record in the last dozen games, has moved up from eight to five, while the Yankees are 7-3 in their last 10, moving up from 16

(SportsNetwork. Clyde Drexler Rockets Jersey .com) - Maybe they should have stuck with the Bobcats moniker. The Charlotte Hornets have had as much success under their new mascot as the Washington Generals against the Harlem Globetrotters. Going back to the roots of the franchise hasnt paid off for the Hornets, and much like a Charles Dickens novel, there were great expectations heading into the 2014-15 season. Its been more like excretions at the quarter mark of the NBA season. The team made the playoffs a season ago with a 43-39 record and took advantage of a weak Eastern Conference to bring postseason basketball back to the Tar Heel State. The Hornets are hoping to sneak in again this season. Al Jefferson did all the heavy lifting to get Charlotte into the tournament with 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in 73 games. Jefferson got help this offseason in the form of all-purpose guard Lance Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal this past summer. The Hornets have taken a step back instead of forward with Stephenson, but hes not solely to blame for a disappointing 4-15 start. But Stephenson was supposed to get the Hornets over the hump. Hes adjusting to new teammates and new surroundings, and maybe the comfort level just isnt there yet. He reportedly turned down a five-year, $44 million offer from the Indiana Pacers after helping them reach the Eastern Conference finals in back- to-back seasons. The Pacers are struggling and could use Stephensons services. Stephenson had an NBA-best five triple-doubles last season, and is averaging 10.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists in his new digs. He is shooting just 37.9 percent and making only 17.5 percent from 3-point range. Stephenson came in believing he was still the star who helped the Pacers succeed and hasnt shown head coach Steve Clifford much. To be fair, one of the things thats made it more difficult for him is that he came here and people proclaimed him as the next superstar, Clifford said last week. Hes not a star. Hes a guy that has talent to become a star. To be a star in this league, you have to do it over years. Clifford has even benched Stephenson in crunch time. Its obvious Clifford is trying to light a fire under the one who blew into the ear of superstar LeBron James in last seasons playoffs. Stephenson hasnt misbehaved in his short time with the Hornets, who are riding a 10-game losing streak that could reach 16 with New York, Boston, Memphis, Brooklyn, Cleveland and Phoenix on the docket. I thought at this point we would be in a much different place than we are, Clifford said recently. So did many others. It does take time for players and coaches to be fully integrated and the Hornets are learning that the hard way. Injuries to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Gary Neal havent aided the cause. Charlotte is in trouble if its relying on Brian Roberts, Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo. More help from Gerald Henderson is needed to support Jefferson, Kemba Walker and yes, Stephenson. We still have a lot of games left, and while people might not see it, were actually getting a lot better as a team, Walker said. Our chemistry is starting to come together and I think were getting better each and every day. The record doesnt show it and neither does the exhausting losing streak. However, four of those losses have come by five points or fewer. The Hornets lost to the Bulls, 102-95, on Wednesday, marking the 11th game this season that was decided by seven points or fewer. Charlotte has played 50 games over the past two seasons that have been decided by seven points or fewer. Those tough losses prove that the Hornets are competitive, but when it doesnt reflect in the standings fingers start to point and questions are asked. Clifford said some of the games the Hornets are losing are because of little mistakes that can be adjusted. Focus still remains the key to Charlottes success and Cliffords sanity. The Hornets are scoring 93.7 points per game and allowing 101.2 ppg. They are allowing opponents to post 43.7 rebounds against them and teams are making almost 40 percent from beyond the arc (36.8). There is still enough talent to get Charlotte back into the postseason. They just need more of a rhythm and a stronger rapport with each other. Itll get worse before it gets better. That quote, which is one of many classics from Dalton (Patrick Swayze) in the movie Road House, summarizes what the Hornets can expect in the future. Charles Barkley Jersey . Every once in awhile, it seems like life lets dreams become real - and that is a gift. Clyde Drexler Jersey . 15 in Hamburg. The fight was originally slated for Sept. 6 but had to be postponed after Klitschko tore a bicep in sparring and was forced to miss four weeks of training. http://www.authenticrocketsproshop.com/Chris-Paul-Jersey/ .com) - Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeVeon Bell, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil and New England Patriots punter Ryan Allen were selected as the AFCs top pla record in the last dozen games, has moved up from eight to five, while the Yankees are 7-3 in their last 10, moving up from 16 to 12. yers for Week 14 of the NFL season.The Detroit Tigers remain the top team in the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, holding off the surging Los Angeles Dodgers. Detroit has been led, not surprisingly, by third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who has a 1.265 OPS in August and now has a career-best 1.141 OPS for the season, leading the major leagues. Cincinnati, with a 9-3 record in the last dozen games, has moved up from eight to five, while the Yankees are 7-3 in their last 10, moving up from 16 to 12. Further ddown the rankings, both the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim moved up, to 19 and 23, respectively. Tyler Ennis Jersey. Going the wrong way, the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies -- all ranked in the lower third -- dropped in this weeks rankings. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '