The Charlotte Hornets rebound as a sports franchise could have an entire college thesis statement written on it, because what has taken place in Charlotte is one of the most fascinating moments in sports. An entire city revolted against an owner, resulting in a franchise being moved, and when that franchise was replaced it was an inferior product. For over a decade, NBA basketball in Charlotte was considered a joke that only the Los Angeles Clippers could exceed.
Now, in 2016, following their best season since basketball returned, ESPN The Magazine has ranked the Hornets as the sixth best franchise in the NBA and 27th across all of sports.