There are reasons to be optimistic this season about the New Orleans Hornets. These reasons are why we should see more fair weather fans declaring themselves Hornets “fans.”
With the regular season approaching and our official announcement that it is indeed Hornets season already I thought we might try and convince those passive NBA fans to join Hornets nation right now!
I know what you are thinking Mr/Ms/Mrs. Dedicated Hornets Fan, “No, I don’t want them to support us — they are annoying.” I’m here to say that you need these fans.
Why might you ask? Well the answer is simple. Ever get frustrated when the Hornets get zero National TV coverage when they’re playing well? It’s because of these bandwagon fans. They haven’t hitched their wagon to our merry band and big-time networks will only cover something that garners more eyeballs.
So with that reasoning I’m here to rally everyone around the NBA to hitch their wagon early and partake in our glorious journey!
1. Anthony Davis will be one of the best to play the game
He hasn’t played a second in the NBA, but folks know that Davis’ talent is undeniable. His defensive impact will be electric and the color of the paint in the key will be a warning signal to any foe who dares enter it.
Davis is not just a great prospect and player right now, his brand appeal and youthful exuberance both on and off the court is something that everyone will like. What makes him even more appealing is his long-term potential. Many say he has the capabilities and package that Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett once had. Now, he’s not there yet, but he could be soon.
Rather than wait four years before declaring yourself an Anthony Davis fan, why not do it now and save yourself the trouble of looking like a fair-weather NBA fan?
2. The Austin Rivers/Doc Rivers rivalry
The trash talk, the awkward moment when the Hornets defeat the Celtics, the hug and congratulations at the end, it will be a moment you want to witness. If Michael McNamara really is a second coming of Nostradamus then Austin Rivers will be the second coming of Allen Iverson.
Not that I necessarily believe in Rivers as much as the mixtape makers of YouTube do. I think this could be a special story this season and perhaps beyond. Son versus Father, New versus Old, Ignorant versus Wise. It’s a battle that you must be intrigued with.
3. Young and Vibrant Roster
The Hornets had a busy off-season bringing in eight new players. People looking back at last season as an indication of the next one should be remiss in their assessments on the ball-club.
Hornets management has done an excellent job of finding value. Ryan Anderson might be the signing of the off-season. He played at an All-Star level last season and is only entering his fifth season.
Eric Gordon was signed for a maximum deal, but if he remains healthy is there any doubts he won’t be worth it? His scoring ability combined with his underrated defensive skills make him a very talented player. The next step in his career is becoming a leader and he can be for a young, boisterous and convivial roster.
That’s what makes this team so enjoyable is the flair and unknown factor. Sure there might be some ups and downs, but I’d rather watch this team than the Washington Wizards and ESPN should too.
4. Excellent Coaching Staff
Hey remember when Michael Jordan scored 43 points as a 40-year old? Well we have a coach that’s the same age as 40! Yeah! Wait… that doesn’t mean anything, right?
Ok, so maybe the link between Jordan and Monty Williams is pretty far distant these days but you have to say Williams is better at managing NBA players than Jordan. (*ZING*)
Williams is lauded around the league as one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the entire NBA. It wasn’t too long ago that Hornets fans were sad that we couldn’t get Tom Thibodeau.
The defensive scheme and professionalism that is brought to the organisation is exactly the platform needed to get this team to develop. Coaches breed consistency and it is this that enables development. Sometimes things don’t work out, but if you can maximize talent and have the right environment you know you did everything you could with everything you had.
That’s exactly the kind of confidence that has Hornets fans pleased with the coaching staff. If I was to float a percentage out there I’d say 95% of fans would give a nice *Thumbs Up* to Williams and Co.
5. The Underdog Team is the Underdog City
Possibly the most appealing thing about a successful small market team is the gigantic obstacles they have to overcome. The Hornets still have most of these obstacles in their path. Managing salaries, developing team chemistry, establishing a team identity and maintaining flexibility and appeal for free-agent/trade targets.
These are much more difficult to navigate for a team like New Orleans and it’s precisely the reason why they can be so darn appealing for people nationwide. The pieces are coming into place both on and off the court.
The team is selling season tickets at a record pace, the lease is bound for over a decade with the state and a re-brand will make it fun to be part of something new and dynamic in the league.
All of these reasons should make a compelling case for friends of yours to jump on this bandwagon now. They could become everyone’s second favorite team while remaining our first.
Spread the word Hornets fans because dealing with a larger bandwagon is a good thing!
27 responses to “Five Reasons to Jump on the New Orleans Hornets Bandwagon Right Now”
Although I surely welcome fans to the bandwagon, I will always hold much more respect for those of us who stuck it out during the bad times.
If you were a fan when Baron abondoned us and stuck through and remained a fan when we were dreadful last season and our “star” SG was nowhere to be found- then you deserve all the good things that are coming as a fan now.
Preach
Speaking of Baron, I’m liking the beard on Vasquez.
Agreed. Bagonwagoning speaks to everything that’s wrong with society.
Nobody wants to earn anything. My team sucks I’ll just like another team. Oh my team is good again well I can go back. Honestly the NBA is set up to be such a d*** riding league it disgusting. I love the sport of basketball, subsequently I love watching it played at the highest level, but the NBA as an entity is just completely broken IMO.
Agreed!
Been a fan since the first day they were introduced to the league, through good times, bad times, awesome times, moving times, being in other cities times, heartbreaking times and taking times. I will always be a Hornets fan and most likely will be until they stop being the Hornets!
Went to the first game in the arena, watched the team whenever I could when they were in OKC after Katrina, sat through the worst home playoff loss in NBA history, went to more games last year than any year before that. I am incredibly excited for this year.
6. David Wesley is in the house BOOM
Wesley fan?
Interesting.
Not so fast, kemo sabe. From the University of Kentucky website http://www.ukathletics.com
“Most notably, Anthony Davis – No. 1 overall pick/national player of the year/gold medalist to whom Noel is most frequently compared – matched up with Noel back in August. The showdown between Coach Cal’s most recent top recruits showcased both what Noel does well – block shots, among other things – and what he needs to improve – positioning and strength.
“I asked Anthony how was Nerlens because that’s who he matched up against mostly,” Calipari said. “And he said, ‘He’s good, Coach. He’ll block some shots.’ I said, ‘How was he offensively?’ He said, ‘I kind of pushed him off the post.’ I said, ‘You pushed him off the post?’ ”
Anthony Davis will be a very good pro but it will take time for him to develop his offensive moves and, more importantly, become stronger. Be patient and don’t expect too much too soon.
New Orleans is a bandwagon town always have and will people support the Hornets and Saints when they’re winning but once you’re on the losing end some of you get off the bandwagon.I support both the teams reguardless.At the end of the day most of you are bandwagoneers.
Which town does this not apply to?
No kidding, I can say Portland certainly fits this bill, fan support for the Blazers was nearly non-existent during the jailblazers era and peaked a few years ago only to fall back down again with all the injuries and rough times.
At the arena you’ll see a good chunk of the people there decked out in Duck stuff, everyones currently a huge duck fan don’t ya know it. I’m always curious if they realize they aren’t playing there that night…
Incorrect. Saints games still sold on a consistent basis out even when they were losing.
Prior seasons’ records play into thisr STH sellouts.
It’s not a direct comparison.
i´m an old Hornets fan….been a fan since ´92.
I have seen Larri, Alonzo, Muggsy and baron all go to another teams……and ofcourse the golden boy Chris paul….and now we got a great team…looking forward to the season…..AD and Austin….like them….and the rest of the team.
if you play hard and give us all you got….i will like you! go hornets!!!
and Eric…please rest….don´t make us regret sigining you….tho…i´m a litlebit afraid that we will be sorry!!! Proof me wrong young man!
I say no to band wagon fans! Games on national tv are blacked out on league pass and therefore I see less games. Also, NBAtv is considered “national”.. Nobody even gets NBAtv!!!!
I second these feelings, not living in the local market for the Hornets means the only way I can watch the games is through league pass. So the more national TV games they get the less games I get to see.
It’s a bit like when a team is bad and even though the tickets to games are cheap no one but the die hards are going. Then the team gets good, ticket prices shoot up, and the die hards that supported the team through the rough patch are now priced out of decent seats and sitting in the balcony because the band-wagoners with some money are suddenly huge fans, so long as the team is doing good. Otherwise it’s a mass exodus to beat the traffic at the start of the 4th quarter.
And one reason not to leap: EG is still injured.
I’m all for bandwagon fans. Pack the hive. The Shinn/NBA owned/darkest timeline is over; we’re finally going to be fine.
Bandwagon fans are gonna be there no matter what. But we have endured being Hornets fan with the hope that this day would come. A day when we would have a potentially good team, with a good coaching staff, a good front office and good, local ower like Tom Benson! Although all isn’t perfect in our world, but I remain hopeful for Eric Gordon (sigh). Hey every organization/ball club has it’s foundation (the constant, always can count on people) and then the other just come along for the ride. I, however, am proud to say I am a longtime Hornets fan. Let’s geaux Hornets!!
I’ll take any fan support we can get be it bandwagon or homer! I for one support anything Louisiana be it VooDoo, LSU, Northwestern St. Demons Saints ect…but I will welcome fans from all around. The exposure will help attract national attention, boost merchandise sales, and possibly atract future free agents. Remember the BABY BULLS for early 2000s? Meet the BABY HORNETS!!!!
They will come to the Suns first with our new young core and up an coming star, Michael Beasly. Who wants to watch the 2nd coming of Kwame Brown, Anthony Davis, and The twig, Eric Gordon (Not to mention he won’t be playing with his heart this year. He left that in Pheonix.)?
Playoff team to championship material or Failure team to bad team? The choice is clear.
Did you just list the weed-head, no-defense playing, ball hogging tweener Michael Beasley as an up and coming star? LMAO!! As for Gordon his heart will jump right back to N.O. the first time a guard beats him off of the dribble and AD comes out of nowhere to swat that shiit to Poydras Street. Dragic is no Gordon, not even close. And Beasley couldn’t get into the rotation in Minny. Expect a 5th place finish in the Pacific, again.
[…] The first exhibition game of the season is upon us. Even if the game does not `count’, it’s a chance to see our team . . . our team, mind you . . . play. This should get everyone fired up. If you don’t know why, check out what Grayson has to say on the subject of getting on the New Orleans Hornets bandwagon while there’s room. […]
Bandwagon fans are welcomed!! Mainly because if they’re jumping on the bandwagon that means that the team is winning. Hey I grew up around Niners, Bears, and Giants fans in Uptown N.O. A lot of my potnas hated the Saints. These same potnas were going crazy when they thought the T-Wolves were coming and brining b-ball, but when we did finally get b-ball they knocked it. That’s just the nature of sports and fanhood. Do you know how many former Niner fans I saw after the Saints won it who suddenly developed amnesia and said they had always been Saints fans? The Hornets are gonna be really competitve soon, good young coach, good young nucleus. Top 5 defensive player (Davis), Top 5 offensive player (Gordon), and Top 6th man (Rivers), sounds similar to OKC to me.
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