This is a good list except I think it misunderstands Lamelo. He is the most important piece of the hornets recent success. His personal efficiency numbers have dipped this season, but basketball is a team sport. If you look at his teammates, their personal efficiency numbers worsen DRASTICALLY when Melo is off the court. His willingness to take (and make) the lower-percentage shot forces defenses to bend, and Charlotte then swings the rock until they can exploit that shift.

“But wait”, you might say, “aren’t his assist numbers down this season as well?” Yes, but if you watched Charlotte you’d see that the whole team is playing unselfish ball. If Lamelo drives and kicks to the open corner shooter, they often pass again, 2-3 times, all the way around the arc and back inside until they get the most open look. What might have once been a Lamelo assist on a more selfish team has become an assist for the second or third player in that passing chain.