In the last six games (before this piece was published), the Charlotte Hornets have been one of the best teams in the NBA with a 5-1 record. They went from a team that couldn’t stop anybody to one of the best defensive teams in this stretch. One primary key to the Hornets’ stretch of good basketball has been the play of the power forward position. Miles Bridges has been one of the few bright spots this season for the Hornets, and he’s been continuing that consistent play as of late. Bridges has averaged 20.8 PTS, 9.3 REBS, and 4.0 ASTS in the last six games.
Grant Williams has come out and played some excellent basketball after rubbing the Mavericks organization incorrectly regarding how he did things. Williams has averaged 15.0 PTS on 47% FG and 39% 3PT shooting in the six games he’s played since being traded. When the Hornets have been good, They’ve always had a solid presence at the Power Forward position. This week, I pick my starting power forward on my all-time Charlotte Hornets starting five. Will it be “Grandmama” Larry Johnson, Anthony Mason, or Miles Bridges? Let’s make the case for each player, beginning with Anthony Mason.
Anthony Mason… Before Getting To Charlotte.
The Portland TrailBlazers selected Anthony Mason in the 3rd round of the 1988 NBA draft. He never got a chance to play with the team as he was cut. Mason would play for the Efes Pilsen basketball club in Turkey and Marinos de Oriente in Venezuela, with brief NBA stints with the New Jersey Nets and the Denver Nuggets. In the 1990–1991 season, Mason played 26 games for the CBA’s Tulsa Fast Breakers, with whom he averaged 29.9 points and 14.8 rebounds per game in his only season in the league. Also, in 1991, Mason played as a power forward for the Long Island Surf of the USBL.
In his one season with the Surf, Mason was named to the All-USBL First Team, averaging more than 27.8 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, and he set a league record with 28 rebounds in a game. In the summer of 1991, Mason joined the New York Knicks summer league squad, where he would play well enough to get a contract with the Knicks. Teaming up with Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, and Charles Smith, “Mase” would have a productive five seasons in New York. He averaged 10 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists for the Knicks, winning 6th Man of the Year in 1995. During the 95-96 season, Mason led the NBA in minutes (42.2) and set the Knicks record for minutes played (3.457).
Arriving In Charlotte.
Mason and Brad Lohaus were traded to the Hornets for disgruntled star Larry Johnson. Mason scored 18 points in his Hornets debut and grabbed 15 rebounds in their 109-98 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He finished the season averaging 14.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He was 9th in MVP voting while making the All-NBA 3rd team and All-NBA defensive 2nd team. He would help the Hornets return to the playoffs, but the New York Knicks swept them.
During the 1997-98 NBA season, Mason took a slight step back concerning averages but was still a solid starter, averaging 12.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. He helped the Hornets advance past the first round of the NBA playoffs by averaging 19.8 points and 8.3 rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls eliminated the Hornets in the following round. Mason averaged 11.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in his final season in Charlotte. He finished 9th in the DPOY voting. He would finish his three seasons in Charlotte with an average of 13.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He is 7th all-time in rebounds for the Hornets.
Mason had an impressive run in Charlotte. Next up on the list is the player that was traded to get Mason in Charlotte, Larry Johnson.
Larry Johnson… Collegiate Powerhouse.
Larry Johnson’s story of becoming the number 1 pick started at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas. He initially verbally committed to Southern Methodist University, but a dispute over one of his SAT scores caused Johnson to withdraw. Johnson averaged 22.3 points in his first year, winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 Player of the Year award. In his second year at the school, Johnson bumped his points per game up to 29 points, which helped him win the award again. He is the only player in JUCO history to win the award in both seasons.
After completing his two seasons in JUCO, Johnson would team up with future NBA players Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony on the UNLV team. They won the 1990 NCAA championship when they defeated Duke 103-73. The following year, they would go undefeated with a chance to go back-to-back. Unfortunately, UNLV was defeated by Duke in the final four. Johnson left the school after being named First Team All-American twice, Big West Conference Player of the Year, and tournament Most Valuable Player awards in 1990 and 1991. He also won the John R. Wooden Award and was named Naismith College Player of the Year in 1991.
Young Larry Johnson.
Johnson was selected with the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft by the Hornets. In his first season, Johnson immediately impacted the team and the fans who wanted to see a Hornets game. His high-flying act made him an immediate fan favorite. He would average 19.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, which earned him the NBA’s rookie of the year. In the offseason, Charlotte drafted Alonzo Mourning with the 2nd overall pick.
In the 92-93 season, Charlotte went 44-38, earning them the 5th seed in the eastern conference. Johnson would be named to his first all-star team and the all-NBA 2nd team. He averaged 22.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists this season. The Hornets would beat the Celtics in four games that year before being eliminated by the Knicks in five games.
Injuries/Friction with Alonzo Mourning.
During the 93-94 season, Johnson would be limited to 51 games due to his back. He averaged 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. The Hornets would find themselves one game out of the playoffs that season. Johnson’s final two seasons in Charlotte saw him average 19.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He also made the all-star team again during the 94-95 season, which improved the team from 41 games to 50.
Friction between Johnson and Mourning forced the organization to make a change, and the resulting moves by the Hornets left both players on other teams. Before the 1995–96 season, Mourning was traded to the Miami Heat for Glen Rice and Matt Geiger. Following that season, Johnson was dealt to the New York Knicks for Anthony Mason and Brad Lohaus.
If Larry Johnson could’ve stayed healthy, His NBA career would’ve been one of the best. When we talk about the next player in consideration, If he can stay out of his way and focus on basketball, He could continue his trajectory to greatness. Next up is Miles Bridges.
Miles Bridges Coming Out Of Michigan State.
Bridges was a five-star recruit coming out of Huntington Prep in West Virginia. He declined offers from Kentucky, Kansas, and Oregon, choosing to go back home to play for the legendary Tom Izzo and Michigan State. In his first year at the school, Bridges averaged 16.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 32 minutes. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week five times and one of ten finalists on the Karl Malone Power Forward Of The Year watchlist. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned second-team all-Big Ten honors. He was also named to the Sporting News Freshmen All-American Team and USBWA All-District V Team. He was also named unanimous AP Big Ten Newcomer of the Year and AP All-Big Ten Second Team.
With a top-5 grade, Bridges decided to return for his second season with the expectation of winning the national championship. The Spartans finished 30-5 this season (16-2 Big Ten). They would be the 3rd seed in the Midwest division and were expected to go all the way. Michigan State couldn’t beat No. 11 Syracuse, losing 55-53. After the season, Bridges declared for the NBA draft.
Welcome To Charlotte.
Miles was selected with the 12th pick in the 2018 draft by the LA Clippers. He was then traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His first season in the league was nothing to write home about. He averaged just 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21 minutes. He did win the Rising Stars Challenge MVP award for Team USA as they defeated Team World 151-131.
The following season saw Bridges become a starter. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. In his 3rd season in the league, Bridges took a bit of a step back with averages of 12.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. The questions around Miles being in Charlotte were beginning to grow with his less-than-spectacular seasons. The 21-22 season would begin an intriguing time for Bridges.
Showcasing Of Talents/Trouble On The Horizon.
After he rejected a contract extension from the Hornets, Bridges showcased his abilities to be a valid option. He played 80 games in the 21-22 season and averaged 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists. The dynamic with LaMelo Ball made for exciting times in Charlotte. He was expected to get severe money in free agency until a legal matter almost threatened his career.
After sitting out the entire 22-23 season and ten games into the 23-24 season, Bridges has been playing like a man on a mission. This season, he averages 21.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists. The man who is almost out of the league entirely will be highly coveted in free agency.
My Starting Power Forward Is…
I love the time that Anthony Mason had in Charlotte. His all-around abilities caused the Hornets not to skip a beat when they traded for him in the Larry Johnson deal. If he stays on, Miles Bridges has the potential to be the best power forward in Hornets history. He will have to lead the Hornets to the playoffs at some point, but if we’re talking stats, he can make more of an intriguing argument.
When it’s all said and done, Larry Johnson gets the nod. Not only was he impactful on the court for the team, but his marketing stardom with “grandmama” made Charlotte one of, if not the most popular NBA team in the early 90’s. In the early part of Johnson’s tenure, He was a dunking machine. Once injuries started taking away some of that athletic ability, He became much more well-rounded in his game. I am going with Larry Johnson as my starting “4-man” for those reasons.
Start: Larry Johnson
Bench: Anthony Mason
Cut: Miles Bridges
Updated Starting Five
PG: Muggsy Bogues
SG: Dell Curry
SF: Glen Rice
PF: Larry Johnson
West Coast Hoops 