Yes, the Charlotte Bobcats were an officially recognized, fully operational franchise in the National Basketball Association. The team was established as an expansion franchise to bring professional basketball back to Charlotte following the departure of the original Hornets team. Throughout their years of competition in the Eastern Conference, the Bobcats played real regular-season games, drafted notable players, and made postseason playoff appearances before undertaking the successful organizational rebrand that restored the historic Hornets identity to the city.