Celebrating every All-Star in Charlotte’s history

The 2019-2020 Charlotte Hornets won’t have any All-Stars playing in the league’s marquee exhibition game this weekend. Devonte’ Graham has put up numbers this year that look good enough for at least some mild All-Star consideration - 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists - but it’s going to take more than that for a largely unknown player on an 18-36 team to make the cut.

But Charlotte has produced some memorable All-Stars in the past. Here’s a quick homage the Hornets/Bobcats players who have represented Charlotte in previous All-Star games.

Kemba Walker (2017, 2018, 2019)

Kemba was an All-Star in each of his last three seasons in Charlotte before joining the Boston Celtics this year. He will once again be playing in the All-Star game this weekend but in an ugly, green-colored jersey. Over his three-year run as a Hornets All-Star Kemba was one of just four players to average at least 23.0 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.0 three-pointers per game. The other three were Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Damian Lillard.

Gerald Wallace (2010)

“Crash” was at the peak of his energetic, versatile self in the 2009-2010 season. He averaged 18.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks that year and was the only player in the league to reach those thresholds. Wallace wasn’t just a “good stats, bad team” guy either. He led the 2009-2010 Bobcats to a 44-38 record and a rare playoff berth.

Baron Davis (2002)

After being selected by the Hornets at No. 3 overall in the 1999 NBA draft, Davis had a breakout year in his third season in the league (2001-2002) by averaging 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and a lethal 2.1 steals per game. At age 22 it seemed the sky was the limit for Davis, but he struggled to stay healthy and only made one more All-Star game in his career.

Eddie Jones (2000)

Shooting guard Eddie Jones would only play one full season in Charlotte after joining the Hornets from the Los Angeles Lakers, and boy was it a great year! In 1999-2000 Jones averaged a career-high 20.1 points with 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and a league-leading 2.7 steals per game. It’s a shame he came and went so fast.

Glen Rice (1996, 1997, 1998)

After spending his first six NBA seasons with the Miami Heat with zero All-Star appearances, sweet-shooting Glen Rice joined the Charlotte Hornets for the 1995-1996 season and proceeded to make three consecutive All-Star teams. Unfortunately, those would be the only years he would spend in Charlotte. He was the only player in the league to average at least 22.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 three-pointers per game over the three-year period he was a Hornet. Oh, and he hit 44.4% of his three-pointers over that three-year span. Ridiculous. Just ridiculous. Imagine what he would do in today’s NBA.

Alonzo Mourning (1994, 1995)

‘Zo made the All-Star team in both his second and third NBA seasons (1993-1994 and 1994-1995). He was an absolute beast over those two years and averaged a combined 21.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. Only Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson joined him in that elite club. It’s still a shame the future Hall of Famer only spent three years in Charlotte.

Larry Johnson (1993, 1995)

Grandmama was a two-time All-Star as a Hornet. His first appearance came in just his second NBA season (1992-1993), making him the first All-Star in franchise history. That year he averaged a career-best 22.1 points to go along with a career-best 52.6 field goal percentage. Throw in his 10.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists and there’s no question why he made the All-Star team. Two years later in the 1994-1995 season he made his second and final All-Star game and helped lead the Hornets to their first ever 50-win season. Long live LJ!