With the NBA Playoffs nearing their conclusion with the Conference Finals underway, I thought I’d take a look at each of the teams’ all-time starting lineups.
Highlighting the top players in each franchise’s history, the all-time lineup was created using players individual accolades as well as team success during each players’ stint. Beginning with this year’s non-playoff teams and finishing up with this season’s 16 postseason participants, here are the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time starters.
Charlotte Hornets
Guard: Kemba Walker (2011-present)
Despite never having a strong supporting cast, Kemba Walker has become arguably the best player in Hornets franchise history.
Walker became Charlotte’s all-time leading scorer at the end of the 2017-18 season, and is a two-time NBA Sportsmanship Award winner. Also second on the teams all-time minutes played and assists, Walker has led the Hornets to two playoff berths while garnering three All-Star selections (2017-19).
Guard: Dell Curry (1988-98)
The Hornets second all-time leading scorer and in three pointers made, Curry played 10 seasons in Charlotte, becoming the longest tenured player in franchise history.
Curry was a part of the first playoff appearance in team history in 1993, the first of four postseason trips in his tenure. The following season, he was named the 1994 NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
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Forward: Glen Rice (1995-99)
Despite a relatively short tenure, Rice made his mark in just four seasons in Charlotte, helping the 1996-97 team set the franchise record for wins in a season with 54.
A three-time All-Star selection (1996-98), Rice took home the All-Star Game MVP Award for his 1997 performance. Rice also picked up two All-NBA nods, being named to the Second Team in 1997 and Third Team in 1998, while also leading the Hornets to a pair of playoff appearances.
Forward: Larry Johnson (1991-96)
A two-time All-Star, Johnson was a key member of the first Charlotte playoff team in 1992-93. Johnson started his career off strong, being named an All-Rookie First Team pick and taking home Rookie of the Year honors in 1992. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1993 while helping the Hornets return to the postseason in 1995.
Center: Alonzo Mourning (1992-95)
A 2014 Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee, Mourning began his career in Charlotte, leading the team to the postseason for the first time while being named to the All-Rookie First Team in 1993. He was also named an All-Star in 1994 and 1995 before being traded in the 1995 offseason.
