A fellow SAS'er, Bren Baileyis the GM for the Charlotte Hornets. Since SAS has dropped their newsfeed (at least for the fun groups) and because access to the UNC BBS requires a modem, Bren is unable to access the net. Because of this, he askes that any/all comments to the Hornets selections be directed to his e-mail address listed above. With the 17th pick, the Hornets select: a>Chris Mills, SF, 6-6, Arizona ========================================================================== Charlotte Hornets 1993 NBA Draft 1st Round Pick: #17 Year in Review -------------- What a difference a CENTER makes! I really don't think any of us thought that Alonzo would be such a force. The Hornets improved to 44-38 (+13) in their 5th year, making it to the playoffs for the first time, and beating Boston in the first round. They played New York tough, but lost in 5 games with only 1 double-digit loss to the Knicks. The Hornets pushed up their scoring average, but gave up just as many points. Even with the addition of Mourning, the Hornets were close to the bottom in rebounding. Charlotte played fantastic on the road throughout the season, while losing a lot at home. Charlotte had big wins at New York (1 of only 4 teams), at Chicago and at Portland (finally). The Hornets had a terrible problem in holding leads. The Hornets frequently lost to lesser teams. Just when everyone was ready to give up on them, they would pull out a big win over a Chicago. The Hornets were strangely swept by the Pacers 5-0. Charlotte did get tough at the end, bolting their way from 8th place to 5th place in the East. Charlotte didn't back into the playoffs like Miami did a year ago. Center ------ The Hornets are set at center for the future with Mourning. His athletic style, his surprising offensive play (with an actual outside shot!), his shot blocking ability and his never-ending hustle made him a great addition to the Hornets. Unfortunately for Charlotte, the only real backup to Zo is the G-Man, M**e G*****i. I still do not understand why he is still here. The guy can barely move. He'll be 34 in August, but he plays like he's 40. What makes me scream is that the Hornets gave him a multi-year contract extension to sign Mourning. He simply doesn't fit in. So basically, the Hornets are wasting millions on a player who not only doesn't fit into the offensive scheme, but is physically unable to continue playing at the Hornets level. Think what the organization could do if they could free up these millions in salary. Power Forward ------------- Johnson had another great year in the league, being voted to the All-Star Team, but playing only 16 minutes (Thanks Pat.). Charlotte should start working on that long-term contract. Charlotte must find a way to punish teams who are able to triple team Johnson as soon as he gets the ball down low. Bogues frequently refuses to take the open shot or frequently misses it. I'm really tired of the "Dallas" play. It's rarely successful. Teams know it by heart. Hey Allan. Draw up something else. Kenny Gattison frequently subs for Johnson and Mourning. He didn't play as much this year as previous years, but was very consistent in the Boston series. A good role player. The Hornets obtained Sidney Green (and a 1st round pick) from San Antonio for J.R. Reid early in the year. Green didn't play much until late in the season. He was an average to slightly below average role player. Small Forward ------------- David Wingate was a decent find for the Hornets this year. His defense helped. Bristow wants him back next year. Johnny Newman definitely had an off year. He's lost his starring role ever since LJ and Mourning have joined the team. It wouldn't be a bad idea for the Hornets to see what they could get for him. Kevin Lynch was a non-factor this year. I expect him to get cut. Shooting Guard -------------- Gill had an off-year. All the commotion on whether he would be traded before the trading deadline was a definite distraction. He is exercising his option to become a restricted free agent. The Hornets really don't want to lose him, but I don't know if they can come up with the money to make him happy. (Shoot G*****i?) He'd be foolish to leave with LJ and Zo and the franchise on the way up. Curry had an good season this year. Game 3 in Charlotte against Boston has to be the peak of his career. A great 6th man. Point Guard ----------- Bogues ran the point most of the season. He really pushed the team down the stretch. Unfortunately, whenever he was out, the Hornets struggled. Rookie Tony Bennett just didn't seem to up to the task in running the team. He frequently turned it over under pressure. He could knock down the 3, but team speed dropped when he came in. Team Needs ---------- The Hornets need help at small forward and at point guard. An athletic Robert Horry-type slasher would be great at SF. Charlotte also needs to find a good point guard. I believe Bogues would be more effective playing 20 minutes rather than 35. The PG should be a good shooter, a good defender and taller than 6'0. A good power forward could let LJ move to small forward. Predictions ----------- With the salary cap tight, signing two first round draft picks is going to be tough, if not impossible. I think the Hornets will definitely shop their two picks around, along with Newman or Curry. Knowing the history of Charlotte's terrible trades, I hope they at least keep the 17th pick. Several good young players should still be available. Keep the 17th pick and take a power forward so Johnson can move to small forward. Trade the 20th and Newman for a veteran point guard. From all I've read, Charlotte is extremely high on Lindsey Hunter, 6-2 PG/SG from Jackson State. Don't know much about him other than he's a good scorer with great range (+), he's taller than 5-3 (++), and quick (+++). However, if Hurley is still available at #17 and I don't think he will, they might very well take Bobby over Lindsey. But if Vin Baker or Douglas Edwards is still around, I can see either of them and then perhaps take Hunter at #20. My selection ------------ "For 17th selection in the 1993 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select Chris Mills of Arizona." =========================================================================== Draft Summary: 1. Orlando GM: Tom@Orlando Pick: Chris Webber, PF, 6-10. University of Michigan 2. Philadelphia GM: Dave Meeks Pick: Shawn Bradley, C, 7-7. BYU 3. Golden State GM's: Mike Moore Terry Wong Pick: Jamal Mashburn, SF, 6-8. Kentucky 4. Dallas GM: Curtis Hill Pick: Anfernee Hardaway, SG, 6-7, Memphis State 5. Minnesota GM's: Kevin Hansen Toni Morgan Pick: Calbert Cheaney, SF, 6-7. Indiana 6. Washington GM's: The Crossjammer Jim Nagle Pick: J.R. Rider, SG, 6-5, UNLV 7. Sacramento GM: TODD FURESZ Pick: Rodney Rogers, PF, 6-7, Wake Forest 8. Milwaukee GM's: Brian Saunders Morgan Edwards Pick: Malcolm Mackey, PF, 6-11, Georgia Tech 9. Denver GM's: John Exby Rick Grubin Pick: Ervin Johnson, PF, 6-11, New Orleans 10. Detroit GM: Rob Skrobola Pick: Alan Houston, SG, 6-6, Tennessee 11. Detroit GM: Rob Skrobola Pick: Acie Earl, C, 6-10, Iowa 12. L.A. Lakers GM: Cliff Slaughterbeck Pick: Bobby Hurley, PG, 6-0, Duke 13. L.A. Clippers GM: Cliff Slaughterbeck Pick: Vin Baker, SF, 6-10, Hartford 14. Indiana GM: Doug Mraz Pick: Scott Burrell, SG, 6-7, UCONN 15. Atlanta GM: Kevin Metz Pick: Terry Dehere, SG, 6-4, Seton Hall 16. New Jersey GM: A. Borges Sugiyama Pick: Douglas Edwards, PF, 6-9, Florida State 17. Charlotte GM: Bren Bailey Pick: Chris Mills, SF, 6-6, Arizona Next up: 18. Utah GM: Michael Wendt