Thunderous Intentions
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Week 1 NBA Power Ranking the roller coaster ride begins

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder: Chris Paul #3 and Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz talk after a game on October 23, 2019 (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder: Chris Paul #3 and Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz talk after a game on October 23, 2019 (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder team previews
OKC Thunder team previews: PJ Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets poses for a portrait during Media Day(Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Charlotte Hornets

Offense: (104.5 ) – 17th
Defense: (117.3) –  29th
Net: (minus -12.8) – 28th

Games Week 1: (1-2)
Games Week 2 (3 games): Oct. 28 at Clippers | Oct. 30 at Kings | Nov. 2 at Warriors

Entering the season I expected these Hornets to be battling the Wizards for the worst team in the NBA this season. Both clubs were better than expected week one and much of that had to do with the performance of the Hornets youngsters.

Rookie PJ Washington was billed as a “nice player” but not a star. He’s raised a few eyebrows in the opening week with his range. In the opening game versus the Chicago Bulls, he drilled SEVEN 3-pointers on 11 attempts.

Who knew? In truth, it’s not that surprising given he shot 42.3 percent from deep in his second season at Kentucky. This is the problem with focusing on one game or small samples though. Since that opening game, Washington is 6 of 14 from deep. That is still an amazing efficiency and in line with his projections but is taking fewer attempts per game.

With Nicolas Batum out due to a broken finger, the kids are getting a chance to play. It doesn’t look like they’ll be able to rise out of the lottery doldrums but at least initially they are playing with intention. The biggest surprise is Charlotte leads the NBA in 3-point efficiency.

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