Table of Contents
Charlotte Hornets
Buzz City Origins
The Charlotte Hornets were established in 1988 as part of the NBA’s expansion into the Southeast. Because Charlotte was somehow deemed ready for professional basketball.1)
First NBA Franchise in North Carolina
They were the first major professional sports team based in North Carolina. Because NASCAR apparently didn’t count.2)
The Name Was a Nod to History
“Hornets” comes from a Revolutionary War-era nickname: British General Cornwallis called Charlotte a “hornet’s nest of rebellion.” So yes, your team is named after some spicy colonial shade.3)
Fashion Icons of the 90s
Their teal and purple uniforms were wildly popular in the 1990s. Basically, they dressed like Lisa Frank threw up—and people loved it.4)
Muggsy Bogues: Short King Supreme
Standing at 5’3”, Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history—and he was a Hornets legend. Your team was literally carried by a man the height of a middle schooler.5)
Larry Johnson’s “Grandmama” Ad Campaign
Larry Johnson played a fictional granny in sneakers. Yes, this happened. And people thought it was cool.6)
They Left and Came Back
In 2002, the Hornets moved to New Orleans. But in 2004, Charlotte got another expansion team—called the Bobcats, which was… a mistake.7)
Bobcats Were Named After an Owner
The “Bobcats” were named after then-owner Bob Johnson. Because nothing says humility like naming a franchise after yourself.8)
MJ Took Over
Michael Jordan became the majority owner of the franchise in 2010. Unfortunately, his basketball wizardry did not transfer to ownership.9)
Back to the Buzz
In 2014, the Bobcats reclaimed the “Hornets” name. 10)
Mascot: Hugo the Hornet
Hugo has been stinging crowds with his weird little antennae since 1988. He once caught fire doing a dunk stunt. Not metaphorically—actual fire.11)
First Game = Record Attendance
Their first game ever (1988) broke attendance records with over 24k fans. That’s more than they’ve had in some entire seasons.12)
Muggsy Bogues Never Dunked
Despite being insanely athletic, Muggsy Bogues never dunked in an NBA game. But let’s be honest—he probably dunked on your soul.13)
Dell Curry: The Original Splash Dad
Steph Curry’s dad, Dell, was a sharpshooter for the Hornets.14)
Alonzo Mourning’s Epic Buzzer-Beater
In 1993, Zo hit a buzzer-beater to win the Hornets’ first-ever playoff series.15)
The Charlotte Coliseum Was a Monster
Opened in 1988, it seated nearly 24,000. Locally known as “The Hive,” because basketball fans love bug metaphors.16)
They Love Drafting Forwards
The Hornets have a rich history of drafting promising forwards who become average rotation players elsewhere.17)
The Gerald Wallace Era
Gerald “Crash” Wallace gave Charlotte its only All-Star as a Bobcat.18)
Lowest Win Percentage in NBA History
In the 2011-12 season, the Bobcats finished 7-59. That’s a 10.6% win rate.19)
Longest Losing Streak
During that same season, they lost 23 straight games.20)
Kemba Walker Was Loyal
Drafted in 2011, Kemba gave the team his soul. And in return, they gave him… Bismack Biyombo.21)
Kemba Walker is the Franchise Scoring Leader
LaMelo Ball brought excitement and chaotic energy when he joined in 2020.22)
Youngest Triple-Double in Franchise History
LaMelo became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, at 19 years old. We get it, he's good.23)
Terry Rozier’s Unexpected Rise
Scary Terry arrived in a trade and became… pretty great?24)
The Hornets Have Never Made the Conference Finals
Their greatest playoff success? The second round. It’s okay, at least they tried.25)
Lots of Draft Misses
Adam Morrison. Frank Kaminsky. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. It’s almost impressive how bad they’ve been at this.26)
Announcers Yell “Hum-Diddly-Dee”
Eric Collins, the Hornets’ play-by-play guy, screams like he’s doing Monster Truck commercials.27)
Charlotte Fans are Loyal
Despite years of mediocrity, fans still show up in their teal drip.28)
Buzz City Jerseys
These black and teal alternate jerseys are slick.29)
They Once Had Lin and Lamb
Jeremy Lin and Jeremy Lamb were teammates. Lin and Lamb.30)
A Team of Shooters, Sometimes
The Hornets have flirted with being a top-10 shooting team… before inevitably falling apart in February.31)
Steve Clifford: Twice Hired
Clifford coached them once, left, and then was rehired in 2022.32)
Playoff Droughts Are Their Thing
he Hornets have missed the playoffs more than they’ve made them.33)
Malik Monk’s Wild Scoring Games
He would randomly drop 30, then vanish into mist like a basketball cryptid.34)
Hornets’ Record in Game 7: 0-0
They’ve never been in a Game 7. Because that would require making it past the first round.35)
They Used to Play in the Eastern Conference Central Division
Yeah, they were in the same division as the Bulls.36)
A Franchise With Three Identities
Hornets (1988), Bobcats (2004), then Hornets again (2014).37)
Ball Movement Kings (Sometimes)
At their peak, the 2021 team was among league leaders in assists.38)
Teal Court Hype
In 2023, the Hornets debuted a teal-colored court.39)
The Buzz City Block Party
Charlotte is occasionally top-5 in blocks per game.40)
They Hosted the 2019 NBA All-Star Game
All-Star Weekend came to Charlotte.41)
No MVP
Charlotte Hornets never had an MVP.42)
Hornets Fans Deserve Therapy
From heartbreak, bad trades, and playoff droughts—they’ve earned the right to sit on a couch and unpack it all.43)
Community Impact
The Hornets Foundation focuses on education, hunger relief, and youth initiatives in Charlotte.44)
Jordan Brand Crossover
The Hornets often feature Jordan Brand jerseys—a rarity in the league.45)