Jordan Article

[Mustachio]

Didn't see it posted yet. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5716151

- First time I've seen it written, but seems Jordan is open to a name change.

- kind of guarantees another playoff appearance

- again reinforces my opinion that with Jordan as owner and with his drive, good things are bound to happen. Just not this year.

[Pepperz]

I was very hesitant at first when Jordan bought the team because of his past success or lack there of but in such a short time, he has changed my opinion about him. Now that he is in charge, he is willing to put the effort in and go the extra mile. As for the name change, I dont think I would want a name change. The bobcats grew on me each passing year and now I kind of like it now.

[BlockParty]

Didn't see it posted yet. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5716151

- First time I've seen it written, but seems Jordan is open to a name change.

- kind of guarantees another playoff appearance

- again reinforces my opinion that with Jordan as owner and with his drive, good things are bound to happen. Just not this year.

MJ touched on all 3 of these topics tonight in a town meeting w/ season ticket holders prior to tonight's game. He conceded they'd still listen to name change ideas, but also said the Bobcats name has gained some name recognition with last season's playoff run. He said they were doing a market study to see if changing it would make a difference (I can't imagine going 2 years with lame duck merchandise sales ever making sense to a guy that want to run a profitable business), though, to his credit he said it wouldn't be a financial decision. What seemed more likely is a change in color scheme (ironic since he was wearing a bright orange sweater vest).

He said their minimum expectation was to return to the playoffs. He feels the Bobcats are a better team than last year, Jack is already on team, TT is already on team (going through training camp versus showing up in a trade), GW is improved, DJ, UPS, Hendo all improved. He said GW spent a lot of time in the weight room this summer and became more of a leader telling the other players to come to camp in better shape than ever.

He said his goal is to be a consistent playoff team (not a guaranteed every year playoff team, that's nearly impossible to guarantee, he pauses...then says..Unless you are the 97' Bulls)

All in all, MJ was very candid, had a couple fans give him gifts/pictures, was engaging with the crowd..saying we made the playoffs, but yeah we got swept, but we did get to say the first part. He said he'd be at most games this year.

Walking by the team store, which is suppose to open Monday, they've expanded the interior size.

[Mustachio]

good info BlockParty. thanks.

[ND22]

Great info BlockParty, that's good to hear from the big man's mouth.

I don't want a name change though. I used to, I always thought the Charlotte "Flight" would be a sick name, but I've come to love the Bobcats, and with the team now becoming recognizable, I think changing the name wouldn't be a good idea.

[millst2]

I think the bobcats will stay the name but i think he will change the name from Charlotte Bobcats to Carolina Bobcats. Seen a write up a while back, have to see if i can find it but it had mentioned that
the location that charlotte was located was one of the factors research did when naming the panthers and hurricanes. Something about it would appeal to both N and S Carolina fans and made fans
feel as if they were a part of the audience. Unlike where charlotte bobcats makes it more of a localized fan base.

And if thats all they changed I would be fine with it, merchandise would not have to change much since a lot of it has Bobcats. But either way. I dont dislike the "Flight" but it sounds a little to cliche being the team is owned by Air Jordan. Although some make the case we were " first in flight".

[teej]

millst2, When the city built the new arena, part of the contract stated that the team would be required to be named Charlotte as long as they used the city's arena.

[millst2]

Forgot about that, well it says that in may of 2003 " The Bobcats, Dragons and Flight are chosen out of approximately 1,250 suggestions" Hopefully the Dragons aint it..lol

[spectre]

The 70-year-old Brown will be charged with getting that done. The Hall of Famer, in his 13th head coaching job in the pros and college, nearly walked away in the offseason. He's under contract through the 2011-12 season, and Jordan doesn't think this will be his final season in Charlotte.

"I think he's got way too much coaching in him," Jordan said. "He's still got one more year on his contract. And although we haven't talked about any extension or anything of that nature, but you just see he has too much passion for coaching."
Thought that was interesting.

Thanks Must & BP...good stuff.

[BlockParty]

Here is a summarized version of each question of MJ..and a link to the video.

http://www.bobcatsbreak.com/?p=2851

Plowman's twitter question was #14