Hornets Extra: Hornets 101, Bulls 91

91

101

With the final few weeks of the regular season rapidly approaching, the time for the Charlotte Hornets to make a major statement in the battle for the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race is now, and last night, before a sellout crowd of 19,183 at Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte battled back twice and would eventually pull away from the Chicago Bulls, as they ended their short losing streak and got back on the winning track with a 101-91 win, as the Hornets improve to 29-35 on the season, and move back into sole possession of 8th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

It was indeed a solid, but yet, terrific win, according to Hornets head coach Steve Clifford. "Do we need everybody to bring it every night? Yes we do, and for 18 games, we can do that." Clifford said on what his team must do in the next 18 games to clinch back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in the modern era of Charlotte NBA Basketball(2004-present).

"We just try harder." said Gerald Henderson, who led the way with 20 points in the win for the Hornets, as he was one of 7 players that reached double figures for Charlotte in the win. Joining him were Mo Williams, who has continuously been playing strong basketball since he was acquired by the Hornets two weeks ago, and he finished with 18 points on the night. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had a good game in the win, ending it with 13 points, while Marvin Williams added in 12 in the effort, with Bismack Biyombo, Kemba Walker, and Jason Maxiell all adding in 10 points each, with Biyombo adding in 10 rebounds in his start in the place of Al Jefferson.

Chicago was led in scoring by Aaron Brooks, who had a game-high 24 points in the loss for the Bulls, while Pau Gasol added in 18 points.  The Hornets will hit the road for a tough 5-game road trip, which gets started on Monday night in Salt Lake City, as they square off against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena for a 9:00 p.m. start.

Updated Eastern Conference Standings

1. Atlanta Hawks: 51-14^
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: 42-25
3. Toronto Raptors: 39-26
4. Chicago Bulls: 40-27
5. Washington Wizards: 37-28
6. Milwaukee Bucks: 34-31
7. Indiana Pacers: 30-34
8. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: 29-35
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9. Miami Heat: 29-36
10. Boston Celtics: 28-36
11. Brooklyn Nets: 25-38

Hornets Extra: December 23, 1988: A date that will live in Charlotte NBA history.

Today marks a date of historic significance in the 25 year history of Charlotte NBA basketball, as one game would become a turning point in the history of a young franchise back in their inaugural season of 1988-89, as the Charlotte Hornets, who were just 6-17 at the time were preparing to face Michael Jordan, who is of course the owner of the new version of the Hornets, and the Chicago Bulls, who were 13-10 before a sellout crowd of 23,388 at the Charlotte Coliseum and a national television audience on SuperStation WTBS in a game that would put Charlotte on the map as a NBA hotbed.

December 23rd,1988 wasn't your typical Friday in Charlotte, North Carolina, a city of 350,000 residents at the time, as many of us Charlotteans were either out doing some last minute Christmas shopping, or flying in and out of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to visit our families for the holidays.  For the Charlotte Hornets, a young expansion franchise that was finding it's way around the NBA in its second month of existence, they were hoping to give the fans something to cheer about.

It would come in the form of Michael Jordan playing in his first professional basketball game in his home state as a member of the Chicago Bulls, the Hornets opponent that night at the Coliseum, and believe me, the place was jam packed with those wearing Purple and Teal on that December night in 1988.

The turning point of that night's game was in the final quarter of action, as many of the sellout crowd that were there, while the rest of us were either watching the game on television, or listening to the game on the Hornets flagship radio station at the time, 1110 WBT, whose 50,000 watt signal would reach "From Canada to Cuba", were all wondering what would happen next.  Chicago was up 85-77 at the time, but the Hornets would eventually go on a run of 10-0 to capture the lead at 87-85, as Tim Kempton would come off the bench for Charlotte with his six points to help the cause.

Jordan, who eventually led all scorers with 33 points in his first NBA game back in North Carolina, would make a layup to tie up the game at 101, and with less than 26 seconds left in regulation, everyone inside Charlotte Coliseum was on their feet to find out if the Hornets would send it to overtime, or go for the win. For the team's first head coach, Dick Harter, he knew that if you wanted to send the crowd home happy, go for the win.

Charlotte would get the ball with 26 seconds left in regulation, and with less than three seconds left in the game, Hornets guard Robert Reid would miss his potential game-winning shot, then it would come to forward Kurt Rambis, who would get it off the rim, and he got the ball back when they got a fresh 24 on the shot clock as he would put a stickback basket at the buzzer, to give the Hornets a 103-101 win, sending the 23,388 into a frenzy that night at the Coliseum, as the game would signal the beginning of "Hornets Hysteria", when the Charlotte Coliseum would sellout night after night for the next 364 Hornets games, while going on to lead the league in attendance in 8 out of 10 seasons.

If you're a Hornets fan since that first season in 1988-89, you knew that this game was indeed a memorable one in Charlotte NBA history, when you combine the 14 seasons of the original Hornets franchise, along with the 10 seasons of the Bobcats era, and many of us still have memories of this game to this very day, as this game against Chicago 26 years ago was truly another memorable moment in Charlotte Hornets history.  

For those of you who were wondering who led the Hornets in scoring that night, it was Kelly Tripucka with 30 points.

Hornets Extra: Bulls 102, Hornets 95

102

95

Back on Wednesday night, the Charlotte Hornets dropped their 10th straight decision, this time at the expense of the Chicago Bulls as their late charge in the 4th quarter wasn't enough as the Bulls held on for a 7-point win by a 102-95 final score, before 16,887 at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The loss dropped Charlotte to 4-15 on the season.  Chicago was led in scoring by Pau Gasol, as he finished the game on Wednesday with 19 points on 7-of-19 shooting from the field to go along with 15 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose each had 14 points each to add on to the total team effort that Gasol liked on Wednesday for Chicago. "These types of games really make a big difference at the end of the season with your record." Gasol said.

Chicago also saw Joakim Noah notch a double-double, with 14 points and 10 rebounds, with Kirk Hinrich adding in 12 points off the bench and Nikola Mirotic, rounded out the list of double figure scorers for the Bulls with 11 points off the bench.  As a team, the Bulls finished the night shooting 46.2% from the field, while they won the rebounding war by a 49-42 margin.

The Hornets were led by Kemba Walker, who had one of the two bright highlights for Charlotte in Wednesday's loss, as he shaked and bake, and he would proceed to leave Mirotic on the Billy Graham Parkway going to the Airport in the third quarter.  He would finish up with 23 points to lead the Hornets in the loss, while Lance Stephenson would add in 20 points.

Charlotte hopes to avoid losing its 11th straight game tonight, when they welcome in Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks to "The Hive" for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.

Hornets Extra: Bulls vs. Hornets

Chicago Bulls(11-7) vs. Charlotte Hornets(4-14)

Time Warner Cable Arena

Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.

Television: SportSouth

Radio: WFNZ-AM(610 The Fan)

Series history(since original Hornets first season in 1988-89): CHI leads series 61-32

The Charlotte Hornets are back in action after taking the last few days off to lick their wounds off a 105-75 drubbing by the Atlanta Hawks, as they welcome in the Chicago Bulls to Time Warner Cable Arena for tonight's match-up.  Charlotte enters this game on a season-long 9-game losing streak, while Chicago is coming off a tough double-overtime loss at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks last night at the United Center.

Scouting the Bulls

If you want to try to beat the Chicago Bulls at their own game, then you have to stop the dynamic duo of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.  They are two of the best players that they have on the roster, and they can totally put every single game away.  The Bulls are coming off a double-overtime loss at the hands of Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks last night by a 132-129 margin at the United Center, but Chicago is hoping to get back on its feet tonight on the road in Charlotte against the slumping Charlotte Hornets.

Scouting the Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets on the other hand, is still desperately looking for their 5th win of the season in the last 2 1/2 weeks, as they are marred in a long losing streak of 9 games, as their recent failures have been taking a toll on the players, and mostly their fans, along with the recent downfall of the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte's NFL team, and many are calling for head coach Steve Clifford to be fired.  Tonight's game won't be no easy walk in the park, as they face one of the top teams in the NBA, the Chicago Bulls at "The Hive", as the Hornets begin another 3-game homestand hoping for some better results this time around.

Next 4 games for the Hornets(Home games in Purple, Road games in Teal)

Friday: New York Knicks vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)
Next Wednesday: Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)
Next Friday: Charlotte @ Memphis Grizzlies(8:00 p.m.)
December 13th: Brooklyn  Nets vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)

NOTES: All SportSouth telecasts begin with "Hornets Live" 30 minutes before tip-off; All Hornets games can be heard locally on flagship stations WFNZ-AM(610 The Fan) and throughout the Carolinas on the Hornets Radio Network.

Hornets Extra - Preseason Edition: Hornets @ Bulls

Preseason Game #6: Charlotte Hornets(3-2) vs. Chicago Bulls(3-2)

United Center, Chicago

Tip-off: 8:00 p.m.

Radio: WFNZ-AM(610 The Fan)

Tonight in Chicago, the Charlotte Hornets will square off against the Chicago Bulls in the 6th game of the preseason slate for both teams.  The Hornets are coming off a 96-86 win over the Wizards on Friday night in Washington behind a 20-point performance from Al Jefferson in the win for Charlotte, while the Bulls enter this game with a 85-84 win over the Atlanta Hawks back on Thursday night at home on a buzzer-beater from Jimmy Butler.

Scouting the Hornets

With 3 games remaining in their preseason schedule, the Charlotte Hornets have been starting to develop a game plan that would carry them well into next Wednesday's inaugural game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Time Warner Cable Arena.  Charlotte bounced back from a tough loss at the hands of the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday morning with a 96-86 win over the Wizards on Friday night in Washington, behind Al Jefferson's 20 point performance to give the Hornets a 3-2 record so far on the preseason, and they look to have a good game tonight, as they visit the "Windy City" to square off against the Bulls at the United Center.

Scouting the Bulls

Just like the Hornets, Chicago is also 3-2 on the preseason slate, coming off a dramatic win back on Thursday night at the United Center, when Jimmy Butler's buzzer-beater gave the Bulls a 85-84 win over the Atlanta Hawks.  Chicago is always a tough team to beat each season, and the match-up tonight will be a fun one, as they welcome in Charlotte, their longtime rivals dating back to when current Hornets owner Michael Jordan suited up in a Bulls uniform, to the United Center for this preseason contest as both teams are entering the home stretch in the preseason, as they get ready for the upcoming 2014-15 campaign next week.

Upcoming Hornets preseason game schedule(Home games in Purple, Road games in Teal)

Monday: Charlotte @ Atlanta Hawks(7:30 p.m.)
Thursday: Indiana Pacers @ Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)

NOTE: All Hornets preseason games can be heard locally on flagship station WFNZ-AM(610 The Fan) and throughout the Carolinas on the Hornets Radio Network.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Chicago Bulls

Today's installment of our "30 Teams in 30 Days" series of NBA team previews leading up to the start of the 2014-15 season, now takes us to Chicago, where we will go in-depth and break down the always tough Chicago Bulls, a team that looks to keep the playoff tradition going into this season.

Last season's record: 48-34(2nd in Central Division/4th in Eastern Conference; Lost to WAS 4-1 in Eastern Conference 1st Round)

Head Coach: Tom Thibodeau(5th season, 205-107)

Arena: United Center(23,129)

Website: Bulls.com

When you think of the Chicago Bulls, you obviously think of history, tradition, and championships, and not to mention the team's glory days with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Phil Jackson.  Over the last couple of seasons, Chicago has added on to that legacy when Tom Thibodeau arrived in 2010 to take over a Bulls squad that is determined to get back to elite status in the NBA.

Ultimately, the team lost one of it's biggest stars in Derrick Rose during the season, but they did manage to rally around each other to wrap up the 2013-14 campaign with a 48-34 record and making the playoffs once again, before bowing out in 5 games to an upstart Washington Wizards team that surprised everyone last season.

Fast forward to this upcoming season, we all know that Derrick Rose is back, and he is determined to stay healthy and lead Chicago to possibly another playoff appearance, and even further if they want to bring home their 7th NBA title, their first since 1998.  Many of the fans in Chicago are all hoping that the Bulls can go above their expectations and to have a strong year, and it will all depend on how will they play together as a team this year.

Upcoming team previews in the "30 Teams in 30 Days" series:

• Sunday: Milwaukee Bucks
• Monday: Detroit Pistons
• Tuesday: Cleveland Cavaliers
• Wednesday: Toronto Raptors
• Thursday: Boston Celtics
• Friday: New York Knicks
• Next Saturday: Brooklyn Nets

Remembering the Charlotte Hornets 25 years later: The game that signaled the birth of "Hornets Hysteria"

As we continue to look back at some of the memorable moments from the Charlotte Hornets first season 25 years ago, we'll be looking back at an historical moment that changed the team, and the city of Charlotte forever 25 years ago yesterday, as "Hornets Hysteria" would be born with a game against North Carolina's native son, who would eventually be the man that would own our current NBA team and the driving force behind our city bringing the "Hornets" name back next season.

The game that marked the birth of "Hornets Hysteria"

It wasn't a typical Friday in Charlotte on that day back on December 23rd, 1988, it was just 2 days before Christmas, and thousands of people living here at that time were just busy getting their Christmas shopping done, while others were either flying in or flying out of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to visit family and friends, and for the Charlotte Hornets, who were 6-17 at the time, they were hard at work preparing for their match-up against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in what would be Jordan's first professional game in his home state before a crowd of 23,388 at the Charlotte Coliseum and a national television audience on SuperStation TBS.

The Hornets were down 85-77 to the Bulls, who were led in scoring by Jordan, who had 33 points, but forward Tim Kempton would provide a little spark for Charlotte off the bench, as his six points would give the Hornets an 87-85 lead with 6:23 left in the game, and with time running out, everyone inside the Coliseum was hoping for a little early-Christmas present, and head coach Dick Harter would come up with a game plan, as Charlotte was tied with Chicago at 101-101 after a Jordan layup, setting the stage for a thrilling finish at "The Hive", and to simply put it, it was truly alive and well that night with just a few seconds left in regulation, as both teams, and those attending the game, watching it on television, or hearing the game on the radio, were on pins and needles as the Hornets needed just one shot to win the game or settle it in overtime, but Rambis was all in, and he wanted to go for the win.

With 26 seconds left in regulation, the Hornets would have the ball, as Robert Reid's jumper attempt was no good with time winding down, and Rambis was right on the spot to recover the loose ball and would stick it in at the buzzer, for the first last-second win in franchise history, and everyone inside the Coliseum would shout in jubilation and the team was jumping for joy, as the Hornets would get what would become one of their signature wins in their first season in Charlotte, defeating the Bulls 103-101, with Kelly Tripucka leading the way with 30 points in the victory for Charlotte. In his post-game press conference,  Harter would give the fans that were there that evening a lot of praise, quoting that "Charlotte, this is your Christmas present." and from that game on, "Hornets Hysteria" was everywhere throughout Charlotte and the Carolinas, as the game that night would make the Charlotte Hornets a household name, while the Charlotte Coliseum would be packed night in and night out for 364 consecutive games.

The way I see it, "Hornets Hysteria" was simply put, something this city needed that day, as it would be an early-Christmas present for the residents of 350,000 people living here at that time who were busy preparing for the holidays, and it was all over our city, as fans wore everything purple and teal and talked about it at work, in sports bars, and everywhere else around our city, as well as throughout North and South Carolina, as people finally took notice about the Charlotte Hornets and adopting them as their hometown NBA team during the first season, and that is something that we are looking forward to recreating next season, when the Bobcats officially change its name to the Hornets for the 2014-15 season and beyond.

"Hornets Hysteria" was indeed another great moment in the first season of the 1988-89 Charlotte Hornets, as we continue to look back at some of the moments from the team's first season 25 years ago and looking ahead to the return of the Hornets next season.