Last week, the Charlotte Hornets traded “Scary Terry” Rozier to the Miami Heat for Kyle Lowry and a 1st round pick. With this trade, The Hornets traded their all-time shooting guard leader in points per game (20.0 PTS.) I think it’s important to understand that despite Rozier’s offensive capabilities in Charlotte, his 117-181 record during his tenure will not have him considered on this all-time starting five list.
During the Hornets ’35’ 35-year history, Charlotte hasn’t had any legitimate big-time shooting guards. Reliable? Yes. Dependable? Yes. Ground-breaking stars? No. Let’s talk about the candidates.
Dell Curry
Some may know Dell now as the father of the most excellent shooter ever, Stephen Curry, but there was a time when Dell Curry was the most lethal shooter in the NBA. The Utah Jazz selected Curry with the 15th overall pick in 1986. He played for the Jazz for just one season before he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he also played just one season for the team. Curry went unprotected by the Cavs and was selected with the Hornets 1st pick (2nd pick overall.) He would become one of the staples of the Hornets’ popularity in the 90s.
Curry served primarily as the 6th man of the Hornets, where he was regularly in the talks for the award. He won the award during the 93-94 season, where he averaged 16.3 PTS on 40% three-point shooting. Curry would play ten seasons in Charlotte. He would leave the team as the team’s all-time statistical leader in points, games played, three-point field goals made and attempted, and three-point field goal percentage. When he was to the Bucks, Curry was the only player left from the inaugural team during the 88-89 season.
Today, Curry is second all-time in scoring (9,839), second in field goals made (3,951), second in attempts (8,559), second in three-pointers made (929), and third in three-pointers attempted (2,294). He is currently the Hornets’ color commentator.
Dell Curry had a fantastic career shooting the basketball. You see why his sons are also as lethal when shooting the ball. The next player in consideration for the starting shooting guard spot was not a shooter. His career three-point percentage with the Hornets was 27%. But when it comes to defense, no one did it better. Let’s make the case for Kendall Gill.
Kendall Gill
Kendall Gill was the 5th pick in the 1990 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. His rookie season saw him coming primarily off the bench, with Muggsy Bogues and Rex Champman solidifying the two guard spots. Despite that, Gill would be selected to the all-rookie first team with a season average of 11.0 PTS, 3.2 REBS, 3.7 ASTS, and 1.3 STLS. With the trade of Rex Chapman after the season, Gill would become the starting shooting guard where his numbers blossomed. He averaged 20.5 PTS, 5.1 REBS, and 4.2 AST.
Gill’s last season in Charlotte would see a decrease all across the board (20.5 to 16.9 PTS), (5.1 to 4.9 REBS), (4.2 to 3.9 AST), and (1.9 to 1.4 STLS). His three-point and free-throw shooting was better this year (46/24/74 to 44/27/77.) In Charlotte’s first playoff run, Gill would play all nine games and averaged 17.3 PTS, 5.1 REBS, 2.9 ASTS, and 2.3 STLS. Unfortunately for Gill, Those numbers weren’t good enough, as they traded him to the Seattle Supersonics after the season.
Gill would go on to have a solid career in the NBA. During the 98-99 season in New Jersey, He led the league in steals with a 2.7 average. He compiled 12,914 points, 2,945 assists, and 4,002 rebounds during his fifteen-year career across seven teams. He even returned to play for the Hornets during the 95-96 season. While Curry did it with offense, Gill was doing it with offense and defense. If he could be more consistent with that shot, this debate would not continue. He was that nice with it.
Gill was the second player the Hornets drafted. The first player they drafted was the guy the Hornets traded to give Gill the starting spot at shooting guard. Let’s make the case for Rex Chapman.
Rex Chapman
Rex Chapman is the 8th overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft. He was the first-ever pick of the Charlotte Hornets expansion team. He averaged 16.9 PTS in his rookie season, which was good enough to earn him a spot on the all-rookie second team. Chapman was known for being a high-flyer and participated in the 1990 & 91 slam dunk contest.
During his second season, Chapman saw an increase in his points. He decreased from 17 to 15 points per game in his third season. He would be traded to the Washington Bullets but only play one game for the team after he was traded.
The Final Verdict
It’s not a lot to pick from regarding the position. Of the three players in consideration, Curry is by far the best shooting guard to play for the Hornets. Gill had the potential to be something special, but the organization gave up on him, Just as they did with Rex.
Start: Dell Curry
Bench: Kendall Gill
Cut: Rex Chapman
Honorable Mention: Eddie Jones, Bobby Phillis
West Coast Hoops 