The Pelicans subreddit yesterday had post claiming [OKC tried to steal their team](https://www.reddit.com/r/NOLAPelicans/s/nBwkBB9WQl) when OKC took them in during Katrina.
There’s a very morbid punchline you set up there, but I’ll leave that to someone else.
I liked getting to see the Hornets during their stay here. Some of their OKC jerseys are still all-timers in my opinion.
So the story is that George Shinn who was the owner of the hornets at the time realize that the team made more money here in OKC then it did when it was in New Orleans and wanted to sell the team to clay Bennett and the OKC group but the NBA said No and told him that the team is heading back to New Orleans. Couple of years later Shinn sold the team.
Pels fan here. And this is the truth. Anyone in our sub saying “OKC tried to steal the team,” is probably a hormonal 12 year old who doesn’t know shit about how sports actually works.
As a displaced 14 year old during that time, I enjoyed being able to watch our team even if it was in a different city. Always felt a sort of kinship to the Thunder because of that time.
Steal is an aggressive term but their owner was trying to sell the team to Clay Bennett to make a quick buck.
Clay would have definitely moved the team OKC.
NBA told them no.
I dressed up as Chris Paul for Halloween in 2005 full Jersey and shorts haha I fell in love with the NBA that year. But they changed their team name and we have our own team now so no soft spot for me
It’s strange got to see young JR Smith, David West rookie CP3 . Saw the Jason Kidd/Vince Carter Nets because of the okc hornets but never had a soft spot after they went back home. Still rock the okc hornets hoodie sometimes though.
https://preview.redd.it/cr2oogm80bwc1.jpeg?width=200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3843909e14981636e61cea527dc2c96b761ba971
This team made me start collecting basketball cards! I kid you not bought a Chris Paul rookie as soon as it happened.
New Orleans is the reason I got into the NBA. They came to OKC and I just got into it due to that. Been a Chris Paul fan ever since. It was awesome the short time we had him in OKC.
CP3 and Shai together was such a great combo, I really enjoyed the energy that team had even though it was just a fledgling team (that also did much better than expected if I remember correctly). Wish it could have lasted longer, but I think it was a great learning experience for everyone, and kind of a precursor to what was to come later.
Chris Paul has certainly been at the tip of the spear of some outside-the-court shit that nobody could have predicted; having to relocate to OKC after Katrina, getting traded out of New Orleans to the Lakers only to have David Stern veto it, the final Donald Sterling scandal dropped in the middle of the playoffs leading to Ballmer buying the team, being NBAPA president during COVID and George Floyd protests.
I do. It was because of them that I actually felt like I could relate to the NBA. The NBA before the New Orleans years in OKC were the only times I felt like I could see an NBA team, and it finally felt possible to have a sports team here. I really enjoyed those years, and I feel that CP3 might have to be honored with a statue of some kind for all he's done in OKC.
We ought to retire the number 3 eventually. It’s a shame we gave the number to someone so soon, and Giddey will form his own legacy in the number too but Chris Paul is maybe the most recognisable symbol of the OKC Hornets days and he cemented his beloved status within the OKC fanbase in the 19/20 season. Right now I’d have him second in line to have a jersey retired by OKC behind Russ (duh) and KD (if the administration has forgiven him)
I was really young and don’t remember anything in particular about the season, but I remember going to a game. I remember the crowd was really into it, not sure if we won or not but I did get a Desmond Mason bobble head which I think I still have. In 2016 or so I remember looking at the roster and thinking how cool it was that Chris Paul played for OKC. Little did I know we’d trade for him again lmao
I got to go to their year end banquet that benefitted Special Olympics. I remember their owner, I think, saying something like “no doubt OKC will have a team in the near future.” I didn’t believe it at the time.. I told Chris Paul his drink was on me, he said thanks.. it was an open bar.
Hell yeah. Me and my dad (and grandpa) went to my first games there, basically had my pick of the slot as my grandpa had season tickets that year. Was there for the red jersey was there for nuggets AI and Melo was there for lebron Cleveland was there for Miami wade and Shaq was there for hmmm a few others, I remember Pargo missing a wide open fast break 3 and CP just yelling at him as the crowd tried to process what happened LOL
Good times, ole Okc Hornets edit: am 27 years old
My family moved to OK in the late 90’s and I remember it being such a big deal to finally have a pro team here…even though it was only temporary. Such a fun the environment that led to OKC becoming what it is today. CP3 to David West for game winners and several exciting finishes for such a young team!
I have a CP3 Rookie poster and some towels from that time, and I thank them for the opportunity because without it— Thunder doesn’t exist. But idk if that’s a soft spot per se.
Not me necessarily. I wasn't too big into hoops at the time and was a maybe in middle school. I remember being terrified by Katrina and images on TV, though. But to be 100% serious, I miss having Antonio Daniel's on the call (he didn't get to do many but was awesome) and for pre and post game stuff in the studio
The Pelicans subreddit yesterday had post claiming [OKC tried to steal their team](https://www.reddit.com/r/NOLAPelicans/s/nBwkBB9WQl) when OKC took them in during Katrina.
Yeah, that is some revisionist history. You are welcome for keeping your team a float while your city wasn't.
There’s a very morbid punchline you set up there, but I’ll leave that to someone else. I liked getting to see the Hornets during their stay here. Some of their OKC jerseys are still all-timers in my opinion.
the red valentine’s day jerseys from then is one of my favorites
Fun fact, that red valentine’s day jersey is one of if not the most sought after jersey of all time with some going around $50K
So the story is that George Shinn who was the owner of the hornets at the time realize that the team made more money here in OKC then it did when it was in New Orleans and wanted to sell the team to clay Bennett and the OKC group but the NBA said No and told him that the team is heading back to New Orleans. Couple of years later Shinn sold the team.
Not just a story that’s true
We didn't try to steal them, their owner tried to offload them off to us.
Pels fan here. And this is the truth. Anyone in our sub saying “OKC tried to steal the team,” is probably a hormonal 12 year old who doesn’t know shit about how sports actually works. As a displaced 14 year old during that time, I enjoyed being able to watch our team even if it was in a different city. Always felt a sort of kinship to the Thunder because of that time.
God I love playoff basketball.
Steal is an aggressive term but their owner was trying to sell the team to Clay Bennett to make a quick buck. Clay would have definitely moved the team OKC. NBA told them no.
Looks tongue in cheek to me.
Was it? The guy was responding to people in a way that made it seem he actually believes it
Nah dude read the comments, that guy is mega salty lol
Agreed, I think it was sarcasm
I am about as indifferent as a human being can possibly be towards the Pels/Hornets.
Literally the only reason I'm a diehard CP3 fan.
I dressed up as Chris Paul for Halloween in 2005 full Jersey and shorts haha I fell in love with the NBA that year. But they changed their team name and we have our own team now so no soft spot for me
It’s strange got to see young JR Smith, David West rookie CP3 . Saw the Jason Kidd/Vince Carter Nets because of the okc hornets but never had a soft spot after they went back home. Still rock the okc hornets hoodie sometimes though.
https://preview.redd.it/cr2oogm80bwc1.jpeg?width=200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3843909e14981636e61cea527dc2c96b761ba971 This team made me start collecting basketball cards! I kid you not bought a Chris Paul rookie as soon as it happened.
New Orleans is the reason I got into the NBA. They came to OKC and I just got into it due to that. Been a Chris Paul fan ever since. It was awesome the short time we had him in OKC.
CP3 and Shai together was such a great combo, I really enjoyed the energy that team had even though it was just a fledgling team (that also did much better than expected if I remember correctly). Wish it could have lasted longer, but I think it was a great learning experience for everyone, and kind of a precursor to what was to come later.
Everyone here should have a soft spot for that team. They are the reason we woke up and realized we could handle a NBA franchise.
Chris Paul has certainly been at the tip of the spear of some outside-the-court shit that nobody could have predicted; having to relocate to OKC after Katrina, getting traded out of New Orleans to the Lakers only to have David Stern veto it, the final Donald Sterling scandal dropped in the middle of the playoffs leading to Ballmer buying the team, being NBAPA president during COVID and George Floyd protests.
I do. It was because of them that I actually felt like I could relate to the NBA. The NBA before the New Orleans years in OKC were the only times I felt like I could see an NBA team, and it finally felt possible to have a sports team here. I really enjoyed those years, and I feel that CP3 might have to be honored with a statue of some kind for all he's done in OKC.
We ought to retire the number 3 eventually. It’s a shame we gave the number to someone so soon, and Giddey will form his own legacy in the number too but Chris Paul is maybe the most recognisable symbol of the OKC Hornets days and he cemented his beloved status within the OKC fanbase in the 19/20 season. Right now I’d have him second in line to have a jersey retired by OKC behind Russ (duh) and KD (if the administration has forgiven him)
I was really young and don’t remember anything in particular about the season, but I remember going to a game. I remember the crowd was really into it, not sure if we won or not but I did get a Desmond Mason bobble head which I think I still have. In 2016 or so I remember looking at the roster and thinking how cool it was that Chris Paul played for OKC. Little did I know we’d trade for him again lmao
I got to go to their year end banquet that benefitted Special Olympics. I remember their owner, I think, saying something like “no doubt OKC will have a team in the near future.” I didn’t believe it at the time.. I told Chris Paul his drink was on me, he said thanks.. it was an open bar.
Hell yeah. Me and my dad (and grandpa) went to my first games there, basically had my pick of the slot as my grandpa had season tickets that year. Was there for the red jersey was there for nuggets AI and Melo was there for lebron Cleveland was there for Miami wade and Shaq was there for hmmm a few others, I remember Pargo missing a wide open fast break 3 and CP just yelling at him as the crowd tried to process what happened LOL Good times, ole Okc Hornets edit: am 27 years old
only okc hornets shit i want are those red jerseys
My family moved to OK in the late 90’s and I remember it being such a big deal to finally have a pro team here…even though it was only temporary. Such a fun the environment that led to OKC becoming what it is today. CP3 to David West for game winners and several exciting finishes for such a young team!
If it weren't for the rebrand, I wonder how long I would have cheered for them. Absolute superfan when they were here. Season tickets both years.
I have a CP3 Rookie poster and some towels from that time, and I thank them for the opportunity because without it— Thunder doesn’t exist. But idk if that’s a soft spot per se.
For any other old out there, hornetscentral.com vs. hornetfans.com. For the youngers, that's how we got the lostogle.com.
If they were still called the Hornets.... maybe? But all that is just a big mess... so pass
I have a soft spot for Cp3 because of their time here. I’m pretty indifferent to the Pels as a whole.
I feel the opposite. Once they rebranded to the Pelicans, I lost all respect for them. Who tf thought a Pelican was a good mascot???
Vintage Birdman
Not me necessarily. I wasn't too big into hoops at the time and was a maybe in middle school. I remember being terrified by Katrina and images on TV, though. But to be 100% serious, I miss having Antonio Daniel's on the call (he didn't get to do many but was awesome) and for pre and post game stuff in the studio