OT: Bobcats Taking Back "Hornets" Name

[NOVoodoo]

The Charlotte Bobcats have begun the process of changing the team name to the Hornets, according to CBS Sports. The Charlotte Hornets played in North Carolina as an expansion team from 1988 until 2002 when owner George Shinn moved the franchise to New Orleans. With the New Orleans franchise rebranding to the Pelicans next season, the door is open for Charlotte to reclaim the team name. That's exactly what is happening.

The Bobcats took their name from Robert Johnson, the man who brought them into existence in 2004 as the owner of the expansion franchise. Johnson sold his shares to minority owner Michael Jordan in February of 2010, making Jordan the first former player to own an NBA team.

The rebranding is a welcome change for the Bobcats, who finished with the worst record in the NBA in 2011-2012 and the second-worst record in 2012-2013. As the Hornets, Charlotte reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals four times between 1993-2002.

NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver said a potential name change would take at least 18 months to implement.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/5/17/4342404/charlotte-hornets-bobcats-nba-name-change

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Nice.

 

[jlprk]

I feel sorry for the next generation. Today's babies will be tongue-tied when they think of NBA history. This will make the economy less efficient.

 

[Run BJM]

I feel sorry for the next generation. Today's babies will be tongue-tied when they think of NBA history. This will make the economy less efficient.

We'll all look back and remember the Bobcats in the same light as those composite basketballs.

I like this. Hornets are a good NBA franchise theme, and they're back where they started. Pelicans is just as goofy as the Bobcats though...

 

[KingSpeed]

This will confuse people for years.

 

[jlprk]

Expansion teams are forced by Stern to take silly animal names because he has padded versions in his bedroom.

 

[KingSpeed]

Expansion teams are forced by Stern to take silly animal names because he has padded versions in his bedroom.

Except for the Heat and Magic

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Hmmm.... The Seattle Hornets...

I like it.

 

[jlprk]

Except for the Heat and Magic

Heh heh. You play so innocent. Heat. Magic. Bedroom.

 

[jlprk]

I just opened Wikipedia, and on the front page, today's featured article is....Juwan Howard!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

 

[Sinobas]

Charlotte Hornets --->New Orleans Hornets ---->New Orleans Pelicans
Charlotte Bobcats--->Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Pelicans, New Orleans Bobcats, New Orleans Charlottes......

 

[magnifier661]

Even today I kept referring to the bobcats as hornets. Glad it's coming back!

 

[maxiep]

I hope they take the teal back as well. I think it's a great idea to reclaim the name. In fact, I'm a supporter of leaving the name and history with the city. The Cleveland Browns I think were the first instance where they did so.

What would have been best is if the Jazz would have left their name in NO and given themselves a new identity. Then the Hornets could have become the Jazz and we wouldn't have to go through all this rigmarole.