Hoops Habit
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NBA: Biggest Overachievers of 2015-16

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 2, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket in the first quarter at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket in the first quarter at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-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

The Charlotte Hornets have one of the most respected head coaches in the NBA in Steve Clifford. Thus, Charlotte wasn’t entirely ruled out on the postseason front, especially after landing Nicolas Batum via a relatively low-cost trade with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Even those who projected Charlotte to be a playoff team couldn’t have seen a season this prosperous coming.

Kemba Walker, now endearingly known as Cardiac Kemba, has stepped up to lead Charlotte back to the postseason. He’s been a killer in the clutch, has greatly improved his production and efficiency, and has truly embraced the task of being a team leader.

Batum has been just as valuable on both ends, fueling Charlotte’s offense and stabilizing the defensive perimeter in defensive ace Michael Kidd-Gilchrist‘s absence.

Other key players are worth mentioning, including a resurgent and underrated Jeremy Lin. The beauty of the Hornets, however, is that someone new seems to step up with every passing game—a sign of how true to the word, “Team,” the Hornets are.

From 33-49 in 2014-15, to 47-34 in 2015-16, the Hornets have greatly overachieved the general population’s expectations.

Next: Dallas Mavericks