DDT

Fish fail 
DDT reversed by voters
DDT’s suggested nickname “Fish” for the New Orleans basketball franchise of the NBA was unanimously voted down last week by DDT’s correspondents and regional bureau chiefs. Even though several correspondents are former students of Texas A&M, where the term “Fish” came from, the appellation failed to resonate.

Several other workable names were suggested, however.

From our Johnson City Bureau: "Ramparts! Hire Dennis Rodman as defensive coach. Go for low scoring games.”


DDT: Ramparts Street is this case, which even has its own public domain Dixieland fight song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eA6ifEepnM

From a correspondent: I don’t like the Fish. If anything related to NO seafood is suggested, it should be the NO Grilled Oysters or the NO Crawfish Bisque.  Alternatively, I suggest the name should be one of the following:
 

1. The New Orleans Napoleons, for two reasons. First, Napoleon was the most accomplished Frenchman (OK, a Corsican, but….) of all time, and in spite of New Orleans heritage related to the Spanish, Creoles and the Acadians, it is typically considered a French city. Also, he had his Waterloo, which is also indicative of the NO basketball franchise.   

    Second, the Napoleon House is my favorite bar in the city.  It is one of the only adult bars left in the French Quarter, where you can order a drink, sit by an open window and watch the people pass, and listen to classical music. No loud rap; no cross-dressers; no college kids.

2. The New Orleans 75’s, for two reasons. First, the French 75 was the artillery piece that won WWI, in spite of the French.  All of the Allies used this valuable piece of armament. Second, the French 75 Bar at Arnauds is another adult bar that is a classic.

If you can’t name a sports team in NO for a bar, what’s the point? 


DDT has, over the years, patronized many establishments where spirituous and fermented beverage is served, has provided professional service in the promoting and advertising of those businesses and  approves of naming professional sports teams for them. Geaux Napoleons! Geaux Nappies! 

From another correspondent: Yea, I don't like fish, either, too generic.  Let's try this: the NO Crawdads or the NO Swamp Rats or NO Coonasses.

Oh by the way, Napoleons won't work, he was a short (vertically challenged) dude. Doesn't jibe with basketball players.

DDT: Crawdads is good. DDT is in favor of using regional fauna in nicknaming and had suggested several years ago that the LSU sports teams be called the Fightin’ Daddies instead of Tigers. The name is still open. Who dat! Who dose Daddies! 

And from another: All are interesting selections. I like French 75s the best.

However if we used logic (which we NEVER do when it comes to sports) New Orleans would reclaim JAZZ from Utah and Utah could call themselves the Dr Peppers, since Mormons can drink those with the Church's blessings. 


DDT concurs. Jazz should have stayed in NO. But as we learned when the Minneapolis franchise moved to LA years ago and remained the Lakers, the NBA doesn’t give enough thought to these matters. And Charlotte, MJ’s team, the losingest team in the league this year (only seven wins in 66 attempts) couldn’t come up with anything more original than “Bobcats.”
Ramparts, Napoleons, 75s, Crawdads, Swamp Rats, Coonasses, Jazz. The jury is out

We’ll deal with the Bobcats next year.

Meanwhile, college football is on the horizon. Time to get ready.

“Don’t I look ready?” —Augustus MacRae