The Best Hornet of All-Time?
Chris Paul (photo. David Deal)The Charlotte/Oklahoma City/New Orleans Hornets are a relatively young franchise. Next season will be their 20th in the NBA since joining as an expansion team, and in that time the Hornets have only advanced past the first round of the playoffs five times. When you think of ESPN Classic moments involving the Hornets, does anything come up after Alonzo Mourning’s 1993 postseason game-winner against the Celtics? (Chris Andersen’s dunk contest debacle doesn’t count.) But while you might think this organization is short on history, you’d be surprised.
Last month the Pistons unveiled their 50th Anniversary all-time team, which included names like Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bob Lanier and Dave Bing. Looking at the players who have donned the Hornets’ uniform over the years, you could argue that their roster stacks up with Detroit’s all-time team. Granted, a lot of these guys were well past their prime before they played in Charlotte/OKC/N.O., and this isn’t the traditional all-time team in that we’re considering more than just what a player did for the Hornets, but it’s still an impressive list:
Chris Paul (PG, ‘05-present) — The 4th overall draft pick of the Hornets in 2005 is in the midst of one of the greatest individual seasons for any point guard in history (21.1 ppg, 11.6 apg, 2.7 spg), and he’s only 23 years old. CP has everything lined up in front of him to become the greatest player in Hornets history and put himself in the same discussion as PG greats Isiah and Jason Kidd.
Hersey Hawkins (SG, ‘93-95) — Between stops in Philly and Seattle, where he achieved his greatest individual and team success, respectively, Hawkins did two years in Charlotte as a solid starter at the two. The 13-year vet averaged 14.7 points as a pro and made one All-Star team.
Glen Rice (SF, ‘95-98) — After getting his start with another expansion franchise, the Miami Heat, Rice enjoyed the prime of his career with the Hornets. He was an All-Star in each of his three seasons in Charlotte and was the game’s MVP in ‘97. Rice was an All-NBA performer twice in that span, and in ‘97 he dropped just under 27 points a night while finishing 5th in League MVP voting. Overall, Rice ranks 4th all-time in NBA history in three-pointers made, averaging 18.3 points for his career and winning a championship with the 2000 Lakers.
Tom Chambers (PF, ‘96-97) — Chambers played 12 games for the Hornets in his only season with the team, which came at the very tail-end of his career. The four-time All-Star had his best days with the Sonics and Suns, copping All-Star MVP in 1987. Chambers averaged 18.1 points and 6.1 rebounds a night during a 16-year NBA run.
Robert Parish (C, ‘94-96) — The Chief played two years with the Hornets after he’d gone over the 40-year-old hill, seeing about 15 minutes a night as a backup. Before that, Parish won three championships with the Celtics in the ’80s (he won a fourth with Chicago in ‘97) and carved out a Hall of Fame career where he averaged 14.5 points, 9.1 boards and 1.5 blocks. Parish made nine All-Star Games and two All-NBA teams, finishing his career as the League’s all-time leader in games played, 7th all-time in total rebounds, and 9th in blocks.
BENCH — Alonzo Mourning (C, ‘92-95), Kenny Anderson (PG, ‘95-96, ‘02-03), Derrick Coleman (PF, ‘98-01), Dale Ellis (SF, ‘99-00), Baron Davis (PG, ‘99-05), Larry Johnson (PF/SF, ‘91-96), Steve Smith (SG, ‘03-04).
Honorable mention — Chuck Person, Muggsy Bogues, Peja Stojakovic, Kelly Tripucka, Jamal Mashburn, Eddie Jones, Rex Chapman, Michael Adams, B.J. Armstrong, Vernon Maxwell, Ricky Davis, Vlade Divac, Dell Curry (Hornets’ all-time leading scorer), Anthony Mason, Kendall Gill, Ricky Pierce, P.J. Brown, David West, Eddie Johnson, Armon Gilliam, David Wesley, Kurt Rambis, Bobby Jackson, Otis Thorpe, Mike Gminski, Elden Campbell, Tyson Chandler, Jamaal Magloire, Brad Miller, Morris Peterson, Darrell Armstrong, Stacey Augmon, Desmond Mason, Bobby Phills.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Scott says:
I’m kind of surprised by dropping LJ and Zo to the bench… but I get the theory of how you selected the team.
On a team of who did the most while they were a Hornet, LJ and Zo would easily start as they were THE TEAM back in the day. Before LJ’s back made him a jump shooter, and back when Zo had the balls to toss up 3’s and make them.
Good looking out on Rice tho, that dude was a shooter, to the most elite level when he was on point, I still remember that 97 All-Star game, he set records or came close to it.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:12 am
doc says:
No way LJ and Zo shouldn be starting.Cheif was a fucking bum by then and I don even remember Chambers playing for them but im taking a in his prime LJ over Chambers anyway.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:17 am
GEE...I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom! says:
Naw I got Zo most def. starting instead of the the Cheif.
I am rearranging that whole deal.
Chris, Steve Smith, Glen Rice, LJ, Zo. Holla at that!
Everyone else ride the bench and get DC the F*** off my squad ..that bum!
May 13th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Jim says:
And Kobe put on the hat. If Chambers counts, he does too.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:19 am
the_don_mega says:
go muggsy!!!
May 13th, 2008 at 11:20 am
bobby stew says:
B.J. Armstrong was my man! Paul, B.J., Rice, Zo, and LJ are my staring five
May 13th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Fabian says:
what about KOBE?!
May 13th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Hoffman says:
LJ’s Grandmama would hoop on Glen Rice.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:24 am
DaPro says:
Yeah fam I’m with ya’ll
I’d start CP3, Baron, Glen, LJ, and ZO
I can’t include catz who got on the squad at the azz end of their career.
I could never include Mike as a Wizard so I can’t in good faith but Cheif on the Hornets
May 13th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Myrie says:
Chris Paul, Baron Davis, Glen Rice, Larry ‘Grandmama’ Johnson, Alonzo Mourning.
Yall Dime cats need to re-arrange the starting five.
And what….no mention of Johnny Newman?…Shame on you all.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Austin Burton says:
Going by who did the most as a Hornet, I’d go with Chris Paul, Dell Curry, Glen Rice, Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning. Or maybe start Baron at the 2 and bring Curry off the bench; but I don’t see Baron being as effective unless he’s controlling the ball.
As far as Chambers vs. LJ, Chambers in his prime was better.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Taj says:
Damn! Zo and LJ on the Bench? And Dell Curry the All time leading scorer gets and Honorable mention??????
AB you need to give your head a shake!!!
May 13th, 2008 at 11:47 am
DaPro says:
LJ before the back injury was sick. Catz 4get that.
AB I just can’t see putting Chambers on the squad when he’s never been known as a Hornet.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:51 am
GEE...I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom! says:
“give your head a shake”….
pause
May 13th, 2008 at 11:52 am
yallallreadyknow says:
JIZZ
May 13th, 2008 at 11:53 am
yallallreadyknow says:
” i know its white but here come the hott sauce”
May 13th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
GET YOUR F@$(% LIPS OFF CHRIS PAUL’S ASS! Seriously, the dude’s been in the league 3 years. Best Hornet of all time? Come on. Contrary to popular belief, the guy cannot walk on water. I could understand the ridiculous media attention he gets if he head-and-shoulders dominated his league, like Gretzky back in the day, but there are so many other great players in the L to talk about!
Now about the Hornets, when I think of a greatest Hornets list, I think of the players who were the best as Hornets.
PG-Paul
SG-Curry
SF-Rice
PF-Grandmama
C-Zo
May 13th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
JA says:
Wasn’t Derrick Coleman the one of the first in the NBA to carve out the whole Power Forward making a living shooting under 45% niche?
May 13th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
GEE...I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom! says:
I am going to throw Mugsy on my squad just because he was a fan favorite.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Remy Nguyen says:
For Lakers fan, Vlade Divac is the numero uno Hornet.
They got Kobe via trade!
May 13th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Diego says:
I can’t believe Hawkins had a better career than Smitty at shooting guard! Please check on that. (Smitty made at least one all-star game and had to average buckets more than 14.7.) Also, I’d take Alonzo over the Chief. I’m focusing here on overall career. Alonzo and the Chief are a close call; Chief gets the nod on longevity and rings (but Alonzo would have had the rings too if he played with Bird and McHale). In his prime, Alonzo would have whupped the Chief.
May 13th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Prof. TX says:
LJ gets all the attention, but these two were pretty close. Thorpe definitely had the longevity though, and a ring.
Larry Johnson - career average:
16.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, .484 fg% over 10 seasons
Otis Thorpe - career average:
14.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg, .546 fg% over 17 seasons
May 13th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Big Mike says:
this makes no sense, why not rank them based on what they did for the hornets…
that’s like saying Jordan was the best bullet/wizards player ever… based on what they did for the hornets, your starting front court is easily LJ and Zo, Baron would be in the back court with CP3, and mashburn would be the small forward…
May 13th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
MSkittle says:
What about Jamal Mashburn?
May 13th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Austin Burton says:
You know Zo only played 3 years for the Hornets. PJ Brown had a longer run with the team.
May 13th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
after only 3yrs…ZO still holds team single game records and franchise season records.
no way he’s on the bench behind chief; who by the austin only played with the hornets from 1994-1996
May 13th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Austin Burton says:
I’m not saying Parish’s Hornets career was better than Mourning’s, just that Mourning didn’t play a long time for the franchise.
May 13th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
K Dizzle says:
Tom Chambers in his prime over LJ in his prime? let’s just agree to disagree
May 13th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
GEE...I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom! says:
The mascot about the only thing that has been consistent with the Hornets.
May 13th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Diego says:
Check Chambers’s stats in his prime with Seattle and Phoenix. He had seasons with 27, 25, 23, etc. points per game and was a stud, on par at least with L.J. (NBA.com’s stats for Chambers are screwed up and do not cover most of his years.) I agree re. Mashburn; he is up with about any small forward.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
JDizzle says:
I agree w/ Big Mike. Stick w/ the players that made an impact for the Hornets. Robert Parish should be nowhere near this list. I like Baron, CP3, Mashburn, Mourning, Larry Johnson, Dell Curry, and Muggsy.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
doc says:
Chambers was nice but im taking a good back LJ
May 13th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
sans says:
Man, Jamal, Glen Rice, and Eddie, individually, took the Hornets to the playoffs over and over with random ass ballers to compete with. That should count for something.
CP3, Eddie, Glen Rice, LJ, ZO
Backups: Baron (feel free to hate), Deltron, Jamal, PJ Brown, Vlade (he did get traded for Kobe–which is something to brag about in old age).
Chambers was nice, but on a Suns all-time team, or Sonics for that matter. Parrish is a backup on all-time Celtics squad, especially throwing KG into the mix.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
marcus says:
stop the buzzin’ & ‘cussin’… here, da best team as follows:
cp3, baron, rice, LJ, Zo
period!
May 14th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Utes Fan says:
This is a cool piece. It would be interesting to see the same thing done on the remaining playoff teams. Jazz, Lakers, Spurs, Cavs, Celtics, Pistons, and even though they aren’t remaining the Magic. Do it on all the second round teams.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Utes Fan says:
Starting lineups
Lakers
PG Magic
SG West
SF Kobe (He’s a two, but name a better player)
PF Worthy
C Kareem (this is the toughest position to pick)
Jazz
PG Stockton
SG Pistol Pete
SF Adrian Dantley
PF The Mailman
C Mark Eaton
Spurs
PG Tony Parker
SG Manu Ginobili
SF George Gervin
(Like Kobe, he’s a SG but name a better player .If you say Sean Elliot you are wrong.)
PF Duncan
C Robinson
Cavs
PG Price
SG Ron Harper
SF LeBron
PF Larry Nance
(I think Nance was more of a wing, but the Kobe/Gervin argument applies) If you say Shawn Kemp you are wrong.
C Brad Daugherty/Big Z (your choice)
Celtics
PG Cousey
SG Havlicek
SF Bird
PF McHale
C Russell
Pistons
PG Zeke
SG Dumars
SF Rodman
PF Lanier
C Laimbeer
Magic
PG Penny
SG T-Mac
SF Hill
PF Dwight Howard (to make room for him and Shaq)
C Shaq
May 16th, 2008 at 11:18 am
VQ says:
DAMMIT this hurts my heart. I miss my Charlotte Hornets at the old hive that they just demolished. The Bobcats doesnt give me the same feeling I used to have when Id attend a Hornets game. It sucks too. I dont recall Steve Smith ever playing for the Hornets…:( I miss the LJ, Zo, days
Kenny Gattison anyone?!