NBA: All-Time Starting 5 of the Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets made their NBA debut in 1988 and they lasted until 2002 when the team relocated to New Orleans. The team’s history was put on pause for two years until the foundation of the Charlotte Bobcats, the league’s 30th franchise. It was a hard first decade for the Bobcats as they only made the playoffs once.

But once Michael Jordan took over ownership, the Bobcats turned into the Hornets again in 2014 and the team has been on an upswing. Kemba Walker is one of the best players in the NBA today and he has established himself as one of the greatest in the team’s history.

Even though the Hornets do not have the deepest history, they have produced some quality players along the way, as well as several Hall of Famers such as Alonzo Mourning and Robert Parish. Here are the members of the all-time starting five for the Hornets.

Forward – Larry Johnson

Drafted first overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1991, Larry Johnson quickly emerged as one of the most imposing players in the league. Even though he was shorter than most bigs of that era, Johnson used his large frame and beastly athletic qualities to win the Rookie of the Year Award.

Johnson followed it up by making his first All-Star appearance in 1993 when he averaged 22.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists while shooting 52.6 percent from the field. He was an All-Star again in 1995 after an injury-plagued 1994 season. He would get traded after just five years but “Grandmama” made a lasting impact on the franchise.

Honorable Mention: Forward – Anthony Mason

Spending only four seasons in Charlotte, Anthony Mason was a key part of three playoff teams of the Hornets from 1996 to 2000. Mason had his best season in 1997 when he was named to the All-NBA Third Team. He averaged 16.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.

Forward – Glen Rice

One of the best scorers in NBA history, Glen Rice was an unstoppable force during his three-year tenure in Charlotte. Rice was acquired from the Miami Heat in the Alonzo Mourning deal and he quickly made an impact for the Hornets. His three All-Star game appearances all happened during his time with the Hornets, winning the All-Star game MVP in 1997.

Rice led the Hornets to two playoff appearances, reaching the second round in 1998. If only the franchise was not in chaos after his third season, Rice could have finished his career in Charlotte. He sits fifth in scoring and third in three-point shots made.

Honorable Mention: Forward – Gerald Wallace

The first All-Star of the Bobcats Era, Gerald Wallace had the best years of his career in Charlotte. Wallace arrived in Charlotte via the Expansion Draft and became an All-Star in 2010 but his best year came in 2008 when he averaged 19.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He ranks third in points, third in rebounds, and fourth in minutes played in the Hornets' all-time leaderboards.

Center – Alonzo Mourning

Despite only playing three years with the Hornets, Alonzo Mourning deserved to be in the Charlotte’s all-time starting five. Mourning was a beast in the first three years of his career averaging 21.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks. He was also an All-Star twice during his short career in Charlotte.

Mourning is still among the top players in the Hornets franchise leaderboards. He is fifth in rebounds, and first in blocks. It is doubtful if Mourning will get his No. 33 jersey retired in Charlotte since he forced his way to a trade to the Miami Heat in 1995 when he rejected a seven-year deal.

Honorable Mention: Center – Emeka Okafor

The first franchise player of the Charlotte Bobcats Era, Emeka Okafor won the 2004 Rookie of the Year. He was a double-double machine in his first year but it was the highest point of his career. Okafor’s numbers continued to decline yearly and he was out of Charlotte in 2009. Nevertheless, he is the franchise’s all-time leader in rebounds.

Guard – Dell Curry

One of the deadliest three-point shooters in NBA history, Dell Curry, the father of Stephen Curry, played ten seasons with the Charlotte Hornets. He was selected by the Hornets in the 1988 expansion draft and he established himself as one of the best sharpshooters in the game in Charlotte.

In 10 seasons, Curry averaged 14.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He ranks second in the all-time Hornets leaderboard for points, third in steals, and second in three-point shots made. He also ranks third in total minutes played. Despite not making any All-Star or All-NBA teams, Curry made an impact on the Hornets and the entire league.

Honorable Mention: Guard – Baron Davis

Even though he played a total of six seasons as a Hornet, Baron only played three years in Charlotte. In those three seasons in Charlotte, Davis became an All-Star. He also led the Hornets to three straight playoff appearances from 2000 to 2002 making it past the first round in 2001.

Guard – Kemba Walker

New Orleans Pelicans v Charlotte Hornets

With uncertainty heading into the summer of 2019, Kemba Walker would go down as the greatest Hornets player ever even if he leaves for another team in free agency. Walker was drafted ninth overall by the Hornets in 2011 and he has developed into one of the best scoring point guards in the NBA today.

Walker has steadily improved every season and he finally made it into the top tier of NBA players in 2016. He averaged a career-high 23.2 points to go along with 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Walker was named an All-Star in the past two years and he is surely getting his third one this season. He is the all-time leading scorer for the Hornets, ninth in rebounds, second in assists, fourth in steals, and first in three-pointers made.

Honorable Mention: Guard – Mugsy Bogues

The shortest player to ever play in the NBA, Mugsy Bogues did not let his 5’3” frame affect his game. In 11 seasons in Charlotte, Bogues was the team’s career leader in assists, steals, and minutes played. It is still shocking that the Hornets have not retired his No.1 jersey.