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No fans? No problem. ‘Big Pat’ is back, making Charlotte Hornets games feel like home

Patrick Doughty is back at the P.A. microphone for the Charlotte Hornets, pouring his soul into starting lineup introductions, in-game chants and 3-point baskets by the home team.

But something is very different.

On Wednesday night, as the Dallas Mavericks set up their half-court offense, the man everyone calls “Big Pat” shouts into the microphone through his NBA-themed mask: “DEE-FENSE! DEE-FENSE!”

This chant is usually picked up by thousands of Hornets fans at every home game. Big Pat will start it, back off and let the fans continue it on their own. For years, the chant has washed over Spectrum Center like a wave.