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rlotte Bobcats: A Brief History As the world's favorite sport, basketball has taken a foothold in almost every corner of the globe. The NBA, in particular, has grown into an institution that represents the finest players and teams from around the world. One of the most exciting groups of NBA players is the Charlotte Bobcats. The Charlotte Bobcats were founded in 2004 by the NBA legend and entrepreneur, Michael Jordan. The team is based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, and has been playing in the Eastern Conference of the NBA since their inception. The Bobcats' colors are blue, white, and orange, and they have an ultra-modern logo, which is a stylized cartoon of a bobcat. The Charlotte Bobcats' first coach was the Hall of Famer, Bernie Bickerstaff. During that first season, the Bobcats struggled to find their footing as they finished 18-64, which was the worst record in the entire NBA that year. Despite the rough start, the Bobcats franchise was off and running. In 2006, the Bobcats' fortunes began to change for the better. They signed All-Star forward, Gerald Wallace, and drafted Rookie of the Year, Emeka Okafor. Okafor, in particular, had an immediate impact on the team's fortunes as he averaged 15.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in his first season with the Bobcats. With two marquee players in place, the Bobcats began to attract more fans and put up a better record, finishing the 2006-2007 season with a respectable 33-49 record. By 2010, the Charlotte Bobcats had become a team on the rise. They drafted their point guard of the future, Kemba Walker, who quickly proved himself to be one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the league. However, the Bobcats' fortunes began to wane again, as the team fell into a slump that lasted until 2013. In 2013, the Charlotte Bobcats drafted another marquee player, Cody Zeller. Zeller, along with forward, Al Jefferson, helped turn the team around, as the Bobcats finished the 2013-2014 season with a record of 43-39. The Bobcats even made the playoffs that year, but they were swept in four games by the Miami Heat. Following that season, the Charlotte Bobcats changed their name to the Charlotte Hornets, which was the name of the team that played in Charlotte from 1988 to 2002. Since changing their name, the Hornets have continued to push forward, with a roster that includes All-Star point guard, Kemba Walker, and many other exciting players. In conclusion, the Charlotte Bobcats have been a team on the rise since their inception in 2004. They have endured many ups and downs, but they have continued to push forward, building a strong squad that is a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. With the team now known as the Charlotte Hornets, the future looks bright for basketball fans in Charlotte, North Carolina.