Fansided

30 players who define each NBA franchise

By Adam McGee

Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 31
Next

player. 170. . PG. Charlotte Hornets 1988-98. Muggsy Bogues. #1

Honorable Mentions: Dell Curry, Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson

Oct 18, 2013; Shanghai, Shanghai Province, China; Golden State Warriors retired player Tyrone Bogues attends the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Danny La-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2013; Shanghai, Shanghai Province, China; Golden State Warriors retired player Tyrone Bogues attends the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Danny La-USA TODAY Sports /

Muggsy Bogues had no right to be an NBA player. It’s fair to believe that talent can trump all, but sometimes it comes to a point where realism generally has to set in. Logic would have suggested that in a league of giants, the 5’3″ Bogues wouldn’t stand a chance. Muggsy proved that wrong though.

In spite of his short stature, Bogues built a remarkable 14-year career for himself out of being one of the peskiest, high-energy players to have ever stepped foot on the NBA hardwood. Just because he was smaller didn’t mean Bogues was going to give players any space to play.

He carried the mentality of a scrappy underdog with him every single time he stepped on the floor, and that’s what made him a perfect fit for the scrappy Charlotte Hornets. Bogues was with the Hornets from the inception of the franchise, and over the space of 10 seasons he helped mold them in his own image.

I always tell people, I think my mom had me when I was 5 feet, 3 inches — I don’t remember ever growing. – Muggsy Bogues

Bogues has the most assists in Charlotte history and is the only Hornet ever to amass over 1,000 steals. He also ranks fifth in total points and, most incredibly of all, the miniscule Bogues even cracks the top 10 in rebounding with over 1,800 boards. That’s the type of heart that every franchise dreams of.

Next: Chicago Bulls

Home/Atlanta Hawks