Major Bobcats Announcement Coming Soon?

[King Taharqa]

:lol:

I've loyally attended B**Cats games since 2004. As many as possible, this horrible year included. Fact is, I'm a really big fan. I'm actually bringing around 100 or so of my closest friends with me to next Friday's game...ever done anything like that King? We've bought tickets, and we're going to buy concessions, and cheer like mad for our team and our city. We just happen to differ a little with the company line, that's all.

All sold out in section 222, but we're going strong in 223. Come by! We'd love to have ya :)

Keep supporting our Bobcats John. And that doesnt just mean financially. Really BELIEVE and appreciate the culture we're trying to establish in TWC Arena. Bob literally put up millions upon millions to our team and community only to be told "he doesnt care" and "never did nothing for the NBA culture in Charlotte", so Im not really impressed by people who only put up hundreds or thousands on tickets and think that means they should call shots. Next time Im in the 220s, I'll stop by and talk to you more about it.

[Carl Spackler]

Yes, Johnson did so much for the community by firing his whole community relations staff.

/waits for KT excuse

[Kevin Greene]

Ya'll need to consider the BBall forum would be shyte without KT.

He has a passion for the game, always creates great Playoff matchup threads, is knowledgable, and aside from being a bit misguided regarding the Lakers and Kobe does a great job.

[Brandon Delacorte]

I dont think its fair to blame the NBA for the Hornets leaving. The blame lies with Shinn and the Hornets who let their greed ruin them. Holding this city hostage for a new arena then threatening to leave if demands werent met is what led to their demise. Also blame the fans of Charlotte who turned their back on the Hornets. Check the attendance records their final 2 years here and in the playoffs and you'll see a city that showed just how unloyal they can be to their sports teams. They turned their back on "their team" over what the owner did, proving that they didnt really care about it. The Hornets were Shinn's baby, not Charlotte's. At that time, it was good riddance Hornets, good riddance NBA, we got Nascar and the Panthers! Now 10 years later, after the fact, people want to revise history and claim the Hornets belong to us. But the truth is, they dont. They've been in Oklahoma City and New Orleans since, they're just not unique to us anymore. The franchise is used damaged goods.

Franchise was on OKC Because of a Hurricane, remember that, they didn't just move there for some BS Reason.

BTW I'm a New Orleans Hornets fan and I just want to point out that feeling on both sides is pretty mutual that the name Hornets does not fit in New Orleans and if it were up to the fans, We'd give you guys the name at the conclusion of the current season.

But keep in mind, you guys lost the Hornets, we lost this.

Do they even allow Jazz music in SLC?

[King Taharqa]

The fans of Minnesota lost the Lakers, you dont see them crying and trying to strong arm their name back? And the Lakers have more than 20 year old attendance records to brag about. Even though that T'Wolf franchise blows, T'Wolves fans are comfortable and secure in their own skin which is more than you can say for a lot of fans in Charlotte and NC/SC who are sellouts for NO. Those folks OVERVALUE and care too much about what others think about them, hence being so unsettled in their identity. At least you admit to being a New Orleans fan, and dont play and masquerade like you support Charlotte's team.

[Brandon Delacorte]

The fans of Minnesota lost the Lakers, you dont see them crying and trying to strong arm their name back? And the Lakers have more than 20 year old attendance records to brag about. Even though that T'Wolf franchise blows, T'Wolves fans are comfortable and secure in their own skin which is more than you can say for a lot of fans in Charlotte and NC/SC who are sellouts for NO. Those folks OVERVALUE and care too much about what others think about them, hence being so unsettled in their identity. At least you admit to being a New Orleans fan, and dont play and masquerade like you support Charlotte's team.

The Lakers move to LA happened a generation ago (actually a few generations ago) and it happened when interest in basketball wasn't really that high. Hornets move only happened 10 years ago and as somebody said we wanted a team, not the name and history. You guy should've gotten the Cleveland deal. The identity issue is a problem for both cities. Hell our Arena Football team has more connection with the city than the basketball team.

[King Taharqa]

The Lakers move to LA happened a generation ago (actually a few generations ago) and it happened when interest in basketball wasn't really that high. Hornets move only happened 10 years ago and as somebody said we wanted a team, not the name and history. You guy should've gotten the Cleveland deal. The identity issue is a problem for both cities. Hell our Arena Football team has more connection with the city than the basketball team.

Nobody wanted a "Cleveland deal" at the time because nobody cared about the Hornets in Charlotte the early 2000s. The new love affair with the Hornets didnt begin until it was announced who our new owner would be a few years later. It's nothing more than a local reaction to our founder. Until that point, there was no mention or push for the Hornets to remain in Charlotte. Ask John Morgan and the others where they were in 2002 and 2003? Where was their concern then? They had none. And in basketball years, 10 years is a looooooong time. There are many transplants, children, new fans, etc that have arrived in Charlotte since then, that have no ties or memories of the Hornets even playing here. They played in a totally different arena in a different side of town in the middle of nowhere near our airport. They were never a part of the new uptown Charlotte revitalization movement that is currently happening. The Bobcats have and will be remembered as a part of that growth and these times, not the Hornets. They represent the "old charlotte". The "new Charlotte" includes the Bobcats and TWC Arena, the Nascar HOF, the Epicentre, new AA Cultural Center, Levine Museum, etc. The Bobcats and TWC Arena have helped spearhead that growth that "Hornets nostalgists" take for granted and wont appreciate til its gone like their beloved Hornets.

[Crixtala]

if TWC Arena and Nascar HOF are being lumped together, we're already screwed

[panthersphan]

So, is it safe to assume this "major" announcement was the Diaw buyout ?

[Brandon Delacorte]

Nobody wanted a "Cleveland deal" at the time because nobody cared about the Hornets in Charlotte the early 2000s. The new love affair with the Hornets didnt begin until it was announced who our new owner would be a few years later. It's nothing more than a local reaction to our founder. Until that point, there was no mention or push for the Hornets to remain in Charlotte. Ask John Morgan and the others where they were in 2002 and 2003? Where was their concern then? They had none. And in basketball years, 10 years is a looooooong time. There are many transplants, children, new fans, etc that have arrived in Charlotte since then, that have no ties or memories of the Hornets even playing here. They played in a totally different arena in a different side of town in the middle of nowhere near our airport. They were never a part of the new uptown Charlotte revitalization movement that is currently happening. The Bobcats have and will be remembered as a part of that growth and these times, not the Hornets. They represent the "old charlotte". The "new Charlotte" includes the Bobcats and TWC Arena, the Nascar HOF, the Epicentre, new AA Cultural Center, Levine Museum, etc. The Bobcats and TWC Arena have helped spearhead that growth that "Hornets nostalgists" take for granted and wont appreciate til its gone like their beloved Hornets.

Wait a minute.

Are you saying all this Charlotte Hornets nostalgia is just a bunch of people acting brand new?

From what I've read, it seems like you guys had gotten a Robert Irsay situation.

[John Morgan]

Brandon, as difficult as it is, try to ignore King Taharqa. He represents the tiny fraction of the city that believes in the long term viability of the B**Cats brand. And while having that opinion is fine (our differences are what makes life interesting!), KT is incapable of discussing things without insults and personal attacks. He's a real-life internet badass; cross him at your own peril.

And for the record, King, I was out of state in 2002 and 2003, earning the degree that would enable me to return to my hometown with a job and some dough. In the time since, I've used a hefty chunk of that dough to support the B**Cats. I (along with an increasingly overwhelming majority of Charlotte sports fans) just happen to think this little shift might be for the best.

Gotta say, KT: I admire your persistence. It takes real constitution to stand alone against the onslaught of reality.

[Carolina Husker]

There aren't 10 people in this entire world who would care for more than a nanosecond if the Bobcats moniker went away.

[John Morgan]

Also, if anybody's interested, I thought I'd post the logo we've come up with for our little initiative. We'll have a limited run of t-shirts available at the 'Swarm Time Warner' pregame party Friday (3/30) at 5:30 at Fitzgerald's (as well as a free keg!). Swing by if you're headed to the game; we'd love to have ya!!!

[4Corners]

Nothing Bob did here compares to going on trial for rape and forcibly moving a sports franchise from our city. And yet folks like yourself still romanticize and hold allegiance to that man's business. Bob used to get all the blame for the arena, he deserves all the credit for its prosperity. He did far more good here than bad, but its that same "hillbilly" spirit as you call it that denies him that. Its OK though, Charlotte is known for that. Thats nothing new, and the people who matter know the real and support our founder and his vision.

I don't think Bob Johnson is a "bad person", but his business decisions here were questionable to say the least. He got off on the wrong foot here from the start. Charging CMS a fee to have graduation ceremonies in a public arena that was paid for by the county tax payers was one of the dumbest PR moves ever made. Charlotte is jaded as it regarding the NBA and he should of known better. Johnson did bring a pro franchise to Charlotte, and I'll give him credit for that, but I'd bet the NBA feels foolish for not making the correct decision to award it to Larry Bird and his backers.

Shinn, on the other hand, is an asshole and shitty businessperson. Right before the NBA took over the Hornets, he went on record saying that it was a mistake to move the team.

And your last sentence gave me a good chuckle, so I appreciate that. When you find out what the "vision" was be sure to let everyone know. The Jordan buzz from acquiring the team has quickly faded and it's hard to envision the bobcats getting better anytime soon.

I personally despise the bobcats and hopefully they will get screwed in the lottery and miss out on Anthony Davis.