The Fearsome Foursome

[spectre]

Bobcats have a potentially fierce foursome - Bonnell (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/22/1778706/bobcats-have-a-potentially-fierce.html)



The overtime against New Orleans revealed the possibilities - just how good the Charlotte Bobcats defense could be with all those long arms and quick feet.

The Bobcats closed out the Hornets by holding them to 2-of-8 shooting, forcing two turnovers and outrebounding New Orleans 7-1.

The group on the floor - Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace, Tyrus Thomas and Boris Diaw (plus either D.J. Augustin or Matt Carroll) - constantly switched defensively, cutting off driving and passing lanes. Those four guys are all roughly the same size and virtually interchangeable.

That's the unit most likely to finish games and the one coach Larry Brown prefers to play, so long as Diaw and Thomas can match up with opposing big men.

"We have that length, and they can all move their feet," said Brown. "So many teams in our league basically play zone principles and switch a lot. I only want them to switch if they can take something away or get back to their own man."

Brown's point: Switch, but do it judiciously. That's what happened in the overtime.


I love this stuff.

Personally I like "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" better.
309

[BlockParty]

I love this stuff.

Personally I like "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" better.
309
[/LEFT]

I'm surprised Bonnell didn't bring up this article he wrote after Thomas' first game with the Bobcats. He was being Prophetic and didn't realize it.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/02/20/1260269/thomas-ratliff-add-new-meaning.html



This game illustrated all the possibilities Brown has with three long athletes (Wallace, Jackson and Thomas), plus Boris Diaw's intelligence and versatility.

"We switched a lot before," said Jackson, "but now we can do all kinds of things."

An example: The Cavaliers tried springing James during the fourth quarter with a double-screen, virtually assuring he'd create something off the dribble. But every time a screen was set, another 6-foot-8 athlete jumped into his path, as if a fence line of Bobcats stood in his way.

[ziggy]

The Four Horseman... I like the sound of that.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w301/bobcatsplanet/Paul20Kidby20-20Disque20Monde20-20T.jpg



But if you say "The four horseman and D.J." it sounds like a bad Nick at Nite show.

[spectre]

But if you say "The four horseman and D.J." it sounds like a bad Nick at Nite show.

He could be a Hobbit, trailing along behind carrying weapons.

[Pepperz]

Larry Brown is a mad genius. It all started to come to me towards the mid point of the off season in that we have 4 players that bring something unique to the team. A 250 lbs sg, there are not many of those. A SF that can hustle but also rebound with the big boys in this league. A PF with sheer raw skill and a C that can run the point. The best part about this is that they are all interchangeable and that each one can do the other person role if need be. They are going to create alot of mismatches this season. :)

[Muttley]

Bobcats have a potentially fierce foursome - Bonnell (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/22/1778706/bobcats-have-a-potentially-fierce.html)




I love this stuff.

Personally I like "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" better.
309




Plus, "The Four Horsemen" has another tie to Charlotte via the Ric Flair connection!

[spectre]

Charlotte Looks to Clip Hawks in Preseason Finale (http://www.bobcatsbreak.com/?p=2823)


“Speaking on me, (Stephen) Jack (son) and Gerald (Wallace), it’s almost a given on what we can do defensively with each other, and as far as the team goes, we played great defense yesterday,” said Tyrus Thomas. “We have the ability to use our athleticism. Whatever it takes to win – some games, I may have to let Gerald fight over the screen and stay connected to a bigger guy or a shooter, and some games we will be able to switch and take away passing lanes, but the good thing is we’re all capable of doing both. So that makes it a lot easier.”

The intensity on the defensive side of the ball has increased for Charlotte with each passing contest. For the Bobcats to be successful, they will definitely have to rebound and press on the defensive end.

“We are a real athletic and real aggressive team,” said Gerald Wallace. “I think we want to be an up-tempo pressing kind of team – that’s kind of our mantra, to get out on the court and press.”

Team defense and the athleticism of Jackson, Thomas and Wallace could be pivotal for Charlotte to win its final preseason game. The Hawks are loaded with perimeter players that are able to slash to the basket or pull up for mid-range jumpers.I love Larry Brown! Top notch D IMO is a big part of what makes the game artistic. He brought the idea and it's obvious our main guys have bought all in.

[TheBeagle]

Charlotte Looks to Clip Hawks in Preseason Finale (http://www.bobcatsbreak.com/?p=2823)

I love Larry Brown! Top notch D IMO is a big part of what makes the game artistic. He brought the idea and it's obvious our main guys have bought all in. It really says something about Larry and our guys both. One, the fact that Larry would prefer not to be here yet instilling his unmatched teaching skills (notably on the defensive end, as you point out) and leadership to the point his players are buying in whole-heartedly. Second, for our guys not to let any off-season distractions and comments from Larry deter them from becoming zealous students at the foot of the Mad Genius.

I'm just in love with the fact our guys are talking switching on d with the urgency that is needed. Still intrigued/worried how we'll cover the dreaded pick 'n roll, but looks like the fellas, as Tyrus points out, are prepared to deal with it and that is a beautiful thing indeed!

[spectre]

Bobcats end preseason with blowout win - Bonnell (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/22/1781055/bobcats-end-preseason-with-blowout.html)



"We were great defensively,'' said Brown, who seldom uses the word "great.''

This has been growing for about a week. They played solid defense to beat the Heat in Miami, then were exceptional in overtime to shut down the New Orleans Hornets Wednesday. That quick, small lineup again snuffed out the Hawks, particularly in the first half.

Since the Hawks are somewhat smallish – center Al Horford is more a power forward in dimensions – the Bobcats can afford to match up with Boris Diaw at center and Tyrus Thomas at power forward.

That's the optimum combination these days.

"It's a lot about having Boris and Tyrus out there'' together, said Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson (21 points and eight rebounds). "No team can run the pick-and-roll because they switch so well.

"We're at our best when we're scrambling, rotating and switching.''

(http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/22/1781055/bobcats-end-preseason-with-blowout.html#ixzz13AxjANXf)

[Fred Williamson]

The Four Horseman... I like the sound of that.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w301/bobcatsplanet/Paul20Kidby20-20Disque20Monde20-20T.jpg



But if you say "The four horseman and D.J." it sounds like a bad Nick at Nite show.

someone please photoshop this

[teej]

Bobcats end preseason with blowout win - Bonnell (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/22/1781055/bobcats-end-preseason-with-blowout.html)



(http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/22/1781055/bobcats-end-preseason-with-blowout.html#ixzz13AxjANXf)

From that link:




Brown said that was more than a preseason precaution, that Henderson told the training staff he couldn't play

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/22/1781055/bobcats-end-preseason-with-blowout.html#ixzz13EfN0J1I


Kinda worrying me. IDK if the training staff doesn't want to say no or what, but with Dom getting hurt after continiuing to play and now Hendo, Dr. Perry needs to be proactive.

[Ghost Kat]

It's not the 4 horseman till I hear Wooooooooooo and someone ends up in a figure four!!!

[ziggy]

It's not the 4 horseman till I hear Wooooooooooo and someone ends up in a figure four!!!

If we can get Gerald to slap this on somebody after a tomahawk dunk, I swear my life would be complete

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKrNGKO47ss

[BlockParty]

If we can get Gerald to slap this on somebody after a tomahawk dunk, I swear my life would be complete


How about he slaps it on the SI writer that was questioning if GW actually hustles or not.

[Dcarnys]

How about he slaps it on the SI writer that was questioning if GW actually hustles or not.

That would be even better.

[TheBeagle]

Bobcats end preseason with blowout win - Bonnell (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/22/1781055/bobcats-end-preseason-with-blowout.html)



(http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/22/1781055/bobcats-end-preseason-with-blowout.html#ixzz13AxjANXf) "No team can run the pick-and-roll because they switch so well." No statement has ever made we so happy. Man love galore for Tyrus and Boris, and Jack for saying this.

[QC Thundercats]

I like the sound of the Fearsome Foursome, but I'm actually excited cause its more than that. Derrick Brown is another 6'8 athlete with long arms, and he really has a knack for getting steals, either on the dribble or in the passing lanes. Whoever this Dominic person is, he allegedly is 6'9 with super long arms, and known as a hustling defender. So thats actually 6 interchangeable athletic defenders right there. Then you have a 6'7 Livingston, who while fragile, can still follow defensive principles and contribute to this team length.

Then even Henderson is a super athlete, who from what I saw has all the defensive potential in the world; Najera, who is one of those annoying hustle freaks; Diop whose only asset is his defense, and showed his improved conditioning with a 6 block game; and Kwame Brown who is a banger down low, and is known just as much for his defense as well as his tiny feminine hands.

Thats 11 players right there that are known for defense, and they are either of the long armed variety, or the hustle freaks. I think we might break an NBA record for steals this year, especially the way LB preaches defense. Its almost weird to say, but I'm real excited to watch us because of our defensive potential, since I know it'll take a little longer for the offensive side to click. Here's to the awesome elevensome!

[Ghost Kat]

With all the defense this team has it would be nice to get one or two low post offensive players