Charlotte Hornets Dream Team

 

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the

game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that

players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have

decided to defy those odds. 

In 1988, the NBA arrived in Charlotte as the Hornets. The

franchise’s relationship history with Charlotte would fall into the “it’s

complicated” category. The franchise moved to New Orleans mainly

because of declining attendance. That franchise has since become

known as the Pelicans. 

The NBA returned to Charlotte in 2004 as the Charlotte Bobcats.

Several ownership groups, including one led by Boston Celtics

legend Larry Bird made bids to purchase the franchise. In 2009,

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan acquired the franchise. In

2014, the franchise was rebranded as the Hornets. 

With this team, however, we are keeping selections to be Charlotte

centric. It’s a similar reason to why there are no Baltimore Ravens

on the Cleveland Browns Dream Team. Charlotte has been to the

playoffs ten times, seven in the first stint and has only been as far

as the Eastern Conference semifinals three times (1993, 1998,

2001). 

Today, I put together a Hornets Dream Team. There are some rigid

criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have

played for the Hornets/Bobcats for a minimum of four seasons -- no

exceptions. If he played three in Charlotte and one in New Orleans,

he’s a no go. 

Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs

to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is

all-encompassing from all eras. 

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.

This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is

the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The

number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity

also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare

eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Hornets during a season of being a contender does not

get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Hornets

during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team.

Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into

positionless basketball. The roster would normally comprise 15

players but for now, only 11 fit my criteria. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t

just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would

remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask

yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starting five

Point guard: Kemba Walker

Although Walker recently left as a free agent for the Boston Celtics,

where he completed his first season, he delivered a lot of greatness

for the city of Charlotte. One would be hard-pressed to find a better

and more impactful player in franchise history.

Walker made three of his four career All-Star appearances with the

Hornets and was All NBA third team in 2019. Including this past

season with the Celtics, Walker has averaged at least 20 points per

game five consecutive years. His career average is 19.9 points, 5.4

assists, 3.8 rebounds in 1.3 steals. 

Shooting guard: Dell Curry

These days, most people know Dell Curry as the father of current

Golden State Warrior legend Steph Curry. The elder Curry, however,

was a fixture during the early part of the franchise's existence. 

Curry spent 10 seasons with the Hornets averaging 14.0 points per

game in that span and connecting on 48% of his field goals and

40.5% of his 3-point shooting. Curry played 16 years in the NBA for

five different teams. Curry was the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in

1994. 

Small forward: Gerald Wallace

Glen Rice missed the cut because he only played three years for

the Hornets. Wallace was selected in the 2004 expansion draft when

the NBA returned to Charlotte and played there for seven seasons.

Wallace was known for his reckless style of play that often led to

injury but he spent seven productive Seasons with the franchise.

Wallace was an All-Star in 2010, his lone appearance. That season

he was also NBA All-Defensive first-team and he was the NBA steals

leader in 2008. During his career in Charlotte, Wallace averaged 16.4

points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 Steals and 1.2 block shots. He

played a mixture of small forward and power forward. 

Power forward: Larry Johnson

Johnson was like an NBA version of a fullback when he was with the

Hornets. Though part of Johnson's legacy is helping the New York

Knicks reach the NBA Finals in 1999, the prime of his career came

with the Hornets. Johnson averaged 19 points 6 points, 9.2 rebounds

and 2.4 block shots and formed a formidable frontcourt with Alonzo

Mourning.

Both of Johnson's All-Star appearances came with the Hornets. He

was second-team All-NBA in 1993. He was the NBA Rookie of the

Year of 1992 and NBA All Rookie first team that same season. 

Center: Emeka Okafor

You might be wondering why Mourning is not the starting center? It's

pretty simple, he didn't play for the Hornets for four seasons. Sorry,

rules are rules. Okafor’s time with the Hornets overlapped both

Charlotte and New Orleans but he made the cut because four were

in Charlotte. For a time, he was the face of the franchise.

Okafor was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2005 and NBA All Rookie

first team that same season. During his time in Charlotte, he averaged

a double-double, 14.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Bench (alphabetical order)

Nicolas Batum:

Batum has been a quick and skilled defensive player throughout his

career, especially his last five with the Hornets. In his career in

Charlotte, Batam is averaging 11.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists

per game. 

Mugsey Bogues:

Bogues was the shortest player in NBA history at 5-foot-3. Bogues

spent 10 seasons with the Hornets during which time, led by Alonzo

Mourning and Larry Johnson, the Hornets became a popular team in

the NBA. During his time in Charlotte, Bogues averaged 8.8 points

and eight point eight assists per game along with 1.7 steals. 

Elden Campbell:

Campbell's longest tenures in his career came with the Lakers and

Hornets, both Charlotte and New Orleans. Campbell was most widely

known for his defense and shot-blocking ability. With 1,602 career

blocked shots, Campbell is 31st in NBA history. During his time in

Charlotte, Campbell averaged 13.5 points per game, 7.7 rebounds

and 1.8 blocked shots. 

David Wesley:

Wesley came into the league with many scouts believing he would be

too small at 6-foot-1 to be a shooting guard. Wesley, however,

dispelled those concerns and besides being a consistent outside

shooter he was also a tough man-to-man defender. During his career

with the Hornets, Wesley averaged 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3

steals.

Marvin Williams

Williams recently retired after 15 seasons. He spent six with the

Charlotte Hornets, averaging double-figure scoring in four of those

seasons. During his time in Charlotte, Williams averaged 9.7 points

and 5.3 rebounds. 

Cody Zeller: 

Zeller was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 draft. While he hasn't lived

up to the value of that pick, his last four seasons have been pretty

solid averaging double-figure scoring in three of them. 

Head coach: Paul Silas

Silas’s record is going to be deflated because of the 32-88 record in

his second stint (2010-2012). In his first stint, however, he guided the

Hornets to the playoffs and four of the five seasons in that span. Silas

has a record 11 playoff victories in franchise history, the Hornets are

not likely to go on a deep postseason run anytime soon. He won 193

regular season games. 

Team: 2000-2001

Of the three Hornets teams that reached the Eastern Conference

semifinals, this one came the closest to reaching the Eastern

Conference Finals. The Hornets went 46-36 in the regular season,

garnering the No. 6 seed. They swept Miami in the first round and

lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games in the Conference

Finals. The Hornets acquired Jamal Mashburn, PJ Brown and Otis

Thorpe from Miami to go along with veterans David Wesley and

Elden Campbell along with the increased roll from then second-

year player Baron Davis.