Some more origins of team names: San Diego/ Hou Rockets: Rockets was chosen in a contest due to San Diego's motto, "A City in Motion". In addition it was the manufacturing site of the Atlas rockets, used by NASA, it kept the name upon moving to Houston since the city is NASA's headquarters. Atlanta Hawks: Team's name shortened from Blackhawks to Hawks upon moving to Milwaukee from the Tri-Cities region where the Blackhawk war took place in 1831, the name Hawks was kept while playing in St. Louis, and currently used in Atlanta. Indiana Pacers: Named Indiana Pacers to signify their intention of setting ther pace in basketball and due to the state's auto racing history. Charlotte/ NO Hornets: Originally to be named the Charlotte Spirit, the team was renamed the Charlotte Hornets after the objection of the local fans. During the revolutionary war, Brtitsh General Cornwallis remarked about the resistance met in North Carolina "There's a rebel behind every bush, it's a veritable nest of hornets." Seattle Supersonics Named to represent the area's aerospace industry, specifically the Boeing Supersonic Transport [SST] manufactured in Seattle; following a local contest.
