Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. 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 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. 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 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Alonzo Mourning, Charlotte Hornets
Alonzo Mourning, Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best Charlotte Hornets Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: Alonzo Mourning

The Charlotte Hornets only came into existence before the 1988-89 campaign. The struggles they faced over the first four years were to be expected during the early stages of an expansion franchise, but it was the selection of Alonzo Mourning No. 2 overall in 1992 that helped establish a few winning seasons.

Defense may win championships, but it’s those with abilities at the other end who rake in big dollars in the NBA. It’s for this reason so many players focus solely on getting buckets, but Mourning was different. As the franchise leader, he was a 20 point per game scorer, but he combined his scoring ability with a ferocious defensive intensity.

He averaged over 10 boards and three blocks per game during his first two seasons in the league. Along with scoring over 20 points a night, it’s a feat accomplished only 31 times in league history by some of the games greatest centers, a list that includes Mourning in non-accidental fashion.

Zo’s rookie season had him take the Hornets to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Against the Boston Celtics, he knocked down a series-clinching step-back jumper in Game 5 to extend Charlotte’s inaugural postseason run with a spot in the second round. The magic would stop there, but it was a huge step in the right direction for this relatively new team.

Two years later, another stellar season from Mourning would help the Hornets to their first-ever 50-win season. Unfortunately, an opening-round battle with the Chicago Bulls snuffed out just about any chance they had of advancing once again.

Mourning would be traded to the Miami Heat that summer, ending such a prosperous era before it got off the ground. Hornets fans may have been upset to see him go, but they will always hold a special place for the guy who brought the franchise out of the gutters.