1992-1993 Charlotte Hornets: Becoming Formidable

1992-1993 Charlotte Hornets: Becoming Formidable

1992-1993 Charlotte Hornets: Becoming Formidable

Beginning operations as an expansion franchise in the National Basketball Association in 1989, the Charlotte Hornets were having a hard time finding an identity for themselves as a basketball team, but it only took a few years for the picture to come into better focus for the Hornets. Beginning with the 1992-1993 regular season the Hornets were figuring out just what their strengths were, and they would make a decent run in the playoffs.

In the 1992-1993 NBA season the Charlotte Hornets went 44-38, finishing 13 games behind the Chicago Bulls in the Central Division. The Hornets went 22-19 on their home court called the Charlotte Coliseum and they also went 22-19 on the road.

Power forward Larry Johnson was a reliable big man to use down low in the paint. Johnson scored a total of 1,810 points along with 864 rebounds, 353 assists and 87 blocks, making 18 of 71 three-point shots and 336 of 438 free throws and recording a .526 field goal percentage.

In the 1992 NBA Draft with the 2nd overall pick in the 1st Round the Hornets selected a star from Georgetown University, center Alonzo Mourning. In his rookie season Mourning rewarded the Hornets with stellar play as he scored 1,639 total points with 805 points and 271 blocks, making 495 of 634 free throws and recording a .511 field goal percentage. The combination of Mourning and Johnson was important for Charlotte’s success. Johnson would make the All-NBA 2nd Team while Mourning would make the 1st Team of the NBA All-Rookie Team.

Shooting guard Dell Curry, who is the father of another basketball star in Stephen Curry, didn’t start a single game in the 82-game regular season for Charlotte, but Dell contributed plenty. Curry scored 1,227 total points with 180 assists and 87 steals, making 95 of 237 three-point shots and 136 of 157 free throws. Shooting guard Kendall Gill was one of the more unsung stars of the NBA in the 1990’s. Gill scored 1,167 total points with 98 steals, making 17 of 62 three-point shots and 224 of 290 free throws.

Standing at just 5’3”, point guard Muggsy Bogues knew how to get around on the basketball court as he was a feisty defender and a responsible handler of the basketball. Bogues scored 808 total points with 711 assists and 161 steals, making 140 of 168 free throws. Small forward Johnny Newman scored 764 total points, making 194 of 240 free throws and recording a .522 field goal percentage. Power forward Kenny Gattison scored 508 total points with 353 rebounds, making 102 of 169 free throws and recording a .529 field goal percentage. Small forward David Windgate scored 440 total points with 66 steals, making 79 of 107 free throws and recording a .536 field goal percentage.

Early on in the regular season the Hornets were already showing how improved they were collectively as a team as they went on a 5-game winning streak which began with a 134-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks on November 17, and the streak ended on November 25 with a 101-7 win over the Detroit Pistons.

The 1st Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs pitted the Charlotte Hornets against the Boston Celtics. The Hornets took care of the Celtics by eliminating them 3 games to 1. Game 1 wasn’t indicative of this, though, as the Celtics won 112-101 at the Boston Garden on April 29. Even in a losing effort Kendall Gill had 30 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals while making 12 of 24 field goal shots. Alonzo Mourning had 30 points with 2 blocks, making 9 of 16 field goal shots and 12 of 15 free throws. Larry Johnson had 16 points with 13 rebounds and 6 assists, making 7 of 13 field goal shots.

The Hornets sprung back to win a thrilling double overtime Game 2 by the score of 99-98. Power forward Kevin McHale was at the end of his NBA career at this time and in this game he had 30 points and 10 rebounds while making 13 of 18 field goal shots. Boston center Robert Parrish had 19 points with 16 rebounds. For Charlotte, Johnson scored 23 points with 7 rebounds and 3 assists, making 9 of 16 shots and 5 of 6 free throws. Mourning scored 18 points with 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 blocks and made 8 of 8 free throws. Gill scored 18 points with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Muggsy Bogues had 13 points and 8 assists.

In Game 3 on May 3 at the Charlotte Coliseum the Hornets beat the Celtics 119-89. Johnson had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 4 rebounds, making 10 of 13 shots and 9 of 12 free throws. Mourning had 14 points with 8 rebounds. Gill had 12 points and 3 assists. Bogues had 10 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists, making 5 of 8 shots. Johnny Newman had 10 points and 3 steals.

Game 4 on May 5 was another game that went down to the wire, but the Hornets prevailed 104-103 to send the Celtics home. For Boston Parrish had 24 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks while making 11 of 16 shots. McHale had 19 points with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. For Charlotte Mourning had 33 points with 7 rebounds and 6 blocks, making 9 of 13 shots. Johnson had 20 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists, making 9 of 15 shots. Gill had 18 points with 3 assists, 2 rebounds, steals and blocks while making 4 of 5 free throws.

The Eastern Conference Semifinals would be as far as the Hornets would go as they would be eliminated by the New York Knicks 4 games to 1. The only win the Hornets could get in the series would be in Game 3 on May 14 at the Charlotte Coliseum, winning an exciting double overtime game by the score of 110-106.

Physically imposing in their own right the Knicks had stars such as center and power forward Patrick Ewing, who had 26 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Shooring guard John Starks had 19 points and 8 assists. Center and power forward Charles Oakley had 19 points and 13 rebounds. The Hornets countered with Mourning who had 34 points with 10 rebounds and 4 assists while making 8 of 9 free throws. Johnson had 31 points with 8 rebounds and 5 assists, making 11 of 17 shots and 8 of 12 free throws. Bogues had 16 points with 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals while making 6 of 10 shots and 4 of 6 free throws.

The Charlotte Hornets were becoming formidable in the NBA, and their 1992-1993 campaign served as the first piece of proof. The Hornets would continue contending in the playoffs for the next few years.