Hornets return to Charlotte

The Hornets spent almost 10 years in Charlotte before they picked up and left for the Big Easy. Although the Hornets were very popular for many years in Charlotte, owner George Shinn and Atlanta businessman Ray Wooldridge all but turned the fans against them before the move.

Later that year, Charlotte was given a franchise with Bob Johnson as the owner.

It will likely be sweet irony for the Charlotte fans tonight, as the Hornets come to town with the worst record in the league (1-18) and the Bobcats are 4-14 in their inaugural campaign.

Seven Hornets remain on the roster from their time in Charlotte, including Baron Davis, George Lynch, David Wesley, Jamaal Magloire, P.J. Brown, Jamal Mashburn and Lee Nailon. Of course, Mashburn, Magloire and Davis are injured.

The Hornets have lost 10 consecutive contests, including an ugly 88-69 defeat to the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Dan Dickau and Junior Harrington both netted 14 points for the struggling Hornets, who have dropped 18 of their first 19 games of the young season.

The Hornets are getting close to matching their franchise-record (12) losing streak set Jan. 19-Feb. 14, 1990.

Dickau has scored in double-digits in four straight games. He is averaging 15.8 points, two rebounds and two assists in that span.

Brown chipped in 13 points and 10 boards in a losing effort.

The Hornets’ lone win this season came at the expense of the Utah Jazz back on November 22.

Prior to Sunday’s game, New Orleans placed forward David West on the injured list. The Hornets also signed free-agent Lonny Baxter to take West’s roster spot.

New Orleans, which was moved to the Western Conference because of Charlotte’s return, has not been good on the road this season, tallying a 1-9 mark.

Charlotte has not been at its best as of late, dropping four consecutive contests. On Sunday, the Bobcats dropped a 99-87 decision to the Golden State Warriors at The Arena in Oakland.

Emeka Okafor became the first rookie since Tim Duncan during the 1997-98 season to register 10 straight double-doubles, as the Bobcats finished a four- game road trip winless. Okafor had 21 points and 13 boards for Charlotte, which is 0-10 on the road this season.

Jason Kapono had 17 points for the Bobcats, who are the only winless team on the road this season in the NBA.

To make matters worse, Keith Bogans left the game due to injury in the fourth quarter. Bogans is questionable for tonight’s game with an ankle injury.

The Bobcats have been their best at Charlotte Arena this season, splitting eight games.