Charlotte Hornets and the Arena

[Guest]

2 hours ago, HopHead said:

Well, to be fair, this town isn't used to all this winning.. We are still in a state of shock! Lol. Batum is playing well above anyone's expectations. He had a triple double last night too. He will get paid next year, just hope it's in Charlotte.

He will stay in charlotte, his rapport with Coach Cliff is so strong.

[go_vertical]

I think Charlotte has been a solid sports town for a hot minute now. Certainly people outside looking in don't see it and it's taking residents a little time to realize it. The problem is that most of us have had an extreme love-hate relationship with our teams. How many times have we been let down by the Panthers (pre Cam years)? Who remembers the Bobcats? And for many people the Knights are a "new" Charlotte team. Before the move pretty much nobody living in the city ever talked about them.

In my opinion the make up of our teams will help this city become even more important in the world of sports. Think about it, there are entertainment options at every price point. Panthers are expensive as hell, Hornets are moderately priced until we start making the playoffs more often, and then there is the Hounds, Knights, Independence, 49ers, Checkers, and others I'm sure I'm forgetting. That's a pretty good roll call and there is something at every price level for everyone. The access to sports is alive and well in this town and it's only a matter of time before everyone figures that out.

[AuLukey]

Bring back the Sting!

[HopHead]

Heard a really cool story about the Hornets from Saturday night on the radio yesterday. WFNZ had one of the guys who works at the arena tell this on air. Apparently there was a kid sitting outside where the players park their cars after the game was over (a tough loss to the Celtics). He was sitting there with nothing more than a notepad. The Hornets players spotted him as they were leaving the arena. Each one of them rolled down their windows, said hi to him and autographed his notepad. They could have easily acted as if they didn't see him and drove off after a game like that. But they didn't. I think that speaks volumes for the character of this team. Very similar to the Panthers. Unselfish guys that play well together both on and off the field. I'm sure some people may see this as a whatever story, but stuff like this gets lost a lot in today's highlight reel, me first society that professional sports is perceived to be in. 

[cltbwimob]

13 hours ago, HopHead said:

Heard a really cool story about the Hornets from Saturday night on the radio yesterday. WFNZ had one of the guys who works at the arena tell this on air. Apparently there was a kid sitting outside where the players park their cars after the game was over (a tough loss to the Celtics). He was sitting there with nothing more than a notepad. The Hornets players spotted him as they were leaving the arena. Each one of them rolled down their windows, said hi to him and autographed his notepad. They could have easily acted as if they didn't see him and drove off after a game like that. But they didn't. I think that speaks volumes for the character of this team. Very similar to the Panthers. Unselfish guys that play well together both on and off the field. I'm sure some people may see this as a whatever story, but stuff like this gets lost a lot in today's highlight reel, me first society that professional sports is perceived to be in. 

Have to agree.  The Hornets and Panthers mean a great deal to the city and the community.  They do so much good beyond what can be quantified in dollars and beyond what gets played in a highlight reel.  

I say put a mural of Cam, Luke, Thomas Davis, Tolbert, Olsen and Stewart on one end of Tryon and place a mural of Kemba, Batum, J. Lin, Cody, and MKG on the other end.

Edited December 16, 2015 by cltbwimob

[kermit]

File under Long-term:

Raleigh has begun a new long-term planning process for their downtown. The initial vision includes a (slightly south of) downtown arena. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article51803860.html?utm_content=buffer4d366&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Despite the probable loss of the Hurricanes before this happens, a downtown arena would be a game changer for urbanism in Raleigh. They miss tons of events due to the location of PNC arena (e.g. CIAA tournament  and my attendance at Canes games due to crappy arena location). While I don't expect a new Raleigh arena would be directly competitive for many big events due to hotel room supply, I would think a new arena there will create greater pressure for improvements to the Cable Box (or a new downtown arena for us too) when the time comes.

Edited December 28, 2015 by kermit

[HopHead]

^The City is already getting ready to start some arena improvements over the next few years. They are removing some of Royal Box seats and replace them with normal arena seating to increase capacity, updating video screens and scoreboards, update existing suites, restrooms, lighting, etc. They recently redid the locker rooms which look pretty awesome now. TWCA is still one of the better arenas in NBA. I haven't personally been to every facility, but it's well regarded across the league, and it's one of the main reasons Charlotte is hosting the 2017 All-Star game. 

I'm sure if Raleigh could do it over again, they would have built a downtown facility. Though, I believe they are in the process of approving an overhaul of their arena as well so not sure it's going anywhere (or replaced) anytime soon. Even though the arena location is less than optimal, I think like anything, if they had a better team the Canes would draw better than they do.. I know it's been a while since they were last in the playoffs. 

[cltbwimob]

Hornets have won two in a row to improve to 17-13 after losing five of their last six. 

*Side Note: I am glad Kobe received a big "L" for his last game in Charlotte.

[cityboi]

http://www.greensboro.com/sports/pro_sports/update-nba-d-league-team-gets-its-name-greensboro-swarm/article_ce119073-5e00-554c-a68b-b8730b9c127e.html?mode=jqm

Charlotte Hornets new NBA  D-league team has a name......the Greensboro Swarm.

[grodney]

Two things:

Kemba had 52 points yesterday (and I was there!) --- a franchise record for points in a game.

MKG has been cleared for full contact drills in practice!!!  http://www.nba.com/2016/news/01/19/hornets-kidd-gilchrist-cleared-for-full-contact-practice/

 

 

[cltbwimob]

The Hornets beat the Cavs tonight 106-97...what?  Was LeBron sitting it out?

[Dcarnys]

3 hours ago, cltbwimob said:

The Hornets beat the Cavs tonight 106-97...what?  Was LeBron sitting it out?

Nope! The strange thing, Kemba was.

[CLTProductions]

6 hours ago, cltbwimob said:

The Hornets beat the Cavs tonight 106-97...what?  Was LeBron sitting it out?

Ugh don't remind me. They just played like garbage and the Hornets turned the momentum in the second half. 

[captainjack]

The logo for next year's All-Star Game was unveiled:

[Higgs Boson]

Hornets are getting a massive new scoreboard, one of the biggest in the NBA.  This thing looks amazing.

 

[dylansukkert]

9 hours ago, Higgs Boson said:

Hornets are getting a massive new scoreboard, one of the biggest in the NBA.  This thing looks amazing.

 

Any word on additional renovations and possibly adding seats?

[AuLukey]

Hubba hubba, I LOVE that new scoreboard!    That hive underneath looks amazing.  Guess they got tired of the ol' Skyline look.

 

That loss at the Cavs didn't look pretty, but the Hornets have really turned it around as of late.  They had won 5 straight and 7 of their last 8 games.  So, barring they don't fall apart, they will at least make the playoffs.  And while I'm not saying they'll go all the way, it'd be nice to at least win a playoff game for the first time since we lost the original Hornets.  Even with their loss to the Cavs, the Hornets are only 3 games out of 3rd place in the East.  You never know...

 

#KeepStinging?

[tozmervo]

9 hours ago, dylansukkert said:

Any word on additional renovations and possibly adding seats?

The city put up $33 million last year for some renovations to lighting, bathrooms, locker rooms, etc. The score board is being called a part of renovations "phase 2," but I haven't heard of any other significant work being done.

[ah59396]

In case you haven't noticed, and judging by the attendance you haven't, the Indians (er, Hornets) have managed to win a few here and there, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar.

 

All jokes aside, the Hornets quietly are far from the cellar and 1.5 games out of 4th!  Kemba is straight ballin' right now and had 35 pts and zero turnovers last night.

preseason I was less than pleased with this team, I recant that position.  I really like what the front office has done and I'm really enjoying the "hard hat/blue collar" approach this team has taken.

 Go Hornets.

[CLTProductions]

4 minutes ago, ah59396 said:

In case you haven't noticed, and judging by the attendance you haven't, the Indians (er, Hornets) have managed to win a few here and there, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar.

 

All jokes aside, the Hornets quietly are far from the cellar and 1.5 games out of 4th!  Kemba is straight ballin' right now and had 35 pts and zero turnovers last night.

preseason I was less than pleased with this team, I recant that position.  I really like what the front office has done and I'm really enjoying the "hard hat/blue collar" approach this team has taken.

 Go Hornets.

They are playing great ball. Attendance isn't horrible though. Right now they are 18th and a few hundred per game away from being 15th. Not bad at all.

[HopHead]

I would actually argue that Hornets attendance has been pretty good this season. Even during some of the very uneven play in January. They average 17,346 per game which is slightly over 90% capacity. They've had 10 sellouts so far this year and will be sure to have at least a few more down the stretch run leading into the playoffs. They had 11 sellouts all of last year during that disappointing season. This is a fun team to watch (though last night they made things interesting). Ball movement is great and they finally have a solid 3 point shooting team. Kemba is playing lights out. Get out and see them. 

Edited March 10, 2016 by HopHead

[ah59396]

It was a Major League quote.  That's why I kept the Indians part in there.  I have no idea what the attendance is, just wanted to comment on the Hornets doing well.

[HopHead]

^I should have caught the Major League reference... one of my all-time favorite movies. 

[cltbwimob]

Who is this new NBA team, and what have they done with the Charlotte Hornets?  They just won their seventh in a row, and are now 9 games above .500.

[AuLukey]

^^AND 1.5 games out of 3rd!!!

17 games left.  Not the worst schedule, but plenty of tough games to go.  @Miami, vs San Antonio, @Detroit, @Cleveland, @Toronto, @Boston.  Those are the six games that will determine whether we have home court to start the playoffs.  Even though no game is a given, (the Lakers handily beat the Warriors!) ending the season 11-6 won't get them the 3rd or 4th seed.