Game, Stop! - The Hornets Ownership Thread

[LofJ]

Read on Twitter

Incredible, MJ would never do something like that. I really like Rick Schnall, I get good vibes from him.

[Walt Cronkite]

That is encouraging.

[Braggins]

I honestly got the sense from MJ towards the end that he felt contempt for the fanbase and was actively trying to spite them at times.

[lmcguir15]

Re: Owners being involved at the deadline

On one hand, it was nice to see a fresh approach. On the other hand, owners being involved is usually not a good thing. I hope they cede decision making to the eventual new GM.

Specifically this deadline I'm more fine with it only because Mitch is on his way out. But if they hire their guy to replace him, they need to just let him do his job. New owners usually fall into the trap of thinking they're the smartest guys in the room because they've made billions, and leads to bad decisions. Looking at you Tepper.

[luciano-davidwesley]

Re: Owners being involved at the deadline

On one hand, it was nice to see a fresh approach. On the other hand, owners being involved is usually not a good thing. I hope they cede decision making to the eventual new GM.

Specifically this deadline I'm more fine with it only because Mitch is on his way out. But if they hire their guy to replace him, they need to just let him do his job. New owners usually fall into the trap of thinking they're the smartest guys in the room because they've made billions, and leads to bad decisions. Looking at you Tepper.

Welcome to the board!

[lmcguir15]

Re: Owners being involved at the deadline

On one hand, it was nice to see a fresh approach. On the other hand, owners being involved is usually not a good thing. I hope they cede decision making to the eventual new GM.

Specifically this deadline I'm more fine with it only because Mitch is on his way out. But if they hire their guy to replace him, they need to just let him do his job. New owners usually fall into the trap of thinking they're the smartest guys in the room because they've made billions, and leads to bad decisions. Looking at you Tepper.

Welcome to the board!

Thanks!

[yosemiteben]

https://www.qcnews.com/charlotte/charlotte-would-lose-ownership-in-hornets-practice-facility-invest-more-in-spectrum-center-under-proposed-deal/

Big deal. Specifically loving this:

HSE is committed to fully funding the practice facility costs above the $30 million provided by the city, and we have teamed with longtime Hornets partner Novant Health to offer a destination for leading-edge sports medicine and orthopedic care as part of the mixed-use practice facility development.

[Walt Cronkite]

Move over torture rack, make way iron maiden.

Good news.

[Rich4114]

I think the new owners are going to be willing to spend money where Jordan wasn't and it's going to make a difference. Now, we just need to get his pals out of the org and replaced with competent basketball people. And of course a new head coach and assistant staff.

[fatlever]

Read on Twitter

Sun's new honors are showing how it's done. They made their games available for free to watch via. Now they've greatly reduced the price of certain food products in the arena.

[Liver_Pooty]

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Sun's new honors are showing how it's done. They made their games available for free to watch via. Now they've greatly reduced the price of certain food products in the arena.

Need a 2 dollar beer menu

[KembaWalker]

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Sun's new honors are showing how it's done. They made their games available for free to watch via. Now they've greatly reduced the price of certain food products in the arena.

certainly a well timed drop in contrast with our current headlines

[amcoolio]

I've always daydreamed about being a billionaire owner of a sports franchise, and this is always one of the first things I would do. People wouldn't care as much about the product on the court if the food and drinks were cheap and there were other things to do at the arena

I can't understand David Tepper and him owning the team for 5 years, with his wealth, and the Panthers stadium food still being below average and overpriced

[SWedd523]

Read on Twitter

Sun's new honors are showing how it's done. They made their games available for free to watch via. Now they've greatly reduced the price of certain food products in the arena.

Need a 2 dollar beer menu

In Charlotte we have cheerleaders and Hugo beating up kids and stealing back PlayStation 5s, a week before Christmas

[Robot Rock]

Michael Jordan remains the best owner in franchise history. He's only one of the 10-12 worst owners ever, so he's easily the best.

[yosemiteben]

My personal theory is that the ownership is saying let's just see what we have this season in terms of strength of current roster and ability to stay healthy, give Lee some time to work out the kinks in his first head coaching gig, and in doing so we are very likely to keep our 1st. Assuming it's a high lottery pick, then we can both take a stab at a high pick in a purportedly strong draft + go big game hunting on the trade market with future draft capital.

That seems like a very defensible game plan.

It does seem interesting to me that the FO and coaching staff are preaching about the importance of having a strong training department and prioritizing the long term health of players. To me that seems like it could be a play to get FAs with injury histories interested.

I can see a path where we add Lonzo as a FA, a top 5 pick in the 2025 draft, and a star like Zion via trade, all without sacrificing a substantial portion of our own draft capital due to the picks we picked up at the deadline last year.

[Hornet Mania]

It's obvious the new ownership group was not serious about winning this season or last. Retaining Clifford, last year's trade deadline, selecting Salaun, and the complete lack of any meaningful additions in the offseason all demonstrate that imo.

My assumption is similar to yosemiteben's, that this a long-term plan to suffer now to gain more later. Keep the lotto pick, separate the wheat from the chaff on this roster, then start getting more serious next year. If that really is the plan it was the best option available imo and I'm fine with it.

But I totally understand the pessimism. Once bitten twice shy and all that. If we see the same rudderless crap next offseason I'll join the doomer camp too.

And please, for the love of god, no Zion. He was awesome in college but that player is gone forever, let's not chase fool's gold with our one shot at adding a star beside Melo/Miller. I'd sooner add Lavine, at least he'd play.

[MasterIchiro]

I thought there were whisperings the Pelicans may cut Zion's contract.

For my money and draft capital I'd look elsewhere for a high profile addition.

Micic won't be back so I like Lonzo as a PG2 option, moving Mann to SG2 on a new deal. I think Lonzo could add serious production over Micic and really serve as an engine for the second unit alongside Mann who is really good in isolation and can handle like a primary playmaker. Lonzo is a good primary playmaker. If healthy he could be one of the top backup PG.

[Diop]

Read on Twitter

Sun's new honors are showing how it's done. They made their games available for free to watch via. Now they've greatly reduced the price of certain food products in the arena.

Need a 2 dollar beer menu

In Charlotte we have cheerleaders and Hugo beating up kids and stealing back PlayStation 5s, a week before Christmas

too be fair, I think I'd prefer good cheerleaders and mean mascots. thats fun viewing.

[Diop]

i think they made it pretty clear they are trying to build from the ground up. trying to set a culture of hard work.

word was the only person deemed untouchable in trades last offseason was Miller and Ball.
Moussa, Wong and Jefferies have been decent finds.

they're not rushing which probably also indicates they're unlikely to be linked to Zion. He doesn't fit the culture.