Blazer fan here, just curious about...

by Oggbog on Mar 10, 2010 2:52 PM EST Comment 5 comments

Howdy folks, as the headline says I'm a Blazer and have been since I was a kid. I think '87 was the first time I watched the Blazers and I remember asking my mother, "why won't anyone stop that guy?" she responded, "That's Clyde Drexler, they can't"

Well, that started me off watching the Blazers, but truth be told, I was born in Greenville, NC and half my family is still out there. As I grew up watching basketball, I watched the Blazers, because their the only team we have in the state, but I also watched NC college ball. Obviously North Carolina is and has always been a big basketball state, particularly in college play.

When the Hornets came around there seemed to be a fair amount of excitement, then it faded (just an observation among my family) Then when the Bobcats started it seemed very quiet indeed. My main question is do you think people are really starting to embrace your team and the fact that the state has a team?

I rarely get to go to games here in Portland, but the last few years I have been able to catch the Bobcats, the reasons being: I genuinely like the Bobcats and also they are some of the few games I can afford to catch. Your team has some real exciting potential and I hope you guys continue to rise.

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Short answer: yes.

But it’s not much. Support is growing, which likely is because the team is much better. Nevertheless, it isn’t like they’re that popular. Charlotte has a bunch of whiners living in the city. Just look at the discussion about name change. People feel that it’s really important. It’s not. Also, I feel that some people were apathetic because of the way the Hornets left. In time, though, young people, like myself, will start to love the Bobcats and start following them, bringing about a bigger following.

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is.

by WhatAboutBob_cats on Mar 10, 2010 6:35 PM EST reply actions

thanks for the reply

It’s easier for a team out in the Northwest to have a fanbase, we’re small market and the only mark our college teams typically make is in football so there is just no competition.

I see your point on the Hornets leaving a sour taste in people’s mouths, especially with Chris Paul. It seems like if Seattle ever gets a team together again it’ll be a tough pill to swallow, Kevin Durrant drafted by the sonics, then the team and the player shipped to OKC.

I think you could be right about the younger generation of fans though, if the Bobcats can make the final push and clinch a playoff spot that goes a long way toward building a fan base. We were so used to it, 20 some seasons in a row of making the playoffs, then to laughing stock of the league. I know that I’m glad I was watching when we were at the bottom and was able to see our players develop, you’ll have that benefit too. Good luck for the rest of the season, I can’t wait to see what Crash can do in a big atmosphere game.

by Oggbog on Mar 10, 2010 8:17 PM EST up reply actions

You ever seen "Field of Dreams"?

That movie is famous for the quote, “if you build it, they will come”. In Charlotte, we live by “if you win, we will come”. Now, I’m not going to throw myself into the mass of disloyal fans in Charlotte because I support the Panthers and Bobcats for better or worse. But, as a city, Charlotte just isn’t good with dealing with mediocre teams. I mean, the Panthers could be coming off a Super Bowl appearance, but if they start the next year 0-3, the stadium could get pretty empty quick. Add that with the fact that the Panthers and Bobcats are two of the youngest teams in professional sports, and with the fact that Charlotte is pretty much a melting pot of people from all over the country, then it becomes even easier to see why people don’t support the Bobcats. However, if they make a splash in the playoffs (a playoff appearance in itself may be enough), then Charlotte will gain the support that it needs to turn the franchise into a money maker. I mean, every playoff game WILL be a sellout. We just gotta get there first.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Mar 10, 2010 11:43 PM EST reply actions

It's Complicated

and the real reasons for the Hornet’s rise and fall and the fickleness of the Charlotte fanbase, can’t be explained with short comment. Maybe I’ll create a fan post someday.

by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Mar 12, 2010 3:25 PM EST reply actions