It's That Time Again... Signs Pointing to Steph Curry a Hornet? 2016 Edition Version 1

[Proudiddy]

So, we have brought this up before obviously, and then again, and then again, and we just cant seem to avoid the discussion around here (sorry Montsta lol).  And quite honestly, i have grown tired of it being discussed here so often.  BUT, this time around, is different IMO...  

I meant to make this thread a few weeks back when we played the Dubs at home on Dell Curry night, as i noticed several things I felt were noteworthy and more than interesting fuel to the 'Steph is coming back home' fire.  To be clear, i felt in the past, most of the discussion was purely driven by fantastical speculation from a far too long star-deprived, but loyal fanbase...  but some things I have put together over the last few months seem to lend some creedence to the speculation. 

So, everyone already knows it's his hometown, his hometeam, the team he grew up rooting for, etc.  He still obviously has strong ties to the area.  I thought he all but shot down the idea of him coming home when he stated over the offseason that he was not leaving GS and he has made a life with his family in the Bay Area, etc.

Now, beloved huddler CK had the meet and greet discussion with Dell over the summer in which Dell seemed to entertain the idea of Steph returning home.  Now, that couod have just been friendly smalltalk with a fan, but then again, it could be more...  Combined with the other circumstances I'll mention, it seems to be the latter.  Dell certainly didnt shoot down the idea when CK joked with him about it.  More noteworthy in this connect-the-dots edition of Curry speculation, is Dell had his role within the organization expanded over the offseason and was named to an official role within the front office in addition to being the play by play guy for broadcasts.

Coincidentally, we setup the aforementioned "Dell Curry Night" on the night in which Steph came to Charlotte (and, as expected, destroyed).  As an organization and fanbase, sure I see the sentimental value in choosing to honor Dell on the night in which his now revered son would be coming to town to share in the experience.  No doubt, Dell deserved his own night and should be forever cemented in the legendary stratosphere of Charlotte's basketball history and legacy.  But, i dont know, it just seemed like there was more to it...  i'm not saying Steph is in on the plan, but at the very least, it seems like we are making an attempt to recruit and "wow" him (without tampering) in anticipation of being able to make him an offer this coming offseason.  And i have no doubt, he has to notice it and at least give it some thought.

Again, we couldve honored Dell any other night, but chose to basically include Steph in the festivities.  Coincidental?  Nope.  Because on that night, on the broadcast, something happened that i had never saw before and have yet to see again on behalf of our Hornets broadcast team.  For the first and only time in my history of watching our hometeam broadcasts, a player on the opposing team was named player of the game...  the player?  Lol...  Obviously, Steph.  As small of a gesture as it may have been, it was still notable.  I find it even more interiguing because so often, when Steph is mentioned during broadcasts that dont involve the Warriors, Dell seems to try to distance himself from it.  He also rarely initiates or engages in incessant Steph/Golden State discussion, distancing himself so much from it that he clearly draws that line between acknowledging his amazing progeny and remaining a loyal Hornet professional.  He does not like to draw attention away from the Hornets towards the obvious connection to his league-MVP-winning son.

I found the whole Dell Curry Night to be very telling as far as our franchise goes.  It was as much a night to honor Dell as it was to recognize Steph and emphasize his connection to Charlotte, the Hornets, and the love the fans have for him as the great hometown hope.

Regardless of the impact that night may or may not have had on Steph, what gives the the speculation weight, IMO, is the fact that he has not signed an extension yet.  As long as he remains without one, the speculation will remain AND grow, because it leaves open the possibility.

Then tonight, during the pregame, Dell was on live when Steph came over and interjected himself into the broadcast trio by sneaking up on Dell, grabbing him and yelling, "It's Dell Curry!"  Now, you could chalk that up to just a son playing around with his dad, but again, in context, it seems like more.  Steph knows how Charlotte fans feel about him, and he's very comfortable in embracing our embrace, lol.  He is comfortable with our fanbase, our team, our franchise, and again, his dad is an official executive within the franchise.

Not to mention, with Lebron's move back to Cleveland and all of the discussion of KD returning home to DC, it seems to be very much welcomed and appreciated by the majority of basketball fans for superstars to go back home in their prime and bring honor to their hometeam.  People love the sentiment, and in the current atmosphere in processional basketball, they can't get enough of it...  perhaps it was an unattended consequence of the Big Three megazord assembly in Miami, but nevertheless, it is palpable.

So, there you have it...  this has been the official 2016 version 1 edition of Steph to Charlotte.

 

 

[pantherphan96]

Really can't compare LeBron back to Cleveland with Curry's situation. Lebron came back to his hometown team after he was originally selected by the Cavs in the draft and had history with the team. He also returned after winning multiple NBA Championships, and left to rejoin a superstar in Kyrie, with the thought that Love would also join to form a new Big 3, as Wade was getting older and the Heat lacked depth behind their starting 5. As long as the Warriors are winning games, I don't see any way Curry comes back to the Hornets, and this is coming from a Celtics fan.

[JccOldTime23]

Lol. No he's not. Stephen Curry has just won an NBA Championship and was named the MVP of the league. Why would you leave all that and come play for what is basically the worst franchise in the entire history of the NBA? I could maybe see it if he thought he had a chance to win here but let's be honest about that. The Buzz Cats very best seasons have each seen them swept out of the 1st round of the playoffs. I see no chance.

[JJman Returns]

He'll play here eventually it's just a question of if it'll be after his current contract or his next contract. 

[TheRed]

Puff puff pass.

[DJInf24]

On 1/6/2016 at 9:58 AM, JJman Returns said:

He'll play here eventually it's just a question of if it'll be after his current contract or his next contract. 

I wouldn't rule anything out.  He genuinely loves Charlotte.  Lebron made the finals with Miami every year, but still went back home.  Do I think he will come home(steph)?  I'd go more with no than yes, but winning a title in a city he loves, a place his family and dad absolutely loves, and a team dying for a star like him....you never know.  He already has his ring.  We shall see.