Charlotte Hornets: The Shippuden Heroes, Hornet’s Edition
By De White
To switch things up from the usual sports articles, we give a few Charlotte Hornets’ players their Naruto counterparts.
As the season inches forward, countless articles are written and rewritten by thousands of writers who hope to create a buzz for the Charlotte Hornets or whatever team they so choose. Some writers are successful in finding new takes on their desired teams, and some leave much to be desired. In an effort to be one of the chosen few, we at Swarm and Sting often create amusing and off the wall articles just to have fun and bring a little entertainment to the business of journalism.
So, in an effort to have a little fun writing about the hometown Hornets, I want to mash up two of my favorite things. In this article, we’ll be giving important members of the Charlotte Hornets team to their Naruto counterparts. So without further ado, here we go.
Michael Jordan – Master Jiraiya
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None other could be a master of their craft than Michael Jordan. Arguably the greatest basketball player to ever live, Michael Jordan has been a student, teacher, mentor, boss and friend to the Hornet players. The constant presence of the Basketball Sage pushes the players to perform better as well as act in a manner representing. So having Master Jaraiya, who became one of the most dangerous and powerful ninjas, fits perfectly with the greatest basketball player of all time.
Steve Clifford – Kakashi Hatake
The Leader of Team 7, Kakashi Hatake was known as the copy ninja. Able to see any jutsu and perform it perfectly made this ninja a dangerous ninja, and Steve Clifford has the vision. As the players continue to come and show their skill sets, Coach Clifford is the man who sees and implements these skills upon the enemies of the Hornet teams. Not only implementing skills learned from others, Kakashi and Steve Clifford both lead a young team of talented individuals, and that fact alone makes Kakashi Hatake the perfect counterpart to Steve Clifford.
Kemba Walker – Naruto Uzumaki
Now this comparison was almost too good to pass up on. Naruto and Kemba fit so well that it’s scary. Kemba and Naruto were born to be in their individual places. Both were in place to be taught by great men and lead their squads into a better future. Walker has Jordan and Clifford to learn from while Naruto had both Jiraiya and Kakashi to learn from. Kemba was a confident standout player in college and was drafted to help turn around the luck of a drowning franchise while Naruto was an outcast with an attitude, talent to be great, but an attitude and raw skills and the confidence to be the best.
Nicolas Batum – Shikamaru Nara
Shikamaru was a tactical genius able to manipulate others through shadows. Able to fully utilize his teammate’s skills and talents, Shikamaru was about to get his team in the best position to excel and finish with a favorable outcome. Nicolas Batum IS Shikamaru. Batum is a student of the game who studies everything. He may not always be flashy or the best, but he will put himself in position to get his teammates in the best possible position to score and succeed.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Gaara
This comparison was fairly easy as well. Gaara in his early introduction was an opponent who could use sand to create a seemingly impenetrable barrier around himself and others when needed. One of the tougher opponents in the series, Gaara would defend without any trouble and crush his opponents with the same sand that would defend him. MKG and his perimeter defense are a perfect to match up with Gaara. MKG’s defense is elite, as is Gaara’s. Because he’s capable of changing a whole game’s atmosphere with only his defense, I couldn’t think of a better character than Gaara to be MKG’s counterpart.
Marvin Williams – Neji Hyuga
Now this one is nice, Neji Hyuga was a beast. Easily one of the most talented ninjas in the series, Neji was a smart and multitalented ninja who inherited the Byakugan (eyes that could see even the slightest movement from close to far away). The veteran Marvin Williams is a man with special vision. He is a jack of all trades, able to see what offenses and defenses are doing. Though he may not have the famous Hyuga clan Byakugan, his vision is one of the best on the team. Neji would be proud.
Cody Zeller – Akamaru
Before anyone gets upset, this is a great comparison. Though Akamaru was a dog, he was a fierce competitor with a high motor and a desire to never quit. Cody Zeller is that dog athlete of this group. The loyalty to Kiba Inuzuka, the fighting spirit, the willing to risk it all and countless other things make Cody Zeller and Akamaru a perfect fit for each other. Even if they got banged up or whatever else, Zeller and Akamaru would fight through the pain and try their best to ensure their team made it through. Cody Zeller is a dog… and I love it.
Reserves
This is probably an even better fit than all others. No other character in the Naruto series brought more comedy that Rock “Bushy Brow” Lee. Lee didn’t care what others thought of him and believed in himself enough to fight alongside our other heroes, despite not being at a disadvantage. But for this comparison, I’m going to go with the Rock Lee because of his free-flowing personality. Frank Kaminsky will always be himself, and like Rock Lee, will always follow his heart without the thought of changing into someone he’s not. That by itself is Rock Lee.
Jeremy Lamb – Konohamaru Sarutobi
Now this one is a little too honest. Konohamaru was the grandson of the third Hokage and a troublesome little guy. He wants to be the best just like Naruto and, for a time, followed him everywhere he went. That relationtion REALLY reminds me of Kemba and Jeremy Lamb. Lamb played on the championship Connecticut Huskies team with Kemba before he declared for the NBA Draft. Then, after a few lackluster years In Oklahoma City, Lamb was traded to reunite him with Kemba. Should I really have to say more? Konohamaru did become a pretty decent ninja after long though.
Roy Hibbert – Choji Akimichi
This one is just for kicks because Roy Hibbert is a BIG man. Not fat big, but a big muscular man who can be devastating if you overlook his power and strength. And I’m not sure if Hibbert is known for his heavy appetite, but his Naruto counterpart sure is. Choji Akimichi is a strong competitor who is not shy about his size or weight. Capable of growing in size and make enemies appear smaller in stature, Choji can become a giant, which is what Roy Hibbert is.
Extra
Jeremy Lin – Sasuke Uchiha
Now this comparison is really interesting, plus it makes a lot of sense. Sasuke Uchiha was a loved member of Team 7 and the Leaf Village. Talented and destined to be one of the best until tragedy struck and revenge controlled him. A very sad story.
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Now who could be a more perfect Sasuke than our beloved Jeremy Lin who signed a lucrative contract with the Brooklyn Nets. We all loved Lin and wanted a return for the adopted son, however, the desire to be a starter and earn a nifty paycheck pulled our beloved Lin away from the Swarm hidden in the Leaves.
So what do you guys think? Would you choose different or the same?