The Charlotte Bobcats have had a mixed history with hoops fans in Queen City. In nine years, the franchise is 222 games under .500, has endured a depressing history of draft picks and one of the worst seasons in NBA history. What Charlotte and Michael Jordan need are a fresh start and nostalgia to better days.
For 14 years from 1998 to 2002, the Charlotte Hornets delivered thrills and actual postseason wins. The Bobcats can’t bring back a young Larry Johnson or Alonzo Mourning, but according to Yahoo Sports, since the New Orleans Hornets are becoming the New Orleans Pelicans next season, the Bobcats may be interested in scrubbing out the last decade of Bobcats existence and reviving the Hornets nickname.
the Charlotte Bobcats are in the process of claiming the name that resided in the city with the Charlotte Hornets from 1988-2002.
The name traveled to New Orleans when the franchise relocated, but recently became available when the Crescent City's NBA team ditched the Hornets moniker for the more apropos Pelicans.
Fans sold out the 24,000-plus seat Charlotte Coliseum for 364 consecutive games as the team with the iconic teal-and-purple color scheme won games with Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues.
But then it fell apart. Johnson hurt his back, Mourning took his talents to South Beach and the city grew frustrated with owner George Shinn, who became involved in a sexual assault trial involving a Hornets cheerleader and later made demands on the city to build a new arena.
The Hornets left town in 2002 and were replaced with the Bobcats two years later. The magic has not come back.
Basketball fans in Charlotte have clamored for the return of the Hornets since New Orleans started to discuss a name change. Majority owner Michael Jordan has been studying the business side of bringing the Hornets name back to the city; if the wheels truly are in motion to do so, there will certainly be a … ahem … buzz around the return of a beloved friend.
