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July 01, 2009
ESPN cheers Brown, disses Johnson
ESPN, the Magazine just did its annual ranking of all 122 major-league franchises. The Charlotte Bobcats were in the top half -- barely -- at No. 59, while the NHL Carolina Hurricanes were second overall and the NFL Carolina Panthers were 28th.
Not surprisingly, coach Larry Brown was ranked as the Bobcats' greatest strength (28th overall) and ownership (the soon-departing Bob Johnson?) was perceived as the greatest weakness (90th ranked).
ESPN's review did note that the Bobcats' struggles to sell tickets make this a particularly affordable night out among major-league experiences. And there was an interesting bit of trivia: If not for the NFL Houston Texans, the Bobcats would be the only major-league franchise yet to reach the post-season.
Posted by Observer Sports on July 1, 2009 at 02:55 PM | Permalink
Comments
WOW! I feel like "US" as fans have known that since the first jumper classic , when you schedule a horse show at the arena and it takes pres. over your basketball team i think we have OWNER priority prolem?( in which i think his daughter has took the purse all but once) well hopefully we will be JOHNSON FREE, and like the shampoo NO TEARS will be lost bring in someone who respects the city and the fans and most of all THE TEAM.............GO CATS....
Posted by: trudukefan | Jul 1, 2009 3:11:40 PM
Couldn't have said it better myself trudukefan...
Posted by: PantherDave | Jul 1, 2009 4:02:49 PM
I was taken aback by the Hurricanes being No. 2 overall ... but evidently this is a ranking of "how much MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises give back to fans for all the time, money and emotion we invest in them," not necessarily a ranking of the best franchises, or the best-run franchises.
Posted by: Elevatorman | Jul 1, 2009 4:15:51 PM
Nice trivia. I don't think new Cleveland browns
Have played post season football. However I know
They try to count old records. Also the rays thenats/ expos
Columbus blue jackets, clippers have played in 1 post season
Posted by: Cam | Jul 1, 2009 5:57:00 PM
Cam-
Excellent point about the new/old Browns. It's bogus marketing to suggest these guys share anything more than a uniform and name with Jim Brown. But that's the deal that was cut when the Ravens moved.
However, the Clippers not only can, but should, count the Buffalo Braves as their history. That was a franchise moving, not an expansion team adopting the old team's identity.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Jul 1, 2009 6:19:43 PM
the clippers are by far the best run franchise..they compete against the lakers who are in town and they continually are in the upper tier of the west
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jul 1, 2009 7:24:22 PM
im suprised the canes were ranked so high
well congragulations to them, they also won the most fan friendly enviorment
Posted by: parker daughtry | Jul 1, 2009 8:53:59 PM
When he's finally gone, can we finally get a real nickname? I would love a complete and clean break- new owner, new name, and new colors.
Posted by: chg | Jul 1, 2009 11:40:41 PM
The Charlotte MJs have a nice ring....hell maybe MJ will even show up for a few games!
Posted by: I used to sit near Buzz | Jul 2, 2009 12:30:07 AM
How about Ok City...I'm pretty sure they haven't reached the post-season
Posted by: marshall Williams | Jul 2, 2009 2:02:05 AM
Marshall:
OKC is the Sonics. As in former NBA champions.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Jul 2, 2009 6:08:49 AM
I would also support a new name, maybe revised colors (although these are OK if the primary focus is on the blue, not the orange). Oh, how I wish the NBA would have forced George to leave the Hornets name and colors in a vault for a future Charlotte team!
Posted by: Mark | Jul 2, 2009 8:12:21 AM
If the rumors are true, and that is MJ's house being built on Lake Norman, I would assume he will be at even more games.
Also, the new browns DID make the playoffs, back when Butch Davis was the coach.
Posted by: kjk | Jul 2, 2009 8:20:05 AM
B R I N G T H E N H L H E R E!!!!
Posted by: panfan1 | Jul 2, 2009 8:42:34 AM
A complete facelift after Bob Johnson sells the team. PLEASE! Name, uniforms, colors, everything! Anything that he was attached to.
Posted by: Ron Smith | Jul 2, 2009 8:48:32 AM
I agree, let's get a new name. I don't hate the colors if blue is the primary focus. I'm actually glad we got rid of the hornets colors and name. I always hated that stupid cartoon hornet w/ big floppy sneakers
Posted by: Bobby | Jul 2, 2009 9:28:17 AM
The Flight was one of the finalists when they were picking the name. I always thought that was more fitting than the Bobcats. The color scheme could be light and dark blue with red numbers to incorporate the unc,duke, and state's colors (sorry wake, maybe some black in there somewhere).
Posted by: Greg | Jul 2, 2009 9:45:21 AM
I was semi-joking earlier when I mentioned the name "cougars" as a name change after the ownership transition, but it might be a necessary move, cougars or anything else. think about it, people that are not diehard fans of this team have a stand-off feel for the team(i love the team, but general public-ticket-consumers dont) the "new" factor has worn off, the remaining slim crowds are the die hards. ones who would fill the rest of the seats long term are turned off right now by bobcat johnson.. and by association the team as well. leaving his namesake as a legacy to the team would be a mistake. the charlotte community wants something they can embrace, wins help sure, but having any old ties to the guy that turned them off in the name "bob"cats reminds them of bad vibes. example: people tuned out the old hornets because of shinn and crowds suffered even WITH wins. not saying the name hornets should be it, cant be obviously, but a fresh start is VITAL to distancing him from the team longterm.
Posted by: brendan | Jul 2, 2009 9:51:41 AM
I can't believe an alleged adult would get their panties in such a twist over a team's name, logo or colors. Just because you don't like the owner doesn't mean the name is somehow tainted for all eternity after that owner leaves. Christ, people hated George Shinn, but they'd take the name "Hornets" back. Get a grip, people. The players wearing the uniform matter. The name and color of the uniform does not.
Posted by: Elevatorman | Jul 2, 2009 10:08:35 AM
Agree with Brendan 100%. I was talking to someone close to the situation several weeks ago and mentioned the complete facelift idea. The guy said it would cost too much money.
I don't think the powers that be realize how "vital" it is to distance the team and the city as far away from Bob Johnson as possible. A fresh start is needed.
Posted by: Ron Smith | Jul 2, 2009 10:11:27 AM
EM, it's not just that they don't like the name. It's the fact that it's a symbol of Bob Johnson's egotism and hubris that has led to this team's financial ruin.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jul 2, 2009 10:43:22 AM
I understand that, but people need to get over it. What Shinn did was far, far worse than a simple display of hubris, but people are OK with the name "Hornets." Evidently a name that evokes an egomaniacal, perverted white owner is OK, but a name that evokes an uppity black owner is not.
Posted by: Elevatorman | Jul 2, 2009 10:53:46 AM
Rebranding the franchise in this economic climate would be foolish. This franchise has eliminated some of its staff and its summer league team. It needs to get out of the red before it attempts to reinvent itself. I am not thrilled with the name or the colors, but changing the aforementioned entities wouldn't help the franchise that much.
This organization should focus on getting better personnel. If the Cats start winning, the team could be called the Cinnabons and people would still support them.
Posted by: Token | Jul 2, 2009 11:33:08 AM
O.K. let me see if i get this, for all the people who want to change the whole damn team (colors, name, etc., etc.) when the great day comes that B.J. leaves, Does it really matter that much as long as he's gone? Y cant we just be happy we have a team? Most of u might not rem. HOW BAD IT SUCKED WHEN THE HORNETS LEFT b/c 80% of u guys that post are transplants. All i can say is enjoy what we have and dont take it for granted!!! and one more question, for those who want to change the name---Are you those people after a break up that cant deal with reality and throws every thing away that reminds you of the past? Well i say keep the name and colors b/c when we do succedd it will be a hit in the face to B.J. and like my parents always said "what doesnt kill us only makes us stronger" so please find something else to cry about, REALLY IT JUST A NAME........
Posted by: trudukefan | Jul 2, 2009 12:50:53 PM
I agree with a dook fan. What is the world coming to?
Posted by: Elevatorman | Jul 2, 2009 1:05:36 PM
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