NBA Season Grades Released: Hornets' Success Potentially Relevant for Alabama Fans

**Why it matters locally:** While Alabama doesn't have its own NBA team, many residents are passionate basketball fans who follow teams regionally and nationally. The Carolina Hornets receiving an 'A' grade might be of interest to those Alabamians who support the team or reside close to the Alabama-Carolina border. Also, increased success by near states could potentially draw larger crowds to see them compete, boosting travel and tourism spending. --- A season-ending report card has evaluated all 30 NBA teams, assigning grades based on their performance compared to initial preseason projections. Seven teams received an 'A' grade for surpassing expectations. The Charlotte Hornets were among those teams. Further details regarding the specific metrics and rationale behind each grade are included in the full report. Other teams receiving an 'A' grade were not specified in the provided data. The report assesses teams across the league, from those battling for playoff spots to those prioritizing the NBA Draft Lottery to obtain top draft picks.