No Regard Presidential Previews: Charlotte Bobcats (Gerald Ford)

Oh the season. Oh the season! Election or NBA, both are upon us. We're getting into the spirit by bringing you our season previews (with a little help from the presidents). One per day for the next 30 days—which will bring us to the Day of Reckoning. So please join us on the campaign trail as we shake hands, kiss babies and sink jumpers.

“I must say to you that the State of the Union is not good.” - Gerald R. Ford

You didn't vote for Gerald Ford. Neither did your parents, your grandparents or anyone else. A man nobody voted for became the President of the United States due to the removal of the entire winning tickets of the '68 and '72 elections, due to separate acts of corruption. The country watched with resignation for 895 days, the shortest presidency that did not end in death, before choosing not to re-elect him.

Charlotte didn't ask for the Bobcats. Then-Hornets owner George Shinn skipped town and took the team with him to New Orleans in the aftermath of a sexual assault scandal. There was no public outcry when the Hornets departed the Queen City, but the NBA granted Charlotte an expansion team anyway. Nobody cared when it happened and even fewer are inspired to Get Their Whiskers On now. The late Jerry Ford presided over what was then the worst economy since the Great Depression, just as the Bobcats have been present for the rapid decay of the Charlotte banking scene. There was little either could do to help. 

President Ronald Reagan passed away in 2004 and millions across the nation tuned in to watch the funeral procession. President Ford moved on to the next world in 2006 without nearly as much fanfare. Whenever the Bobcats finally leave town, don't hold your breath on a Save-Our-Sonics type movement. They may even literally become the Seattle SuperSonics. Will the Bobcats reach a dozen wins this season? Will rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist make them relevant? When did Ben Gordon get here?!

Rushed Pull-Up Jumpers

Pokemon who the team should adopt as its new mascot: Magikarp

Headline we'll be most sick of reading: "Will the Bobcats Have Better Luck in the 2013 Draft Lottery?"

Headline we're most looking forward to: "Drunk Person Challenges Owner Michael Jordan, Loses Halftime 1-on-1 Game 70-0 Before a Crowd of Dozens"

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you enter the pearly gates?: "Hmm, it says here you've already been checked in for a while..."