Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: 15 greatest draft picks in franchise history

By Jerry Stephens

Charlotte Hornets 2017 NBA Draft (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets 2017 NBA Draft (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 5: Larry Johnson #2 of the Charlotte Hornets rests against the Sacramento Kings during a game played on March 5, 1995 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 5: Larry Johnson #2 of the Charlotte Hornets rests against the Sacramento Kings during a game played on March 5, 1995 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Larry Johnson only played five of his 10 years in the league with the Hornets, but he is still one of the greatest players ever to grace the Queen City team. Charlotte drafted him with the first overall pick in 1991. To this day, he is still their only No. 1 overall pick.

LJ totaled 377 games (372 starts) played for the Hornets and averaged 19.6 points per game, 9.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists. During his five seasons with Charlotte, the team made the playoffs twice and finished with at least a .500 record four out of the five years. In his sophomore year, he helped lead them to the Eastern Conference Semifinals where they lost in five games to the New York Knicks.

As for team records, Johnson ranks ninth in games played, fifth in minutes played, third in field goals made, third in free throws made, first in offensive rebounds, third in defensive rebounds, second in total rebounds, sixth in assists, tied for 10th in steals and fourth in points scored behind only Gerald Wallace, Dell Curry and Kemba.

While with the Hornets, Larry was a two-time all-star, the 1991-92 Rookie of the Year, made the 1991-92 All-Rookie First Team and the All-NBA Second Team in 1992-93. Unfortunately, his stint in Charlotte didn’t last longer. Friction between Alonzo Mourning and Johnson caused the organization to break up their core. They traded Grandmama away prior to the 1996-97 season when he was in his prime at the age of 26.