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NBA: Who is the best duo from each franchise’s history

By Christopher Jeter

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best duo from Charlotte Hornets history: Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson

Mention Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson in the same sentence and this infamous brawl during the end of a 1998 Miami Heat/New York Knicks playoff game probably springs to mind first. But before these two threw hands at Madison Square Garden, they shared the floor as teammates for an upstart franchise over 600 miles south of The Mecca.

After a trio of innocuous seasons, the Charlotte Hornets nabbed their first franchise cornerstone when they took Johnson with the first overall pick in the 1991 draft. The former UNLV Runnin’ Rebel played well enough in his rookie season to convince Hornets fans that good times were on the way (19.2 points per game, 11.0 rebounds per game, .140 WS/48) but the team still needed another star to cement their status as a perennial playoff team.

Enter Alonzo Mourning. Charlotte brought the former Georgetown center with the second overall pick in 1992 — behind a, uh, slightly more productive big man — and he quickly meshed with his frontcourt mate. The two combined to average .139 WS/48 in their three seasons together, culminating with a 50-32 season in 1994-95, though it ended abruptly courtesy of the back-from-baseball Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls. Even still, this surely led to a bright future and many more postseason runs with these two anchoring the franchise, right?

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. The professional animus between Johnson and Mourning always simmered under the surface from the moment they stepped on the floor together, but the tenuous relationship deteriorated even further once Johnson signed a 12 year, $84 million contract on the same day Jordan announced his retirement.

That and the 1995 lockout making Mourning an unrestricted free agent gave the star center all the ammunition he needed to request a massive extension. Instead of capitulating, the Hornets instead sent him to Miami for a package that included underrated bucket-machine Glen Rice. Not long after, they traded Johnson to the Knicks for Anthony Mason — who became a versatile third-tier star with them — and Brad Lohaus. Hey, at least it gave us an interesting Beef History to enjoy.