Derick Hingle – USA Today Sports Images
After making the announcement earlier in the season, owner Tom Benson and team officials officially announced on Thursday that the New Orleans Hornets are no more and the NBA team in New Orleans will be known as the Pelicans from here on out. The officials added that they should be referred to as the Pelicans at all events and things of that matter.
The franchise relocated to New Orleans from Charlotte in 2002, the Hornets name staying the same. After 11 years as the Hornets in the Big Easy, though, Benson and his front office decided it was time for a change. After all, New Orleans is a city that prides itself on its uniqueness, so having an unfitting name that they didn’t select, like the Hornets, really never seemed right.
The Hornets have never really seemed right, either. Sure, they finished five seasons with a winning percentage at or above .500 and made the playoffs in all five of those seasons, but it still never felt completely right. Even with arguably the best point guard in the league, Chris Paul, running their team it still felt like this team lacked an identity.
That’s what changing their name to the Pelicans does for this team, though; it establishes an identity and a team that New Orleans can call their own. In fact, there has never been a better time for this team to create a unique identity for themselves than right now.
This team is one of the youngest in the league and is going to be centered on Anthony Davis, who just finished a successful rookie season. They also have players like Greivis Vasquez and Ryan Anderson that are young and establishing themselves in the league. In a way, it’s the perfect match; a young group of players establishing their identities on a team that’s establishing its identity.
Cody Williams is a Senior NBA Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.
