Haters

[ziggy]

ESPN is guesstimating 39 wins for us next season.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/poll/_/id/4281/how-many-wins-east

Unless Larry Brown has a stroke in game one, I'll take the over 7 days out of 7.

[eleaf14]

I think its interesting that aside from the HEAT, Magic, Celtics and Bulls...that we have the highest % of folks who think they have that # too low.

[TattoodCats4life]

I find it odd that they have the nets doing so well.

[Plowright]

i dont think we will do that well if we just resign damps, we need to make a move, however i think diaw will be good of the bench, he can play multiple positions and step in easily as a starter if he is called upon

[Scottley Crue]

I suppose something has to fill up the NBA slot on ESPN's website during the summer, but it's extremely hard for me to take stuff like this seriously when training camp is still off in the distance.

It's hard enough to predict this stuff when the rosters are more final; the only thing harder is getting your hands on one of those miniture giraffes that the oppulant Russian has.

[LiquidWayno]

Given how ESPN usually views us, I was pleased/suprised that they had us 7th. I would put us in a dead heat for 6th with the Bucks.

[Fred Williamson]

i dont think we will do that well if we just resign damps, we need to make a move, however i think diaw will be good of the bench, he can play multiple positions and step in easily as a starter if he is called upon

umm, you can be sure Boris is going be a starter for next season

[Toocool]

You don't sign a PF for that amount of money and expect him to play off the bench (unless your Millsap). It seems to me that LB will be starting TT as he is the future of this franchise, while Boris will be more swept under the rug and not play as many minutes.

[DwiLLL]

Given our roster at the moment we will be lucky to win 39 games.

[Keetch]

As it stands I'm not sure how we win 39 games either, unless...

Tyrus Thomas has a breakout year.
Jackson and Wallace stay relatively injury-free.
Shaun Livingston's play at the end of last season keeps rolling into this one.
One of Shaun Livingston's joints don't blow up (heaven forbid, for Shaun's sake, but can you really trust this guy?).

I don't have any faith in Augustin other than as a back-up.

In trading Chandler, we lost the only C who can reasonably defend Dwight Howard (not that it mattered). Chandler is tall, agile and "prone to injury." The other guys we have are servicable in short minutes, but plodders otherwise.

I hope we trade Diaw; but until then I expect we'll see him get his normal minutes at C and PF.

How can they trade Dampier for anything other than future considerations? They're at about $78M - way over the luxury tax. Trading him for real bodies keeps us there. It seems to me that we won't be getting anything of use in the near term for Damp. Mediocre small market teams can't afford to be over the luxury tax.

[Mustachio]

as the roster currently stands, we wont sniff 39 games. took a couple steps back, rest of the division took a couple leaps forward.

[Toocool]

as the roster currently stands, we wont sniff 39 games. took a couple steps back, rest of the division took a couple leaps forward.

We didn't take that many steps back, plus our bench took several steps forward. Sure we lost Felton+TC, but I think DJ can do a solid job. If not him, then the trio of DJ, Livingston and Collins could be able to play pretty well. All three have good BBIQ. Not to mention Crash continues to get better and will only get better before he gets worse, Jack is more fitter and has more drive than ever, our 2nd years in Hendo and UPS are much better, and we got some random dude in Dominic Mcguire. I think although we did take steps back, not too many have been taken. Plus, knowing LB our roster isn't finalized yet.

[BIGCatBobcat]

As it stands I'm not sure how we win 39 games either, unless...

Tyrus Thomas has a breakout year.
Jackson and Wallace stay relatively injury-free.
Shaun Livingston's play at the end of last season keeps rolling into this one.
One of Shaun Livingston's joints don't blow up (heaven forbid, for Shaun's sake, but can you really trust this guy?).

I don't have any faith in Augustin other than as a back-up.

In trading Chandler, we lost the only C who can reasonably defend Dwight Howard (not that it mattered). Chandler is tall, agile and "prone to injury." The other guys we have are servicable in short minutes, but plodders otherwise.

I hope we trade Diaw; but until then I expect we'll see him get his normal minutes at C and PF.

How can they trade Dampier for anything other than future considerations? They're at about $78M - way over the luxury tax. Trading him for real bodies keeps us there. It seems to me that we won't be getting anything of use in the near term for Damp. Mediocre small market teams can't afford to be over the luxury tax.

Ahh, Keetch keeping it real! Yep, if we trade $13mil in dust for $13 mil in players, we still have $13mil on the books....and over the luxury tax. If we're going to pay it'd better be a real luxury. Not like when you're broke and Arby's is a Luxury. We better be going to at least red lobster if not Capital Grille. Don't get me started on Luxury.

[spectre]

Crash logged the 2nd most minutes in the league and Jax wasn't far behind. Crash was also able to do that for 76 games & Jax only missed one game with us.

What of the odds of them being able to sustain that for 2 seasons in a row?

I know some have high hopes for Collins, but let's be real here. He's an undrafted rookie and playing against the other starters is going to be a rude awakening. Not only him, but just imagine any of our PG rotation guarding the likes of:

Tyreke Evans
Derrick Rose
Chris Paul
Deron Williams
Rajon Rondo
Devin Harris
Aaron Brooks
Brandon Jennings

...and on and on.

DJ struggles defensively at the best of times and Livingston (from what I've read) hasn't got much lateral movement left...having to rely on "smarts".

Not saying we can't hide these deficiencies at times...but not every time.

[BRNC]

Eastern teams that improved (significantly) made the playoffs last year so that (IMO) is a wash...I feel better about our bench since Hendo and UPS proved (in SL) they both deserve time...

The only step back I see is the lose of Ray and we still have no real idea if Damp will bring a better PG option...IMO even as the team stands we win 40 games...

[Mustachio]

We didn't take that many steps back, plus our bench took several steps forward. Sure we lost Felton+TC, but I think DJ can do a solid job. If not him, then the trio of DJ, Livingston and Collins could be able to play pretty well. All three have good BBIQ. Not to mention Crash continues to get better and will only get better before he gets worse, Jack is more fitter and has more drive than ever, our 2nd years in Hendo and UPS are much better, and we got some random dude in Dominic Mcguire. I think although we did take steps back, not too many have been taken. Plus, knowing LB our roster isn't finalized yet.


So the defense is that we got a guy named "sherron" and a "random dude in Dominic McGuire" . Well since you put it that way! Watch out Eastern Conference!

[BRNC]

I'll be somewhat surprised if Sherron or McGuire are on the roster when camp breaks...the only way we keep them (IMO) is if they're needed for cheap street clothes in the stands on game days...

[BobCatsFanInTx]

I think our team as is still has a chance to be at least a 500 team next season. The East is still relitively weak and I just don't see that many teams as obviously better than we are.

It is not like the team has changed drastically from last season and I don't see ANY of the guys we got from Dallas being so bad that they make us worse. Hell, they might make our team better.

The big thing is we have unanswered questions still yet to be answered. Will TT play up to his contract and keep us from having to regret the decision to sign him? Is our pg sitution one worth keeping as is at least for the first two weeks to a month of the season? Will DJ step up and fulfill the promise that we have all seen signs of throughout his time in Charlotte? Will either of the other two pg's make up for a slow start by DJ? If we waive and resign Dampier does he play good enough to make us forget our thought to be desperate need for a Center? Will we make ANY moves to acquire some more talent? If so will we go after role player types or starters? Do we need starters or will a few additional role players suffice? I think many of those questions will be answered when the season gets under way.

There are other questions to be asked and in need of an answer but the point I am making is that unless a person is truly psychic none of us really knows squat.

It is fun to guess what will be but as of now all we are is just anxious fans trying to do the impossible and see what the future holds.

[Plowright]

How is the East relativley weak??? Due to the young rosters its only going to get better aswell

[Mustachio]

I think our team as is still has a chance to be at least a 500 team next season. The East is still relitively weak and I just don't see that many teams as obviously better than we are.

HUH? I can name 6 teams that are "obviously better" in the East.




It is not like the team has changed drastically from last season


and thats exactly the problem.



Sure we may scrap and fight for a 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs. YAH Mediocrity!! Not good enough to win championships, yet just good enough to not get good draft picks.

[bobcatniners09]

We need to make another move to contend for 5th-6th if we don't we will scrape bye with the 8th spot and get owned by Miami in first round.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

How is the East relitively weak??? Due to the young rosters its only going to get better as wellThe West is and has been way deeper than the East for several years now. That is just a fact. The eighth seed in the West could arguably be said to be better than the third or fourth seed in the East. That is not knocking the East per say. It is just a fact that the West has been a lot tougher in regards to making the playoffs.

This season may be different for the East and maybe it will be a much tougher road to just make the playoffs as an eighth seed. I sort of hope that is not the case. I hope that the teams not considered elite in the East have not gotten as good as it seems they have. Our Bobcats as they are have done very little to take a step forward from last year. That said the only so called non elite teams that will give us fits in my opinion will be Chicago and Milwaukee. So I am not as insecure about the Bobcats not making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference as I would be if our Bobcats were in the Western Conference. I don't see the need for the Bobcats to make a huge free agent signing or a major trade just for them to make the playoffs in back to back years.

If TT plays well and our pg's step up I believe that if we never make another roster move our team is still good enough in the conference they are in to be a low seed in the playoffs.

Now if our team wants to make some noise and be more than a 6th through 8th seed they will have to make some moves to have that chance.

I am guessing that based on the way the season starts the front office will decide whether or not to make trades. It just not seem like the front office will make a move for the sake of making a move and will hold out for a deal they feel won't leave the team screwed.

Why do anything now? Give the team as it is a chance to see what they can do.

[Plowright]

yes the west HAS been stronger but not anymore, and thats just plain obvious for everyone to see now. Washington, New Jersey and Kincks both used to be jokes, not any more and bulls have got alot better along with 76ers with new coach great pg in Holiday and evan turner. Boston have arguably got better with Von wafer+shaq+J O'neal. Magic are still a force as are the hawks and Bucks, none of these teams have got any worse. O and lets not forget the Miami Heat.After all this the only teams to get worse are the Raptors,Cavs and arguably us. The pistons and Pacers are virtually the same

[BobCatsFanInTx]

HUH? I can name 6 teams that are "obviously better" in the East.




and thats exactly the problem.



Sure we may scrap and fight for a 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs. YAH Mediocrity!! Not good enough to win championships, yet just good enough to not get good draft picks.I beg to differ. The East is not as deep as the West and has not been for the past four or five years. The West playoff teams middle to bottom are better than the East teams. I am not being a hater because I am a fan of a few Eastern Conference teams, "namely our Bobcats," but to think that the West is not much deeper and better where their playoff teams are concerned is overlooking reality.

OKC could have beaten Cleveland, Orlando or Atlanta last season in a best of seven series imo. They were the bottom of the Wests playoff teams last season.

I doubt that the Bobcats would make the playoffs if they were to switch places with any of the bottom seeded teams in the West. Where do you think OKC would have been last season if they were in the East?

I will tell you my opinion even if it upsets a few. The Bobcats would have been sitting at home during the playoffs last season if they switched places before last season with a bottom four Western Conference team.

This season the East may be more competitive top to bottom during the regular season, only time will tell.

What I am saying is that the lower seeds in the West don't need to make too many moves to be elite because so many teams in the west are separated by very little.

In the East it takes pretty big moves for the teams in the lower seeds to be elite teams in the conference.

I do feel that this season is the beginning of a more competitive and powerful Eastern Conference from top to bottom. Those that think it has been a competitive conference for the past several years will just have to agree to disagree with me. For me time will tell.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

yes the west HAS been stronger but not anymore, and thats just plain obvious for everyone to see now. Washington, New Jersey and Kincks both used to be jokes, not any more and bulls have got alot better along with 76ers with new coach great pg in Holiday and evan turner. Boston have arguably got better with Von wafer+shaq+J O'neal. Magic are still a force as are the hawks and Bucks, none of these teams have got any worse. O and lets not forget the Miami Heat.After all this the only teams to get worse are the Raptors,Cavs and arguably us. The pistons and Pacers are virtually the samePaper does not make the East better and until the season starts and we see where these teams actually are we know nothing. The teams you mentioned are not that improved. Washington, New Jersey and all those teams you mentioned are only marginally better and unless something drastic beyond what has already happened happens for those teams I doubt you see any real changes in the power structure of the East. The Knicks need far more than Amare Stoudemire and Washington sure as hell is not a power based on a new pg who has yet to lace up for an NBA game. Evan Turner has not done squat in the NBA. Rookies can hardly be seen as a major upgrade for a team until we see them play. Plus rookies generally wear down half way through a season. How do we know what a coaching change is going to do for ANY team until the season is well under way?

As far as our team, I hardly see us as worse. Tyson was not a world beater and was a burden to our team with injuries. Dampier may actually do well for us. We can not write him off simply because his last few years have been infective. Coach Brown gets the best from some players.

Carroll may be rejuvenated under Larry Brown this time and Najera is a good ball player who does rebound well and plays solid defense. When he was with Denver he would bust his ass and he will give Crash a bit of a break with his ability to get a fair share of rebounds.

Before we all assume we are worse than we were before our last trade perhaps we should give the players we have a chance. Larry Brown is a great coach, we have two young players from last season just itching to make a contribution and we don't know what the future has in store where they are concerned. The Players we have added are not to be written off in my opinion till we see what kind of players they are under a fundamentally strong Larry Brown.

If our Bobcats were in a much deeper Western Conference I would be concerned about them not making the playoffs but from my perspective the power structure of the East will not change much and maybe one or two non playoff teams from last year make it this upcoming season. MAYBE!!! No matter what our Bobcats are good enough for 38 or 42 wins if nothing changes. They don't make the playoffs than so be it but next season will be perfect for our team to make some bigger moves.

[teej]

As far as the West versus East mess (since I'm not getting into the rest), remember this.

Every team that made the playoffs in the West last year won at least 50 games. Only Phoenix took a step backwards, and one could argue a healthy Houston easily takes their place. In the East, Miami got better, but they were already a playoff team. NYK merely swapped All-Stars. Cleveland took a huge step backwards. New Jersey may or may not be better. The Wizards, even if Wall is as good as advertised, are not a playoff team right now. Atlanta is poised to go down. Milwaukee may or may not be better, but they were already a playoff team.

If the 'Cats are in the West, they're no higher than Memphis. In the East, there's potential.

[BlockParty]

While we are talking about East versus West, I thought it would be appropriate to state the obvious.

The Bobcats own the Lakers

...we need a Kobe picture with caption "Dammit the Bobcats really are my Daddy"

[ND22]

Sure we may scrap and fight for a 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs. YAH Mediocrity!! Not good enough to win championships, yet just good enough to not get good draft picks.

I sure as hell would rather scrap for the 7th and 8th seed than have a terrible season just so we could get a a higher draft pick. Not like we have any for the next few years anyways.

[LiquidWayno]

If we end up in 8th place, a large portion of the country would pull for us because the Heat are hated (or should be, at least). Added bonus - a first round matchup with the Heat would mean that millions of fans would suddenly know that we exist as a franchise.

[BRNC]

I'd rather have our team in the playoffs than not...I've never seen a team win a Championship that was not in the playoffs...:g:

[Toocool]

So the defense is that we got a guy named "sherron" and a "random dude in Dominic McGuire" . Well since you put it that way! Watch out Eastern Conference!

No, I suggest you read my post clearly. If not, I am more than willing to explain to you, and if you so wish I can try and do it in simple english so that there are no misunderstandings (not trying to mock him or anything fyi).

[Keetch]

Actually I think Whodafuck will get a lot of burn and likely provide good defense and rebounding.

I'd like to think Sherron could be better than DJ, but have no faith that LB will play him at all. May even cut him. Oh No!

I don't think Matt Carroll will get any PT at all. Maybe a little in pre-season; but LB will remember pretty fast that Matt isn't very good coming off the bench cold. He needs to get a good sweat going to be a factor.

I fear that we will miss Felton's toughness and leadership a WHOLE lot. He was never our all-star, but boy he was all Bobcats all day. It'll be pretty weird seeing him play somewhere else.

I have no idea what the Cats are doing, or just what their intentions are looking toward the future. It's hard to follow right now, and harder to get excited about. Hopefully, TT and Livingston are positive factors this season; we're going to need them to be.

[SWedd523]

http://demotivational.ca/haters-gonna-hate/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/haters.jpg

[Mustachio]

I fear that we will miss Felton's toughness and leadership a WHOLE lot. He was never our all-star, but boy he was all Bobcats all day. It'll be pretty weird seeing him play somewhere else.


couldnt agree more, I know Crash has been here longer, but in my opinion Raymond Felton was Bobcats through and through. Its gonna be super weird seeing him in a freaking knicks uni. Really hope he finds his way back to Charlotte.

[BRNC]

Ray is a good guy...works hard...played every minute he was on the floor...improved every year...I'm sorry he's gone...