Charlotte Happenings

Somewhere in between the time Gerald Henderson missed yet another open look and LeBron James stared down Michael Jordan on a dunk, I started feeling "It" again. "It" is something very familiar for long-time Charlotte sports fans. "It" is that feeling you get when you mentally check out of a game. "It" is a wearing feeling. "It" makes you wonder if your life wouldn't be more pleasant if you just stopped caring about sports.

The NBA version of the Charlotte Hornets was born in 1988. Since then, there have collectively been 45 seasons' worth of title opportunities for Charlotte teams: 14 for the Hornets, 10 for the Bobcats, and 19 for the Panthers. Charlotte pro teams are 0 for 45. Few American cities can boast such a streak. Among cities with both an NFL and NBA team, only Philadelphia, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Cleveland have longer droughts. And of those, only notorious Cleveland hasn't celebrated a title in another sport since 1988.

Not depressing enough for you? Consider this: after tonight's shellacking by the Heat, Charlotte pro teams are on a 12 game losing streak. The 2001-2002 Charlotte Hornets lost their last two playoff games, the Bobcats have lost all seven playoff games in franchise history, and the Panthers have lost three straight as well.

How's the future looking? I'd say pretty good actually! 2014 is the first time since 1997 (and only the second time ever) that both Charlotte teams have made the playoffs. The Panthers have two young stars in Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly. And the Bobcats are about to return as the Hornets with NBA buzz in Charlotte the highest it's been since the days of Glen Rice. However, optimistic Charlotte sports fans have gone into 45 different seasons and counting and have come up short each and every time.

I leave you with this....the Charlotte sports Hall of Shame:

Adam Morrison