2023-05-17 17:14:51
The day following the Lottery, all eyes are on San Antonio, the future home city of Victor Wembanyama. Only, no one looks at the franchises that are further down the rankings, starting with the Hornets, second. Charlotte drew the worst number, falling short of taking the jackpot. This situation is not the first time they have experienced it.
Now that we know that Spurs have inherited Victor Wembanyama, let’s take a look at what’s behind it. Like for example the Hornets who will have the n°2 pick of the draft for the fourth time in their history. A high pick that in a normal year would make any GM happy. However, 2023 is not one and Wemby, announced as a generational talent, and future great of this sport passes under their noses. Unfortunately for the Hornets, the curse of the second pick continues on and on. The other three times Charlotte had the 2nd pick, very heavy stuff had gone before to No. 1.
Charlotte has JUST missed out on some generational bigs ???? pic.twitter.com/CEiccMIE78
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 17, 2023
It all started in 1992 when the Magic took over Shaquille O’Neal. A pivot with an extraordinary physique who will have one of the best careers in NBA history. Four times champion, MVP 2000, 15 times All-Star, 8 times in the NBA First-Team, we are not going to redo our entire CV. Instead, Charlotte had to draft Alonzo Mourning, all the same a good consolation prize, future Hall of Famer even if better known for his passages in the Heat.
The tradition continues in 2004 when Dwight Howard also goes to the Magic. Underneath, the North Carolina franchise picks Emeka Okafor. A choice that at first glance is the right one because he will be elected Rookie of the Year, but which over time crumbles little by little before falling into oblivion or becoming a punchline for his repeated injuries and his matches of a mediocre level.
Then, in 2012, it was Anthony Davis who escaped from Charlotte to go… to the Hornets. And this is where we lose the youngest readership. There is no error in the first sentence. Just at this time, the Hornets are located in New Orleans when the Pelicans do not exist and in Charlotte is the Bobcats franchise, known for its laughable history that will have lasted 10 years. Then, in 2014, New Orleans decided to change names from Hornets to Pelicans, which allowed Charlotte to return to their original name, the Hornets, but that was not the point. AD therefore does not end up in Charlotte and instead leaves… Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Yet another very high placed player in his draft, but to whom injuries have not been a gift.
Charlotte is out of luck when it comes to going following generational players like the Shaq, Howard, AD and maybe Wemby. To see who will be chosen in second position by the Hornets and who will be hidden in the shadow of Wembanyama.
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