We now come to the Charlotte Hornets, a up and coming team (for the last 3 years). They are represented by: Kevin Scott Mullerleile. Kevin selects: Brent Barry, SG, 6-6. Oregon State ============================================================================ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd like to thank Brian Stewart for contributing to my analysis. If anyone decides that they need to release any hateful emotions that they may feel after reading this, feel free to send e-mail to: gangsta@gladstone.uoregon.edu I would also like to thank my high school cross country coach's dog, Charlotte, who gave me the inspiration to write this. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. TEAM HISTORY Coming off a disappointing year, the Charlotte Hornets had a team record 50 wins in 1995. Finishing a strong second to the Indiana Pacers in the Central Division, the Hornets had the good fortune to face the Chicago Bulls in round one of the best of five series. Bowing out with only one win, the Hornets showed that they had some glaring weaknesses that they will need to address in the off season. Many fans would like to see ALLEN BRISTOW step down as the head coach. Bristow has already announced that he plans to return next season. There are others who blame much of the Hornets failures on MUGSY BOGUES. He'll be back next year as well, so the draft and free agency are the only possible ways to find adequate help at the point. Fortunately the team is blessed with a young nucleus that has a fiery desire to win at the center of it. ALONZO MOURNING is the leader of the team. However, without key contributors performing consistently, they will remain a first round and out team. ---CENTER--- Contrary to certain LARRY JOHNSON fans, Mourning is the team's most valuable player. In order to establish this, Bristow has the team running a deliberate half court offense to get Mourning the ball. However, the Hornets had trouble emphasizing Mourning's inside game in the Bulls series. Often seen shooting three pointers from beyond the arch (4-8 during playoffs this season), Bristow showed that he didn't have full control of his team. When Mourning wasn't taking shots from downtown, his teammates gave him the ball doubled team, with the shot clock running down. Clearly these aren't good strategies to maximize Mourning's offensive potential. Aside from the poor offensive team concepts, Mourning had an outstanding season. After missing 22 games in 1994, he led the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. At only 6-10, Mourning holds his own against all centers and is willing to challenge any shot. This over aggressiveness that sometimes looks like a furious rage, often hampers his game and puts him in foul trouble. However, he has a tendency to play lackadaisical so he is best when he's playing with a fair amount of emotion. His major assets are defense, running the floor, and shooting the ball with good range. Not the best rebounding center in the league, Mourning's numbers could be improved with more help at the power forward position. Mourning found adequate help with the addition of 41 year old ROBERT PARISH. With only one year remaining on his two year contract, Parish looks like he's 50. Often teamed together with Mourning, he can still wind up his Hall of Fame turnaround jumper. You can't say enough about JOE WOLF. He's an unrestricted free agent. ---POWER FORWARD--- Hopefully by the beginning of next year, we'll be able to talk about Johnson under the small forward category (wouldn't count on it). At a very small 6-7, Johnson doesn't play with the same explosion that he once had. With various injuries, especially his back, Johnson just isn't able to run up and down the court like he did in his first couple of seasons. Missing more then half of last season, Johnson has developed some nice moves around the hoop with a high arching turnaround that's fairly reliable. Increasing his three point field goal attempts, Johnson is a decent shooter from the outside. On defense he's been limited to being a position defender due to his physical problems. Outside of his basketball skills, Johnson is also an emotional player. By moving him to the three position, Johnson could probably contribute more to the team. Johnson's backup is 6-8 KENNY GATTISON. Not the same comedian as Kenny Bannion is, Gattison contributes rebounding, defense, and relief for Johnson. Gattison fulfills his role thoroughly. Since he lacks any offensive output, outside of an occasional tip-in, Gattison is most effective teamed with Mourning. This gives the Hornets their best inside combo when they want a defensive stop. ---SMALL FORWARD--- Second year man SCOTT BURRELL was one of the most improved players in the league last year. In fact he may of given Dana Barros a run for his money if he hadn't injured his foot. Missing some of his rookie season as well, Hornets fans may feel the need to cross their fingers the next time he goes down on the floor. Despite his inability to stay healthy, all of his teammates seem to love him and feel that he means a lot to the team's success. His main attributes are excellent three point shooting and tremendous defense. Outside of Mourning, he's probably the best stopper on the team. If you need proof to see what kind of defense he provides, just take a look and see that the Hornets moved up more then 14 places in points allowed per game. The Hornets organization has obviously given him a vote of confidence by trading away Johnny Newman and Kendall Gill since his arrival. To improve the lineup, it may be wise to play him at the shooting guard position in the future. DAVID WINGATE did a decent job filling in for Burrell at the end of the season. Not the same scoring threat as Burrell, Wingate has his moments on offense. He plays good defense, but his inability to drive and rebound were reasons why he wasn't protected in the expansion draft. The third man at the three spot last year, DARRIN HANCOCK, was able to find many Hornet supporters. A 6-7 rookie from the University of Kansas, Hancock has overcome past knee problems to add some offense when he gets minutes. He has a much better all-around game then Wingate, so he should be the man behind Burrell next season. ---SHOOTING GUARD--- The team is in a bit of a conflict at this position. DELL CURRY is playing like he's the better player, but since he's most effective coming off of the bench, HERSEY HAWKINS is the man. Far from his former All-Star form, Hawkins is an inconsistent shooter. For some reason he puts much of his lack of success on the shoulders of Bogues. Claiming that Bogues favors Curry, Hawkins needs to wise up and figure out that nobody will be favoring him if he doesn't regain his shot. Outside of his shooting, Hawkins is an average defender. Faced with the task of guarding Michael Jordan in the playoffs, Hawkins was able to limit Jordan's penetration, but played him fairly passively. If he can improve his shot, Hawkins might play more aggressively. As one of the best six men in the league, 6-5 Curry provides instant offense off of the bench. With one of the quickest releases in the NBA, Curry teams with Burrell to be a deadly three point combo. If the Hornets are off to a slow start offensively, Curry is usually able to waken them up with his shooting. However, if his shot isn't there, the Hornets must rely too heavily on their undersized inside game. Although he's a major bonus to have on the floor for the Hornets when he's feeling it, his defense is extremely shaky. ---POINT GUARD--- With 5-3 Bogues leading the ball up the court, there's going to be obvious pluses and minuses. With the best assist to turnover ratio in the league, 5:1, Bogues runs the Hornets half court offense to the best of his ability. Due to his size he stays outside of the key at all times and distributes the ball to whom he sees fit. His main liability is his outside shot. With hands the size of a five year old, Bogues can't hit a shot if his life depended on it. His shooting problems are most evident when Mourning is double teamed inside. With the strong side wing defended, Mourning must toss the ball to Bogues who is standing just beyond the free throw line. As the shot clock runs down, Bogues throws the ball towards the goal. If you look closely, you'll see Bristow hold up a huge brick in his hand when he wants this play executed. Now on occasion Bogues can hit the open 15 footer. However, it's a lot like playing Russian Roulette when you're in a playoff series. Bogues is at his best when he's leading the Hornet's break. With tremendous quickness, Bogues makes accurate decisions and is usually able to find someone to chalk up two points. On defense he stays in front of people, but is awful once he's posted up. With the new hand checking rule installed, Bogues has lost any advantages that he may have once had. Brought to spell Bogues and give a decent threat from the outside at the point position, MICHAEL ADAMS was plagued with injuries. Even when he is healthy, Adams won't be seeing fans hang up three point signs whenever he pulls the trigger on a three. TONY BENNETT is another three point shooter that tries to give Bogues some support. Outside of winning a Grammy, Bennett doesn't have much else to offer. Like Darrin Hancock, GREG SUTTON is a player who's found a small following in Charlotte. He's much more athletic then either Adams or Bennett. With good ball handling skills and fairly good defense, Sutton has a shot with sticking with the team. However, he is an unrestricted free agent. ---PROTECTED PLAYERS--- C-Alonzo Mourning PF-Larry Johnson Kenny Gattison SF-Scott Burrell Darrin Hancock SG-Hersey Hawkins Dell Curry PG-Mugsy Bogues *Tony Bennett was picked 20th in the expansion draft by the Toronto Raptors. II. MY SELECTION At the risk of looking like the state of Oregon is the center of the world, the Charlotte Hornets select BRENT BARRY. While it is true that point guard and power forward position needs the most help, there is nobody left worth taking at this point in the draft. At 6-6, Barry has the attributes to be a good basketball player in the NBA. Unlike some rookies, Barry will have a head start because two of his family members, father Rick and brother John, have played in the league. Although he doesn't shoot the three pointer with the same effectiveness as most shooting guards, he has other unique skills that are valuable. With a competitive desire to win (although OSU was awful during his sentencing there) and tremendous court sense, Barry will bring a great deal of leadership to whoever selects him. Often seen on highlight films dunking over quality Pac-10 players, Barry is someone who can score when he's fouled. Unlike some Oregonians who were overheard at the Far West Classic saying, "this Barry kid will be an All-Star in the NBA," Barry should be picked because he'll be a solid starter in the future and that's what the Hornets should be looking for at the 22nd pick. III. OTHERS TO CONSIDER Randolph Childress-Won't fall, but would be perfect for the Hornets style of play. Would hit the open shots that Bogues can't. David Vaughn-Out of the power forwards that should still be around, he's the most dominant. Even with injury problems, he would be a wise gamble for the Hornets. Jerome Allen-At 6-4 he would be great to have if he can really play the point. He proved that he could score against good competition outside of the Ivy League. However, he had trouble getting off a shot against UMass. Probably wouldn't have that problem if he played with a team with an inside presence. Junior Burrough-Excellent footwork on the interior. Also great at tipping in balls around the hoop. IV. OTHER MOVES TO CONSIDER *Find a new coach as soon as Hornets lose their first game of the season. *Attempt to sign Anthony Mason (unlikely) and/or Terry Porter. *If Mason is somehow signed, trade Hawkins for a late first to early second round pick. With pick draft one of the following: Allen, Burrough, Corey Beck, Eric Snow, Alan Henderson, Kurt Thomas, Erwin Claggett (if Porter wasn't signed, point guard would be wise). This highly unlikely trade may seem a bit hasty, but every cook will tell you that you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. V. WHO THE HORNETS WILL TAKE AND WHAT THEY'LL DO They're supposed to be high on Virginia's Cory Alexander. He's had injury problems and didn't seem to be to sorry to leave the Cavs early. Other point guards that they might take are Travis Best or Tyus Edney. If they decide on a power forward they'll look at Vaughn, Henderson, Burrough, Thomas, Lou Roe, or James Forest. After missing out on Danny Manning and Horace Grant last year, it's unlikely that they'll be able to do any better in the free agent market this year. Anthony Mason would be great for them to get, but teams like the Knicks and Lakers have the inside edge. Terry Porter could be a someone that they could sign to back-up Bogues. He can still shoot form the outside and wants to get the hell out of Portland. It has been rumored that they're looking at aquiring Derrick Phelps. Other then those limited possibilities, don't look for much change in the Hornets roster. ===================================================================