by Donal Ware
This is in a similar vein to the piece about Washington pro sports, done shortly after the Capitals won the Stanley Cup in June, 2018.
North Carolina. Come on and raise up. Take your shirt off. Twist around just like a helicopter.
Wait a minute. Why am I repeating these lyrics? I’m not a North Carolinian. I’m a Washingtonian. Silver Spring. Hyattsville. Well, having been down here for almost 20 years, this is my second home. College sports is more prevalent here. UNC. Duke. State. ECU. Wake. N.C. A&T. But as a pro sports fan, I have been one who at times is forced to watch the local teams and have grown to respect them.
It’s been tough for the state when it comes to sports at the highest level. Sure, many professional North Carolina minor league teams have won championships, most notably the Durham Bulls, perhaps the most famous minor professional team in the country. But what about the Panthers, Hornets/Bobcats, and Hurricanes?
This is a good time to be a North Carolina professional sports at its highest level fan. For the first time since the 2008-09 season, the Hurricanes have made the NHL Playoffs. The Panthers didnt make the playoffs this past year, but Cam Newton’s and other player injuries had a lot to do with that. The Panthers are only a year removed from going to the playoffs, have a good team, and will bounce back next year to contend.
The Hornets on the other hand, are a different story. They actually are on the verge of making the playoffs. Or not. They are a game back, with two games remaining and are coming off a huge victory over Detroit on Sunday. The issues with the Hornets are much deeper and I will get back to those a little later.
But what about the “bunch of jerks?” That’s what NHL veteran commentator Don Cherry called the Hurricanes back in mid-February because of their postgame celebrations after wins. And the jerks has caught on nationally. It hasnt hurt that the ‘Canes went 14-7 over that timeframe with a couple of nice win streaks to just sneak into the playoffs. The ‘Canes have had more success than the other two franchises. The ‘Canes won the Stanley Cup in 2006 and loss the Cup in 2002. That’s pretty good for a team thats been in Carolina only since 1997, after relocating from Hartford, CT (where they were called the Whalers). Its actually remarkable what the Hurricanes have been able to do, considering Raleigh is the fifth smallest market in the NHL.
While the Hurricanes definitely have their work cut out for them, facing the defending champion Washington Capitals in the first round, if there is any sport where David can overcome Goliath all the way to a championship, it’s hockey. (Perhaps the Hurricanes will allow for Chuck Kaiton to call the games on radio in the playoffs if he so chooses. IMO, he was unceremoniously let go after 39 seasons calling the games for ‘Canes/Whalers. The ‘Canes decided to use their television broadcast on radio. He is the best play-by-play man I have ever heard across all sports.)
The Panthers are in a solid situation. They have a good defense. Newton is coming back. Charlotte is one of the smallest market in the National Football League, yet the Panthers have gone to two Super Bowls, including in 2016. Newton is the face of the franchise and one of the faces of the league and the Panthers have him locked up for the next two seasons.
While the Hornets are fighting to make the playoffs, their future is not as certain. The face of the franchise, all-star guard Kemba Walker, is a free agent after the season.
Michael Jordan has a very tough decision to make. Resign Kemba to potentially a max deal to run concurrently for two years with Nicolas Batums overpaid max deal. For what he has meant to the Hornets, Kemba is worth a max deal. He would be there to go along with young, talented players Jeremy Lamb, Miles Bridges, and Malik Monk. It may also be an opportunity to attract decent free agents to help the Hornets do more than just make the playoffs.
Or MJ can let Kemba walk and try to make a go of it with young players for a few years. The problem is, no bigtime free agents are coming to Charlotte. They never have. Think about it; all of the Hornets really, really good players over the years, were all drafted and developed by Charlotte. Johnson. Mourning. Davis. Glen Rice may be the exception.
I want to see that North Carolina teams do well. I have never seen a playoff hockey game in person, so I am looking forward to seeing the Hurricanes and Capitals at PNC Arena next Monday.
And I will enjoy Carolina pro sports at its highest level. In the playoffs.