January 23, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Actress and comedian Wanda Sykes hugs New Orleans Hornets mascot Hugo during the second quarter of a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

With the news that the New Orleans Hornets will announce a name change to the Pelicans at today, there is a very good chance that the Charlotte Bobcats could take Hugo and the Hornets likeness back to the Queen City.

At the very least, the ‘Cats could be on the verge of a name change.

According to a post on the Facebook page of We Beelieve: Charlotte… Take Back Your Hornets, on the heels of the Pelicans press conference news “[We Beelieve] also go the news that the Charlotte Bobcats are in the process of surveying season ticket holders, sponsors, and suite renters on a possible ‘name/color change’.”

The post goes on to encourage the page’s fans to contact the Bobcats via email and telephone, as well as to sign a petition on Change.org that as of 4:55 on Wednesday had over 8,200 signatures.

While the name change wouldn’t improve the product Charlotte puts on the court, it could jump-start the team financially; Forbes recently estimated the team’s value $315 million, which put it at next to last in the NBA.

An entire re-branding of the team and Time Warner Cable Arena would cost millions of dollars, but vintage Charlotte Hornets gear is at the very least at the top of many famous, young people’s heads (literally), and quite possibly as hot as it’s been since the team left the Queen City in 2002.

Now, it looks like vintage could become modern if the Bobcats really want to re-brand, and if the “season ticket holders, sponsors, and suite renters” Charlotte is apparently reaching out to want the Hornets back in their city.

November 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats point guard Ramon Sessions (7) drives past New Orleans Hornets center Robin Lopez (15) during the second half of a game at the New Orleans Arena. The Hornets defeated the Bobcats 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Who remembers the Charlotte Coliseum?

April 19, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets mascot Hugo dances during overtime against the Houston Rockets at the New Orleans Arena. The Hornets defeated the Rockets 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Plenty have reports have now surface indicating that the New Orleans Hornets will become the New Orleans Pelicans as early as next season.

As such, plenty of questions have risen about the name change. The most important question of all though centers on the Charlotte Bobcats, and whether or not they’ll jump at the chance to snatch up the Hornets name now certain to be ditched by New Orleans next year.

Since the NBA technically owns the rights to the name (the league did own the Hornets for a while), league officials have said that would make it easier for the Bobcats to switch names in a timely manner, and Michael Jordan has said he’s open to bringing the name back.

The most vocal proponents of a name change back to the Hornets is the group Bring Back the Buzz, which has a petition that’s already garnered over 7,000 signatures of folks who want Hugo (the Hornets mascot) back in the Queen City.

So how likely is a name change?

Well, the Charlotte Observer, and ESPN ran articles not too long ago that indicated a willingness to take the name back if it came up.

Personally, I think the Bobcats are well on their way to some sort of name change. Removing the “Bob” from their jerseys and switching up their color scheme this year, in my eyes, was just the beginning. The team needs a total re-branding (not to mention a successful season) to fully rid itself of the stench that was the worst NBA season ever last year.

I also think that name change will involve bringing the Hornets likeness back to Charlotte.

Apr. 25, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Hakim Warrick takes a shot against the San Antonio Spurs at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Rich Cho is a genius. The GM of the Charlotte Bobcats just turned Matt Carroll and his 3.5 million dollar expiring contract into Hakim Warrick, who’s got four million dollars left on his contract this year, and a team option on that contract next season.

Money isn’t the real issue here, it’s the fact that Cho stuffed Carroll, a guy who gets paid almost four million dollars to ride the bench, and pulled out a guy who gets paid four million dollars to actually play a position that Charlotte is sorely lacking depth in.

Warrick is a 6’9″ power forward who’s averaged just under 10 points and right around four rebounds per game over his seven year NBA career. He’s never played more than 26 minutes per game, but his per 36 minute numbers indicate that he could hold his own if the Bobcats want to give him more than the 4.5 minutes per game New Orleans had handed him this year. Per 36, he’s averaged 16.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

This move makes Charlotte more competitive in the paint, and removes a player from its roster that was literally just taking up space on the bench.

Since coming back to Charlotte, Carroll’s averaged no more than 11 minutes per game, no more than four points and no more than one rebound per game.

If you can’t tell, I think this is a very good trade for the Bobcats.

Now, Can Charlotte just get New Orleans to trade us our name back, and anyone in the league to take Tyrus Thomas off its hands?

November 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets power forward Anthony Davis (23) and Charlotte Bobcats small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the first half of a game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Someone needs to tell Byron Mullens to stop shooting threes. Well, someone already has, but I’ll just let that go. He wasn’t the only reason the Charlotte Bobcats lost to the New Orleans Hornets Friday night, but I had to get that out there.

The main reason the ‘Cats fell was their inability to guard New Orleans’ professional basketball players.

The Hornets shot 51 percent from the field, behind a 50 percent performance behind the three-point line from Ryan Anderson. Last year’s most improved player had 25 points on five made threes and 16 shots overall.

The other guy the Bobcats couldn’t stop was Anthony Davis, who, in just his third game of the year (he missed New Orleans’ previous two) dropped 23 points on 18 shots. Oddly enough he only had two rebounds to go along with a big fat 0 in the block column.

As far as the Bobcats go, Ben Gordon was on fire, shooting 14 of 21 for 34 points. He also grabbed six boards and had four assists in 35 minutes.

Bismack Biyombo, who started in place of Brendan Heywood, grabbed 10 boards and had three blocks in 36 minutes. He was the only Bobcats player with more than 30 minute to not post a negative +/-. This is a good sign for Biyombo, who’d gotten off to a horrible start this year.

Heywood missed the game because of a family emergency.

Jeffrey Taylor started his second straight game and scored seven points on five shots in 13 minutes.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Anthony Davis’ first mate at Kentucky, and second pick in this year’s draft behind Davis, couldn’t match the big man’s scoring output, but he did a lot more of everything else than Davis; He had 12 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 33 minutes.

The Charlotte Bobcats will play the Dallas Mavericks tomorrow night in the Queen City.

October 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Cory Higgins (11) drives past New Orleans Hornets guard Brian Roberts (22) during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at the New Orleans Arena. The Hornets defeated the Bobcats 97-82. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

On this upcoming Friday, the Charlotte Bobcats will travel to the Bayou to face the New Orleans Hornets. The key matchup will be between the starting point guards for each team, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker and New Orleans’ Greivis Vasquez. This game also includes a couple of former championship teammates in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Anthony Davis. Unfortunately, we will not see these two individuals face off due to Davis sustaining an injury last week.

The Bobcats are coming off a loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. In this game, the Bobcats were out-rebounded 50-39. Charlotte must control the post in order to beat the Hornets. The Hornets are ranked 10th in rebounding, averaging 44 rebounds a game. The Hornets are also ranked 2nd overall in points allowed.

Mike Dunlap continues to experiment with his starting lineup. Wednesday night, Kemba Walker, Jeffery Taylor, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Byron Mullens, and Brendan Haywood started the game. Dunlap played 10 players the entire game. As long as the Bobcats can minimize turnovers and control the low post, they will be victorious.

The Bobcats are looking to sweep the season series for the first time, but they’ve dropped the last two home matchups with the Hornets including an 88-81 defeat Jan. 15, 2011. It is sure to be a high scoring, entertaining game to say the least.