F*ck you, Pelicans are Awesome: A Defense of the NBA's Best New Team Name

[HardwoodLegend]

:lol

Good read.

http://deadspin.com/5966336/****-you-pelicans-are-awesome-a-defense-of-the-nbas-best-new-team-name

[DKLaker]

:lol

Good read.

http://deadspin.com/5966336/****-you-pelicans-are-awesome-a-defense-of-the-nbas-best-new-team-name

Great Read......but Fk the Pelicans, it still stupid.....Why not 'The Honey Badgers" :oldlol:

When you have to explain why your team name is appealing....it isn't.
And who the hell is going to buy their crappy Pelican gear????
That's going to be far less popular than that sad @ss Miami Marlins Miami Vice inspired garbage that is 30 years late :oldlol:

[widowmaker]

Being a Louisiana native I initially hated the name when it was being rumored months ago. It slightly grew one me. After seeing how polarizing the choice has become I've grown to love it. I like the idea of having one of the more unconventional names in pro sports, even though after a full season no one will care, again.

[Lakers Legend#32]

They are gonna be the Seattle SuperSonics in a few years anyway.

[QuebecBaller]

They are gonna be the Seattle SuperSonics in a few years anyway.

No... The new owner agreed to a 15 or 20 years contract in New Orlans if I'm not wrong

[stax]

http://i.imgur.com/nNIHt.jpg

[madmax17]

Convincing arguments. I'm sure the name will grow after a year or so.

[Blue&Orange]

It's growing on me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNNl_uWmQXE

Pelicans are bosses and they don't give a ####

[embersyc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=POTUVc5wD8I

[QuebecBaller]

http://mimg.ugo.com/200908/10760/weekly-round-up-bird.jpg

[bagelred]

You know what? It's kind of growing on me too. It's a little old school. I like team nicknames named after animals.

If they tried to name the team "Baltimore Orioles" today, everyone would hate that too.........



.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Go Pelicans!! :lol

http://www.karmapanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pelicanos_lluvia_01.jpg

[OmniStrife]

Pelicans are awesome.

[Shade8780]

I'm scared of pelicans now :lol

[rodman91]

http://www.wtfeck.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pelican-biting-a-kids-head.jpg

They kill people for fung.

[TaLvsCuaL]

http://www.wtfeck.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pelican-biting-a-kids-head.jpg

They kill people for fung.
http://i45.tinypic.com/a4odhw.jpg

[WolfGang]

Disgusting creatures. I hate all birds, especially some freaky looking shit like a pelican. We should be named to Crews or Alligators or something.

[tomtucker]

It's growing on me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNNl_uWmQXE

Pelicans are bosses and they don't give a ####

thats fukked up.......:cry:

[QuebecBaller]

In the NHL, there's the Carolina Hurricanes... why not the New Orleans Hurricanes

[HardwoodLegend]

In the NHL, there's the Pittsburgh Penguins... why not the New Orleans Owls?

[tomtucker]

In the NHL, there's the Carolina Hurricanes... why not the New Orleans Hurricanes
becoz of katrina......?

[Spaulding]

They are gonna be the Seattle SuperSonics in a few years anyway.

Incorrect. The Sacramento Kings will be moved and re-named. Fact.

:banana:

[Spaulding]

Disgusting creatures. I hate all birds, especially some freaky looking shit like a pelican. We should be named to Crews or Alligators or something.

:roll:

You had me laughing good at that creatues line!

Alligators would have been cool.

[kentatm]

The New York Knickerbockers are named after a style of pants that hasn't been fashionable since the 1800s.



Their new name isn't the problem. Making red one of their colors is. There are too many red teams as it is. We dont need another one. They should stick with the Mardi Gras colors.

[hawksdogsbraves]

Disgusting creatures. I hate all birds, especially some freaky looking shit like a pelican. We should be named to Crews or Alligators or something.


Crews? :oldlol:

It was going to be Krewe- the group that leads a Mardi Gras parade.

I like the Pelicans more now. I'm not sure if I really like it or if I'm just happy the Charlotte Hornets are going to be back:cheers: .

[SourPatchKids]

"Pelicans" in Greek is πελεκάνους

[Sarcastic]

The New York Knickerbockers are named after a style of pants that hasn't been fashionable since the 1800s.



Their new name isn't the problem. Making red one of their colors is. There are too many red teams as it is. We dont need another one. They should stick with the Mardi Gras colors.


The Knicks are named for the early Dutch settlers in NY.

[WolfGang]

Crews? :oldlol:

It was going to be Krewe- the group that leads a Mardi Gras parade.

I like the Pelicans more now. I'm not sure if I really like it or if I'm just happy the Charlotte Hornets are going to be back:cheers: .

This, thank you.

I'm still going to be calling them the Hornets for a while.

[HardwoodLegend]

Alligators would have been pretty cool, but aren't they more prevalent in Florida than Louisiana? I guess it could still work since fried alligator is a cajun dish.

What about the New Orleans Ragin Cajuns?

[rodman91]

Disgusting creatures. I hate all birds, especially some freaky looking shit like a pelican. We should be named to Crews or Alligators or something.

A disgusting creature is your franchise player and your avatar..so why not pelicans?

[Shepseskaf]

Who wouldn't want to play for a team named after a bird that stores lots of fish in its beak?

I love to watch Pelicans fly in formation and dive for food, but it doesn't make them nameworthy for a basketball team.

Anyway you put it, this is a bad idea. Just dumb.

Should have been the NO Cajuns, as someone already posted.

[bdreason]

It's not that the Pelican isn't a worthy mascot, it's just that the name is stupid. I feel the same way about the Bobcats. Bobcats are a good enough mascot, but the name just doesn't work (it
s better than Pelicans).



I didn't like the Thunder name choice either. It's grown on me a little I guess.

[maxhornets]

Its just a name, after a while no one will even care, there are so many horrible team names in all sports but no-one cares because most of the teams have been called that for so long, for example the "Red Sox" in baseball.. There named after a piece of clothing for godsakes, even though it's a terrible name no-one ever talks about how bad the name is because they've been called that for so long. After a year of being called the pelicans no-one will care cause everyone will be used to the name

[dunksby]

Pelicans... I like it :applause:

[LJJ]

It's not bad.

Spurs, Trail Blazers, Mavericks, 76ers, Nets, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Pacers, Thunder, Bobcats, Bucks, Jazz, Lakers, Heat, Magic, Suns, Nicks

All names that are clearly not better than Pelicans, and most of them clearly worse.

[Myth]

Its just a name, after a while no one will even care, there are so many horrible team names in all sports but no-one cares because most of the teams have been called that for so long, for example the "Red Sox" in baseball.. There named after a piece of clothing for godsakes, even though it's a terrible name no-one ever talks about how bad the name is because they've been called that for so long. After a year of being called the pelicans no-one will care cause everyone will be used to the name

True. People made a huge deal about the Thunder being a terrible name. I don't even think about it anymore, and I don't hear people still complaining about the name.

Pelicans is better than Hornets regarding New Orleans anyway.

[Myth]

It's not bad.

Spurs, Trail Blazers, Mavericks, 76ers, Nets, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Pacers, Thunder, Bobcats, Bucks, Jazz, Lakers, Heat, Magic, Suns, Nicks

All names that are clearly not better than Pelicans, and most of them clearly worse.

What is wrong with those names? I like the names of the bolded ones. They make sense with where they are from. I feel like the worst names are names that aren't specific to an area and a team in any state could use it. Bucks for example are all over the country, so it doesn't signify the area. Spurs and Mavericks, make a ton of sense in Texas, as do most of the others I bolded. The only one I bolded that I just like the name to and doesn't really signify the area is the Cavs.

[WolfGang]

A disgusting creature is your franchise player and your avatar..so why not pelicans?

Anthony Davis is NOT a disgusting creature. He is a good looking young man when he isn't smiling or making facial expressions.

Pelicans is probably the worse name in the NBA. Thunder is cool because...it just is. What if they changed the Lakers to the LA Crabs?

[LJJ]

What is wrong with those names? I like the names of the bolded ones. They make sense with where they are from. I feel like the worst names are names that aren't specific to an area and a team in any state could use it. Bucks for example are all over the country, so it doesn't signify the area. Spurs and Mavericks, make a ton of sense in Texas, as do most of the others I bolded. The only one I bolded that I just like the name to and doesn't really signify the area is the Cavs.

Spurs: I understand Spurs is mostly just an alternate way of saying cowboy, but it's very silly to me. It's a clothing article. The San Antonio Boots, the San Antonio Handkerchiefs, the San Antonio Holsters, the San Antonio Spurs. All equally dumb. It's good that no other team does this.

Mavericks - i don't really know what the hell a maverick is. It's some other type of cowboy shit right? Their logo is a horse, so a maverick is a horse? It sounds dumb as hell anyway.

Trail Blazers - This name derives from the fact that the people from Portland aren't native but settled there? Am I Right? Just like every single god damned city in the US? Yeah, that name as significance.

76ers - Should have named themselves the Cheese Steaks.

Cavaliers - If you are going to name yourself after random historical dissidents you can do a hell of a lot better than a cavalier.

Heat - Very clever. Now imagine if the other NBA franchises did this as well. The Toronto Freeze. The Portland Rainstorms. The Los Angeles Scorch. The Denver Dust Bowls. Oh yeah, feeling it.

Magic - This name just sounds so vanilla. And the local significance of this name is because they have a themepark?

[lilgodfather1]

Disgusting creatures. I hate all birds, especially some freaky looking shit like a pelican. We should be named to Crews or Alligators or something.
:54 to 1:03

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9UD9QKrQ6A

[lilgodfather1]

Spurs: I understand Spurs is mostly just an alternate way of saying cowboy, but it's very silly to me. It's a clothing article. The San Antonio Boots, the San Antonio Handkerchiefs, the San Antonio Holsters, the San Antonio Spurs. All equally dumb. It's good that no other team does this.

Mavericks - i don't really know what the hell a maverick is. It's some other type of cowboy shit right? Their logo is a horse, so a maverick is a horse? It sounds dumb as hell anyway.

Trail Blazers - This name derives from the fact that the people from Portland aren't native but settled there? Am I Right? Just like every single god damned city in the US? Yeah, that name as significance.

76ers - Should have named themselves the Cheese Steaks.

Cavaliers - If you are going to name yourself after random historical dissidents you can do a hell of a lot better than a cavalier.

Heat - Very clever. Now imagine if the other NBA franchises did this as well. The Toronto Freeze. The Portland Rainstorms. The Los Angeles Scorch. The Denver Dust Bowls. Oh yeah, feeling it.

Magic - This name just sounds so vanilla. And the local significance of this name is because they have a themepark?
http://www.bitandbridleshop.com/images/IW203-Ladies-spur.jpg

Spur: 1. A short spike or spiked wheel that attaches to the heel of a rider's boot and is used to urge a horse forward.

Yes a spur is a part of your attire, but it makes sense given the area. Not saying it is a good name, but it's not a bad name.

Maverick: 2. One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter.

The others I agree about, and do not know the origin of other than Cavs. Either way the Magic is the worst name in the NBA, and the NOPE doesn't change that.

[HardwoodLegend]

Mavericks - i don't really know what the hell a maverick is. It's some other type of cowboy shit right? Their logo is a horse, so a maverick is a horse? It sounds dumb as hell anyway.

I think Mavericks is one of the best team names there is.

It's a synonym for "outlaw". One who goes his own way. The horse logo is a bit silly. That could have been thought out better, but it's still a great team name.


Heat - Very clever. Now imagine if the other NBA franchises did this as well. The Toronto Freeze. The Portland Rainstorms. The Los Angeles Scorch. The Denver Dust Bowls. Oh yeah, feeling it.

Another team did do it. The OKC Thunder. Nothing wrong with having a couple weather-based team names, and Heat just sounds cool.



The "Bulls" is actually a dumb team when pertaining to the city of Chicago. That should probably be OKC's name.

[HardwoodLegend]

And, I love the Magic as a team name for Orlando.

And, the lettering on the early uniforms was cool as hell. Definitely can't complain about that one.

[Killbot]

Pelicans are indeed awesome:
http://gifs.gifbin.com/122009/1260443600_pelican_swallows_pigeon.gif

:bowdown:

[Myth]

Spurs: I understand Spurs is mostly just an alternate way of saying cowboy, but it's very silly to me. It's a clothing article. The San Antonio Boots, the San Antonio Handkerchiefs, the San Antonio Holsters, the San Antonio Spurs. All equally dumb. It's good that no other team does this.

Mavericks - i don't really know what the hell a maverick is. It's some other type of cowboy shit right? Their logo is a horse, so a maverick is a horse? It sounds dumb as hell anyway.

Trail Blazers - This name derives from the fact that the people from Portland aren't native but settled there? Am I Right? Just like every single god damned city in the US? Yeah, that name as significance.

76ers - Should have named themselves the Cheese Steaks.

Cavaliers - If you are going to name yourself after random historical dissidents you can do a hell of a lot better than a cavalier.

Heat - Very clever. Now imagine if the other NBA franchises did this as well. The Toronto Freeze. The Portland Rainstorms. The Los Angeles Scorch. The Denver Dust Bowls. Oh yeah, feeling it.

Magic - This name just sounds so vanilla. And the local significance of this name is because they have a themepark?

I guess we look for different things. You may want something menacing, but I like things that are symbolic for the area. And I feel like you overly simplified some of the things.

I see your point about the Spurs being part of clothing, but it could also be thought of as something spiked that you jab into flesh.

A maverick can have a couple different meanings. It was originally a range animal that essentially got free from captivity. Then it later became known as a person who takes control of their own life. That is pretty cool if you ask me. I do wish that their symbol was a badass looking cowboy rather than a horse, but the name is fine to me.

Trail Blazer - That is overly simplified explanation. The Oregon Trail is one of the most significant emigrations in US history. Also, many died on the trail, and only the strong survived to make it to Oregon.

76ers - Obviously you don't appreciate history. You don't like references to the Oregon Trail or the founding of our country. Not to mention that 76ers is a also a reference to winning a war. I'm guessing you just view it as a year and say "What is intimidating about a year?" Just brace yourself if Plymouth Rock ever gets a team.

Cavs - I also think that it should be more significant to the area, but maybe they didn't want to remind people of Cleveland, lol. Could they have found a better name? Sure. But there is nothing wrong with a cavalier either.

Heat - Honestly, LA Scortch is better than the Lakers, lol. I actually don't mind the rest of those made up names either. If the weather is something that is reflective of the area, I'm cool with that. It is better than some random generic animal that could be applied to your average local high school, like Bobcats. Maybe a water creature more known for that area (not sure what that is). But then, I'm cool with the name as is because of things you can say regarding the team versus other teams ('They brought the heat tonight' for example).

Magic - When I think of Orlando, I actually do not think of anything except for theme parks. Magic is not ideal, but I don't see many better options that relate to the area.




I would love to hear what team names you would give each of these places.

[HardwoodLegend]

OKC Bulls
Chicago Lawyers

:bowdown: @ these team name reassignments

[DKLaker]

Jeez people 76'ers = 1776.....you know.....declaration of independence, Independence Hall is in Philadelphia ......American Revolution..... Did most of the people on here fail history miserably?????

Magic is a great name inspired by Disney World in Orlando aka, "The Magic Kingdom"

Trail Blazers....yes, Oregon Trail.....again U.S History. Great name.

The Suns......if you ever went to Phoenix during the summer the only thing you would think of is the Sun because its always 110-119 degrees.

Cavalier is a mounted Knight, it is regal and majestic...and yes, Knights were tough.

Spurs....great name considering the area......spurs can really hurt you and they are a tough piece of gear. You couldn't name them the Alamos or the Boones....or the smelly Riverwalk.

I really WISH Utah would give the Jazz name back to N.O, it fits there and has never fit in Utah.....never will fit there.....they need something cold, mountainous or mormon :oldlol:

Pelicans is just idiotic, I have spent a great amount of time in New Orleans and have never spent a second thinking about Pelicans nor does anyone give a crap. Cajuns is great, Gators....tasty, yes I ate some. Crayfish, Oysters, Po-Boys :oldlol: Bourbons.....Hurricanes are delicious drinks. Sinners...hey, now there is a name for you....if you have been to Bourbon Street then you get the sinners reference.....not to mention it counters the Saints Football team.....lol (just kidding with this :D )

Maybe they will just reconsider the whole thing and name them "Sterns" :facepalm :oldlol:

[madmax17]

Jeez people 76'ers = 1776.....you know.....declaration of independence, Independence Hall is in Philadelphia ......American Revolution..... Did most of the people on here fail history miserably?????

They should really play Assassins Creed III, I fear it's the only way kids will learn some (distorted) history :banana:

[WolfGang]

Only tourist use the word "Crayfish." Down here we call them shits crawfish.

[jl1718]

Never understood why Memphis kept the Grizzlies name. Perfect name for them is the Blues. Phoenix is AKA valley of the sun. Cavaliers I assume is based on Ohio's french roots.

[Myth]

Only tourist use the word "Crayfish." Down here we call them shits crawfish.

Growing up in Oregon, we called them crawdads.

[Myth]

Does anybody else feel like the name "Nets" is by far the worst in the NBA? I'm thinking the only reason they didn't change it when moving to Brooklyn is to maintain some of the already present Nets fan base, but hopefully in 3-5 years or so, they change it to something else.

[widowmaker]

It's comical to see all these people sugest "Cajuns" like it's supeior to Pelicans. Cajuns are the rural people outside of New Orleans. There are as many Pelicans in New Orleans as there are Cajuns.

[TaLvsCuaL]

It's comical to see all these people sugest "Cajuns" like it's supeior to Pelicans. Cajuns are the rural people outside of New Orleans. There are as many Pelicans in New Orleans as there are Cajuns.
Why not both?

Go Cajun Pelicans!!! :lol

[Myth]

Is New Orleans Looters not an option? :confusedshrug:

[rodman91]

Does anybody else feel like the name "Nets" is by far the worst in the NBA? I'm thinking the only reason they didn't change it when moving to Brooklyn is to maintain some of the already present Nets fan base, but hopefully in 3-5 years or so, they change it to something else.

I think it's one of the best. Easy to remember and say..also basketball related.

[tomtucker]

The New Orleans Tsunami.........:rockon:

[RobertdeMeijer]

A friend of mine suggested:
New Orleans Voodoo

I like it, but I wonder if voodoo is too evil/politically incorrect for some people.

[tomtucker]

"F*ck you, Pelicans are Awesome.".....No, fukk you....only donuts are awesome

[tomtucker]

A friend of mine suggested:
New Orleans Voodoo

I like it, but I wonder if voodoo is too evil/politically incorrect for some people.
Epiphany Proudfoot approves that idea........:applause:

[Myth]

I think it's one of the best. Easy to remember and say..also basketball related.

Maybe New Orleans should just change their name to "Balls" then by that take.

[JohnnySic]

I love the name.

[hon]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/Pelicans.png


Nice...

[Nero Tulip]

Great article, and the video at the end is ****ing epic.

[HardwoodLegend]

A friend of mine suggested:
New Orleans Voodoo

I like it, but I wonder if voodoo is too evil/politically incorrect for some people.

That is probably the most badass suggestion I've heard (I like Looters too). It may offend some, but they should have taken the chance to stir some controversy.

[tomtucker]

make a Voodoo logo.......

[IamRAMBO24]

Never understood why Memphis kept the Grizzlies name. Perfect name for them is the Blues. Phoenix is AKA valley of the sun. Cavaliers I assume is based on Ohio's french roots.

That's horrible. Do you know what that would do to team mentality if they are known as the "Blues."

That's like calling a team the "Gloomies" or "Losers."

[IamRAMBO24]

Should of named it the "Titantic," y'know for the time the city literally sunk during Katrina.

[HardwoodLegend]

That's horrible. Do you know what that would do to team mentality if they are known as the "Blues."

That's like calling a team the "Gloomies" or "Losers."

Doesn't seem to affect the St. Louis Blues in the NHL. I'd like them to be called the Memphis Blue Notes though just to give a little distinction.

[HardwoodLegend]

make a Voodoo logo.......

I'm not skilled with graphics, but it could be something similar to this clock or medicine man.

http://atlassignsandplaques.com/images/products/detail/Voodoo_Clock_Iron.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Voodoo-MedecineMan.jpg

[IamRAMBO24]

How about the "Walmart Looters" (Katrina) or the "Inbreds" (y'know to represent the Cajun south).

[DKLaker]

Only tourist use the word "Crayfish." Down here we call them shits crawfish.

I know.....I typed in Crawfish first and got a red spell check and changed it :oldlol: I haven't even heard any other tourist use CRAY in the 20 years I've been going there....lol. I have a big basket of boiled crawfish in the morning along with a bloody mary after drinking all night :cheers:

[DKLaker]

They should really play Assassins Creed III, I fear it's the only way kids will learn some (distorted) history :banana:

Isn't it sad.....true, but sad :(

[DKLaker]

A friend of mine suggested:
New Orleans Voodoo

I like it, but I wonder if voodoo is too evil/politically incorrect for some people.

Voodoo is actually one of the best names....but yeah, it's not P.C.
Mascot would be awesome!!!!

[IamRAMBO24]

I say the "Flippers" to represent the only job they can get after hurricane Katrina: flipping burgers.

[tomtucker]

How about the "Walmart Looters" (Katrina) or the "Inbreds" (y'know to represent the Cajun south).


http://www.headofrothchild.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/anthony-davis-heinous-teeth.jpg



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:rockon: we got a winner