calling all insiders

[Chef]

could anyone post the hollinger insider article from today about trades?

[SirBobcat]

Relating to the Bobcats:

One such scenario, for instance, would be if the Jazz sent Boozer to Charlotte, a team that's suddenly angling for a playoff spot and in need of some help at power forward given Boris Diaw's disappointing output. The potential haul from such a deal is likely disappointing from Utah's perspective, as they could get Diaw, Gerald Henderson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3993) and a lottery-protected first-round pick. But that's about all they can expect considering Boozer will be a three-month rental for whoever acquires him.

If they made it a three-way deal by sending Korver to the Clippers, Ricky Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=193) to the Bobcats (using the trade exception from the Raja Bell (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=49) deal) and Mardy Collins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2997) to Utah, it would get Utah under the tax. The Clips would probably sign off on such a scenario only if Korver shows he's returned to health, so there are several hurdles here. But it strikes me as the most likely alternative as the Jazz aim to hit their financial goals, because the other potential acquirers would either put themselves deeper into the tax or have no strong need for a scoring power forward.

[teej]

^If we got Davis, we'd be verrrrry close to the lux tax, and would not be able to get anyone else.

Though it'd make him the only Bobcat who also played in CHA with the Hornets.

[SWedd523]

^If we got Davis, we'd be verrrrry close to the lux tax, and would not be able to get anyone else.

Though it'd make him the only Bobcat who also played in CHA with the Hornets.
I would much rather have the other Davis on the Clippers' roster who also played in Charlotte for the Hornets ;)

[teej]

I would much rather have the other Davis on the Clippers' roster who also played in Charlotte for the Hornets ;)

IDK, with the way Ray's been playing and with BD's contract, that gives me some pause.

[SWedd523]

Did you see B Diddy tear the Lakers to shreds the other night? oh ma gah

[teej]

Did you see B Diddy tear the Lakers to shreds the other night? oh ma gah

Yeah, but he's had some equally bad games, and tell me, is he worth the money? I don't see them taking Diop back, so it hurts us long term.

[ammofan]

If we could pull a trade like this off....it would be insane. i might lose my mind! haha

[bing!]

http://i47.tinypic.com/27zyza9.png

... I just had to.

[Weezy21]

diaw, henderson, 2nd rounder for boozer id do

[SirBobcat]

I'm going to need Boozer to sign long term in order for the deal to happen. I don't want to give up, essentially, 2 to 3 first round picks to acquire Boozer (Just to make clear...i'm considering Henderson a 1st round pick because...well...he was one in the last draft and his value hasn't dropped much of any).

I'm sorry but we're in the bargaining position and not Utah. I would send them Diaw and Henderson...and that's it. I think that's totally fair considering the position Utah is in.

[Toocool]

I agree with Sir Bobcat. I sure as hell would not give up Hendo for Boozer unless we had assurances from Boozer and the Jazz that he would resign in CHA. Unless that happens, I am completely against this trade since Boozer will definately leave. When he does, who goes to PF? UPS? Not PF starter material. Lexy? Not NBA ready...maybe will never be. Crash? He'll kill himself down in the low post and there goes the season.

So it's a no from me unless we have ASSURANCES that Boozer will resign.

[SWedd523]

Actually Utah is in the bargaining position. These days, expiring contracts hold huge value with the way the cap is going. Add to that the fact that this particular expiring is an All Star, 20/10 guy and they really have a ton of power if they're trading him.

[DCW]

Why give up Hendo, He could turn out to be a good player. How bout we give em Law instead.

[SWedd523]

Why give up Hendo, He could turn out to be a good player. How bout we give em Law instead.
They might actually rather have Law as he is an expiring.

[LiquidWayno]

They might actually rather have Law as he is an expiring.

They could use the help at backup PG with Maynor gone too - Is Ronnie Price Deron's backup these days?

[BRNC]

They might actually rather have Law as he is an expiring.

I agree...I think both Law and Graham (since they both expire) would have appeal to them...I'm not so sure that Meow would...:confused:

[Stu_Discus]

Buyer beware when it comes to Boozer coming from a Cavs fan...
It really dosn't matter what he says he will leave if he can get more money elsewhere...
That being said he would make the Bobcats a legit contender not really this year but if he resigns next year I would not want any part of the Bobcats in the playoffs

[SirBobcat]

Actually Utah is in the bargaining position. These days, expiring contracts hold huge value with the way the cap is going. Add to that the fact that this particular expiring is an All Star, 20/10 guy and they really have a ton of power if they're trading him.

Normally, you're correct, but considering they're definitely losing Boozer...they don't want to lose him for nothing and teams know that. Their bargaining chip is not there even though you are right that his contract is expiring.

They'll be very lucky to find a package with some upside like what Charlotte could offer with Henderson involved.

If Law was replaced for Henderson and Boozer would agree to an extension, I would send them a future first for definite.

[ND22]

Here's something to consider. His family lives in Raleigh, (I played basketball with his younger brother Charles in high school, well played JV while he played varsity) and maybe Carlos would want to be close to his family. This is obviously speculation but if there's any chance he'd want to resign here long term I say make this trade, with him we are a legit team in the east.

[BETCATS]

I dont want Boozer. He has an attitude where he thinks he is the shit (even if he sort of is) and will do whatever it takes to make a buck, not nessesarly win. He would be a 1 year rental, and i think the team needs long term (3-4 years) solution. I dont see Boozer staying because we dont have the right amount of money (aka a high end to maximum contract) needed to keep him.

We need to focus on getting a power forward that can play inside, that doesnt mean a starter. We just need a big body who can get work done. I would even be satsified with certain players from the d-league. We also need to think we need to keep money stored up so we can re-sign Felton this summer. If we are in a situation where we need to chose between Felton and Boozer, either way we would be losing a huge part of our offense.

To sum up my point: Boozer would mess up team chemistry and has different goals (get a huge contract no matter where) then we do (be a winning team for the long term).

Their has to be a better player out their....

[BRNC]

'Cats...I agree on the rental...at this point the franchise is better served with a strong back-up PF...Diaw (nor TC for that matter) have any value...why continue to dig deeper holes...we have Law/Hulk expiring that we can afford to lose...so just get a solid back-up and forget the 2-3 month rentals...

[Fred Williamson]

There's a new article about us on BSPN.

[spectre]

Yeah...need Hollinger's PER Diem someone?

Y'all are gonna like this...Hollingers Power Rankings:

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerrankings

We be sitting pretty at No. 14.

[BeebCats]

Yeah...need Hollinger's PER Diem someone?

Y'all are gonna like this...Hollingers Power Rankings:

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerrankings

We be sitting pretty at No. 14.

I would love to see that Diem, if you could post it!

[KT#20]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-100113

Bobcats getting it done with D

The phrase "defense wins championships" is both overused and difficult to prove empirically. But it seems to be true, at least when it comes to the 2009-10 season; the four teams generally considered to be the main threats to win the title (L.A., Boston, Orlando and Cleveland) all rank in the top five in defensive efficiency (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats?sort=defeff&seasonType=2&league=nba).
Each team, though, has a different means of reaching those heights. The Cavs and Magic, for instance, take away second shots, as evidenced by the fact that they're ranked first and second, respectively, in defensive rebound rate (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats?sort=drr&seasonType=2). The Lakers eliminate easy points; L.A. ranks first in 3-point defense and third in fewest opponent field goal attempts per free throw attempt, and as a result, leads the league in opponent true shooting percentage. Boston's pressure forces mistakes and bad shots, with the Celtics third in opponent turnover rate and fourth in opponent true shooting percentage.
But those are fairly common paths, especially in comparison to the one interloper in the league's defensive charts. The other team to crack the top five might take a little while for you to guess, since it is so far off most fans' radar. Here's a hint: The coach has actually won a championship with defense. That won't happen this season, but it shouldn't take away from the impressive work he's done.
The other top-five defense, you might be surprised to learn, belongs to Charlotte. Yes, the starless, off-the-radar Bobcats. In his second season with the team, Larry Brown has modeled the Bobcats into a poor man's version of his teams in Detroit -- a crew that might not produce a single All-Star but punches far above its weight defensively by eliminating easy shots for opponents.
Yes, Virginia, the Bobcats are an elite defensive team, and that has them poised to make the franchise's first playoff appearance in its sixth season of existence. In the wake of Tuesday night's 102-94 win over the Rockets, Charlotte is projected to finish just a game behind Toronto for the No. 5 position in the Eastern Conference, and Wednesday's Playoff Odds (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds) project the Bobcats to eke out their first winning record in franchise history.
Charlotte's win over Houston was big for Brown, too. Rockets coach Rick Adelman is getting a ton of coach of the year press, and deservedly so. But if the Bobs keep playing as well as they have since the Stephen Jackson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=378) trade, shouldn't Brown get into the conversation as well?
The win also officially entered the Bobcats into "wait, how are they doing this?" territory; they rallied from a 13-point, second-quarter deficit for their fifth win in six games despite using Nazr Mohammed (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=568) and DeSagana Diop (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=992) at center and using an eight-man rotation. That came on the heels of Saturday's win over Memphis on a Gerald Wallace (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1026) tip-in at the buzzer after trailing by double digits at halftime.
The Bobcats have gone 14-10 after a 3-9 start, and Charlotte -- Charlotte! -- has one of the NBA's mightiest home records, at 14-4. The Bobcats have four consecutive home games coming up, and with wins in three of them, they'll be at .500 after New Year's for the first time in, well, ever.
Nonetheless, it's hard for the Bobs' exploits to get attention because Charlotte isn't a marquee team. If anything, it's the antithesis of such a thing. It plays in a small market before piddling crowds and won't have a single nationally televised game, barring late changes to the schedule.
Moreover, you wouldn't necessarily want to have this club on in prime time regardless of how much it wins. Stylistically, the Bobcats are basketball's answer to Ambien: They play at the league's third-slowest pace, have basketball's highest turnover rate (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats?sort=tor&seasonType=2%20&order=true) and rank a mere 26th in offensive efficiency (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats).
In fact, the defining characteristic of any Charlotte game is how hard it is for either side to get a shot away. Since the Bobcats rank 24th in offensive rebound rate (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats?sort=orr&seasonType=2) and dead last in turnovers, they take fewer shots per possession than any other team except Golden State (based on a conversion rate of 0.44 field goal attempts for every free throw attempt).
Fewest shots* per possession

Team Shots/Poss. Golden State 92.8 Charlotte 93.1 Boston 93.2 Utah 94.9 Indiana 94.9 *Shots = FGA + (FTA x 0.44)

Fewest opponent shots* per possession

Team Shots/Poss. Milwaukee 92.6 Charlotte 93.2 Boston 94.6 Golden State 94.6 Utah 95.1 *Shots = FGA + (FTA x 0.44)

Similarly, the Bobcats are the second-toughest team to get a shot against; oddly, for such a slow-paced team, Charlotte forces turnovers by the bushel. The Bobcats are second in the league in opponent turnover rate at 17.2 percent, second only to the breakneck, gambling Warriors. And here's another surprise: Once we adjust for pace, the Bobcats are more likely than the Warriors to generate said turnover with a steal, with an 8.2 percent to 8.0 percent edge.
Meanwhile, the Bobcats' inability to rebound on offense isn't a problem on the defensive end. Even though offseason import Tyson Chandler (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=984) has played only 642 minutes, the Bobcats rank a solid fifth in defensive rebound rate at 75.0 percent, thanks largely to small forward Gerald Wallace picking up much of the slack (he's a shocking third in the NBA in rebounding with 11.5 per game).
All that makes up for fairly ordinary numbers in the league's "traditional" defensive stats; the Bobcats are only eighth in opponent field goal percentage and a mere 11th in opponent true-shooting percentage. It's getting a shot in the first place that's the challenge, something we don't normally say about a half-court, defense-minded club.
Sure, defense wins championships. But only if you have Kobe, KG, LeBron or Dwight Howard (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2384). The bigger lesson from the Bobcats is that defense can get a club into the playoffs ahead of other squads with far more talent. Charlotte is this season's proof, and its story merits more attention than it has received.

[BeebCats]

Thanks a bunch :D

[teej]

For a moment, I actually think Hollinger is a decent human being :p

[LiquidWayno]

KT#20, thanks a million. I was dying to read this.

[KT#20]

He's given the Bobcats kudos quite a few times. Two seasons ago he picked us to make the playoffs; last season he gave all five of our starting-five Honorable Mention for All-Defensive; and then there was the PER Diem article last season (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090304).

[spectre]

Thanks a lot KT!

Gotta be the best article I've seen by a national columnist. Pity it's hid behind the Insider wall.

[Chef]

we should make this thread a sticky/perm thread to post all bobcat referenced insider articles and/or really interesting nba related articles/rumors

[TheBeagle]

Thanks a lot KT!

Gotta be the best article I've seen by a national columnist. Pity it's hid behind the Insider wall.
Yeah, and that last sentence in the article was pretty damn impressive.

[Marvel]

Kudos to you KT.

[Chef]

oh please tell me he mentions crash in this

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-100119&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba %2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dholling er_john%26page%3dPERDiem-100119

[ohara831]

oh please tell me he mentions crash in this

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-100119&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba %2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dholling er_john%26page%3dPERDiem-100119


He only listed his starters from each Conf. For the East, he has Rhondo, Wade, LaBron, Bosh and Dwight.