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Charlotte Draft History Retrospective Part 3: 1998-2001

By Eric Norton

15 Dec 2000: Baron Davis #1 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. the Hornets defeated the Wizards 103-89. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport
15 Dec 2000: Baron Davis #1 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. the Hornets defeated the Wizards 103-89. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport /
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We are rolling right along with our Charlotte Hornets Draft History Retrospective, and in part three we are looking at the 1998 through 2001 NBA drafts. In Part 2, we had to relive some terrible picks and the Kobe Bryant trade. Fair warning, it is not too much better this time around.

1998 – Ricky Davis (21)

Charlotte did not have a pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, but they did pick 21st overall in 1998. That is where they selected 6’6″ shooting guard Ricky Davis out of Iowa. To say that Davis struggled during his time in Charlotte would be putting it nicely. He played in 94 games for the Hornets and averaged just under five points a night. With that in mind, Davis did have a 12-year career and ended up with a 13.5 points per game average.

The 1998 NBA Draft was top-heavy. Mike Bibby, Raef LaFrentz, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Robert Traylor, Dirk Nowitzki, and Paul Pierce were all selected in the first 10 picks. By the time Davis was picked, he felt like the best option. Cuttino Mobley was available but may have been a stretch in the first round. Mobley did make the 1998-99 All-Rookie team, but other than that their careers are about the same.

1999 – Baron Davis (3)

Much like Ricky Davis in 1998, Baron Davis struggled during his rookie season. While he played a full 82 game schedule, he was getting about 18 minutes a night and scoring a mere six points.  However, Davis’ career took a quick turn in his sophomore season when he again played a full schedule and averaged 38 minutes per game, scoring just under 14 points. He earned an All-Star nod in year three and the legend of “Boom Dizzle” was born.

Davis ended his career as a 2x All-Star, a 2x steals leader, and a member of the 2003-04 All-NBA Team.

2000 – Jamaal Magloire (19)

Next up in our Charlotte Draft History Retrospective we find the Hornets picking 19th overall in the 2000 NBA Draft. At 6’11” and 260 pounds, Jamaal Magloire was added to a frontcourt roster that included P.J. Brown, Elden Campbell, Derrick Coleman, and Otis Thorpe.

The Toronto native did not do much during his rookie season, but he did not have to. Instead, he was put in a position to learn the game from some solid veterans. Though he did play 12 years in the league, his career peaked in the 2003-04 season when he earned his way onto the All-Star team.

2001 – Kirk Haston (16)

I cannot even make an argument for Kirk Haston. The forward from Indiana was a wasted pick at 16th overall. During his 27 games in the NBA, Haston played five minutes per night and averaged 1.2 points per game. To make matters worse, Zach Randolph, Gerald Wallace, Jamaal Tinsley, Tony Parker, and Gilbert Arenas were all selected after Haston.