Charlotte Hornets

Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets Surprise Team in the East, Kaminsky Not Quite a Bust

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:54 p.m. ET

Fansided, Jerry Stephens/FanSided via Swarm and Sting

Welcome to Buzz City Stings, Swarm and Sting’s daily roundup of the best Charlotte Hornets’ stories from around the web.

Buzz City Stings is your daily destination for the latest and best news from around the internet about the Charlotte Hornets. This Christmas/Holiday edition features Charlotte being named the surprise team of the Eastern Conference so far this season. Also, Frank Kaminsky is not the bust of the 2015 draft and Robin Lopez will not be suspended after flagrant 2 against the Hornets.

Hornets are the Surprise Team in the East

“The Hornets also are a top 10 defensive team as they only give up 102.5 points per game (ninth in the NBA) and opponents only shoot 44.3 percent from the field against them (6th in the NBA). Lead by Nicolas Batum and Kemba Walker who only gets better by the year, the Hornets appear to be a potential contender in the East if they continue this play.” (VAVEL.com)

While many media members and fans from around the NBA may be surprised by the team’s play, everyone in Charlotte has come to expect some success from this Steve Clifford coached squad. The Hornets will always be under-the-radar but that is exactly where they want to be. They are one of the best teams, not only in the East but in the NBA, that no one is talking too much about.

More from Swarm and Sting

Kaminsky Not the Bust of the 2015 Draft

“In a loaded 2015 NBA Draft class where the top picks – Karl Anthony-Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Jahlil Okafor and Kristaps Porzingis – are all making immediate impacts for their teams, Frank Kaminsky III became somewhat of a disappointment. The No. 9 overall pick for the Charlotte Hornets out of Wisconsin did not live up to any of the expectations that Kaminsky imposed on himself after a terrific Badger career and an excellent showing the NCAA tournament. Kaminsky has a way to go until he becomes a starter or makes a bigger impact, but his performances indicate he is in the right direction, which is away from being a bust.” (TheSportsBlaze.com)

As much grief as Kaminsky gets, everyone in Charlotte wants to see him succeed. The Hornets haven’t had the greatest success with their draft picks but at the very least, Frank looks to be a solid role player. He isn’t a great defender or a great rebounder, but if he looks for his shot and can make open threes, then he is an asset for this team. So if he can improve his shooting percentages, he will no longer be considered or even thought of as a bust.

Lopez Will Not be Suspended

“…Lopez was ejected for a double elbow, simultaneously catching Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller while the Hornets had the ball in the fourth quarter. Lopez was given a Flagrant 2 upon review and thus immediately ejected. However, Lopez will not be suspended as a result of the play.” (CSNChicago.com)

So after elbowing two players, Robin Lopez will not be suspended. Let’s be clear, it was a dirty play and it was intentional. He missed the final few seconds of the game against the Charlotte Hornets. He should probably have been suspended. Could the fact that the Chicago Bulls will be playing on Christmas Day for their next game have anything to do with it? One can only wonder.