Each Team’s All-NBA First Team: A 30 Part Series- Part 11 The Charlotte Hornets

With the hype of the offseason coming to an end, I have decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to examine each team’s specific All-NBA First Team. What I mean by this is- following the criteria set by the NBA for the All-NBA Team rules, I will examine and elaborate on my picks for each team’s specific All-NBA First Team.

G- Dell Curry: 1988–1998

Although today he is known mostly for being the father of Steph Curry, Dell Curry’s career should not be overlooked. Curry spent 10 seasons in Charlotte and is one of the best players in franchise history. He’s the team’s all-time leader in games played, field goals made, 3-point field goals made, and points scored.

The majority of the success the Hornets’ organization has had since joining the NBA came during Curry’s 10 seasons. The team made the playoffs in four of his 10 seasons, making it to the second round in 1993. Curry also won the sixth man of the year award following the 1993–1994 season.

He spent the prime of his career playing in Charlotte- establishing himself as one of the leagues best three-point shooters. He finished in the top ten in three-point percentage in half of his seasons in Charlotte.

On top of his performance on the court, he also was one of the leaders off of the court. Curry was often looked upon as one of the team’s leaders- a player that younger guys could look up to.

G- Baron Davis: 1999–2002

The Hornets were in Charlotte for Baron Davis’s first three seasons of his career before moving to New Orleans. In those short three years, Davis burst onto the scene- establishing himself as a dominant force at the point guard position.

In his three seasons in Charlotte, the Hornets made the playoffs every year, coming within two games of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002.

His best season with the team came during the 2001–2002 season- a season in which Davis made his first All-Star appearance and finished in the top ten of a number of statistical categories, including assists, steals, games played, and minutes played.

In his three seasons in Charlotte, Davis played in every game.

F- Glen Rice: 1995–1998

Similarly to Baron Davis, Glen Rice’s career in Charlotte was short, but extremely impactful. He played on the team during their most successful period, making the playoffs in two of his three seasons. He was the face of the franchise during his three seasons and was the best player on the team.

Rice holds the single-season record for most points scored, 3-point field goal percentage, and points per game. His 23.5 points per game as a member of the Hornets is the highest single game scoring average of any player in franchise history.

F- Larry Johnson: 1991–1996

After being drafted with the number one overall pick in 1991, Larry Johnson burst onto the scene- the majority of his success came at the beginning of his career before suffering a number of injuries.

Johnson was the first face of the franchise and immediately made an impact that the franchise that hadn’t seen before. He brought them from mediocrity to basketball relevance, leading them to their first two playoff appearances along side Alonzo Mourning and Dell Curry.

As a member of the Hornets, Johnson made his only two All-Star appearances and was a member of the All-NBA Second Team in 1993.

C- Alonzo Mourning: 1992–1995

In three seasons with Charlotte, Alonzo Mourning was the perfect running mate along side Larry Johnson. Both players (although, only for a short amount of time), provided excitement for the Hornets’ fan base, so much so, Mourning is still loved in Charlotte.

In his three seasons, Mourning played in two All-Star games and helped the Hornets qualify for their first two playoff appearances.

During his three years, he established himself as a defensive force, finishing in the top ten in total blocks in all three of his seasons.