Surprised to see them this low? Me too. There's a lot of talent on this team, but lack of any kind of postseason success is hurting the rating.
1. Chris Paul (124.1 rating) - #3, Guard
Resume: 2006-2010; 345 Games, 19.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 10.0 APG, 62.5 Win Shares, 0.864 MVP Award Shares, 1 All-NBA 1st Team, 1 All-NBA 2nd Team, 3 All-Star Selections, 2006 Rookie of the Year
The Hornets are another team that have a bad habit of letting their best players leave while in their prime (you'll see what I mean in a second.) Here's hoping they don't let Paul get added to that list.
2. Larry Johnson (61.1) - #2, Forward
Resume: 1992-1996; 377 Games, 19.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 4.1 APG, 41.1 Win Shares, 1 All-NBA 2nd Team, 2 All-Star Selections, 1992 Rookie of the Year
Larry probably had more memorable moments with the Knicks, but he definitely had his best years with the Hornets.
3. Glen Rice (56.5) - #41, Forward
Resume: 1996-1998; 240 Games, 23.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 28.4 Win Shares, 0.123 Win Shares, 1 All-NBA 2nd Team, 1 All-NBA 3rd Team, 3 All-Star Selections, 1997 All-Star Game MVP
Rice didn't spend a lot of time in Charlotte (only 3 years), but they were definitely his best years. That's certainly the team I associate with Glen Rice, despite his 6 years to start his career in Miami, and his championship with the Lakers in 2000.
4. David West (36.9) - #30, Forward
Resume: 2004-2010; 460 Games, 16.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 39.2 Win Shares, 2 All-Star Selections
I think West is a bit overrated, with his All-Star selections being a product of Chris Paul's awesomeness. He's not a bad player certainly, but Paul probably lifted him a little higher on this list than he otherwise would be on his own.
5. Baron Davis (32.2) - #1, Guard
Resume: 2000-2005; 381 Games, 15.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, 32.8 Win Shares, 0.003 MVP Award Shares, 1 All-NBA 3rd Team, 2 All-Star Selections
Baron's another guy who definitely had his best years with the Hornets.
*6. Alonzo Mourning (25.4) - #33, Center
Resume: 1993-1995; 215 Games, 21.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.3 APG, 23.9 Win Shares, 2 All-Star Selections
'Zo will be suiting up for Miami in this tourney, which I'm sure everyone saw coming. (Side note: there is a lot of crossover between the Heat and the Hornets. There's about a half dozen player who would've made the team for both squads if I hadn't put in the "one team" rule.)
7. P.J. Brown (23.0) - #42, Forward-Center
Resume: 2001-2006; 475 Games, 9.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 45.9 Win Shares, 0.001 MVP Award Shares, 3 All-Defensive 2nd Teams
P.J. Brown can only help your team. Solid all-around player.
8. Muggsy Bogues (22.4) - #1, Guard
Resume: 1989-1998; 632 Games, 8.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 8.8 APG, 44.8 Win Shares
Not stellar numbers... Fantastic name though. I didn't give him bonus points for it, but I might have considered it had he not made the roster anyway.
9. Anthony Mason (22.2) - #14, Forward
Resume: 1997-2000; 236 Games, 13.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 4.8 APG, 29.5 Win Shares, 0.006 MVP Award Shares, 1 All-NBA 3rd Team
Anthony Mason? Yes, that's right. Anthony Mason
10. Jamal Mashburn (19.1) - #24, Forward
Resume: 2001-2004; 217 Games, 21.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.0 APG, 20.4 Win Shares, 0.001 MVP Award Shares, 1 All-NBA 3rd Team, 1 All-Star Selection
Mashburn is one of the rare players who had a resurgence in the twilight of his career. He had a decent first few years with the Mavs, but really excelled with the Hornets, with perhaps his best season being in 2003. (His only All-Star selection and his second to last season.)
11. David Wesley (18.7) - #4, Guard
Resume: 1998-2005; 522 Games, 14.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 37.4 Win Shares
Pretty good player, but I mostly remember him for his giant ears.
12. Jamaal Magloire (18.6) - #21, Center
Resume: 2001-2005; 343 Games, 9.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 0.8 APG, 22.9 Win Shares, 1 All-Star Selection
How much do you think Jamaal Magloire enjoys that any time his name is said or written, it's probably going to be written as "former NBA All-Star Jamaal Magloire"?
13. Dell Curry (15.5) - #30, Forward
Resume: 1989-1998; 701 Games, 14.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, 31.0 Win Shares, 1994 Sixth Man of the Year
I'm kinda glad Curry made the list, even though it's as a "replacement player." He and Muggsy Bogues always felt like "Mr. Hornet" to me.
Just missed the cut:
*14. Eddie Jones (14.3)
15. Elden Campbell (12.5)
16. Tyson Chandler (10.7)
17. Hersey Hawkins (8.8)
18. Kenny Gattison (8.1)
*19. Peja Stojakovic (7.9)
20. Vlade Divac (6.6)
Outlook: There's a lot of talent here. They're seeding is going to screw them over, but I could see the Hornets winning a few games in this tournament.
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