In these first 3 games, What have we learned?

[ziggy]

They say that the playoffs exposes your teams strengths and weaknesses for the world to see. If there is something that the team has been able to cover up during the regular season, it comes out of hiding in the playoffs.

So far these are the things that have become glaringly obvious to me after watching the first 3 games.

* Boris Diaw is absolutely the wrong fit at PF for this team. I understand that he is an excellent passer, he is versatile, but in these last 3 games we needed another player to put some points on the board and he was the person with the skillset to do it, but he was not aggressive enough to do it.

* Ray has a long way to go if he is going to be the PG to take us to the next level... If he indeed is that guy. Jameer Nelson has ripped him up for the majority of this series. Jameer has looked like a next level PG, For the most par Ray has not.

* Tyrus Thomas has a future here. This may be blasphemous, but his energy and defense has been almost Crash-like when he has been on the court.


What have you learned from these first 3 games?

[King Taharqa]

I agree with all your points Ziggy. I learned that while we have a good team and have alot to be proud of the 2010 season, we still got a ways to go to become "elite" and compete for a title.

[CatNation]

We need to get CP3.

[SWedd523]

PG: DJ is very quickly becoming my guy at the PG spot. Ray has been shoddy on both sides of the ball and I've been impressed with DJ's D and better offensive abilities.

SG: Jack is Jack, not playing as good as he was in the regular season, but he's been shouldering a lot more of the load so I can understand.

SF: Crash is Crash. Hasn't been much different than he was in the regular season. Him and Jack are our only two dependable players.

PF: Doris played well in the first game, but has been downhill ever since. He's just too passive and too slow to fit our needs anymore. He was nice before because he could create, but we need points in the paint. I'm ready for Tyrus to inherit the position because it's time for us to move forward as a franchise

C: Tyson is looking like a guy who needs to stick around. He may not be a top shelf Center. But he has more than held his own with Dwight and has been the best big man on our team. If he stays healthy, I'd like to resign him--to a much smaller contract of course.

[Scottley Crue]

I'm with you on most points Ziggy, though I'd offer this thought on Boris...perhaps he's best paired with a center who is a low-post scoring threat. Perhaps the Clips will go nuts and want Tyson's expiring for Kaman over the offseason. Pipe dream, I'm sure, but that's what I'm talking about.

I'm not saying if we can upgrade over Boris that I'd be against it, but I like a lot of what he brings to the table, especially the versatility he brings on the defensive end. In my mind, his ability to switch and guard perimiter players is a big part of what we're able to do defensively. He's frustrating, for sure, I can't deny that. But maybe if he were paired with a different kind of center, I think we'd like what we see out of him more.

In any event, I think it's clear the offense needs some help. Looking to acquire a 4 or 5 who is a true low-post scoring threat along with a few players who are able to knock down outside shots consistenly should be of the highest priority on the Bobcats list.

[ohara831]

All great points Ziggy. As much as Felton improved this season, his weaknesses are showing big time. He has hurt any chance he has of getting more money than had been previously offered. I am not sure if he will see that kind of offer again. Really like TT's energy, and just cannot understand why LB went away from him late. Maybe because Boris had more experience in the playoffs and LB felt he would play more sound overall than TT down the stretch? For what it's worth, DJ has improved on his defensive skills nicely. I hope next season sees him really start to pick it up.

[murphman]

Felton will be the hot topic this offseason. What is he worth to us and to other teams? How much did the playoffs hurt his value? Sign and trade perhaps to get a low 1st round draft pick in 2011 (we don't really need to pick up any more salary unless we other big moves this summer) or do we just let him walk?

[teej]

1. As much as DJ's improved, if he can't hit a playoff 3 ball when it counts, he's just as worthless right now as Ray is. Neither have done a good job.

2. Jack is fine, but as much as I love him I wouldn't be opposed to a trade if the right one comes a long.

3. Crash is untouchable, though I'd like to see him shoot more.

4/5. We need to upgrade one. If we get a good PF, Tyson/Nazr/Gana is a good lineup. If we get a good C (I think Kaman was mentioned) then Boris is fine. We're just too weak up front.

6-12. DJ hasn't played well. Hughes has but he'll want more than we have. Tyrus has kicked ass at times and gone passive at others. Theo (I don't look at him as a starter) just doesn't have anything left in the tank right now. Nazr was great today. He needs to start game 4. Gana is better than Theo right now. UPS and Hendo need burn if we get down big in game 4.

Oh, and LB is too stubborn for our good. Either that or they've tuned him out. Or both. One more year of teaching then I hope he retires. Blaspheme, I know, but he hasn't been the better coach.

[Chef]

i learned that i got really excited when i saw steph interviewing cp3 at the half.

i already knew that we need a pf and if we can keep platooning centers next year, we will be pretty good.

[DwiLLL]

Ray and Boris aren't capable NBA starters.

[Marvel]

Your 1st point couldn't be more right.We need a banger pf, not a guy with a BS versatile skill set.

We need to re sign TT at a reasonable price.
DJ has improved defensively.........GOOD SIGN.
We need a low post scorer

[TheBeagle]

ziggy and CatNation speak the gospel. MJ, put on the mother of all full-court presses to get Chris here! Since I was at the game, I didn't know Chris was at the game, but that has to be great news, right?

Also agree with teej's number 2 (especially WHEN we get Chris :cool:) and his postscript....I mean, WTF is the deal with trying to out-Magic the Magic with 3 point shooting when We. Have. No. Shooters? :confused:

I'll just add, we didn't necesarily learn, but we were reinforced with the truth that the Magic absolutely own us to such an extent it's painful.

[Toocool]

What we've learnt:

1. We lack a low post threat. Boris does have this nice hook shot, but that's about it. TT has some post moves, but is developing. TC has a hook shot, but is rarely seen and very unreliable. If TT is able to put on another 10-20 pounds and continues to develop his post game, he could be big.

2. Theo looks tired. He's old, and I don't think he has much left, if any at all in the tank. All credit to him for filling in when we needed him. It's a shame he doesn't have much left, because he really did big things for us in the regular season.

3. Boris might not be the fit for our team. If TT makes leaps and bounds, I would start him over Boris.

4. I expect big things from Hendo+UPS in the future. Both can show that they can play. Need both of them to develop their ball handling, and for Hendo to continue to develop his mid range and 3 point game.

5. DJ is playing better defense. He's bigger, stronger and looks more confident. He could do great things in the future, but we need him to put in the effort. I much rather have DJ than TJ Ford.

6. AA needs more work. Whether we stick with him and hope or whatever, I'm not sure. He's only twenty-one, and he did show he's learnt alot during the pre-season. Was doing well in the D-league, but then he got injured. He's a mixed bag from here, whether we retain him or trade him.

Out of 10, my ratings for our team:

PG (Tonberry): 7 (Solid defensively, okay playmaker, offensive game is also okay)
SG (Cpt Jack): 9 (A big chucker at times)
SF (Crash): 9.5 (Extra .5 would be if he took more shots/drove to the basket more)
PF (Boris): 5.5 (Lack of consistency)
C (TC): 6.5 (Great defender, and usually solid rebounder. Only offensive is a rarely seen hook shot, dunks and alley-oops)

[Brown'sTown]

DJ's defense looks better because he's basically been playing a 40 year old white guy in nearly all of his minutes. In the short minutes against Jameer, Nelson was able to get where he wanted when aggressive. DJ's D has improved, though just from god awful to below average. His offense is still too passive.
Doris and Ray can be starters somewhere, but not here. This team doesn't have the offensive weapons to have 2 inconsistent/passive offensive players in the lineup to go along with one complete non factor(whoever is playing center). Boris could play in Grant Hill's spot on the Suns(maybe) and Felton could do well on the Magic or Lakers, but with the team we have those guys just won't cut it. We need consistent offense.
The Magic were the worst draw we could have gotten. We have no clue how to guard them and they have played the best ball of any team in the league since the all star break.
We're being ridiculed in the media as if we're the weakest team in the playoffs when the reality is the previous point I made.

[BRNC]

I've learned that the wing positions (on our team) are the only place that we have solid starters...

Doris (never a favorite of mine) needs to go...
Ray has dropped back to very questionable game decisions...
DJ (IMO) is nothing better than a back-up so we have a need for a better starting PG...
The 5 position is as unsettled as it has ever been...

If Jackson has value after this series (and before the draft) I think we need to cash that value and make some upgrades...

I'm not at all sold on keeping Ray...I love his defense but this series shows how far he is from making good game decisions...

I really appreciate that the guys got us in the play-offs...but I doubt LB stays and I can't really sell myself on the idea of another coach being successful with what we have as a team...I think we need to make a few changes if we can..."if"
being the problem...

link to Bonnells take...

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2010/04/postmortem-on-game-3.html

[ohara831]

Bonnell's take on it is exactly my thinking. I see a ton riding on Game 4. Not that we necessarily have to win, but we have to show up and play a strong game, even if we lose a close one. My fear is that the team loses heart after going down 3-0 and feels defeated, and comes out flat and gets blown out. I think the future of both Ray and LB in Charlotte may ride on how things play out. If Ray plays yet another stinker and gets shown up by Nelson, I think we have seen the last of him. The team wont offer the amount they put up last time, and for pride's sake, Ray cannot take a reduced offer. As for LB, if the team shows heart and fights and we either win or at least stay right there till the end, I think he returns. But if the team loses heart and gives up and gets blown out, I think LB takes pride in bringing us to the Playoffs in year 2, is happy he resurrected his image and reputation from the tragedy of New York, and he rides off into the sunset. And we are left with DJ starting at PG, no draft picks, and little money with which to work. It aint a rosey picture.

[OMagic941]

I really like Wallace. I liked him before this series, but hes a great player, I love his game. Jackson is much better then I thought and he raises his game in the playoffs. Say what you want about him personally but he brings it. I really don't hate the bobcats and was happy to play you guys because we never have in the playoffs and I wanted someone new to play. The Celtics, the Cavs.. I HATE! but not the cats. Anyways, I wanted to make a normal conversation with the lads on the forum here and not be douche about it. I hope to keep it constructive.

[teej]

DJ's defense looks better because he's basically been playing a 40 year old white guy in nearly all of his minutes. In the short minutes against Jameer, Nelson was able to get where he wanted when aggressive. DJ's D has improved, though just from god awful to below average. His offense is still too passive.
Doris and Ray can be starters somewhere, but not here. This team doesn't have the offensive weapons to have 2 inconsistent/passive offensive players in the lineup to go along with one complete non factor(whoever is playing center). Boris could play in Grant Hill's spot on the Suns(maybe) and Felton could do well on the Magic or Lakers, but with the team we have those guys just won't cut it. We need consistent offense.

Part A, you're absolutely right.

Part B, you're partially right. Without those two, we wouldn't be in the playoffs, but they're killing the team right now.

[Marvel]

Improvement is improvement.
DJ has played solid defense on Jameer-when he's matched up with him.He isn't locking him down but he's certainly improved his on ball defense.

[BlackH20]

They say that the playoffs exposes your teams strengths and weaknesses for the world to see. If there is something that the team has been able to cover up during the regular season, it comes out of hiding in the playoffs.

So far these are the things that have become glaringly obvious to me after watching the first 3 games.

* Boris Diaw is absolutely the wrong fit at PF for this team. I understand that he is an excellent passer, he is versatile, but in these last 3 games we needed another player to put some points on the board and he was the person with the skillset to do it, but he was not aggressive enough to do it.

* Ray has a long way to go if he is going to be the PG to take us to the next level... If he indeed is that guy. Jameer Nelson has ripped him up for the majority of this series. Jameer has looked like a next level PG, For the most par Ray has not.

* Tyrus Thomas has a future here. This may be blasphemous, but his energy and defense has been almost Crash-like when he has been on the court.


What have you learned from these first 3 games?

Hughes has 12 years in the NBA, a rough year, but still lead the Cavs to the Eastern playoffs several years back playing out of position as a point guard.
He was on fire last night, coming back from a broken hand, he put in 10 points in a hurry. Then sat the whole third quarter and back the fourth.
You can get experience for the young one's, but sometimes you need a vet to show the way. Hughes made about 17 mil this year, but was playing for Charlotte just to WIN, league min., Larry Brown used him and Tyrus poorly in this contest. The could have ignited this team several more times than the did. Yes, Hughes is 31 and on the back end of his career, but Thomas and him are close from playing in Chicago and friends. Thomas comes alive for playoffs, so does Hughes, needed a win bad, still do. GO FOR THE WIN BROWN!