20. Charlotte Hornets

As was the case of the 17th pick, 

  Bren Bailey     

is the GM for the Charlotte Hornets.  This pick was obtained from the
San Antonio Spurs along with Sidney Green for J.R. Reid.  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.  Bren did
one team analysis and I will include it again here.

With the 17th pick, the Hornets select:

   Lindsey Hunter, PG, 6-2, Jackson State.

==========================================================================
Charlotte Hornets
1993 NBA Draft
1st Round Picks #17 and #20 (from San Antonio for J.R. Reid)


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 20th selection in the 1993 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select
Lindsey Hunter of Jackson State."
=========================================================================
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
18. Utah
    GM:   Michael Wendt  
    Pick: George Lynch, SF, 6-7, North Carolina
19. Boston
    GM:   Orin Day 
    Pick: Greg Graham, SG, 6-4, Indiana
20. Charlotte (from San Antonio for J.R. Reid)
    GM:   Bren Bailey 
    Pick: Lindsey Hunter, PG, 6-2, Jackson State

Next Up:
21. Portland
    GM:    Mike Northam