As soon as I caught word that Charlotte had started the process of taking the Hornets name back, I sent an email to all of the writers here at Trade Street Post.  I had mixed commentary in return.  Those emails inspired me to write this little article, just to give a spotlight into my path as a fan of the NBA in Charlotte.  Hope you enjoy it.  Bear with me on it because it is a bit lengthy.

Hendo with a big jam to start the second half.

So, I was in attendance for tonight’s game, and I apologize if the recap is not a long one.  I just got home at 11PM to put this thing together.  During the start of the second quarter, I received an email where the first quarter play of the Bobcats made my partner in crime toss his cookies and refuse to write a recap for me.  Just kidding about that second part.  Bruce, hope you get to feeling better.  Being trapped in the arena, the team looked dead in the first quarter.  It really made me not want to write a recap either.  Here I am, though, writing a recap.  Did things get better from the 2^nd quarter on?  Take that leap my friends…read on.

I could bore you guys to death with another game recap, or I could compile some data and present everyone with a few details that may point to the direction we go in during the off season.  What’s that?  You’re curious about the future?  You really wanted to read a recap to see what was different about the latest matchup, but you’re curious as to what information I may or may not know?  Well, keep in mind that this is researched data that I have found online, and merely points that I wanted to bring out for everyone to run with.  This isn’t set in stone, and I don’t have Rich Cho’s direct cell number (I don’t have MJ’s either).  This is just things to think about and watch for as the season comes to a close for us in a little over 2 weeks from now.  Jump with me friends; let me share my data…

Um...yeah...rock on...
Maybe take some notes on rotations and what is working, and rock out less...

The Bobcats’ youth movement put on a display last night that gives fans hope for the future. But that display did not translate into a win for the struggling Cats. They just didn’t have enough to get over the hump, suffering a 100-92 defeat at the hands of Philadelphia 76ers, who are vying for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Is it really happening?  Could it be?  Maybe…just maybe…

I think we are getting 2 guys who can consistently score.  Henderson is sliding into the role of being “that guy” on the team.  The guy who can get buckets when we need them has arrived and this latest stretch of basketball that he has played has been spectacular.  Take the jump to see how things went tonight at the “Cable Box”

All ball?  Nope.  All Arm.  Classy Charlie V!  Now I'm not the only one that saw it.

The Bobcats started the night ice cold, and fell behind 7-0 as the game began.  Perhaps it was nervousness for the chance to have their first 3-game win streak in forever.  Could this streak happen tonight?  Take the jump to find out...

Here we see Mullens hitting one of his 3-pointers for the night.  He was 3 of 4 from downtown.

We’re streaking folks…you heard me correctly…we’re streaking in Charlotte…

No, no Bruce…Not THAT kind of streaking!  We actually won 2 games in a row.  I know, it’s been a while and that kind of mistake can be made, but believe me, the last thing we need is streaky windows and mirrors…use the good stuff when cleaning. (What did you folks think I meant?  Y’all just terrible)

It is true, however, that the Bobcats have won 2 games in a row, making the first streak in existence since November.  It feels really good.  Follow me, if you will, and take a look at how this came about.

The Raptors are now streaking as well...2 losses in a row...just sayin'...Streaks Starting in Charlotte...

Emeka Okafor and the Washington Wizards came rolling in to Time Warner Cable Arena for another Monday night “nobody but the fans really care about” game this evening. At the time of the tip it looked as if the Wizards players and coaches came fairly close to outnumbering the fans seated in the lower level of the Cable Box, harkening back to some of the early games in the Bobcats history when Emeka was actually suited up as our star rookie. Back then we were a lottery bound team with some hope for the future as opposed to now when we’re… well, pretend I didn’t say anything. If for no other reason than matters of pride and morale, the Cats are a team badly in need of something to smile about. In recent weeks there have been articles where players around the league have said that Time Warner is the NBA building with the absolute least semblance of a home court advantage, comments that current coach Mike Dunlap wasn’t even on our list of finalists for the job, and speculation that Michael Jordan is considering coming out of retirement to play once again at age 50. These are some of the darkest days for a franchise that is no stranger to darkness. I’m afraid to ask y’all to take the jump because a few of you may be reading on your tablets while standing on the Cable Box roof so I’ll just say, please read on.

Let’s see… Saint Patrick’s Day Weekend in Boston. Green beer flowing, the Flogging Molly’s playing and the Dropkick Murphies are about to hit the road en route to North Carolina. We just schooled the most storied team in basketball a few days ago. Now we walk into the room with more banners and retired shirts than any team in history. Paul Pierce, the current Hall of Fame candidate and potential jersey retiree won’t be taking the day off this time and he’s gonna be hungry for a huge plate o’ payback. In the NBA this type of game is called a “Test of Character” for a team like the Bobcats. A quick call to a bud of mine in my former Back Bay stomping grounds earned me a laugh and a bet that the Bobcats won’t finish within 20 points of the Celts tonight and offered me 20 to 1 against a Cats victory. I didn’t take him up on it. I love my Cats, but I love electricity and groceries more. He called me a chicken. I offered to shoot an egg out of my butt in case he had any doubts. Did I miss a chance to not only get rich but to also make a chump out of a once successful music man? Well, my lights are still on but I still have a twelve-year-old car in the driveway, so that should tell you. Details are a mere click away.

While Coach Dunlap’s rotation has been marred by inconsistency this season, the Bobcats have consistently lost, regardless of whomever has been out on the court. Both trends continued last night as the Bobcats lost on the road to the Toronto Raptors 92-78. Dunlap’s small lineups against the Raptors worked effectively throughout the first three quarters, but the strategy backfired on both ends of the floor in the fourth, when the Bobcats were outscored 23-10.