In the 2005 NBA Draft, the Bobcats picked up two North Carolina players: guard Raymond Felton and forward Sean May. In NBA Draft following year, they selected Adam Morrison from Gonzaga University. On March 13, 2007, Michael Jordan announced that Bobcats head coach, Bernie Bickerstaff, would not return to coach the 2007–08 season. Bickerstaff would finish the rest of the 2006-07 season. On May 25, 2007 Sam Vincent, a former assistant with the Dallas Mavericks, became the second coach in franchise history.
In the 2007 NBA Draft, the Bobcats selected Brandan Wright who was subsequently traded to Golden State for swingman Jason Richardson and power forward Jermareo Davidson. Shortly after the trade, the Franchise resigned Gerald Wallace to a reported six-year, $57 million contract. Wallace turned to be the team’s leading scorer for the 2006–2007 season. The Bobcats waived team veteran Raymond Felton who led the team in assists.
As the Bobcats looked to bolster their depth at the point guard position, Earl Boykins, the shortest player in the NBA, was signed on January 31, 2008. Sam Vincent, only lasting a year, was fired as head coach after a disappointing season in April 2008.
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team that is a part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association. The team is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The team is owned by Robert L. Johnson who is a founder of Black Entertainment Television. Other owners include Michael Jordan and Cornell "Nelly" Haynes. The Bobcats play their home games at Time Warner Cable Arena in uptown Charlotte.
The name Charlotte Bobcats first appeared in June 2003 as a result of a naming contest that drew over 1,250 suggestions. The name Charlotte Bobcats was preferred over Charlotte Flight and Charlotte Dragons. The bobcat is one of the few indigenous predators to the Carolinas. Charlotte, already being home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers, made the cat-related name a natural choice for the area's new basketball team. The logo of the team depicts an angry bobcat. The team mascot Rufus was finalized in 2003. The Bobcat’s Rufus Lynx appears in his orange color fur, dark sunglasses and high-top sneakers. Bobcat Orange, Silver, Blue and Black are the colors of Bobcats.
The Bobcats donned a white uniform reading Bobcats in orange with dark blue, light blue and black trimming for home games. Their primary away jersey is orange reading "Charlotte" in white with dark blue, light blue and black trimming; while the alternative jersey reads Bobcats in white with blue uniform with black, orange, and white trimming.
The alternative uniform debuted during the 2006–07 season.
The team also boost of Lady Cats, Rally Cats and Rhythm Cats. The Lady Cats are the cheerleaders that make many charitable and promotional appearances for the team. The Rally Cats is a group of high-energy performers that can be found at every Bobcats game. They are always found pumping up the crowd, throwing out t-shirts, performing stunts, dancing and participating in fan giveaways. The Rhythm Cats are a group of talented musicians who bring energy to every Bobcats home game. They generate huge fan excitement during pre-game introductions and during the game.
It’s not been long since the Bobcats appeared as a team. After NBA’s decision to expand itself in 2002, a lot of new teams appeared in Basketball. Charlotte Bobcats is one of them. Established in 2004, the Bobcats appeared on horizon two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, relocated to New Orleans and became the New Orleans Hornets. Robert L. Johnson was initially the sole owner of the team. Later on Michael Jordan and Nelly joined him.
The Bobcats played their first game on November 4, 2004. They lost the game to the Washington Wizards 103–96. The first win came to Bobcats two days later on November 6 by defeating Orlando Magic with score111–100. That season saw the Bobcats emerging as potential performers as they defeated the likes of defending champion Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Hornets finishing in 4th place in their division.
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