Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Charlotte Hornets’ best NBA draft picks in history 5-1

By W.B. Whitted

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)
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) /
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Charlotte Hornets’ Baron Davis #1. <> Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones/ALLSPORT .
Charlotte Hornets’ Baron Davis #1. <> Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones/ALLSPORT . /

Baron Davis

There are players that are a moment in time. Davis is one of them. Before John Wall, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook shook up the league, Davis was one of the most explosive athletes the league had seen at the point guard position. The 6’ 3 200-pound PG was the third overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft. After being strictly a reserve for the playoff-bound Hornets team in his rookie year, he started all 82 games in his second year in the league.

His second season also ended in a postseason appearance. Unlike in his rookie year, the Charlotte Hornets were able to advance, beating the Miami Heat in the first round before succumbing to Ray Allen and the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games.

It is still one of the team’s deepest runs and best postseason performances in franchise history. Davis averaged 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists that postseason. He also participated in the Rising Stars game as well as the Slam Dunk competition.

Davis made the All-Star game his third year in the league, averaging 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game (good enough for fourth in the league). He once again led the Hornets to the postseason, and into the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, losing to the eventual Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Nets. Davis averaged 22.6 points, 7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists that postseason.

If it weren’t for the team moving to New Orleans the following year, Davis might be at the top of this list. Not only was he a highlight reel, but he was a better player in the postseason. The perfect evidence of his postseason tenacity was his Golden State Warrior team that upset the number 1 ranked Dallas Mavericks in 2007.