3. Larry Johnson

Published in Top 50 Charlotte Hornets
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While we can’t say we never really understood the Grandmama gimmick, Larry Johnson made an immediate splash in Charlotte and gave the team a “buzz” around the league.

Johnson was the first overall pick in the 1991 Draft and would later become the first Hornet to be voted to start in the All-Star Game. Winning Rookie of the Year honors, Johnson would have his best season in his second year, where he would average 22.1 Points and 10.5 Rebounds and would make Second Team All-NBA, the first and only time he would secure a spot on a postseason All-NBA team. Overall, in his five years in Charlotte, Johnson averaged 19.6 Points and 9.2 Rebounds per Game, and he remains one of the most popular players in franchise history.

So is it safe to say Wallace is the greatest “Bobcat” (now Hornet) and Johnson is the greatest “Original Hornet”?

The Bullet Points

Position: Power Forward
Acquired: Drafted in the 1st Round, 1st Overall in the NBA Draft 6/26/91.
Departed: Traded to the New York Knicks for Brad Lohaus and Anthony Mason 7/14/96.
Games Played: 377
Per Game Averages: 38.8 MP
.512 eFG%
.771 FT%
19.6 PTS
9.2 RB
4.1 AST
0.8 STL
0.4 BLK

13 Playoff Games
40.0 MP
.535 eFG%
.792 FT%
20.1 PTS
6.5 RB
3.2 AST
0.7 STL
0.3 BLK
Advanced Stats: 18.4 PER
.559 TS%
14.3 VORP
41.1 WS

13 Playoff Games
18.2 PER
.591 TS%
0.6 VORP
1.8 WS
Major Accolades and Awards: Second Team All-NBA (1992-93)
All Star (1993 & 1995)
Rookie of the Year (1991-92)
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year (1991-92)
First Team All-Rookie (1991-92)
Most Minutes Played (1992-93)
Most Minutes per Game (1992-93)
Other Points of Note: Finished 1st in Rookie of the Year Voting in 1992.