Most Embarassing Night to be a Bobcats Fan is Tonight...

[CatNation]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dFNra2IsViY

Yeah they seemed pretty devastated we need to go back to hornets asap to take our arena back. If we can just win these people back over we will be the best fanbase in the league again

[JGib23]

I missed the part in the video where the arena was packed full of Lakers fans chanting MVP.

If you are trying to compare Hornets support in Charlotte to Bobcats support in Charlotte, you really should just give up. Even the most passionate Bobcats fans that were here for the Hornets will tell you, that there is no comparison between the level of support. It's not even close.

This argument is no longer worth having. Obviously, the Bobcats themselves believe there is merit to the consider changing he name to Hornets.

I won't continue this debate.. Ill just continue supporting our current team from my seat inside the arena and patiently wait for the announcement.

[StakJak]

Back to Charlotte-fan bashing:

Charlotte's population is exploding, and first impressions are everything. If you're moving into Charlotte in the last 3 years, you would have these notions in the back of your mind: the Bobcats (deserved or not) have become the punchline of basketball futility jokes and MJ is now celebrated as the ultimate boob of owners in all of sports (with the help of his biggest rivals now working in the media). Now combine the already present reputation with the a typical highschool mascot (Bobcat), our historic 2011-12 season, and the explosion of internet memes which has fueled the fodder for even further ridicule; a new Charlottean cannot help but shrug the Cats to the side.

That being said, the brand (Bobcats) is tarnished: it has negative connotations that would take years to reverse. With the longstanding ridicule that automatically comes to mind with the words "Charlotte Bobcats" combined with this longstanding bottom dwelling in the NBA standings...there is something called an inferiority complex that can be sealed into the players heads and facilitate a sense of doubt that is irreversable. Sure, the Clippers are a great model for a laughing-stock turned competitiors: but seriously...go into the mind of a casual NBA fan and imagine the first things that come to mind with the words "Bobcats"...simply frightening.

Now on to the juicy stuff.

Charlotte's most active sport followers who attend games, as far as I'm concerned, are Southern Charlotteans: white collar, conservative, old-money, and the epitiemy of "wine cooler fans" by every definition. Great sports towns have one or more of these things going for them 1) Lower-income, blue collar workforce 2) A "nap-town" (ie Indianapolis or OKC) where there is not much to do but watch sports 3) A glamor market 4) A true sports town which has had NBA, NFL, and/or MLB franchises present in there respective luaegue's infancy.

Charlotte is the wealth without the glamor. During the infancy of the Hornets and even Panthers: Charlotte has been old-southern money with UNC, Duke, and State legacies left and right...your typical anti-NBA crowd (surprise surprise). If Charlottean sport fans had more pull and the leverage that comes with a passionate following...they would weild the power to put Charlottean GMs in a fishbowl for screwing up. Passionate sports towns ALWAYS facilitate successful sport franchises...whether it be Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, or LA...where there is a demand for excellence in sports...the supply will follow. Simple economics.


The shittiness that is Charlotte's sports following has momentum, however, Charlotte is becoming more diverse with new-money hopefuls coming from all over the US (largely the mid-west). When you have something in front of you, like a name costing 3 million, to bring back a short-lived enthusiasm in the 90s and introduce that retro appeal to the Charlottean newcomers...you have an opportunity to simply erase the past. Forget pride, it will not be outweighed by the potential spark of passion the new name will have. You have to clean house and appeal to Charlotte's booming population.

But mainly, thank God this isn't a website for typical Charlottean fans...many not even Charlotteans for that matter..

[CampNightmare8]

Shit was depressing man. Was so mad when sessions went down and there was no foul and Kobe took it back and scored

[Bosnian-Bobcats-Fan]

Shit was depressing man. Was so mad when sessions went down and there was no foul and Kobe took it back and scored

and then kobe had the nerve to complain about a no call on the other end what a joke

[Proudiddy]

If only they were wearing teal jerseys with hornets on it everyone would have cheered for us instead of the lakers, the team would have been super motivated and wed have won

I'm not saying Hornets jerseys would've changed the outcome. I was saying nights like this make me think that the current state of things have gone as far as they can go. I'm not posting it with an agenda, I love this team no matter what. But, it feels like our franchise is the dead horse and we just keep getting lashes. That may have been the most embarrassing thing I've endured as a homestate sports fan in NC. I find it hilarious to compare our current team as it is to the last days the Hornets were here and no one came because the owner took a hot, steamy dump on the entire fanbase. MJ hasn't done that, instead, for the duration of this franchise's history we've essentially just been treated like a neglected child.

[Proudiddy]

and then kobe had the nerve to complain about a no call on the other end what a joke

That was crazy, but again, I tie it to the crowd. Stars tend to get calls, but EVERYTHING shifted towards the Lakers down the stretch in the 4th because the crowd shifted the momentum that way. Our team was playing against the Lakers AND their own crowd. Kobe down their whining despite not being fouled, meanwhile, Sessions was laying on the other end of the floor after virtually being raped mid-shot. I really thought he had a a concussion, and he GOT NOTHING from the refs. Not to mention that came after numerous other no-calls for us, as I remember BJ getting pushed/fouled on a shot a possession or two before that and nothing was called.

[cltblkhscoach]

Guys, I get it believe me. I'm a season ticket holder and sold my ticket because I did not want to go to jail. Seriously, I know how I am and if I was there last night there would have been a fight in 231. Purposely when the big market teams come I usually don't go because my temper is horrible and I would really hurt opposing fans. I'm that bad, and I'm dead serious. That being said, it's frustrating and I know other season ticket holders who sold theirs for good money, and the fact they are frustrated with the bobcats season after a pretty good start.

The truth of the matter is those fans didn't say shit for two and a half quarters. I blame more on Dunlap for going away from what we working and giving them a chance to get back in it and allow those factors you guys mentioned to make a difference.

[ammofan]

It was pretty surreal. I wasn't even mad at it at the time because I expected it but still...it's pretty bad.

Whatever, I'm a Charlotte Bobcats fan and I'll never be ashamed to say that.

[Wolfpackbobcat]

Charlotte and North Carolina have bad sports fans.
First of, most are band-wagoners. Its just like marriage in today's times. No one can keep committed to their teams.

Second, fans in this state are too bitter. Especially State fans. State fans seem to hate the NBA and Charlotte. I don't understand. I hear everyday that the Bobcats should be contracted, and it irks me to death.

Third, this aint the fucking Dean Dome. Keep that Carolina shit to Chapel Hill. Charlotte fans cannot understand that there is a difference between Pro and Collegiate sports. Wear orange to the game, not Blue, Light Blue, or Red.

Fourth, Bobcat fans need to step up. Dont sell your tickets to opposing team fans. And when you are at the games, speak up and show the opposing fans that they dont belong. Its time to stop being nice. Be like Eagles fans. But keep within the arena rules. We need to scare these people off.

Even at Panthers games this happens. It irritates me. Charlotte and North Carolina residents have no pride in what is theirs. How lucky we are to have the NFL and NBA in our city. We pay for these teams. Have some damn pride and support them.