View Full Version : Bonnell Bites Back! (Along with some interesting info)
You love him, you hate him, but Rick Bonnell is the Bobcats beat writer, so you go to him for information. He's last blog gives us some insight into how we got going on this 4 game winning streak.
http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2010/03/why-theyre-on-a-4game-win-streak.html
The interesting parts of the blog to me has to be TC's comments of calling "B.S." on Wallace calling him out. While it sounds like the issue has been resolved, its kind of eye opening. That diaper wearing sketch of him is making more and more sense now.
Bonnell's statement about MJ being a trader not a drafter I agree with though, although we may have given up something in that 1st round draft pick for TT. If TT gets re-signed then its probably worth it, but you never like giving up 1st rounders.
Of course with good ole Rick he always makes room to throw in some shot at someone, this time however he takes a shot at the fans.
-- All you fools who made fun of me for writing it would be a huge mistake for the Bobcats to sign Allen Iverson (you know who you are; I can look up the responses) can send me your heart-felt apologies soon as possible.
He definitely was right in saying Iverson shouldn't come here, but doesn't this seem a little unprofessional? To me it sounds a little childish.
Toocool
03-11-2010, 04:40 AM
Am i right to assume Bonnell loves to provoke a reaction from his readers?
Some of his stuff was okay, others were so and so. I do read Bonnell from time to time since it can always be fresh to see things from a different perspective, no matter how perplexing it can be at times.
ziggy
03-11-2010, 05:58 AM
Bonnell seems a little full of himself.
ohara831
03-11-2010, 06:12 AM
Well, he does take a lot of crap from the readers. When you read his stuff, the fan's comments are almost always derogatory. It's only human to throw something back once in a while.
ziggy
03-11-2010, 06:31 AM
Well, he does take a lot of crap from the readers. When you read his stuff, the fan's comments are almost always derogatory. It's only human to throw something back once in a while.
I think a lot of the reason that he takes so much crap from the fans is the perception that he is holding back on a lot of the info that the fans want.
I'm sure that there are many things that he may see that if he wrote about it, he would lose much of his access to the players and staff. But there is the sense that he could give us more in depth info than he does.
superb1
03-11-2010, 07:43 AM
I agree and disagree about AI. I feel that everything that AI is going through is totally circumstantial (sp) of how his season is going. But even after trading for Jack and then TT I felt like AI could have still contributed something if not for his troubles. I gave up hope of AI coming only after the Mar deadline and Philly had not waived him and after looking at his personal life. I think Rick lucked out on this one.
I don't really give Rick any flack because to me he is the closest source for really credible info. Since I'm here in Florida, it is not like I can go ask the players myself.
spectre
03-11-2010, 08:12 AM
Bonnell hates to be called wrong. You can tell if you've ever emailed him...the first reply willl be nice, but if you ever question his opinion he'll get snarky quick.
But y'all know me...I'm going to focus on the defense...
Some thoughts on a four-game winning streak:
-- This doesn't happen if Gerald Wallace doesn't speak up and that's not easy.He's right:
“We’ve won four in a row,” said Brown. “We didn’t have a great first half defensively against Miami, but the second half was spectacular. We didn’t have a great first half against Golden State, but in the second half we defended much better. Against L.A., the whole game we were pretty darn good (defensively), and tonight for the most part we were pretty darn good. For the most part, that’s thanks to the things Gerald (Wallace) talked about – communicating on defense and getting aggressive defensively.”During the LAL game we suddenly got a LOT better on defense...back to pretty much what we'd been doing earlier in the year to put us near the top of the league. Honestly tho...IMO these last 4 we've been even better, and TC coming back has helped it immensely.
Watch the wings/PG and how they switch thru those screens where the guy going off it is stopped in his tracks. Watch TC defend the pick and roll better than any other big we've ever had. Watch Theo, TT & Boris defend the paint racking up blocked shots. The guys are talking to each other on D and it's paying off in spades.
This is a beautiful thing...and it's successful.
There was a debate sometime back on who our best player is. Crash has answered that pretty definitively now I think. Without him we fail as individuals; with him we succeed as a team.
ammofan
03-11-2010, 08:17 AM
Another typical Bonnel article...........
cltblkhscoach
03-11-2010, 08:55 AM
You guys are too hard on Bonnell. I like him for the most part. Yeah he withholds information, but what beat writer is going to put all their info out there? They would lose all credibility with the players and coaches as mentioned before.
he acts like he was nostradamas in his iverson prediction. this site was 50/50 on AI. look back at the thread it was one of the better debates we had.
kickazzz2000
03-11-2010, 10:38 AM
"This doesn't happen if Gerald Wallace doesn't speak up and that's not easy. Calling out your teammates takes courage. It's not like getting on some messaage board as "Bobfan225'' and griping about Stephen Jackson's shot selection or Raymond Felton missing late free throws"
That was quite a gem too...
CatNation
03-11-2010, 11:17 AM
That was quite a gem too...
I don't get it? What does Bonnell want us to do, sneak into the locker room and give the guys a stern talking to? We are spineless cowards because we only post how we feel on a message board instead of doing...what? :confused:
Shrimpy_Jackson
03-11-2010, 11:25 AM
Hey I like it, I've seen some of the inane and relatively rude shit they write to him, but its' all apart of the internet culture I guess (even though I'm only 26 I don't count myself, hate talking to people on this thing but like the cats and you guys pretty fine.) I think he does a relatively good job and I do enjoy reading what he says, but if I get called a dick and a hack every time I try to do my job and let some fans in on some stuff I'll throw a barb or two back at them in good fun. So good for him!
I'll agree there are a lot of tools who read his blog. He'll post a completely unbiased, strictly informational blog, and the first comment will be, "Rick go kill yourself."
I think he does a decent job, I prefer the way my school's beat writer does things for our basketball team, we've sucked for a couple years now and he will be critical but he doesn't cross the line when being critical, something Rick tends to do sometime. Still, Rick doesn't deserve the amount of hate he gets.
Brown'sTown
03-11-2010, 11:35 AM
yeah, but somewhat besides the point, WTF has happened to Felton's late game foul shooting? Prior to this season he was pretty much automatic in that scenario.
Shrimpy_Jackson
03-11-2010, 11:38 AM
yeah, but somewhat besides the point, WTF has happened to Felton's late game foul shooting? Prior to this season he was pretty much automatic in that scenario.
Don't they have a contest going for FT's last 2 mins of halves and games? Maybe just games. Perhaps the pressure's getting to him haha. It is a little frustrating though, especially when he missed that first one gainst the heat the other day.
jdsingar
03-11-2010, 01:24 PM
I'll agree there are a lot of tools who read his blog. He'll post a completely unbiased, strictly informational blog, and the first comment will be, "Rick go kill yourself."
I think he does a decent job, I prefer the way my school's beat writer does things for our basketball team, we've sucked for a couple years now and he will be critical but he doesn't cross the line when being critical, something Rick tends to do sometime. Still, Rick doesn't deserve the amount of hate he gets.
I agree. While I don't like Bonnell's little joke in the article, I can understand where he was coming from. People that post on the Charlotte Observer's website can be plain moronic to overtly racist. I'd be willing to bet that about 50% of the articles relating to the Bobcats or NBA Basketball make some mention of the word "Thug." Likewise, I don't think Bonnell deserves *all* of the heat he gets. Most of it is because the status quo when it comes to newspapers is to hate them. The Observer isn't great, but it's much better than the NC newspaper sites I have seen.
As an advocate for signing A.I., I must also admit that I was wrong and he was right. I don't need a friendly reminder from him though.
kickazzz2000
03-11-2010, 01:32 PM
I agree. While I don't like Bonnell's little joke in the article, I can understand where he was coming from. People that post on the Charlotte Observer's website can be plain moronic to overtly racist. I'd be willing to bet that about 50% of the articles relating to the Bobcats or NBA Basketball make some mention of the word "Thug." Likewise, I don't think Bonnell deserves *all* of the heat he gets. Most of it is because the status quo when it comes to newspapers is to hate them. The Observer isn't great, but it's much better than the NC newspaper sites I have seen.
As an advocate for signing A.I., I must also admit that I was wrong and he was right. I don't need a friendly reminder from him though.
The vermin that post on newspaper websites for the most part represent some of earth's lowest life-forms. Where are the idiots crying thug when Ben Rothelisburger gets in trouble?
For that, I think its cheap of Rick to take shots at BCP...we ARE his audience..folks that actually care about the team and don't wish for it to leave town.
cltblkhscoach
03-11-2010, 01:56 PM
Guys, let's really not be overly sensitive here. I think he was more or less taking a shot at the idiots that post on the Observer site. Like it's been said, most of them are racist and haters, so let him have his fun for once.
He isn't really right to begin with. The Memphis Grizzlies made money off of signing AI, and are in the thick of a much tougher playoff race. We could've done the same thing, and our ticket sales, jersey sales, etc. would've completely made it worthwile.
And never, ever, ever call your readers fools.
he acts like he was nostradamas in his iverson prediction. this site was 50/50 on AI. look back at the thread it was one of the better debates we had.
I think the break was 50-50 about everywhere...Bonnell has his moments of insight and moments of BS as we all do...:shrug:
dnbman
03-11-2010, 08:14 PM
I love the stab at the audience. Being a sports columnist these days is not about breaking news so much as being portal of information and conversation about the team. Bonnell knows that must factual information will be all over the internet before a columnist can usually write it; that's just the information age. So, instead of continuing the facade of breaking news, he's loosened up his reporting to include the informal notes and the more conversational tone. I like it and think it makes sense to keep readers.
As far as his comments about anonymity, I think his point wasn't too slam internet posters so much as point out that saying a guy sucks online is a lot different than being a teammate and telling it to him to his face he sucks. Those guys are bound together in individual and group relationships that are largely influenced by what they communicate to one another. A player takes a big risk in calling out another player. I think that was Bonnell's point.
etothet
03-11-2010, 09:05 PM
Don't they have a contest going for FT's last 2 mins of halves and games? Maybe just games. Perhaps the pressure's getting to him haha. It is a little frustrating though, especially when he missed that first one gainst the heat the other day.
Really would have been frustrating had he not hit the 3 to put us on top or not have gotten the rebound that led to hitting one of his free throws.
Demon DeaCat
03-11-2010, 10:50 PM
I agree and disagree about AI. I feel that everything that AI is going through is totally circumstantial (sp) of how his season is going. But even after trading for Jack and then TT I felt like AI could have still contributed something if not for his troubles. I gave up hope of AI coming only after the Mar deadline and Philly had not waived him and after looking at his personal life. I think Rick lucked out on this one.
I agree. AI put up pretty decent numbers with the sixers. His personal circumstances notwithstanding, 14 and 4 for $2 mil is a nice ROI. Plus before anyone starts pounding their chest about who was right and who was wrong, you have to look at the situation in the appropriate context. It's easy to say, after getting Jack, that we didn't need AI. Even I agree with that. But you have to keep in mind that at the time that debate was being had, we didn't have Jack, nor did we have any assurance we'd be able to pull off a trade like that. What we had was an anemic offense and a team that probably would've been lucky to win 30 games this year. AI definitely would have helped the team we started the season with, and THAT'S the team that has to be considered in any discussion about AI, not the one we have now. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have Jack, but given the circumstances at the beginning of the year, I still say we should have signed AI.
ALuhrs704
03-13-2010, 03:23 PM
bonnell came into my sportswriting class at charlotte last year, and honestly i dont like the guy. he was very quick to jump on people asking different questions about the cats. luckily for me i knew what i was talking about so he was pretty nice to me. i just dont like how the observer runs their operation anymore
King Taharqa
03-14-2010, 07:36 AM
The Observer is a piece of trash newspaper that will be extinct very shortly. Since people dont buy newspapers much anymore, the Observer editors are pressing their writers to be more "controversial" and tap into people's "fears & biases" to sell newspapers. Their sports coverage sucks, their revisionism sucks, and their opinion pieces suck. I'll always remember the negativity they helped foster in regards to my hometown team the Charlotte Bobcats. Racist newspaper, founded by a racist (DA Tompkins), still pushing its caveman racist agendas. Fowler, Sorenson, Bonnell all suck. I prefer AP writer Mike Cranston over any of those clowns.
docend24
03-14-2010, 10:37 AM
About his insightful info - I am quite surprised he is not writing about many members of front office will lose their job as Jordan certainly won't buy Bobcats. That would be prime example how right and quick his infor usually is. About his opinions - he is either completely off or just steal thoughts from (both) bobcats related boards (too regularly with no credit to be funny anymore). About his info - we can't really check whether some random locker room thing happned or not but about trade rumour and such things he sometimes predicts things claiming their are insider facts and fails miserably. My all time favourite is "Bobcats won't trade for J-Rich 100%" just .day before the draft. I he does it sometimes, that was a wrong term he does awfully too often.
The Observer is a piece of trash newspaper that will be extinct very shortly. Since people dont buy newspapers much anymore, the Observer editors are pressing their writers to be more "controversial" and tap into people's "fears & biases" to sell newspapers. Their sports coverage sucks, their revisionism sucks, and their opinion pieces suck. I'll always remember the negativity they helped foster in regards to my hometown team the Charlotte Bobcats. Racist newspaper, founded by a racist (DA Tompkins), still pushing its caveman racist agendas. Fowler, Sorenson, Bonnell all suck. I prefer AP writer Mike Cranston over any of those clowns.
I disagree about Soreson and Fowler, I think they do a great job covering the Panthers.
It seems the paper business as a whole is dying though, the News & Observer in Raleigh is also on its last legs. I guess with the all the new ways we get news now the papers are losing their value.
spectre
03-17-2010, 09:26 AM
Some thoughts on the Pacers game (http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2010/03/some-thoughts-on-the-pacers-game.html)
Another good blog post by Bonnell. Love for Hulk JR, Crash not happy with the loss, Crash looking good for Friday vs ATL, LB taking blame for being indecisive about calling a time out on that last play, TJ Ford.
Some thoughts on the Pacers game (http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2010/03/some-thoughts-on-the-pacers-game.html)
Another good blog post by Bonnell. Love for Hulk JR, Crash not happy with the loss, Crash looking good for Friday vs ATL, LB taking blame for being indecisive about calling a time out on that last play, TJ Ford.
He thinks they view TJ as a replacement for Felts?
The rejection of 7 mil per year last season is a worry.
spectre
03-17-2010, 10:11 AM
He thinks they view TJ as a replacement for Felts?
The rejection of 7 mil per year last season is a worry.
As I posted on his blog I don't see it as being a worry unless he gets a stupid offer. All thru the summer I hoped he would sign, but I also said it was in his best interest to take it to FA...and his agent would obviously know that.
Just business.
As far as who would give him an offer over 7...I don't really know. Knicks maybe, but if they land 2 top FAs they won't have the money. Same with Miami if they get one big FA.
I'd have to see each team's money situation to know for sure, but I think getting that kind of salary without a S&T would be tough for him. In fact...if the offer is slightly more than the MLE (which takes out the cap teams signing him outright) it actually puts it more in our favor.
jdsingar
03-17-2010, 10:26 AM
Bonnell takes a shot at those pushing to get Stephen Graham out of the lineup in favor of Hendo and UPS. I can't say I disagree with playing Graham right now; he is playing well and looks comfortable out there. However, there is no reason Stephen Jackson should be playing as many minutes as he does and those minutes could certainly shift towards the rooks.
FREE DERRICK BROWN
As I posted on his blog I don't see it as being a worry unless he gets a stupid offer. All thru the summer I hoped he would sign, but I also said it was in his best interest to take it to FA...and his agent would obviously know that.
Just business.
As far as who would give him an offer over 7...I don't really know. Knicks maybe, but if they land 2 top FAs they won't have the money. Same with Miami if they get one big FA.
I'd have to see each team's money situation to know for sure, but I think getting that kind of salary without a S&T would be tough for him. In fact...if the offer is slightly more than the MLE (which takes out the cap teams signing him outright) it actually puts it more in our favor.
TJ instead of Felts makes me feel a little pukey.
I don't mind TJ'ss game too much, but I don't consider him a good locker room addition at all.
spectre
03-17-2010, 10:43 AM
TJ instead of Felts makes me feel a little pukey.
I don't mind TJ'ss game too much, but I don't consider him a good locker room addition at all.
MJ's been hot after Ford for years now. The latest version of Gana Diop I guess. If we do trade for him I expect the same result too, except that I fully expect him to get in LB's doghouse early and (hopefully) won't get an extended deal from us.
DJ up thru then had a very subpar season. IMO LB wanted a more "stable" vet PG backup for the postseason more than anything...but you never know with this bunch.
For the record I'd hate it if we traded for him regardless of who we'd be sending out. IMO he's the exact opposite of what we need.
For the record I'd hate it if we traded for him regardless of who we'd be sending out. IMO he's the exact opposite of what we need.
Wore out his welcome in Mill.
Wore out his welcome in TO.
Wore out his welcome in Ind.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
:g:
If we do trade for him I expect the same result too, except that I fully expect him to get in LB's doghouse early and (hopefully) won't get an extended deal from us.
Maybe it will be exactly the same as the Okafor for Chandler trade - a deal made just to get a long term contract that over pays but we feel we had to sign off on off the books?
spectre
03-17-2010, 01:05 PM
Maybe it will be exactly the same as the Okafor for Chandler trade - a deal made just to get a long term contract that over pays but we feel we had to sign off on off the books?
Always possible, but I'd rather just let Felton walk and give Watson (or similar) part/full MLE before I'd trade for Ford. I think we'd be better off...esp. once LB benches Ford's ass and starts demanding MJ trade for a real PG...which would probably put us ultimately in a worse cap situation.
So long as we don't negotiate against ourselves I think the situation will play out ok. Other teams just don't worry me so much now that it appears we actually did offer over the MLE.
Hopefully we tell him to go out and get a contract offer and we'll match. Dallas steps up, offers the full MLE and then we're good to go.
Always possible, but I'd rather just let Felton walk and give Watson (or similar) part/full MLE before I'd trade for Ford.
Agreed - unless we could get an add in on the deal as well (like a late 1st round pick for eg)
spectre
03-17-2010, 01:30 PM
Agreed - unless we could get an add in on the deal as well (like a late 1st round pick for eg)
:hysterical:
Oh wait...I was going to stop making fun of the FO wasn't I?
:hysterical:
Oh wait...I was going to stop making fun of the FO wasn't I?
In your dreams maybe...:p
I can't imagine why we (FO) keep having "fantasies" about TJ....it really does not compute...:facepalm:
:hysterical:
Oh wait...I was going to stop making fun of the FO wasn't I?
Jordan: "Yo Larry. What's happening baby?"
Bird: "Don't call me baby"
Jordan: "Hahahaha, that's my boy"
Bird: "I aint your boy"
awkward silence...............
Jordan: "Ummmm, yaaaaaa, okkkkkkkkk, sooooooooo.........."
Bird: "Michael, what do you want? I'm busy. I have corn to peel"
Jordan: "I hear you guys are still trying to recover from that whole brawl thing. Trying to get some squeaky clean kids in your program to right the wrong"
Bird: "This is true"
Jordan: "Well, do I have a deal for you!"
Bird: "Go on, I'm listening"
Jordan: "Seems that I have got myself into a dilly of a pickle with my young fella Raymond Felton. See I only wanted to pay him 5 mil a year, but he wanted 10 mil a year, then the UNC mafia called me and said I HAD to keep the local product local, so I offered him more."
Bird: "More than 5 mil a year?"
Jordan: (silence)
Bird: "MORE THAN 5 MIL A YEAR!?!?!?!?"
Jordan: "Well, you see, I was sort of negotiating with his Mum, and the next thing I know..............."
Bird: "You slept with her, didn't you Michael?"
Jordan: "Not a lot of sleeping went on that night baby!!"
Bird: "I told you before, don't call me baby"
Jordan: "You're grumpy now you are old"
Bird: "How much did you sign him for?"
Jordan: "More than 10 but less than 25".
Bird: "You signed him for 24 1/2 didn't you Michael?"
Jordan: "Larry, she had pictures. PICTURES!!"
Bird: "Oh Michael. I thought you had learnt your lesson after you banged Ammo's sister on draft night eve?"
Jordan: "I.................need.................help"
Bird: "So what do you want from me?"
Jordan: "Well, you need a squeaky clean kid and a real PG. You also need to get rid of that head case Ford, so I was thinking we could work something out?"
Bird: "I like where this is going"
Jordan: "So I was thinking, I'll trade you Felton and you trade me Ford. Because Felton has that large contract though I understand I would have to add something, so how about a pair of mint condition, never out of the box Jordan 11's?"
Bird: "Michael, you know I am a Converse guy"
Jordan: "Righhhhhhhhhttttttttt. How about I kick in a 2nd round pick?"
Bird: "Even though Felton is the better player?"
Jodan: "Ok, ok, ok. I'll make it a protected 1st round pick"
Bird: "Hang on, I'm saying that Felton is the BETTER player, regardless of contract, but you want to just give me a pick?"
Jordan: "Hear what you are saying Big Bird, consider the protection lifted"
Bird: "Micheal, why do you dislike pics so much?"
Jordan: "2 future 1sts, no protection and we'll pay for the flights for the prospects you work out".
Bird: "What was that noise?"
Jordan: "What noise? (foreeeeeeeeeeeeee)"
Bird: "Are you playing golf?"
Jordan: "Felton, a pair of Jordan 11's, two unprotected 1sts, we pay for flights and you give us TJ Price".
Bird: "Price? What are you talking about Price? I thought we were talking about TJ Ford?"
Jordan: "That's what I said, AJ Watson. It's a done deal. I'll have my people send your people the paper work".
click.
spectre
03-17-2010, 02:57 PM
LOL that was very good! :p
Find a way to work that into a RGM thread...most likely will get you in the HOF.
It's not as good as Fats with Bernie & May (I still can't read that without busting a gut) but it's right up there!
Felton for Prez
03-17-2010, 05:36 PM
LOL that was very good! :p
Find a way to work that into a RGM thread...most likely will get you in the HOF.
It would get my vote. That was awesome.
ohara831
03-17-2010, 06:09 PM
Wore out his welcome in Mill.
Wore out his welcome in TO.
Wore out his welcome in Ind.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
:g:
Well, Captain Jack wore out his welcome in another town and we took him in and it has paid dividends. TT wore out his welcome in Chicago and we gave him a new home and it seems to be working. Although I had fallen off the ILBIT wagon, these two trades have done us well. I think if LB and MJ pulled the trigger on it, I would give it a fair open minded evaluation before either applauding it or slamming it.
Well, Captain Jack wore out his welcome in another town and we took him in and it has paid dividends. TT wore out his welcome in Chicago and we gave him a new home and it seems to be working. Although I had fallen off the ILBIT wagon, these two trades have done us well. I think if LB and MJ pulled the trigger on it, I would give it a fair open minded evaluation before either applauding it or slamming it.
If push came to shove I would be more comfortable with TJ for 1 year at 9.5 million than Felts for an average of around 7, 8 , 9 or 10 mil a year over several years.
spectre
03-17-2010, 10:10 PM
If push came to shove I would be more comfortable with TJ for 1 year at 9.5 million than Felts for an average of around 7, 8 , 9 or 10 mil a year over several years.
If TJ had been the PG for us tonight Westbrook would have gotten 50 points. Within a month LB would be demanding a trade and then we'd be taking on another fat contract.
Felton at 7 per average is WELL worth it. 8 would be retail but still tradable...and 9 or 10 wouldn't happen anyway so I don't even know why you'd mention them.
Plugging in guys like Ford (DRtg of 109), Watson (DRtg of 108...best in 4 years) or Jack (isn't Toronto LAST in D? Jack has a DRtg of 115!) would seriously downgrade us. Team D starts with the PG and every one of those guys are a serious downgrade from Felton (DRtg of 103...one of the best for PGs).
And with the lockout coming, that "big" contract of Ray's may shrink dramatically or be able to be waived for free. I don't think there's going to be any better value if LB is the coach.
I'd do 7, 7.5, 8, and 8.5 as a player option...but that's the max...I love Ray for his "D" and he is working on his shot but contracts are going to come down...
KT#20
03-19-2010, 11:53 PM
The '07 and '08 version of Ford has Felton completely outclassed offensively. He's obviously taken a downturn this season, but I wouldn't be totally surprised if he could get back to his peak play, with even better defense, under Brown. BTW, Ford has a career defensive rating of 108, which is the same as Felton's. He's not on a level with the Felton of these last two years, but he's not a bad defender at all.
Still, chalk me up among those who would rather have Felton on a 3 year/$21 million deal than have Ford next year for $9.5 million. Too many "ifs" with Ford, and I'm happy with Felton.
spectre
03-20-2010, 08:09 AM
I know you're agreeing with me so I want nitpick too much...but Ford's BEST DRtg was 106 and that was 4 years ago. Since then: 108, 110, 109.
Plus you have to look at Ford's mentality...the boy wants to shoot. As much as Felton has been maligned in the past for shooting too much y'all would purely hate Ford. Add him to Jax and team play would be a thing of the past.
I think LB would end up killing him.
spectre
03-20-2010, 08:39 AM
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/mar/20/hawks-slip-past-bobcats-in-ot/sports-professional-basketball-bobcats/
Note: Bobcats coach Larry Brown said before the game he'd like to remain in Charlotte with Jordan as the team's owner. "It's a plus for Charlotte because I know how competitive he is," Brown said. "He's been supportive of me and helpful for me. It's great for our league so whatever he wants me to do, I'm going to try to do. He gave me an opportunity when I was out of coaching. I don't take that lightly.''
Observer couldn't wait to write those articles about LB leaving...wonder when Bonnell and the gang put this out there?
You have to feel that it is "CMA" at this point (from Bonnell) if he expects any access to the team...:p
...for those that question CMA=cover my a$$...:p
KT#20
03-20-2010, 07:12 PM
I know you're agreeing with me so I want nitpick too much...but Ford's BEST DRtg was 106 and that was 4 years ago. Since then: 108, 110, 109.
DRtg has quite a bit to do with the players on the court with you, though. The better defensive players on your team, the better your DRtg should be. Toronto and Indiana aren't known for defense at all, so I don't think it's a surprise that he hasn't done as well after that time. But 106 is higher than what Felton recorded last season (107), and I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be able to get back to that playing for us.
This is what Hollinger said about Ford's defense based on '09 (and I do realize it's just one man's opinion):
Bigger guards prey on Ford's size by posting him up, but he's not a bad defender overall. He pressures the ball very well and rarely gives up penetration off the dribble, so if opponents are going to score on him, they have to do it over the top.ETA: Just on the topic of defense, it is amazing how Felton's stepped his game up on that end. I'm confident that he's top five among all point guards in DWS and DRtg and top five in Opponent PER among starting point guards. He's 20th in the league in DWS, FYI.
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