From: dwarner@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (David J.)
Subject: Re: Charlotte Hornets (Was: Chapman.....)
Keywords: Hornets, basketball
Organization: Indiana University
Distribution: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 1992 20:37:49 GMT

In article <pjs.718218255@sc.cs.appstate.edu> pjs@sc.cs.appstate.edu (Jason Snyder) writes:

>Here are my $.02 worth on the 1992-93 Charlotte Hornets. Though I agree with
>most netters in believing that they will be better than last year, I think 
>that they will not be third in the central (as some people believe) or even
>make the playoffs.
>
>The addition of Alonzo Mourning fills a gaping hole at center, but still 
>leaves them one of the shortest teams in the NBA. Even with Larry Johnson
>and his 11 rpg the Hornets were outrebounded by an average of 3.7 boards a 
>game. Mourning will help, but how much?

I think you're underestimating Mourning here.  Yes, he's a rookie and maybe a
little small, but Hakeem isn't 7', either, and the Hornets could use Mourning's
inside presence more than anything.  Look at it this way - if the Hornets
picked Laettner, they'd have every position filled except center, and they
needed a center more than anything.  With LJ and Gill around, Mourning doesn't
have to lead the team as much as do some bumping inside, filling the lane and
rebounding (and the last one he may not need to do as much, either, with LJ
around).

>The starting line up as I see it are as follows:
>
>PG: Muggsy Bogues
>SG: Kendall Gill
>SF: Johnny Newman (if healthy, Anthony Frederick otherwise)

I think we may see Dell Curry starting at small forward before Frederick.

>PF: Larry Johnson
>C:  Alonzo Mourning

>With this line up, there is only one player taller than 6'7", and Newman 
>certainly doesn't contribute on the boards. 

Wasn't Mourning about 6'10'' when we last checked?  And how effective does
Newman need to be on the boards if Mourning, LJ and Gattison get the majority
of them anyway?  I seriously doubt Newman would be in there for more than
offense.

>The forward situation hopefully will change. Some people see Johnson at SF and
>this is certainly where the Hornets would like to put him. They probably would
>like to have:
>
>PG: Muggsy Bogues
>SG: Kendall Gill
>SF: Larry Johnson 
>PF: Kenny Gattison (unless Reid gets his head on straight and gets consistent)

Don't expect either of these scenarios.  Reid and Gattison are height off the
bench and that's all.  Reid will have to be shot before he gets his head on
straight. (apologies to fans of Bryant Feggins)

>C:  Alonzo Mourning

>but this arrangement could have problems. Can Johnson play effective D on the 
>likes of Pippen, Mullin et.al? Perhaps more importantly, how will the offense
>be with Johnson at SF? Johnson works best in the post, as does the people who
>would play PF, Reid and Gattison. Johnson has a good jumper, but he won't 
>slash to the hoop a la Barkley or Worthy. 

Whoa, get a TO, baby! I think you're *really* underestimating Johnson here. 
Every time I see him play, his whole game reminds me of Barkley, both with
the speed and the power inside.  I think it would be close to a wash if these
two played one-on-one, with maybe a slight edge to Barkley.  LJ could wipe
that out in a year or two, though.

>This line-up could put tremendous 
>pressure on Gill to shoot from the perimeter (to balance the inside game) 
>while his best game is driving to the hoop. Of course, the "motion offense"
>that the Hornet's try to employ will hopefully negate these "offensive 
>balance" considerations.

>So, if the stars are in the right houses and the Hornets are blessed:
>	1. Mourning will become a shot-blocking and rebounding presence 
>          immediately

Possible.  I'd give him a year before he'll be dominant, but he'll have a
good rookie year.

>	2. Johnson will move to SF and Reid or Gattison will take over at PF

Like I said before, Reid and Gattison will be effective off the bench, but
that's it.  Personally, I hope they dump Reid and combine LJ and Gatt at the
PF spot.

>	4. Tony Bennett will provide a shooting dimension and some height at
           the point.

If not, as I've said before, the Hornets will take Bobby Hurley in next year's
draft.

>	6. Reid becomes consistent. (yeah, right)

My feelings exactly, but stranger things have happened.  Northwestern won a
football game yesterday.  :)

>The Hornet's could be in trouble if:
>	1. Mourning has trouble adjusting. He is a bit thin to be bumping with 
>		the Eatons and Donaldsons of the NBA. 

I'd be more concerned with the Ewings and the Olajuwons.

>	2. Johnson continues to play PF and Newman starts. This alignment has 
>          good offense, but are god-awful on the boards (ok maybe just not 
>          good). Even if they hold their own on the boards, their opponents 
>          will continue to just shoot over them. (Hornet's opponents shot .496
>          last year)

LJ can board, Gatt can board, and Mourning can board.  I think making fun of
this team's height has gotten passe.  They have too much talent.

>	4. The rest of the league figures out the pressing D/ motion O that was
>		successful in masking deficiencies last year

SHHH! Keep it down, will ya???

>ps: I know I'm going to be flamed because of my apparent belief that 
>	height==good, so I should point out that this is not my belief. I just
>       feel that a line up of 
>		
>		5'3
>		6'4
>		6'7
>		6'5
>		6'9
>
>	Is a little short to be playing in some high schools, let alone the 
>       NBA!

Hey, my high school won a conference championship with a shorter lineup than
that.  Talent can overcome a few small height deficienciesm, and the Hornets
have it, IMHO.  Maybe not third in the Central, but the playoffs are more than
possible this year.
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