Alonzo Mourning believes his talents on the basketball court - mainly blocking shots and rebounding - will help the Charlotte Hornets become a playoff contender.
"The time is here for improvement," the 6-foot-10, 240-pound Georgetown center said Tuesday after spending two days with Hornets management. "I think anybody can see we have the potential to be a very established ball club. You can see a lot of good things on this team."Barring unforeseen events, the Hornets will select Mourning as the No. 2 overall pick in the June 24 NBA draft. Orlando is expected to take 7-1 Shaquille O'Neal of Louisiana State first.
Mourning is so confident he'll be wearing a Charlotte uniform next year that he doesn't plan to meet with any other NBA clubs. Likewise, the Hornets don't plan to invite in any other first-round candidates.
"A lot of guys would like to be in my position," he said. "You can concentrate on other things instead of who's going to pick you."
The Hornets are sold on Mourning.
"He fits into our system even better than O'Neal," said Hornets owner George Shinn. "The only way we don't pick him is if something crazy were to happen we don't know about or Orlando picks him."
Mourning averaged 21 points, 10.7 rebounds and five blocked shots a game as a senior. In his career, he scored 2,001 points and grabbed 1,032 rebounds.
After extensive interviews with Mourning since his arrival Monday, Shinn sees him playing for many years in Charlotte.
"We're going to take the best player we can with the No. 2 pick, and it will be Alonzo Mourning," he said.
The Hornets were criticized last season for not using the No. 1 pick to take Mourning's former teammate, Dikembe Mutombo. Instead, they took UNLV power forward Larry Johnson.
The 6-51/2 Johnson went on to be named the NBA's rookie of the year.
For the Hornets, it was their second strong draft. Two years ago they used the No. 5 pick to take Illinois guard Kendall Gill, who emerged last season as a bona fide NBA star.
With the addition of Mourning, the Hornets should have the nucleus of a playoff contender.
"His strengths cover a lot of our weaknesses," said Dave Twardzik, the Hornets director of player personnel. "He went through the interview process so well, it was really easy."
Hornets coach Allan Bristow said Mourning will immediately improve the team's defense.
"He gives us presence," he said.