Top 5 Small Forwards in Charlotte Hornets history

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CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 15: Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats reacts during their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 15, 2010 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) /

Gerald Wallace (2004-2011)

Selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2004 NBA Expansion Draft, no player is as synonymous with the Bobcats era as Gerald Wallace. A lightly used reserve in his first three seasons in the league, Wallace immediately became a starter in Charlotte. Nicknamed “Crash” for his physical play style, Wallace blossomed into Charlotte’s first franchise player upon their return to the NBA.

For the Bobcats era (2004-05 through 2013-14), Wallace is the all-time leader in points, steals, field goals, free throws, and games played. Wallace also remains the franchise’s all-time leader in Defensive Win Shares by a wide margin. Incredibly, Wallace became just the third player in NBA history to average two steals and two blocks in the same season when he did so in 2005-06. He joined Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson as players who have accomplished this feat.

Wallace’s best season came in 2009-10, when he became the only Bobcats player to ever be named an All-Star. As part of the All-Star festivities, Wallace participated in the 2010 Slam Dunk Contest, becoming the first Charlotte player to do so since Baron Davis in 2001. Wallace also became the only Charlotte player to ever be named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team that season, as he helped lead the Bobcats to their first playoff appearance since their return to the NBA in 2004.

In February of 2011, Wallace was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Sean Marks, Joel Przybilla, Dante Cunningham, and draft picks. He would retire in 2015 after spending time with the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics.

For his Charlotte career, Wallace averaged 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 458 games.