1988-89 Charlotte Hornets season

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1988-89 Charlotte Hornets
Inaugural Season
NBA Affiliations
Location
1988-89 Information
Owner(s) George Shinn
Coach Dick Harter
Local television WCCB-TV
Local radio WBT-FM

The Charlotte Hornets, along with the Miami Heat, played their first games in 1988.[1]

Contents

[edit] Offseason

[edit] Expansion draft

The team's roster was then filled as a result of an expansion draft in 1988. In a coin flip, the Hornets earned the right to choose either the higher choice in the college draft or the first pick in the expansion draft, picking the former.[2] Most teams use such drafts to pick young players and guarantee a future, but Charlotte chose veterans in order to get a competitive lineup right away.[1]

Pick Player Position Nationality Former Team
2 Dell Curry Guard Flag of the United States United States Cleveland Cavaliers
4 Dave Hoppen Forward Flag of the United States United States Golden State Warriors
6 Tyrone Bogues Point Guard Flag of the United States United States Washington Bullets
8 Mike Browna Point Guard Flag of the United States United States Chicago Bulls
10 Rickey Green Forward Flag of the United States United States Utah Jazz
12 Michael Holton Forward Flag of the United States United States Portland Trail Blazers
14 Michael Brooksb Small Forward Flag of the United States United States Denver Nuggets
16 Bernard Thompsonc Centre Flag of the United States United States Phoenix Suns
18 Ralph Lewis Guard-Forward Flag of the United States United States Detroit Pistons
20 Clinton Wheelerd Forward Flag of the United States United States Indiana Pacers
22 Sedric Toneyb Centre Flag of the United States United States New York Knicks

Also sent were Kurt Rambis of the Los Angeles Lakers and Earl Cureton of the Philadelphia 76ers.[5]

[edit] NBA Draft

Subsequent to the expansion draft, Charlotte was given the eight pick, in the 1988 NBA Draft. They selected Rex Chapman, a shooting guard out of University of Kentucky.[1]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 8 Rex Chapman Shooting Guard Flag of the United States United States Kentucky
2 34 Tom Tolbert Forward/Center Flag of the United States United States Arizona
3 53 Jeff Moore Power Forward Flag of the United States United States Tennessee State

[edit] The first game

In the Hornets first official NBA game, the team lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-93. The highest scorer was Kelly Tripucka, with 16 points and 4 assistances.[6]

[edit] Regular season

The team played its first season in the Atlantic Division.[7]

[edit] Season standings

Atlantic Division
Team W L PCT. GB
New York Knicks 52 30 .634 -
Philadelphia 76ers 46 36 .561 6
Boston Celtics 42 40 .512 10
Washington Bullets 40 42 .488 12
New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 26
Charlotte Hornets 20 62 .244 32

[8]

[edit] References