George Shinn stuck in Charlotte
Just when I thought NBA uniforms were starting to become jazzier and more cutting edge, the New Orleans Hornets go and set the league back 20 years with their “new” uniforms.
Literally.
Look familiar?
It’s a shame Chris Paul, the game’s best point guard, is now forced to play in the league’s worst uniforms. Not that the old Hornets uniforms were anything special. The gold alternates (more like mustard yellow) were downright awful. But at least they were original.
But Chad Shinn, Hornets executive officer of the board and George Shinn’s son, apparently couldn’t care less about originality, calling the new-old look “classy.”
“It’s sharp,” said Chad Shinn, “and it just shows the style and smoothness of New Orleans. I think they turned out great.
“Our jerseys here have looked kind of bland and thrown together. Now we can give people in New Orleans their own jerseys and own identities.”
I wish them luck selling those. Really, I do. Chris Paul deserves to see his name continue atop the list of the NBA’s best selling jerseys. He ranked 14th during the 2006-07 season and fifth last season.
Why does Oklahoma City care? Well, aside from the thousands of fans who will continue following the Hornets even as the No-Names begin their inaugural season in OKC, the Hornets are the second team to unveil new uniforms this summer. I would presume OKC is next.
Minnesota is the other team, and the Atlanta Hawks switched uniforms last summer. Before the Hornets unveiled their new-old look, that cutting edge trend was seen in both the Wolves and Hawks’ threads and perhaps could indicate what path OKC might be on.
-DM-
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Comments
If you knew anything about New Orleans history or architecture, you would understand a lot of the detail of the new uniforms. I think it is a huge improvement
DM, I had several points.
1. “Jazzy and cutting edge” is for teams with no history or tradition. That’s why the Lakers and Celtics don’t change uniforms. Do you think this “sets the league back”. It doesn’t.
2. The Hornets old uniforms were awful.
3. Read this: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/11058/sorry,_okc,_but_chris_paul_is_not_on_your_team
4. Then, this: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/10690/oklahoma_citys_nba_reporting_=_fail
Mark Stocker is just a bitter Seattle troll and anyone familiar with his posts can attest to the fact that he’s not one of the brighter ones. He has been making a fool of himself on the Seattle boards for years.
Sorry to tell you Mark, But there aren’t ANY NBA players playing in Seattle.
Bethlehem Shoals is the hack. His blog is very amatuerish. He must have family at TSN that got him the job.
I think you do a great job, DM. I’ve certainly become a fan. Just keep doing what you’re doing.
wow, you dusted off a picture of gramama! i remember seeing a larry johnson poster that read “now playing linebacker for the hornets”, and i can’t help but wonder what buffet he’s eating at right now…
Ahem, shouldn’t we wait at least for the unveiling of the new OKC name, logos, colors, jerseys and what not before criticizing other teams for their choices?
I’m not too high on the pinstriped jerseys, but Orlando will have very similar ones this season celebrating their 25 years in the league, so it’s not like the Hornets will be the only ones to go a little retro.
I think the new logos, especially the Hornet in the fleure de lille as a secondary logo, are definitely an improvement. The old “Happy Hornet” locked like a crappy comic character, now they cleaned up the colors and it looks much better.
And I don’t like Minnesota’s new home jersey at all (albeit better than on the leaked Kevin Love pictures). But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
i’m concerned about the team name, but all this concern for clothes i don’t get. as long as their not pink, or look like the old rainbow-y nuggets jerseys, i’m cool with whatever.
You guys really need to get over the Hornets and start supporting your own team. It would be ridiculous for people there to forsake the new team for the New Orleans Hornets.
As for the uniform, yes there is a similarity with the old Charlotte ones. But if anyone is going to be bothered by that, it should only be long-term Hornets fans in Charlotte or New Orleans. I really don’t see how any of this pertains to OKC. In fact, it almost looks like a shot at another city just because OKC has been getting absolutely slammed by the national press on so many levels and for so many reasons regarding the Sonics and this particular news organization.
The Oklahoman just needs to let up and focus on their own stuff, not anyone elses.
Whats up with the baggy below-the-knee/knee-length shorts? They look like skirts or culottes/coolots (sp?). Understand freedom of movement..at least the “old” Charlotte photo looks like the uniform fit.
Joe, think more people will “start supporting your own team” once there is something tangible to support…as of yet…no team name…no team colors…no team logo…etc etc
“Mark Stocker is just a bitter Seattle troll and anyone familiar with his posts can attest to the fact that he’s not one of the brighter ones. He has been making a fool of himself on the Seattle boards for years.”
Gee Phil
I’ve never posted here before now. But hey I’m glad I created such an impression on you while you were trolling Seattle websites you fucking loser.
I think looking like the old uniforms was the point. Does that mean the Celtics setting the league back 60 years? What about the Lakers?
The Hornets uniforms were atrocious. What they should have done was go back to the Purple/Green/Yellow of their original team.
And sorry to tell you, but Chris Paul doesn’t play in OKC: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/11058/sorry,_okc,_but_chris_paul_is_not_on_your_team
(Mark, sounds to me like you’re saying fans outside of New Orleans aren’t allowed to keep track of Paul or root for him. So what he doesn’t play in OKC. What’s your point? -DM-)