Much has been made of the Bobcats' recent victories over the Celtics, Magic, and Nuggets, and overtime losses to the Cavs and Pistons. The team has also had the last laugh over trades for Jason Richardson and Nazr Mohammed that were initially criticized.
But while the Bobcats have made massive strides and started to shed the expansion label, their schedule up to this point makes even the Hawks' schedule look difficult.
They've played ten fewer road games than home games, and sport the NBA's eighth-easiest schedule.
But you can't overlook the Bobcats’ fourteen wins at home—especially when you realize that they had twenty wins at home all of last season. The fans in Charlotte are really embracing the team, and that makes for an imposing home court advantage.
The Bobcats also seem to play their best games against the best teams. That's usually the greatest indicator of a spoiler team. If Jason Richardson could inbound the ball, the Bobcats would have two wins over the Celtics.
If it weren’t for significant injuries to Sean May and Adam Morrison, they'd probably be a playoff team this year. Instead, they'll have to use the season to continue improving and play the role of spoiler.
A playoff spot next season is definitely not out of the question in the Eastern Conference.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings are the only Western Conference team on the list, yet they have the potential to be the league's biggest spoiler.
Nobody seems to mention Reggie Theus' name in conversations about Coach of the Year. That's not a surprise, considering the team is 17-22.
But the fact that the team is 17-22 is a miracle when you realize the number of games missed by Mike Bibby, Kevin Martin, Spencer Hawes, and Ron Artest due to significant injuries.
In victories over the Pistons and Magic earlier this month, the Kings sported a starting lineup of John Salmons, Beno Udrih, Brad Miller, Francisco Garcia, and Mikki Moore.
They've also had the fourth-toughest schedule in the NBA this season.
Their home record is an unimpressive 11-9, but with the return their top players, that will surely improve.
It's too late for the Kings to be considered a playoff team, but it's not too late for them to wreak havoc on the Western Conference playoff picture.
Unless, of course, the Kings decide to trade Bibby and Artest, and blow the whole thing up. In that case, they won't pose as much of a threat.
Teams like the Lakers, who have yet to play the Kings once this season, will surely wish they had a chance to play them while they were banged up.
The Rest
There are other teams, like the Bucks and Heat, that could have a say in the playoff picture as well.
The Bucks are also a great home team, but they seem content to make a trade that will set them back.
The Heat could turn their season around a little bit, since they can't play much worse. But with no salary cap space, front-office moves seem unlikely when the quickest way for them to improve is with a higher draft pick.
There is something to be said for teams that don't quit when it seems like they should. Sometimes it's because the coach and/or GM are trying to save his job. Other times, it's because the players on those teams have too much pride to quit or are trying to get new contracts.
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