Welcome Back, Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Bobcats officially became the Charlotte Hornets yesterday, returning the name of the city's original NBA team after being gone for 12 years. Many of you have been keeping up with this transition that's been in the works for the past year; some of you haven't; I have relatives living in other parts of the country who never realized the Hornets even left Charlotte. Well the name is back, and while I had my doubts in the past, I bee-lieve the excitement from the fans will bode well for the franchise this upcoming season and beyond.

New Hornets signage at Time Warner Cable Arena in Uptown. Credit: @CBJnewsroom

Here are a few things you should know, according to the Charlotte Hornets' official announcement yesterday:

• The team has secured all of the important online Hornets domains: hornets.com, facebook.com/hornets, twitter.com/hornets, instagram.com/hornets, google.com/+hornets.
• The new-look Hugo the Hornet mascot debuts June 5.
• On June 9, the franchise will officially launch its renamed charitable foundation (formerly known as Cats Care) and will spend that day volunteering on beautification projects at Hornets Nest Elementary School.
• The new purple and teal team uniforms will be unveiled on June 19.
• On June 26, the new playing floor will be revealed at Time Warner Cable Arena, just hours before the Hornets participate in the NBA Draft (the team has the ninth overall pick).
• The Charlotte Hornets will return to action July 11-21 at the 2014 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Also, as I'd previously blogged, the newly named Charlotte Honey Bees dance team (twitter.com/thehoneybees, instagram.com/thehoneybees) is holding auditions June 7.

Credit: Hornets

The Hornets also received a lot of love on social media from several of the city's other sports' professional athletes, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. (a nostalgic tweet) and Cam Newton (a swagged out Instagram video).

The Charlotte Hornets are back...again...for a third time. #BuzzCity pic.twitter.com/Nzn2vL2xTp
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 20, 2014

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Lady Cats to Become HoneyBees When Bobcats Become Hornets; Auditions Begin June 7

Heading into this NBA season, I assumed 2013-14 would be another subpar year for the Charlotte Bobcats, and one that would be even more marginalized because of the excitement around the team switching back to the Hornets name next season. So it's been a pleasant surprise to see the Bobcats cap off just their second winning (above .500) season in their 10-year franchise history, and make the playoffs for the second time (you need to show more enthusiasm).

While most of us Bobcats fans last week were keeping an eye on how the team would finish the regular season, which would determine how they were seeded in the playoffs and who they would play in the first round (they finished seventh in the Eastern Conference and are facing the second-seeded Miami Heat), another announcement was made: the HoneyBees will hold auditions beginning June 7 at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The Lady Cats. Credit: Sean Phaler/bobcats.com

The HoneyBees are what the Lady Cats--Charlotte's NBA dance team--will become when the Bobcats transition to the Hornets after this season ends. If you were a previous fan of the Charlotte Hornets (1988-2002), then you might recall that the HoneyBees were the original name for the Hornets' dance team. So this is another piece of purple-and-teal nostalgia that will return to the Queen City in modern form, beginning with the 2014-15 season.

The audition requirements to try out for the HoneyBees are rather simple, well, aside from you needing to be an incredible dancer in great physical shape:

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age by June 7th, 2014 (must present valid ID)
• Must have graduated from high school or received G.E.D.
• Must have proper audition attire and footwear
• You must be available every night during the week of boot camp (June 8th-June 15th)

Audition Day Tips

• Come dressed in your Hornets-inspired dance gear. Show off your love for the Hornets in purple and teal! Must include a midriff top and shorts and non-marking shoes
• Bring a warm-up suit or cover-up. Restrooms will be available but there will be no formal changing area
• Concession stands will not be open; bring your own snacks and water

Keep up with all of the Bobcats-to-Hornets announcements by visiting BackBuzzCity.com.

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Who's Going to Make a Lot of Money Off of StubHub? This Guy

While in a slumber one morning this week, I heard on the local news that Time Warner Cable Arena would be welcoming its 10 millionth guest during an upcoming event. Then last night while I was watching the Charlotte Bobcats vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game, Bobcats sideline reporter Stephanie Ready interviewed Brandon Bolin, who a few nights earlier had become that 10 millionth guy, along with his wife Alicia. Stephanie explained that when the Bolins entered the arena on Tuesday to attend the Bon Jovi concert, their lucky timing means they'll be attending many more events in the coming year--for free.

Credit: Bobcats.com

As the 10 millionth visitor to the seven-and-a-half-year-old arena, Brandon has won two tickets to every public event to be held at TWC Arena for one year, including Bobcats and Charlotte Checkers season tickets for the remainder of this season and all of next season. There are also a number of concerts scheduled at the arena in coming months that the Bolins will be treated to, including Pink, Taylor Swift, Eric Clapton, New Kids on the Block with 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men, Fleetwood Mac, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, and more.

Looks like this lucky couple will be enjoying a lot of complimentary date nights over the next year, as well as some easy cash from StubHub.

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Bobcats Open House this Sunday and Free Game Ticket; Plus, I'm Digging the Carolina Cougars Tribute

After a light week in which they played two road games while having five days off sprinkled in (some off days due to the NBA All Star Game), the Charlotte Bobcats return home this Sunday for the first of four home games next week. The New Jersey Nets come in on Sunday, Orlando Magic Tuesday, Utah Jazz Wednesday, Nets again Friday; then the Bobcats hit the road next Saturday to play the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is likely the busiest week the Bobcats have this season, particularly with four home games, so it makes perfect sense that the team is holding an Open House this Sunday, March 4, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Time Warner Cable Arena, free and open to the public. Allow them to reintroduce themselves. RSVP by clicking here.

Each person who attends the Open House will receive a free ticket to attend the 6 p.m. game against the Nets later that evening. You could make it an all-day family outing for free (that's different from an all-day family-free outing, which is what I tend to have...LOL). If you wanna kill some time in between the end of Open House and start of the game, you can visit Levine Museum of the New South, which is free on Sundays and is only a few blocks away. Plus, this is a Bank of America "Museums on Us" weekend, so if you have a BofA card you can visit any of these six Charlotte museums for free today and tomorrow: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, Levine Museum of the New South, Mint Museum Randolph, and Mint Museum Uptown.

Also regarding the Bobcats, their second match-up against the Nets next week is one of three games this month in which the franchise will pay tribute to the Carolina Cougars by wearing throwback uniforms. The Cougars played in North Carolina as part of the American Basketball Association from 1969 to 1974. They were a "regional team," playing their home games in Greensboro (where they were based), Charlotte, and Raleigh. In games they've dubbed Hardwood Classics, the Bobcats will wear Cougar uniforms March 9 against the Nets, March 23 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and March 30 against the Denver Nuggets.

But this is what I'm most fond of regarding the homage to the Cougars:

The Lady Cats are Cougars too (I kid with the pun). 

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Bobcats Keeping It Hot During NBA Lockout

The NBA season was supposed to start next week, but we've known for a while that wasn't going to happen. As the lockout carries on and rumors surface that commissioner David Stern is about to cancel another two weeks of the regular season--eliminating more than 100 games through November 28--I applaud the Charlotte Bobcats for keeping fans engaged. Even without players, the franchise has been holding events for fans as well as conducting contests and giveaways through social media. They're currently giving away free stuff from the "Time Warner Cable Arena Closet."

And this week, the 2011-12 Lady Cats Swimsuit Calendar went on sale. Bobcats staff have been posting behind-the-scenes photo galleries of the calendar shoot on bobcats.com and facebook.com/bobcats.

Behind-the-scenes calendar shot of Lady Cat Rhema. Credit: bobcats.com.

While we won't have any Bobcats games to watch on TV anytime soon, FOX Sports Carolinas is airing a behind-the-scenes episode of the Lady Cats Swimsuit Calendar on Thursday, November 3 at 9 p.m. The Lady Cats are hosting calendar release parties that night at the EpiCentre: at Mez from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and at Whisky River from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Click here for more info on and photos of the Lady Cats.

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2011-12 Lady Cats Announced

I love this game.

Click here to see more photos of the 18 members of the recently announced Lady Cats dance team, for the Charlotte Bobcats' 2011-2012 NBA season. And you can meet them in person this Thursday at the Bobcats Draft Party.

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Lady Cats Compete in 2011 NBA Dance Team Contest

While the Charlotte Bobcats attempt a late-season push to make the NBA playoffs, the beautiful ladies who cheer them on are gearing up for competition as well. The Lady Cats are competing in the annual NBA Dance Team Contest, which begins Monday, April 4. They won the title last year, so this will be the first time they're entering as defending champions. The Lady Cats are a favorite again this go-round, as are the Heat Dancers of Miami, who've won the competition several times. But we're taking our talents to Trade Street!

Click here beginning Monday at 2 p.m. to vote for the Lady Cats, where you'll also see video of them performing a burlesque dance.

For some reason, just now the video for Drake's "Best I Ever Had" came to mind.

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Charlotte Bobcats' Social Network Challenge; Chance to Meet Michael Jordan

The Charlotte Bobcats have become quite the purveyors of social media. From their Bobcats Break blog, to their use of Facebook and Twitter, the team is connecting with fans on the 'net (and beyond the net...pun intended). The latest effort is their Social Network Challenge.

Fans can sign up through a Facebook app to compete in an online ticket sales contest to win prizes. You sell the most tickets and you could win one of these: season tickets for the 2011-2012 season, lunch with team captains Gerald Wallace and Steven Jackson, a live introduction on court during a game with the Bobcats starting line-up, a custom-made Bobcats watch party at your house with the Lady Cats, a Bobcats suite, dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, an autographed pair of Jordan Retro 11s, courtside seats; and the grand prize is an opportunity to meet Bobcats Chairman Michael Jordan and get two courtside seat tickets.

Here's how the contest works. After you register, you'll be given an exclusive link and passcode to sell tickets at a reduced rate for all the remaining regular season Bobcats games to your friends and family. You'll want to share your link and passcode on your social networks and/or via email and try to sell as many tickets as you can. The top-10 sellers get to choose one of the 10 prizes, with the top overall seller winning the chance to meet Jordan, which includes hanging out with him before a game and then you and your guest having a seat courtside. Prize selection is based on order of finish. And as motivation along the way, the first 50 entrants to sell 15 or more tickets will get two tickets to see the Bobcats play the Lakers on February 14.

You need to register by January 23, and the Bobcats organizers will send out links and passcodes soon after. You'll then have until March 21 to sell tickets and compete to win. Click here to register.

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Charlotte Bobcats Hold Open Practice Today

The Charlotte Bobcats are holding an open practice this evening. The event is free, but you'll need to go online to get your free tickets. The open practice will be held at Time Warner Cable Arena, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the event beginning at 6:30.

The Lady Cats and team mascot Rufus will make appearances, and then join players for autographs and photos at the conclusion of practice. This will be the Bobcats' final practice before they head to Dallas tomorrow to prepare to play the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday for the regular season opener. The Bobcats' home opener is Friday against the Indiana Pacers.

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New Lady Cats Revealed

Here are the 2010-2011 Lady Cats, a.k.a. Charlotte Bobcats cheerleaders, selected on Friday after a week of tryouts. Of the 20 ladies making up the new squad, 11 return from last season and nine are newcomers.

For more details and photos of the new Lady Cats, click here.

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Lady Cats in Conference Finals of Dance Competition

The Lady Cats, the Charlotte Bobcats dance team, are in the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA Dance Team Tournament. In this online voting contest, they're currently pitted against the Heat Dancers (Miami), and as of the time of this posting the Lady Cats had a 60 percent to 40 percent edge. That's remarkable considering the Heat Dancers have won the competition several of the past years.

If the Lady Cats win this round, they'll advance to the finals to meet the winner from the Western Conference, where the Suns Dancers currently lead the Mavs Dancers. To get this far, the Lady Cats have beaten the Sixers Dancers, the Luvabulls, and the Magic Dancers (the last two by large margins). Hopefully the Charlotte Bobcats will follow a similar path as they begin their first-ever playoff series in a little more than a week.

To vote in the dance competition, click here. For more on the Lady Cats (including photo and video galleries), click here.

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Bobcats Holding Open Practice

The Charlotte Bobcats are holding an Open Practice on Thursday, October 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m. It's a free event, but to guarantee entry you're asked to register for tickets online. The process (Ticketmaster) takes only a few minutes and you can even print the tickets at home. This is your chance to see what the team (and the Lady Cats) looks like as the regular season approaches. Complimentary popcorn and soda will be served.


Click here for tickets. Visit www.bobcats.com for more info.

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Lady Cats Battle In Dance Team Bracket

The Lady Cats are competing in NBA.com's Dance Team Bracket. They're currently in the third round and are taking on the New Jersey Nets Dancers. You can vote for this round beginning today at 2 p.m. In an NCAA Tournament-style bracket, that pits NBA dance teams from the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference, the Lady Cats have beat the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons dancers in the first two rounds (click here for the full bracket). The Miami Heat Dancers have won this competition the last three years and if you've ever seen them then you understand why (one of them appeared in this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue).

Click here to vote on the match-up between the Lady Cats and Nets Dancers.

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More Than I Was Looking for On Bobcats Site

I just got home from attending an MLK Day event (I'll blog about that later) and I remembered that the Charlotte Bobcats have a home game going on right now. As is tradition for the team, they play an afternoon game on MLK Day and they use it to not only pay tribute to the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but also to honor middle school students who are doing well in school. Those kids usually get free tickets to the game, I think.

So I went to the Bobcats website to see if the game is being televised and, if so, what channel. While there I saw a link on the homepage that said "New Lady Cats Gallery." Of course I had to check it out. Man Law.

Her name is Gigi.

Click here to see the Lady Cats photo gallery.

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Bobcats Games Can Be Fun

I know most Charlotte sports fans have their minds on Saturday's Carolina Panthers playoff game, but I attended the Charlotte Bobcats-Boston Celtics game last night and it's one of the few times I've been able to appreciate how entertaining an NBA game can be. First off, I arrived about 10 minutes before tip-off. I've gone to several Bobcats games since I moved here in 2005, but I'd never gotten there that early before (I usually show up some time during the first quarter). Getting there early allowed me to see the singing of the national anthem (I don't remember the lady's name but she sounded great) and the announcing of the starting lineups.

The Bobcats' introduction is really cool. It makes the players look like rock stars. A pre-recorded video shows them in practice, during workouts, at press conferences--shot in black-and-white, with some scenes in slow motion for extra drama, and with Fort Minor's "Remember the Name" providing the soundtrack. ("This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill. / Fifteen percent concentrated power of will. / Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain. / And a hundred percent reason to remember the name.") Then when they cut from the video to the players courtside, Young Jeezy's "Put On" started playing. "I put on for my city. On, on, for my city..." The Bobcats did in fact put on for their city last night by beating the defending champion Celtics in overtime.

In addition to a great game (though I had to leave early), the halftime show was particularly interesting. It was performed by Ioan Veniamin Oprea aka the Human Slinky. My homeboy Lenny and I were watching the performance, trying to figure out if someone was inside the contraption. See for yourself.

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