Like Really?!

Why Would You Do That?

In coming up with things to write about during the weeks, you have the pleasure of running up on some great stories. Although, sometimes, the stories are so outlandish that they have to be pushed through the press. This post in particular is about why the New Orleans Hornets owner Tom Benson wrecked the reputation of the New Orleans Hornets with a name change.

ESPN dropped this story five days ago and it's picked up some steam. The Hornets announced that they will be changing the name of their franchise from the New Orleans Hornets to the New Orleans Pelicans....Yeah, that's not a typo, Pelicans. Like what (insert phrase)?!!

Now you don't have to be a basketball fan to say that there is something wrong with a GROWN man saying, "I'm a Pelican, I'm here to win Championships." It is ridiculous. I know this franchise has been through ups and downs with Hurricane Katrina, depressing seasons, and sub-par management, but whoa, Pelicans. I know I'm just one person, but I am not feeling it.
 
Out of all New Orleans sports franchises [Saints (NFL), VooDoo (AFL), and now Pelicans (NBA)] the Pelicans have to be the worse idea for a name. New Orleans lost a great name with the Jazz when they uprooted and headed west in 1979. The only constellation prize I can have is that the NBA Commissioner has the final approval, but it doesn't look promising that it will be decline.

"The NBA still has to approve it, but commissioner David Stern has said he wouldn't object to any name Benson chose. The league is expected to expedite the change at the start of next season." -ESPN

 Lost story short, the change was inspired by the BP Oil spill in the Gulf. The Louisiana state bird, brown pelicans, fell victim to the spill but was restored from the endangered list in 2009. Tom Benson thought that the name Hornets didn't mean anything to the town and by changing it to "Pelicans," it will inspire the town and the team. Benson is trying to duplicate the influence and effect the New Orleans Saints have on the city, but I think that idea is farfetched.

So NBA fans prepare yourself for a new squad in New Orleans, the New Orleans Pelicans. Personally, I would go for the New Orleans Ducks, but I don't make the rules.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8878315/new-orleans-hornets-announce-name-change-pelicans