Derick E. Hingle – USA Today Sports Images
It’s been a decent run Hornets, but good riddance to that nickname. It just doesn’t make sense and New Orleans finally underwent its rebranding. As with such momentous occasions as nickname, jersey, stadium and logo changes, it’s important to both look forward and reflect on the early years after moving the franchise from Charlotte with a best-of list that features one of the players pictured above.
“We have been looking forward to this day since we announced the Pelicans as the new name,” New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson said in a released statement after the name change, not in response to my list, I don’t think. “The Pelican is a symbol for our city and region, and we’re excited to start a new era in Louisiana basketball history. This offseason is going to be a special time for the Pelicans.”
Here’s my starting five for the All-New Orleans Hornets squad (so, excluding Charlotte years):
PG Chris Paul: The league’s best point guard, enough said.
SG Eric Gordon: Still struggling to fully realize his potential, but gives them a nice scorer to work with Paul.
SF Anthony Davis: I thought about starting a small lineup with two natural fours along with David West. You could make the argument for West or Davis at the four, but I’ll stick the 2012 first-overall pick here at the three as a versatile element in this rim-protecting lineup.
F David West: Again, this will be an incredibly physical group. No easy buckets in the paint, especially with…
C Tyson Chandler: He didn’t totally blossom until joining the Dallas Mavericks for their championship run towards the end of the last decade, but its still comical that New Orleans traded him for Emeka Okafor.
Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
