Their ’90s Starter jackets were the ultimate NBA fashion statement and Larry Johnson matched that flashy style on the court, but it’s been nothing but mediocrity for the team in the 21st century, since reconstituting as the Bobcats.
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The name game: 13 current NBA franchises that have changed names
Some do it because they’ve moved, some do it just to re-brand, and others have more questionable motives. These are the 13 NBA teams out of the current 30 that have, at some point, changed names.
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- Bernie Bickerstaff and Rod Higgins tenures as general manager
- Dave Cowens tenure as coach
- Expansion draft picks (1988)
- Expansion draft picks (as Bobcats, 2004)
- Name change from Bobcats to Hornets
- Name etymology
- Re-alignment from Eastern Conference to Western Conference, then back to Eastern Conference
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Foundational pieces: 30 notable NBA expansion draft picks
Utilized to seed the roster of new franchises, expansion drafts have been staged 11 times in NBA history, starting with the Chicago Packers in 1961 and most recently with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004. These are the most notable selections in expansion draft history, from flops to revivals to impending franchise cornerstones.
All over the map: Eight times that the NBA realigned teams across conferences
Due to expansion and relocations, the NBA has been forced to realign conferences multiple times since 1970, sometimes to confusing ends.
The name game: 13 current NBA franchises that have changed names
Some do it because they’ve moved, some do it just to re-brand, and others have more questionable motives. These are the 13 NBA teams out of the current 30 that have, at some point, changed names.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss: 22 NBA coaches who had multiple stints with the same franchise
Following their firing, re-signing, retiring, or demotion, these 22 coaches came back to the same NBA franchise a second time, often inexplicably and usually with diminishing returns.
Heading on down the highway: 14 current NBA franchises that have re-located
The Warriors are returning to San Francisco after 48 years across the Bay in Oakland, but it’s not the first time this franchise his picked up and moved. We examine them and 13 other active teams that have changed cities during their time in the NBA and ABA.
Costs of being the boss: 13 Hall of Fame players who struggled as coaches
With their playing career often fueled by singular talent and ruthless competitiveness, these legendary players found those traits to be mostly a deterrent in their subsequent attempts at coaching in the NBA.
Hardwood ceiling: 25 memorable team eras that didn’t include an NBA Finals appearance
Proving that titles aren’t necessarily everything for basketball fans, these are the most talented, successful, beloved, and otherwise notable team eras of all time that never reached the NBA Finals.
The people have spoken: 15 NBA team names that were (at least partially) decided by fan voting
In the grand American tradition of presidents, senators, Dancing with the Stars winners, and M&M colors, many NBA teams have given power to the people to determine their name via voting and/or contests.
One chance a first impression: Nine NBA opening day games that set the tone for the season
NBA opening night has become a yearly event where the best teams are typically showcased as the sports world turns its eyes to the league. Sometimes those opening day games are not just spectacles, but a harbinger of future outcomes, whether a surprise one or an expected one.