Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Ranking the top three playoff teams in Charlotte Hornets history

By Elijah Edwards

CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 25: A general view of shirts on the seats for fans before the Miami Heat versus Charlotte Hornets game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 25, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 25: A general view of shirts on the seats for fans before the Miami Heat versus Charlotte Hornets game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 25, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Charlotte Hornets
CHARLOTTE, : Michael Jordan (R) of the Chicago Bulls defends against Vlade Divac of the Charlotte Hornets 10 May in game four of their Eastern Conference semi-final at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, NC. Jordan was high scorer with 31 points as the Bulls beat the Hornets 94-80 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO Robert SULLIVAN (Photo credit should read ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP via Getty Images) /

This version of the Charlotte Hornets was a very talented bunch, posting 51 wins, but they had the misfortune of running into a familiar foe.

The 1997-1998 Charlotte Hornets had a nice mix of defense and scoring. Led by Glen Rice’s 22.3 points per contest, Charlotte would secure their second-straight 50 win season, finishing 4th in the Eastern Conference. They had six players average double-figures in points.

Unfortunately, it was the late-90s and thus, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were dominating the rest of the league. And if you’ve seen ESPN’s “The Last Dance” or were alive to watch the NBA then, you probably know who exactly sent the Hornets home that season.

Still, this was at what many would call the height of the NBA and the Hornets were a hot commodity. Rice was not only an All-Star game participant but ended up winning the MVP that night, something no other Charlotte player has done since.

As the Bulls’ dynasty was in danger of being dissolved, teams like the Charlotte Hornets looked to be moving in to take their place.

Optimism was high going into the 1998 NBA Playoffs and 4th-seeded Charlotte added even more fuel to the fire by easily handling their division rivals, the Atlanta Hawks in four games. The only time the team had trouble with the Hawks was Game 3 when the Hawks would obliterate the Hornets in Atlanta, mainly due to abysmal shooting on the Hornets’ part.

Glen Rice was the leading scorer in that series, of course, but Anthony Mason, mainly known for his defense and rebounding, poured in a very respectable 19 a game. Mason also led the way with over 8 boards a contest.

After that, it was on to face the mighty Chicago Bulls. The series wouldn’t start how Bulls fans thought, though, with the Hornets shocking the five-time world champions in the second game in the Windy City, defeating Jordan and the Bulls before heading back to Charlotte for Game 3.

Related Story. How “The Last Dance” could potentially affect the Charlotte Hornets. light

As many of you already know if you watched the documentary mentioned earlier, that loss ignited a fire in the greatest to ever play, as he would not be denied against the team he now owns. Chicago would win the next three by an average margin of 13 points, despite Rice throwing in 31 in game 3.

The Bulls would go on to win their sixth NBA title, cementing them as one of the greatest teams ever, but one has to wonder how things would have gone if Michael Jordan had never come back. The Eastern Conference was wide open while Jordan was playing baseball and had he stayed retired from the game he so loved, perhaps this Hornets team could have been the first to at least make the Conference Finals.

Next up, we’ll cover a team that needs no introduction as they gave the city of Charlotte their first taste of playoff basketball.