We speculate on Rondo’s possible future as a Hornet, give some advice to our new owner, and come up with some nicknames to curret Hornets. Some of which are Lin-comprehensible and Lin-coherent.
1. Am I crazy or does it just seem Rajon Rondo is destined to be a Hornet? (via GHoolest on Twitter)
Michael McNamara: I don’t know about destined, but I know Monty and Dell would love to have him running the point and the Celtics look determined to move him for some odd reason. I don’t think Rondo gets moved this year, but I would bet that he will let it be known in the offseason that he is not pleased with them shopping him and Ainge will finally pull the trigger this summer. If and when that happens, I think the Hornets could pounce and offer up two very different packages; one that allows the Celtics to stay in contention if they decide to bring back KG, and another that helps them rebuild while staying flexible.
So let’s say that Ainge wants to make a run with Pierce and he brings back Garnett at a much smaller number. And let’s also assume that he will be in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. How about Jack and Gordon for Rondo? Celtics would still have room to sign Superman and they become instant threats to the Heat and Bulls in the East. And even if they can’t bring in Dwight, a Gordon/Pierce combo would be deadly, and Gordon can take over the mantle as Pierce fades into retirement. An Indiana kid becoming the face of the franchise for the Celtics. Where have we seen that before.
Meanwhile, the Hornets get Rondo (the guy they really wanted in the CP3 trade) at a price tag lower than EG10 wants. Gordon turned down 12+ million per year, while Rondo is due 36 over the next 3 seasons. Rondo is exactly the kind of point guard that can help Aminu thrive by getting him easy buckets, plus you add two lottery picks and a ton of cap room, and the Hornets can become playoff contenders in a season or two. More than anything, Rondo gets what he wants- to be the #1 guy and get the respect that comes with it.
Or Boston could decide that they are blowing it up and moving on. Obviously Ainge is not completely sold on Rondo, but I am positive there will be someone he gushes over in the upcoming draft. Every year he falls in love, and this year will be no different. Let’s say the Hornets pick 3rd or 4th and Anthony Davis and Thomas Robinson are off the board. Why wouldn’t the Hornets consider trading the 3rd pick, Vasquez, and Henry for Rondo? The Celtics get some youth on rookie contracts to start the rebuild and the Hornets create the best back court in the league. Two young vets who are just hitting their prime, combined with some solid vets in Ariza, Jack, and Mek, not to mention cap flexibility and young assets (Aminu, Ayon, Smitty, Minny pick, whatever they get for Kaman) that could develop or turned into another good player.
Personally, I take the second route and rejuvinate the fan base by putting an exciting product on the floor. And not only would it be exciting, but it could possibly be sneaky great for the next 5-8 years if Demps hits on a few key moves. Imagine adding Josh Smith to that nucleus or David Lee to play pick and role with those two fabulous P&R guards. Just like Boston did in ‘08, the Hornets could go from cellar dwellers to contenders over night.
2. I want some outside of the box thinking here. New owner comes in and asks you for three original ideas to kick start his reign as owner of the Hornets, what do you tell him? (Robert Khabiti via email)
Jason Calmes: First, I would start a fan council. This would be a completely volunteer effort on the part of the fans. Some Hornets employee of some stature would act as a liaison between the team and the council, while others help run it (set it up, get the food, take the minutes). Every month, the team sets up a meeting room, and a sort of neighborhood association type of meeting would take place. People would bring up ideas and issues, vote on them, while working on things in between meetings. Fans get to focus some charitable efforts, organize pep rallies, throw parties, assist marketing efforts and sponsorship drives, etc. Team picks up the expenses for the meetings and directs 5% to 10% of the marketing budget according to the council’s decisions. You want us to be In . . . then let us in.
Second, I’d work with Harrah’s to set up a “High Roller” sponsor for each night. The sponsor is chosen before each home game and gets to invite people into a suite with Harrah’s folks. Harrah’s gives up some of their electronic signs and advertising for the chosen sponsor for the second half, retaining a border or a banner with the High Roller logo . To be eligible, the sponsor must local, and they get higher chances for higher sponsorship level, up to a point. High level sponsors are not eligible. This will attract small local sponsors, show businesses the value of higher value sponsorship, all while giving Harrah’s a natural advertising platform to engage fans, that pistol whips the effect of a plain sign.
Third, I extend the embrace of local culture that led to the recent in-game live music addition. For each home game, the Hornets adopt a local figure or institution. Folks show up to a show, there’s a Hornets rep taking care of the cover. They don’t say where it’s going to be, or when. They just do it. Folks show up to a restaurant, meals are on the Hornets rep. Hornets swoop in and comp an artists studio space for a month. Hornets comp some tickets for a dance performance. Etc. We see a video at the next home game summarizing the event. This is not sponsor related. This is the Hornets going out, hanging with the people, and sharing something about the city everyone can be proud of. Help out the foundation of the city while buying a round for the guys who’ve been been around, and pretty soon you are just one of the guys instead of the new guy.
3. All I see is Lin-sanity, Lin-sational. I want some Hornets names turned into puns. Go! (@RostinWhitney via Twitter)
Jason Calmes: So, this is more or a portmanteau, a work that is formed from other words whose meaning is a combination of the meanings of the ingredient words. Examples: Infomercial, Motel, Guesstimate, Idiocracy. A pun is more of the horrible word substitution or double-meaning things I like, such as, “Yogi couldn’t bear it,” or “Look into the Baker’s ryes if you think he’s trying to cheat you.” We’ll just interpret this question as `word fun’.
Here’s one per guy, perhaps with a little remark about how horrible this one is. If you figure out some of the harder ones, there’re tickets in your future.
Jarrett Jack of all trades
Chris Kaveman
The BB Baller
Ayon the boards
Marco Belinetti (low, low quality)
The Hoosier Bruiser
The Ghentleman
The Prince
Ain’t that the tooth?
Jason “Priestley” Smith
The Twelfth Man (there are few words I hate more than “twelfth”)
Chukwu
L’answer Thomas
Greivis Passquez (awful, weak sauce, I know)
The King
McNamara: Like the list, here are a few more, some are nicknames, others are possible headlines:
It’s O’ Kaman
Donald Sloan and his Entourage
Hornets Riding Solo(mon)
One if by Landry, Two if by Sea
Gust-bravo
Oak-a-Sore (if he is injured) or Oak-a-Soar (if he gets up in the air and Dunks that Sh!t)
27 responses to “Dunk that Sh!t: Rondo, Suggestions for the New Owner, and Lin-credible Nicknames”
42- I mentioned something much like the fan council to my rep last year when we had lunch at the home of the Blarney Burger, (which you referred to in the podcast). I agree that the stakeholders may have some pretty good ideas that the Hornets brass haven’t thought of yet.
BTW, Chris Berhman you guys are not.
You got that right.
Fans ask, we answer, for better or worse. Not everyone will make fools of themselves for the people… only sone are truly dumb enough…
Blame the question!
Good man, great burger. Your thoughts?
Little too much for me. Just give me a Hot Shimmy with some homemade chips. Heaven!
As fun as nicknames are, I’m still pissed off that we didn’t get either Rondo or Westbrook for CP3. We could have had either and we wouldn’t have been as horrible to watch this season.
I completely understand why Stern wanted to blow the team open and start fresh with prospects, picks and cap flexibility, but this team we have put on the floor through the first two months of the season has been atrocious to watch.
Last season it was hard to watch the team when CP3 would hit the bench and we would have J Jack running a pick and roll with Jason Smith. This season it’s one of our primary options, and those two guys tend to be in the first unit on a nightly basis.
If Eric Gordon can show Hornets fans his capabilities in March the frustration will go away, but for now we are a team who seems to have all our eggs in the basket of players who aren’t even in the league yet.
So as a frustrated Hornets fan I say go for it, Dell.
Well-thought-out and respectful comments of any length are always welcome.
What?? Gordon and Jack for Rondo might be a remote possibility, but this whole thing sbout trading Henry a third pick and crap for Rondo is ridiculous and never going to happen. It’s always easy to see a trade happening that just benefits your team. The Celtics would want another star in return for Rondo. They don’t want to send him away for crap.
Sorry, that didn’t come out right. My point is, the Celtics Would want another star in return for Rondo.
Respectfully, I disagree. Believe me, I am the king of begging people to think about trades from all sides, so I take my time to do it myself before throwing just anything out. Here is the logic:
If the Celtics go into total blow it up and rebuild mode, then they look to move Rondo for a young asset(s) on rookie deal contracts. No Paul Gasol, no Danny Granger. Well, how many teams have said assets? Not many, and even fewer that need a point guard.
Go and look at all the young assets in the league that still will have 2-3+ years on their rookie deal heading into next year and you will find a bunch of guys on teams that don’t need a PG (Derrick Williams, Evan Turner, etc) or point guards themselves whose teams would say no to a straight up deal for Rondo (Rubio, K. Irving, S. Curry)
Getting the 3rd pick in a loaded draft (And a guy who will be on rookie scale for 4-5 years) plus two good players heading into their 3rd year would be a coup for Boston, and quite honestly, I see the Hornets taking longer to pull the trigger because teams simply fall in love with players right before the draft.
Anyone recall when the Celtics got Ray Allen still in his prime for the 5th pick (Jeff Green)
I would say Ray Allen in his prime bests Rondo in terms of value… Granted Rondo is younger… He is not on the level Ray Allen was…
Plus the value of the third pick and the fifth pick is much greater than it appears.. Especially when you consider there are usually only 3-4 “stars” coming out…
Too bad.it isn’t ’03 every year 🙁
I wouldn’t do this trade if I was the Hornets. Vasquez is an above average backup point and him and Ayon will be a strong bench combo. Henry looks like he could start making a name for himself soon keeps playing better every game. And the 3rd pick is probably going to be Barnes or Robinson both will be all-stars in my opinion while I can envision Rondo struggling on this team, and our only offensive threat being Gordon.
I wouldn’t make that trade either…
I was merely stating past events and observations…
I’m not a rondo fan… but I would take him over jack running this team…
However I’m not giving up henry and the#3 to get him… def not gordon…
Plus they have Marshall and Kabongo sitting in the middle of this draft… Both similar skill sets to rondo
NIcknames:
Nicknames:
Mi Gusta! Ayon
Bene Beli Bally
OH Henry!
A couple nicknames I had come up with before that i like:
Eric Gordon = Flash Gordon
Greivis Vasquez = General Greivis (Star Wars Episode 3)
I’m glad to see this subject of “nick naming” popping up and a team/fan council would be great. But here’s my issue and as a holder of two (2) 41 (43…whatever), I think the more you go, the more you notice it.
Exactly what is the “face” of this team? Hugo? If a freakin’ “Hugo” was drilling a hole in my shotgun house, I’d kill the little freakin’ bug. I know name changing; especially after all the merchandising crap has been pushed, can be controversial but frankly, the No. 3 jerseys are a lot rarer in the Hive this year
Does anyone have any thoughts that maybe we need to stamp “NEW ORLEANS” on this team? With all our culture…… Hornets? It may be a bit late but if we are fortunate enough to get Mr. Benson as our new owner, is there anything wrong with “Hoot Dat, Da Owl” running around the arena harassing the other players instead of a bee named “Hugo”? Or….is this just a bad idea or an idea “dat’s” just too late? Will it piss Saints’ fans off or would they possibly get a bit intrigued by a team “dat” sounds like us (New Orleanians) and come to the games?
Just wonderin’.
(If any part of this sounded “defensive in nature” it is because I am married and I have had so many great ideas shot down….like dating other people.)
I don’t think I’d make a run at Rondo if it meant giving up Gordon. A Rondo-Gordon backcourt would be sick.
I wouldn’t mind a Gordon,Jack,Henry for Rondo deal because Rondo has not earned the respect than the other PG’s like CP3 and Derron Williams and many others you can bulid around Rondo.You can with Gordon but you need a PG to put it 18 to 20 ppg Rondo can do that you could go after Nick Young,Lou Williams or Landry Fields if you want or draft a SG like Beal or Barton.If you were to bulid around Gordon getting a PG like Augustin would be a good choice with Derron Williams if the price is right the Hornets can get him an new owner(s) will know they’ve to keep up the Mavs with talent in that divison.I like a youth movement but at the same time you don’t want to go the next 2-3 years depending on youth to make you contender it’s great to have some veteran pieces to bulid a contender.If Benson buy this team then those pundits on ESPN will be very ticked off and i’ll be happy when it happen and to those that want to know if an owner can buy a franchise from another leauge yes you can as long as it’s in the same city as your franchise.Note:Ted Turner once owner the Atlanta Braves and Hawks and Ted Leondis i think own the Washington Wizards and Capitals.
Nickname – I try, is funny…
Aminu-Aminu Acids
Ariza-Octopus
Ayon-Gust avion (avion is airplane in french)
Belinelli-Bello (means beautiful in italian)
Gordon-Ghost
Henry-Mister H.
Jack-Electricity (but no defense)
Landry-Promised Land
Kaman-Caveman
Okafor-Oak
Smith-I love it when a plan comes together (Ok is long nickn., but is A-Team seargent Smith cit.)
Thomas-Saint Thomas
Vasquez-Rocks
Rondo (if trade it)-Rondò veneziano
Also, off topic, but does anyone think Damian Lillard is a lot like Steph Curry? He could go seriously high if he has a good run in the Tournament in March. I think he has it in him.
Personally I’m not that high on the kid…
Plus it would be awfully hypocritical of me to rant about Jacks sg mentality but ask for this kid to be drafted…
Call me Consistent.
Vasquez – Greivis Island (after the Jets lock-down corner, Darrelle Revis)
Ayon – Gusto
Gordon – Air Gordon
Sloan – The Donald (One of Trump’s nicknames)
Awesome! I really like “Greivis Island!”
Ayon – El Gato
Rondo/Gordon – I can dig it. What do you give up to get him? Best case scenario is Minnesota winning the Lotto and us having two top 5 picks. Then we can deal one of them to Boston for Rondo and hopefully take the unibrow with our #1 pick. I would do everything we could to hold on to Vasquez and Ayon. They will be anchors for our 2nd unit.
[…] on-the-court product immediately, but there will be differences. Maybe they’ll even be taking suggestions. They will slowly and steadily join in with the rest of us, one day ceasing to be the new […]