NEWSFLASH FROM ESPNNEWS . . . Larry Bird wants to bring NBA Expansion team to CLT!!!

[sds70]

I just heard this on ESPNNEWS tonight during the Canes/Leafs press conference. Larry Bird & ML Carr have expressed interest in bringing an NBA expansion team back to CLT !!!!!! There was a quick interview with NBA Commish David Stern; he was cool to it, just saying that while he welcomes former players into NBA ownership, its ultimately the Board of Govenors decision if they add another team to the league. Of course, he added the point that strong ownership and a arena plan must be in place before the league would even consider adding a 30th team.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder if the City of CLT/Meck. Co. Commissioners can get their act together on that Arena/Park plan ASAP and show the league they are serious about bringing the NBA back to town. With two guys like Larry Bird & ML Carr leading the way (I THINK ML Carr is from Greensboro or played his college ball in the area . . . ) I'm sure the City Council would make sure they had a better lease parameters with them vs. what they would given to Shinnridge . . .

 

[magnus]

ML's a decent basketball individual as well. We know Bird knows the game from all aspects already, and Carr was an OK GM. Too bad he named himself coach that time.

I tell you who I'll miss most of the Hornets. Bob Bass. You might not like him because of that 29 free agents or whatever bullshit, but he brought in good players year after year and got value for the few that were worth a damn that we couldn't keep.

 

[SandMan]

Originally posted by magnus ver magnusson
Bob Bass. You might not like him because of that 29 free agents or whatever bullshit, but he brought in good players year after year and got value for the few that were worth a damn that we couldn't keep.

You are correct... unfortunately, that was the start of a "lesser crowd at the hive" even before Shinn's BS. As you know, all fans are not alike. The average fan, likes to have players they can follow on a team, at least for more than a year or two. The good thing about the Hornets, we were always (I think) at least average and sometimes better than. (like this year)

Anyway, thats cool news. I have not heard yet for lack of attention to, but has MJ bought back his share of the Wizards that he had to relinquish as a player?

MJ, still makes many visits to Charlotte every year, he still has family and school day friends he stays in touch with on a regular basis - he loves NC. Its really a no brainer... if he choose to, the NBA would bend over backwards to help him locate a team here, and so would this city. MJ put money in owners pockets this year every time he played in their arena. No owner in his right mind would vote against a relo here... especially with MJ at the front.

Now, yes there can be arguments on both sides about how effective he would be as an owner calling the shots... but that is not here nor there - first step... get team here... and he or someone else will.

I hate if for Paul Silas and some of the players. I think Paul has developed into a good coach - he could be a great coach if he could just keep some players around... I don't expect that will fix itself in New O... fat contracts will be few and far between down there, especially when George and Richard Head are looking at half empty stands by the middle of next season...

 

[bunkyboy]

i say bring it on.

 

[magnus]

>>The average fan, likes to have players they can follow on a team, at least for more than a year or two.

that doesn't matter. LJ didn't have to go, but we got better because of that trade. Mourning had to go. We got better because of that trade. EJ had to go. We got better. It would have been decent to have kept Brad Miller, but it's obvious that didn't matter in the end. Eddie Robinson? Sure, would have been cool. He wasn't going to be a playmaker, though, and wasn't going to sign for what we offered. We did just as well without him.

I'd love to have stars that stay for ten years. But tell me this: would you rather consistently stay good, looking for that one spark, or would you rather have Drew Bledsoe? We couldn't throw enough money at half of the people we wanted, much less have them be worth it. I don't know that any of the guys we would have signed at their prices, the names anyway, would have been as good as possible.

But then again the majority of fans will still be stuck in my mind as complaining about the Jamal Magloire pick, because apparently the only thing we ever will or ever have needed is a 2 guard according to any draft critic of ours.

 

[SandMan]

Originally posted by magnus ver magnusson
>>But tell me this: would you rather consistently stay good, looking for that one spark, or would you rather have Drew Bledsoe?

Ok, yes - I would rather stay consistently good. As you know, us Panther Fans have been searching for that since '96. Right now, I'd kill for a few 9-7 runs, maybe an 11-5 run, playoff here or there... but then, would I be a Type B(ucs) fan?

 

[T_Schroll]

Well we could get Bird, MJ when he re-retires, and Magic together as owners and call the team the Charlotte Egos.

 

[SandMan]

Originally posted by T_Schroll
Well we could get Bird, MJ when he re-retires, and Magic together as owners and call the team the Charlotte Egos.

I think for their success, Bird and MJ have egos well in check... especially Bird.

And um, I think MJ is retired.... now.

 

[magnus]

it's not that Jordan has his ego in check, it's that it's so expansive and unimaginable that it's jsut accepted as part of the surrounding.

 

[SandMan]

Originally posted by magnus ver magnusson
it's not that Jordan has his ego in check, it's that it's so expansive and unimaginable that it's jsut accepted as part of the surrounding.

Either way... I think until all of us become Multigazillion Airs it makes it difficult for anybody to understand what he is really about. I knew him casually growing up in Wilmington, got to hang out some with him through a friend when he would come home from Chapel Hill. The last time I played a game of horse with him was his first year with the Bulls. He probably would not know me now.