Bob Licht: In the Lane

HORNETS – ALWAYS STRONG AT THE POINT

When the Hornets drafted Chris Paul fourth overall in the 2005 draft they knew they had a special point guard heading their way. After all, if there’s any position the Hornets should have a P.H.D. in it’s at the point.

The evidence is as close as the media guide.

Muggsy Bogues.
Kenny Anderson.
David Wesley.
Baron Davis.

The position most basketball aficionados say is the most important in the game has been very well manned throughout the Hornets 20-year history. CP3’s franchise record-setting performance in Los Angeles helps to remind us of just how much talent the club has had since its inception in 1988.

Acquiring Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues through the NBA’s expansion draft (3rd round from Washington) set the tone at the position for the franchise. Despite standing just 5-foot-3 (smallest player in NBA history) Bogues was a whirling dervish on the floor. As a coach once told me, Muggsy might have been the only untrappable player in league history. He finished with 5,557 career assists and was a part of the only back-to-back 50-win Hornets teams ever.

Kenny Anderson only played 61 games with the team before departing via free agency, but averaged 6.6 assists per game proving that he was still an effective point man five seasons after being a high lottery pick by New Jersey.

David Wesley never tried to convince Dave Cowens or Paul Silas that he was a pure point guard; he openly admitted to being a short two-guard masquerading as the point man. But he handled the position professionally for 7 ½ seasons delivering over 2,400 assists, averaging at least 13 ppg every season, and guiding the team into the playoffs in six of those campaigns.

Baron Davis’ cantankerous attitude late in his Hornets stint overshadowed the sometimes-spectacular beginning he had with the club. The team’s 3rd overall pick in 1999 became an all-star, played all 82-games during his first three seasons, and appeared to be primed to join elite NBA point guard company with the Hornets before injury and attitude issues derailed his career in teal. Still, his combination of speed, power, passing, and scoring skills were surpassed by no other Hornet point guard until the 2005 draft.

Chris Paul isn’t as big or as strong as BD, but is primed to become the best at the position in franchise history. His 21 assist effort against the Lakers on November 6th gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come for the 22-year-old star. He set a franchise record for assists in a game. In a marvelous twist of irony he broke the record previously held by Bogues, who like Paul is a Wake Forest University product. Paul and Bogues also happen to be best friends. No doubt their conversations consistently turn to playing the point, orchestrating the game, and setting up teammates to look good on a regular basis. Heading into the third week of the NBA season CP3 leads the league in assists (11.1/game).

If Paul’s third NBA season is the charm as many of us believe then a three season Hornets playoff drought may very well come to an end.

And carrying his team to the playoffs is just about the only thing Chris Paul has failed to do since joining the Hornets in 2005.