Β CHARLOTTE, NC — A lot of excitement Wednesday for the regular season return of the Charlotte Hornets, and the team did not disappoint. Β They tied it up in the fourth quarter, then went on to win 108 – 106 over the Bucks.
It’s been a total of 12 years that the city of Charlotte either didn’t have a team, or watched an under-performing Bobcats team. Β That all changed Wednesday night when a playoff-caliber Hornets team made their triumphant return to the Queen City. Β And the fans couldn’t wait.
The Buzz is back! Β The Hornets’ return to Charlotte was a long time coming for fans, and they couldn’t wait to let out their excitement in the home opener against the Bucks. Β There were a lot of younger fans at the arena who never saw the original Charlotte Hornets play. Β But they were just as excited to see their new-look team Wednesday in the home opener.
History lesson now: back on opening night in the Hornets’ first season ever in 1988, the team asked everyone to wear tuxedos to make it a formal affair. Β In Wednesday’s return, the team did one better: they gave all fans tuxedo t-shirts to replicate that buzz.
Former NBA Commissioner David Stern played a big role in the return of the Hornets name, so it’s fitting that he was in Charlotte for Wednesday’s game. Β “I think it was kind of a way for them to signify that going back to a name is a new beginning, and everyone rallied behind it,” said Stern.
We’d love you to share your memories of the Hornets past and present with WCCB Charlotte! Β Upload them at Facebook.com/wccbcharlotte.
