this season.

The teams seem to fluctuate nightly. The first-place Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards (11th place) are separated by just 6.5 games.

Charlotte has been as high as second place a few weeks ago to now sitting in 10th with a 17-16 record. They are on a three-game losing streak with Golden State coming up Monday.

A bright spot for Charlotte has been the success of Nicolas Batum, whom they traded for last summer. He has fit in perfectly in Charlotte’s system and as a result is having a career year, averaging 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. Along with Batum, Kemba Walker has continued to be the leader scoring-wise, averaging 18.8 points per game.

After a solid start, the injury bug has made its presence felt. Al Jefferson had been dealing with a nagging knee injury throughout the season and as he started to make his return, he aggravated the injury and had to undergo an MRI, which revealed a torn meniscus that will keep him sidelined at least six weeks.

Jefferson third in scoring on the team with 12.5 points per game in the 19 games he’s been able to play.

More recently, Batum had to sit out the Hornets’ game against the Thunder after being diagnosed with a sprained toe. The Hornets are about to set off for a four-game Western Conference road trip and if Batum can’t play, it could get ugly quick.

Unfortunately, the Hornets are giving off the vibe that as the season prolongs, their true identity will be exposed and they could end up falling into the doldrums of the East especially if Washington and Milwaukee figure it out.

Next: Orlando