How the Bobcats Measure Up (So far...)

[spectre]

How the Charlotte Bobcats Measure Up - Hoopsworld (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16947)

Still way too early, but what the hell.

Pretty comprehensive so I'm not going to try and do it justice here. A couple of interesting snippets tho:

Point Guard - DJ Augustin


Don't be surprised if the Bobcats pull off a deal utilizing recently acquired center Erick Dampier's expiring $13 million (non-guaranteed) contract or veteran center Nazr Mohammed's near $7 million deal coming off the books at the end of the season to acquire a proven starter at the point. Shooting Guard - Stephen Jackson

While Jackson has proved he can score at a consistent clip throughout his career, the challenge for the veteran will be creating more offense for his teammates which may entail shooting less this upcoming season. In 2010, Jackson dished out 258 assists, but committed a disappointing 233 turnovers.

Envisioning Jackson to possess the assist/turnover ratio of an elite point guard isn't a realistic expectation, but Brown believes the 32 year-old guard could get tighter with his ball control.Small Forward - Gerald Wallace


Brown has instructed Wallace to work on moving without the basketball, specifically on being in good position to maximize his speed on the baseline once he receives the pass.

It will be interesting to see how Augustin's presence as a full-time starter impacts Wallace's game. Felton, though not a high volume assist producer, had great chemistry with Wallace specifically in the open court.
Power Forward - Tyrus Thomas


Not hearing his named called during pregame introductions will likely change this season after the Bobcats re-signed Thomas to a five-year $40 million deal. With that investment the Bobcats are hoping that the flashes of star ability become more consistent over the course of the season. Center - Erick Dampier

If Dampier is around, he gets the nod over Mohammed and the offensively limited DeSagana Diop.

At 35, he's coming off four consecutive seasons of shooting at least 62 percent from the floor and fits the mold of a typical Brown frontcourt favorite --- rugged, defensive-minded and efficient.~plenty more at the link~

[dav7z]

This team will not smell the playoffs as constructed now. The East is much stronger this year and we are two starters short of last season . We either need to blow the whole damn thing up or trade to inprove over last year.

We have to add a quality point and we need a starting center. We do have a few trade pieces so the off season will be instresting,

[Demon DeaCat]

Nazr was by far our best C last year until he got hurt. I'm not saying I wouldn't like to still have TC around for depth. He did play well in spurts, but I think his loss has been overstated to some degree. Overall, Nazr was MUCH better.

[BlockParty]

This team will not smell the playoffs as constructed now. The East is much stronger this year and we are two starters short of last season .

The top of the east is much stronger, the east as a whole is a little better, but the middle of the east, slots 5-9 have gotten weaker.

Cleveland and Toronto (#1 and #9 last year in the east) both have gotten significantly worse and neither will probably make a playoff run.

Mia, Milwaukee and Chicago all got significantly better-but they all made the playoffs last year.

Orlando, Atlanta, Boston and Charlotte are not that much different than they were for most of last season (that means we have Jax for the entire season, Ray was better than DJ, but that is offset by having TT for the entire year...and Chandler was a non-factor).

Depending on who we add (with flexibility that cancelling Dampier's contract) will determine if we break into the top 4 in the east or not.

New York might slip into the 8th spot if Cleveland doesn't, but only if Amare can keep from getting poked in the eye.

[dav7z]

Nazr was by far our best C last year until he got hurt. I'm not saying I wouldn't like to still have TC around for depth. He did play well in spurts, but I think his loss has been overstated to some degree. Overall, Nazr was MUCH better.

Agreeded but if you take away both players TC and Felton and add what we have added back . This team does not even contend for the eight sopt this year. The team has to take one direction or the other.

[Demon DeaCat]

Agreeded but if you take away both players TC and Felton and add what we have added back . This team does not even contend for the eight sopt this year. The team has to take one direction or the other.

I don't disagree that without any further enhancement of the roster, the combined effect of losing Felton and TC, and even Theo for that matter, will likely result in us being not as good a team as last year. Now whether that affects our relative standing in the conference remains to be seen. I agree with Block Party's assessment. Some teams got better, others got worse. I don't think we're a lock to make the playoffs, but I think we'll certainly be in contention.

[Ampsportsduo]

Always happy to read about the Cats, but I feel that the impact of DJ starting at the point is being understated. To be successful as an undersized guard you need at least one of these three (preferably two): strength, blazing speed, or explosiveness. DJ lacks all three. His best asset is his shot, but he has trouble creating the necessary space to get it off. When he has been able to penetrate more often than not he's gotten himself caught in no man's land as opposed to creating an opportunity for a teammate or scoring. I'm not convinced that he can't be a role player (and a good one at that), but he's not ready to take the reigns for a team with aspirations above mediocrity.

To be clear, it's not just DJ that will be an issue. If Diaw's relegated to the bench, I'm still not convinced, the starting will be without its top two distributors from a year ago and replacing them with two less adept passers to boot. As the article pointed out Jack's assist/turnover ratio was barely over one and Crash's was just under one. For a team that averaged over 20 assists/game last season, lacks a go-to scorer that can use his scoring ability to set up others and played their best when the ball was moving freely this will likely lead to many nights pondering the team's ineptitude on offense.

FYI Average career assists for projected starting lineup:
DJ: 2.9
Jack: 3.2
Crash:1.9
TTime:0.9
Nazr: 0.4

Total: 9.3 (Diaw 4.0)

DJ's will rise some with additional playing time, but Diaw's will likely dip if he's playing behind Tyrus. This issue will have to be addressed for the Cats to have a legitimate shot at the playoffs.

[TheBeagle]

I'm with dav7z on this one: this team, as currently constructed, sucks. I look at the fact we had a better/deeper roster last year, Jack didn't miss a game (until clinching playoff berth), GW didn't have his usual horrific injury, Raymond > DJ+Livingston, and we got a 7th seed out of it. Honestly, looking at the roster leaves me feeling so bad, I just can't look at it any more.

My saving grace is the fact I know MJ sees the same things and won't let it stand at this; something will be done, maybe something I don't agree with, but something that will be an upgrade over.....this.

As an aside, I didn't realize it was an automatic that Tyrus starts over Boris....not sure where writer is getting his info, but I'm with Amp in not being a fan of starting Tyrus ahead of the much heftier and much better facilitator, Boris. In fact, if Boris is still on the roster, without Raymond, the ball should go through either Jack or Boris at all times, as they are the only playmakers on the team.

[teej]

As an aside, I didn't realize it was an automatic that Tyrus starts over Boris....not sure where writer is getting his info, but I'm with Amp in not being a fan of starting Tyrus ahead of the much heftier and much better facilitator, Boris. In fact, if Boris is still on the roster, without Raymond, the ball should go through either Jack or Boris at all times, as they are the only playmakers on the team.

Agreed on this, but I'd be beyond shocked if Boris is on the roster in December.

I'd put the odds at even he gets shipped off before the pre-season.

[BlockParty]

Agreed on this, but I'd be beyond shocked if Boris is on the roster in December.

I'd put the odds at even he gets shipped off before the pre-season.

As currently constructed, Boris almost has to start (to show he has skills so we can trade him). But the fact that we have TT coming off the bench or getting 20+ minutes for 82 games versus 20 something games makes us a better team and absorbs the dropoff of losing Raymond.

Baring injury to Nazr early in the season, we don't lose anything but potential with Tyson (and that potential will most likely be nil now that he's playing on Team USA this summer..his ankles/feet only have so many games left in his career, just not sure if that number is 50 or more).

Certainly the team is weaker if it doesn't change, but with LB, it would be a huge change if something didn't change.

Given no roster changes, I would expect improvements from DJ and Boris over last season. I'd expect the same performance from GW, Jax, and Nazr even though all 3 of them seem hungrier. I expect a lot of improvement and double the minutes for Hendo and DBrown. Finally our 'experiment' of Livingston has more upside than last year's experiment in 'Ajinca'.

Now that MJ has gone public with his comments on LeBron's approach to free agency, I don't expect he's going to sit idle and watch them collect rings the next 2,3,4,5 years.

[spectre]

Certainly the team is weaker if it doesn't change, but with LB, it would be a huge change if something didn't change.

:yeahthat:

Just like before we acquired Jax last year everyone was chalking us up to be a non playoff team. Larry Brown is restless with the roster anyway; the way it stands right now it's probably giving him nightmares.

There's no way we're done yet. We will have a better distributor at the PG spot before all's said and done and we'll be better than the status quo at the C spot. Some of us might not like it (me probably), but so long as they don't lock in to mediocrity longterm (Caleron) we'll be ok.

Great points about the assists totals of the potential starting group. Where one of the mantras of an LB offense is "move the ball" I can't see LB not inserting more passing then what's projected here. People might not like Boris, but at least he allows our PGs who aren't prone to pass an avenue to get PT.

[ohara831]

I keep thinking we cannot be done yet. But I have this uneasy feeling in my gut that we may be simply on track to cut Dampier and fill any voids with journeymen to save money. That will backfire on the frontoffice I think. The fans that came out to see a team in the Playoff hunt and actually make the Playoffs will simply walk away if the team seems satisfied with stinking for the sake of saving money. I really cannot see MJ taking that approach, but we will see.

[BRNC]

I seriously doubt Erica is simply cut...too many teams want that money coming off their books...the problem is matching that desire with our need for a PG...

IMO nothing with Erica happens until the FO (MJ in particular) are convinced they can't get CP3...

[kickazzz2000]

Charlotte Bobcats

Added: Shaun Livingston (free agency), Dominic Maguire (free agency), Matt Carroll (trade), Erick Dampier (trade), Eduardo Najera (trade)
Lost: Raymond Felton (free agency), Alexis Ajinca (trade), Tyson Chandler (trade)

Philosophy: "Slight derivatives"

Did the Bobcats get better? Did they get worse? Did they stay the same? No, those aren't rhetorical. I'm asking. Because looking at that list above, I really can't be sure. They lost an underrated point guard who worked hard but never could stick with Larry Brown. They added a recovering injury-plagued point guard who can't seem to stick with any coach. They lost a veteran seven foot center with wear and tear on him and a large contract. They brought in an aging behemoth with wear and tear issues and a big contract. And they got Dominic Maguire, so they've got that going for them.

Larry Brown and Rod Higgins have built a program of improvement through trade and have kept up with this offseason. Adding Livingston provides a high-upside, low-risk replacement for Felton and they managed to trim some long-term money off the books. But you can't look at the roster and say they've improved dramatically. Status quo for the Cats. Underrated moves that still don't move them up dramatically in the NBA world.

:D:D:D:D


http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/23358908?tag=coverlist;coverlist_footer

Grade: C-

[spectre]

Heat's summer win lifts them into elite, but what's next? (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html)


So let's get to gradin'.

The Top 10

(Heat (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Heat), Bulls (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Bulls), Lakers (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Lakers), Jazz (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Jazz), Celtics (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Celtics), Spurs (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Spurs), Bucks (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Bucks), Mavs (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Mavs), Knicks (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Knicks), Hawks (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part1/index.html#Hawks))

The Middle 10 (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part2/index.html)

(Suns, Wizards, Warriors, Nets, Thunder, Sixers, Rockets, Grizzlies, Kings, Wolves)

The Bottom 10 (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/07/26/offseasonrank.part3/index.html)

(Blazers, Clippers, Nuggets, Raptors, Magic, Bobcats, Pistons, Hornets, Pacers, Cavs)
No. 26 -- CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

2009-10 RECORD: 44-38, fourth place, Southeast; lost in first round to Magic.

ADDED: C Erick Dampier (trade with Dallas); F Eduardo Najera (trade with Dallas); G Matt Carroll (trade with Dallas); G Shaun Livingston (two years, $7 million). F Dominic McGuire (one year, $885,000).

LOST: F/C Tyson Chandler (trade with Dallas); C Alexis Ajinca (trade with Dallas); G Raymond Felton (signed with New York); F/C Theo Ratliff (signed with Lakers).

RETAINED: F Tyrus Thomas (five years, $40 million).

THE KEY MAN: G D.J. Augustin.

Pity the young man -- who, for now, will incur the Wrath of Brown as the Bobcats' starting point guard. The third-year guard was Larry Brown's personal pick in the '08 Draft, while most of the rest of the room wanted Brook Lopez. With Felton gone to New York, Augustin will have to deliver with the most critical pair of eyes this side of Simon Cowell watching.

THE SKINNY: Dampier's $13 million contract for next season is non-guaranteed, so if Charlotte cuts him, it will be out of danger of paying the luxury tax next season. That's a fine result for new owner Michael Jordan, who is loath to pay any tax, but it's not likely the goal of the team's fans, who'd hoped to see more added onto a team coming off its inaugural postseason appearance. A proposed trade with Toronto that would have brought point guard Jose Calderon for Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw was scotched by MJ, so Augustin and import Livingston, who played well down the stretch for the Wizards last season, are the new answer at the point. Keeping Thomas for $8 million a season was a bit of a head-scratcher, but the Bobcats also wanted someone around to push Diaw or take his starting power forward job.

[SWedd523]

EDIT: Nevermind, offseason grades only.

[GoBobs]

Well we have like two months to do something with Damps contract right. Guess we could see him traded for a trade exception like Bonnell said. Other then that I wouldn't be surprised to see us make another mid season trade.

I also think the Hornets are going to do something. I mean why sit on both Collison and Paul when that could use a talented player at so many other positions. Also, could Melo be had before the deadline next year if the Nuggets have a rough start and it becomes obvious he is going to leave?

[TheBeagle]

EDIT: Nevermind, offseason grades only. Yeah, but there's some massive headscrathers in there for me....Celts, Spurs, Mavs, Hawks in top 10? Really? What did any of these teams do again?

That said, dude was right on with our ranking, bummer though it is :(

[teej]

Yeah, but there's some massive headscrathers in there for me....Celts, Spurs, Mavs, Hawks in top 10? Really? What did any of these teams do again?

That said, dude was right on with our ranking, bummer though it is :(

Spurs got Splitter, and I guess Aldridge likes the C's getting Jermaine O'Neal's corpse and Avery Bradley. Mavs did get Dominique Jones and TC. Hawks, I have no fucking clue. They signed Josh Powell, drafted Jordan Crawford (who is superflous on that team) and signed Joe Johnson to more money than Amar'e, Wade, Bosh, and Bron got. That's horrible.

I'd take our offseason over the Hawks.

[spectre]

Charlotte Bobcats: 30 Team Previews in 30 Days - Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/429901-charlotte-bobcats-30-team-previews-in-30-days)


Prediction
31-51

[bobcatniners09]

We are a borderline playoff team right now at best.

[Ampsportsduo]

Charlotte Bobcats: 30 Team Previews in 30 Days - Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/429901-charlotte-bobcats-30-team-previews-in-30-days)

BR? Stock down, Spectre. Stock Down!

[spectre]

BR? Stock down, Spectre. Stock Down!

:p

Personally I think all of these are full of sh*t. Every one of us here (sans Bonnell) knows this isn't the lineup we're going to be playing with, and some (like BR) act like we traded for DUST in order to play him.

That's why I put the (so far...) in the title thread. This way it should be understood and we won't have a new thread for each and every one of these lame assed "opinions" where we all have to go in and say how off they are (or have to re-read them over and over and over and over...).

Thinking of you buddy! :biggrin:

[BRNC]

I'll weigh-in when the "Erica" trade is said-and-done...but we have some money (contracts) coming off in the next couple of years so I'm not seeing it as bleak (30) as some others...and again...if Rod does his job "Erica" could actually net us a player or two...

[Toocool]

Nazzy this year, Doris next year. Carroll next year. Najera next year. Not too shabby if you ask me. That's assuming we don't trade them off this/next year.

[truDUKEfan]

O.K. guys since L.B. has been here when has an unstable roster made it more than a few weeks or no longer than a month or two i think if we do open the season with dj as our #1 its to see what we have with him i mean what better time to see what he has to offer, he has known since the end of the season that he is OUR guy and that its now or never. And PLUS he's at at point in his career where he knows if he screws this up its min. salary for the next 5 years or if he blows up its a pay-day and the start of a beautiful future, we all know that he has it in him, he showed it his rookie year. A point who can pull up and drop a 3 is = priceless. And we all know he can drive and take it to the whole, AND AND he actually gets calls unlike phelts (not crying every call goes along ways with the REFS.) The thing was when he did get in who did he have to dish it to (resulting in an up and under which we all saw) i think with TT there who can hit a 15ft jumper and not hesitate (doris) to pass i think he would of had at least avg. 2-3 more asst. a game. BUt back to the point if you are a fan or just became a fan in the past year or two you know from prev. exp. that this roster is nowhere near what it will be in the up coming months. Just think last year we started the season as prob. one of the worst teams to watch in the nba but after M.J (deserves the respect he is owed) and L.B.( future H.O.F. coach) took charge it was a complete turn around, I think we need to hold onto our assets and evaluate what we have UNLESS its a garuntee we can bring in someone like paul but if not lets see what we have and go from there..................................


P.s.-Ford is not the answer lol and if you think so Remind me not to read any more of your post.........................

[LiquidWayno]

Haters gonna hate.

[spectre]

What was the rate that DJ got to the line last season? He did decently his 1st year but not his second. He even said he was working on a floater this offseason because he can't get any calls.

Still need to make that thread to try and figure out why some guys get to the line and others don't.

[spectre]

A little better...from ESPN:

Summer Forecast - 2010-11 Eastern Conference standings (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=SummerForecast10-EastStandings)

http://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nba/sml/trans/cha.gif

7th


Predicted: 39 - 43 (0.476)

Last Season: 44 - 38 (0.537)

Charlotte Bobcats (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=cha) Have they peaked? Fresh off of its best season in franchise history, Charlotte's roster looks weaker, its division looks stronger, and Larry Brown -- naturally -- looks like he's itching to leave. Still, with two spots up for grabs, they'll likely earn back-to-back playoff appearances and, in this scenario, a first-round rematch with the Magic.

[BlockParty]

A little better...from ESPN:

Summer Forecast - 2010-11 Eastern Conference standings (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=SummerForecast10-EastStandings)

http://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nba/sml/trans/cha.gif

7th

With our current roster that seems fair. I, like most here, expect another change or 2 or 5 between now and the trade deadline that will push us into the upper 40's in wins...I say 47 wins and a first round matchup against the Bulls, Celts or Bucks (all winnable by the Bobcats).

[LiquidWayno]

With our current roster that seems fair. I, like most here, expect another change or 2 or 5 between now and the trade deadline that will push us into the upper 40's in wins...I say 47 wins and a first round matchup against the Bulls, Celts or Bucks (all winnable by the Bobcats).

I like our matchup with the Bucks and Bulls both. Celts not as much, but I think the additional experience we will have by the 2011 playoffs will pay off...even if we get the Magic again.

[teej]

I like our matchup with the Bucks and Bulls both. Celts not as much, but I think the additional experience we will have by the 2011 playoffs will pay off...even if we get the Magic again.

Whoever we play will be lost when it comes to game planning, as they will first have to figure out who the fuck Dominic McGuire is. :biggrin:

[spectre]

Ari in Ny,NY:

Espn has the knicks at the 8th spot behind the bobcats...Im thinking they are a 7th, what are your thoughts?

http://www.hoopsworld.com/images/hw_icon.gif
Alex Kennedy:

When I ranked the Eastern Conference (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16915), I had the Knicks finishing seventh as well. I'm not buying that the Charlotte Bobcats are a lock to make the playoffs. After getting swept by the Magic, veterans on the team were saying that there was no sense of urgency and that the team seemed to give up at times. When I hear that and then the team loses nearly all of the veterans that were keeping the team going - Felton, Hughes, Ratliff, Chandler - I'm not too optimistic about their chances. Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace will keep them contending for a late seed but I think when they made cost cutting moves this summer, they made it clear that they're looking ahead to the future. I love what the Knicks have done this summer and I feel like they can be the seventh seed in the East with the news faces like Amar'e Stoudemire, Felton (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=1102#), and Anthony Randolph. There's a big dropoff from the sixth seed (Milwaukee or Atlanta) to the seventh seed but I see New York returning to the playoffs this season.

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=1102#ixzz0wC1Xpg8o

[Toocool]

Hughes keeping the Bobcats going? I knew the instant I read that piece that I knew that whoever wrote that has no idea or clue into what the crap Bobcats basketball is about.

[spectre]

Predicting the Southeast Division (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17046)


The Southeast Division combined for the most victories of any division in the league during the 2010 season and that was before LeBron James decided to take his talents on a journey down I-95 this summer.

Four of the Eastern Conference's eight playoff seeds were snagged by the southeast division last season and the competition level has tightened with new arrivals looking to stamp their own individual imprints.

Before we get into predictions here are the win/loss records by division amassed during the 2010 season:


Southeast 229-181
Southwest 224-186
Northwest 221-189
Central 207-203
Pacific 191-219
Atlantic 158-252


4. Charlotte Bobcats – The Bobcats are taking a huge risk entering the 2011 season. The team's starting point guard since 2006, Raymond Felton, signed a two-year deal with the New York Knicks in free agency leaving Charlotte with D.J. Augustin as the projected starter. Augustin encountered the proverbial sophomore slump last season and saw his scoring average dip from 11.8 as a rookie to 6.4. As a result head coach Larry Brown's confidence in the former University of Texas standout began to wane. The Bobcats have signed former lottery pick Shaun Livingston and the undrafted (2010 draft) Sherron Collins to provide minutes at the point.

The inexperience at point guard may hurt the club on the road, where they finished a disappointing 13-28 away from the friendly confines of Time Warner Arena.

At shooting guard and small forward Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace represent the team's strength. Wallace is the lone remaining member of the Bobcats' inaugural unit and had a career year last season being named to the All-Defensive (second team) and All-Star teams. Jackson is a hardnosed underrated two-guard that has routinely averaged near 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists over the past three seasons.

On the interior, the team is hoping that recently re-signed forward Tyrus Thomas finally lives up to his hype on a more consistent basis. Center Tyson Chandler, was shipped to Dallas for Erick Dampier among other pieces, but the ongoing expectation is that Dampier's $13 million non-guaranteed contract will be moved since the cost conscious franchise is currently in luxury tax territory.

Overall the team's talent level has diminished, but barring any long-term injuries to Jackson or Wallace it should still be sufficient to secure the second playoff berth in franchise history.

[BIGCatBobcat]

Hughes keeping the Bobcats going? I knew the instant I read that piece that I knew that whoever wrote that has no idea or clue into what the crap Bobcats basketball is about.

Alex Kennedy is 18. I have no idea how he's done it but he does radio in Tampa, he writes for HoopsWorld he's got like 2600 followers on twitter. Not defending him but the kid baffles me.

[spectre]

Hughes keeping the Bobcats going? I knew the instant I read that piece that I knew that whoever wrote that has no idea or clue into what the crap Bobcats basketball is about.

Re-read the quote:


After getting swept by the Magic, veterans on the team were saying that there was no sense of urgency and that the team seemed to give up at times. When I hear that and then the team loses nearly all of the veterans that were keeping the team going - Felton, Hughes, Ratliff, Chandler

He's saying we lost the playoff veterans that were "keeping the team going" vs. not having that "sense of urgency".

Is he right? I don't know the role Hughes (or any of the rest) had in trying to instill that sense of urgency that our team was obviously lacking. I definitely think it was a problem though...esp. in the last game or two.

[BRNC]

It was easy (from my view) to get the feeling too many of our guys were happy just making the playoffs...

[spectre]

Offseason Grades: Southeast Division by Chris Mannix - SI (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/chris_mannix/08/16/offseason.grades.southeast/index.html)

D+ http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/logos/bobcats_50.png Charlotte Bobcats


WHAT WENT RIGHT

Brown's back
The hometown tug of Philadelphia and the lure of Los Angeles were expected to pull Larry Brown out of Charlotte, but "Next Town" Brown will be back on the Bobcats' sideline this season. Before his arrival in 2008, the 'Cats had never won more than 33 games. Last season, as most of the younger players took to Brown's teachings, the Bobcats earned a playoff spot and won a franchise-record 44 games.

Official restraint
Credit Michael Jordan for putting the kibosh on the deal that would have sent Tyson Chandler (pictured) and Boris Diaw to the Raptors for Jose Calderon and Reggie Evans. Evans is a nice rebounder but Calderon isn't the answer at point guard and he has a monstrous contract to boot.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Puzzling transactions
The Bobcats replaced Raymond Felton (who signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Knicks) with the oft-injured Shaun Livingston, and they shipped Chandler and former first-round bust Alexis Ajinca to Dallas for Erick Dampier, whose value is in his non-guaranteed $13 million contract. The leaves unproven D.J. Augustin or Livingston as the starting point guard and -- assuming Dampier is waived or traded -- journeymen Nazr Mohammed and DeSagana Diop in the middle.

Thomas' paycheck
Tyrus Thomas could turn out to be a quality player -- he averaged 10.1 points and 6.1 rebounds after being acquired from Chicago last season -- but the Bobcats are paying him ($40 million over five years) like he already is one. Thomas has never been the most motivated player, and a boatload of guaranteed money won't help that cause.

BOTTOM LINE

Even Brown's wizardry won't help Charlotte overcome its offseason losses.

[TheBeagle]

Offseason Grades: Southeast Division by Chris Mannix - SI (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/chris_mannix/08/16/offseason.grades.southeast/index.html)

D+ http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/logos/bobcats_50.png Charlotte Bobcats Close to 100% agreement. I'm not as big a fan of Larry coming back as he is (let's face it, he really doesn't want to be here, and that'll come through when the team struggles, I believe, but we'll see....), but I'm not as down on the Tyrus re-signing as he is. Otherwise, yes, this has been one hell of a lost off-season worthy of a D+.

[Chef]

Close to 100% agreement. I'm not as big a fan of Larry coming back as he is (let's face it, he really doesn't want to be here, and that'll come through when the team struggles, I believe, but we'll see....), but I'm not as down on the Tyrus re-signing as he is. Otherwise, yes, this has been one hell of a lost off-season worthy of a D+.

the other way to look at it is at least we didn't push to try and keep up with the division and do something stupid long term like agent 0, calderon or monta. plus, it's not like ray would have signed with us for two years. we made the right move with him although he will be missed.

[Toocool]

Re-read the quote:


He's saying we lost the playoff veterans that were "keeping the team going" vs. not having that "sense of urgency".

Is he right? I don't know the role Hughes (or any of the rest) had in trying to instill that sense of urgency that our team was obviously lacking. I definitely think it was a problem though...esp. in the last game or two.

I have read the quote. I still stand by my statement that Hughes did jack all. Stats and all be damned, I refuse to back down. Never back down, never surrender.

126
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_60m8lUq6nr4/Rn0pXPpB3EI/AAAAAAAAARo/phpLfDb_LRM/s1600-h/Sparta-KFC.jpg

[spectre]

I have read the quote. I still stand by my statement that Hughes did jack all. Stats and all be damned, I refuse to back down. Never back down, never surrender.

126
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_60m8lUq6nr4/Rn0pXPpB3EI/AAAAAAAAARo/phpLfDb_LRM/s1600-h/Sparta-KFC.jpg

:p

Hey, you're entitled to believe anything you want. In this particular case however you nor I know what went on in the huddle/off the court.

[Toocool]

:p

Hey, you're entitled to believe anything you want. In this particular case however you nor I know what went on in the huddle/off the court.

I know. I just wanted to get an excuse so that I could add that picture in cos it's awesome :biggrin:

[spectre]

The Bobcats Shouldn't Be Overlooked - Hoopsworld (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17099)

Finally a favorable piece.

Mad props to Crash & Jax...and I didn't realize this little nugget:


During the 2010 season this was evident as he (Crash) was the only player in the league to finish with at least 600 rebounds, 100 steals and 80 blocks.

[BlockParty]

nice find Spectre! I was hoping we'd stay under the radar longer.

[BRNC]

Spectre...some of the guys at Hoopsworld often say nice things about us...and during their "chats" I can usually get questions answered...I'm not sure why they view us favorably but it's always nice to have one (site) not associated with the fans that has a favorable view of the team...:biggrin:

[spectre]

Spectre...some of the guys at Hoopsworld often say nice things about us...and during their "chats" I can usually get questions answered...I'm not sure why they view us favorably but it's always nice to have one (site) not associated with the fans that has a favorable view of the team...:biggrin:

Yeah, usually Bill Ingram. You can email him and he'll send you paragraphs on the Bobcats. I think he got to cover the team once in Orlando a few years back and kind of adopted us as his 2nd favorite team (Houston = 1st).

There was another guy who was coming on here a couple years back but I've not seen him around lately.

Hopefully now we have another "fan".