For those willing to think rationally...

[teej]

...consider some of the following.

First, Larry Brown teams ALWAYS start slow. And the Bobcats have only had one quick start, you may recall 2007-08. This is a trend for both parties involved, so even if everyone stayed from last year it would be no surprise.

Second regards a conversation with my dad coming home last night. We were talking about the lack of defensive rotations, and he asked how many new players were on the team/getting more minutes. When I told him that outside Jack, Crash, Boris, and Nazr, everyone was either new, had an increased role or was getting more minutes in the same role. He doesn't follow the team outside Gerald Wallace and has no clue who anyone is. He then said that, for normal teams, that means it could take two or three months before they learn how to play with each other. He said for a Larry Brown team it'd probably be less, but the always pending trade would negate some of it. I asked him if he thought the 'Cats would still make the playoffs, and he seemed surprised. He said compared to the last time he saw them, they were much better, they just didn't know it yet.

Thirdly, and most importantly, We've played three very solid teams. Dallas and Milwaukee will both compete for home court in the playoffs, and Indy's offseason may well have put them into the playoffs as well. While the Indy loss was inexcuseable, I have a feeling at the end of the year we won't feel so bad about it. And even in the loss, had Tyrus gotten a call at the end of the game, or any other number of things, the story would be different. Dallas and Milwaukee I both expected to beat us, and while I thought we'd beat Indy, it wasn't much of a surprise. The only surprise was how ineffective training camp was.

[Absinthe]

I've considered it and this team still isn't a playoff team. Too many problems from top to bottom.

[DY_nasty]

DJ looks good so far.

Its okay to say it people!

[Toocool]

DJ looks good so far.

Its okay to say it people!

I find DJ getting better and better every game. He's directing the guys, running plays on time and executing well. He hustled well this game, I can recall when he was trying to chase down someone and fell over, but he put in the effort of trying to catch up, but then they turned the ball over and he dished nicely to UPS. Sure he still is rather average on defense, but the growth he's shown over the past three games makes me feel rather optimistic for our PG position.

[Fred Williamson]

I don't care. We are going to suck anyway as long as LB and Jax are on this team.
Hopefully LB is gone next year and we can start rebuilding this assembly of roleplayers.

or better, start rebuilding right now and for the love of god, stop acquiring "veterans" who suck big donkey nuts, LB. Your veterans are the ones who fuck it up the most and yet they are still allowed to see minutes. What is this whole "we are too careless with the ball" bs but Jax, Boris and Tyrus are still allowed are still allowed to play? This doesn't make sense.

[DY_nasty]

I don't care.
*sigh*
...
*siiiiiiiiiiigh*

[teej]

I don't care.

Then why the fuck are you out here complaining? C'mon, son.

My point was that, after three games, especially with LB, you can't judge anything. We're missing Kwame and Dom, who figure to both play large minutes. DJ is getting acclimated to not having any help behind him (Livingston is miles away from being back to form). Whether he will thrive or not remains to be seen, but tonight was a good sign. Nazr and Gana both suck, but if the guys in front of them learn to rotate and play good D, it'll mask it. Crash and Jack are both trying to get back into things, and everyone else follows them. The sky isn't falling, and for the love of Christ LB isn't trying to get himself fired. Have you watched him on the sidelines? He's yelling, screaming and teaching per usual. Chill the fuck out, people.

[JamieMcNeill]

Then why the fuck are you out here complaining? C'mon, son.

My point was that, after three games, especially with LB, you can't judge anything. We're missing Kwame and Dom, who figure to both play large minutes. DJ is getting acclimated to not having any help behind him (Livingston is miles away from being back to form). Whether he will thrive or not remains to be seen, but tonight was a good sign. Nazr and Gana both suck, but if the guys in front of them learn to rotate and play good D, it'll mask it. Crash and Jack are both trying to get back into things, and everyone else follows them. The sky isn't falling, and for the love of Christ LB isn't trying to get himself fired. Have you watched him on the sidelines? He's yelling, screaming and teaching per usual. Chill the fuck out, people.

This mofos. Chill out, three games don't make a season. I personally love some of the growth we've made. Is it sac-religious to be optimistic and bcats or something?

[millst2]

teej u may be right that lb isnt trying to get fired, but he also knows mj isnt going to fire him.

the "chill the fuck out" i dont think is necessary just because others have a totally different take on where they feel the team is at. Hell i personally could care less where we were at this time last year or years before, it's why im a fan. The first game I chalked up as a loss to dallas but i kept rooting for them in the chat, to my kids etc. The second game we played like ass as well as the third.

Sure we can always say IF we would have gotten this call or that call or IF whatever, but the fact is we lost. An 0-3 start, which we deserve because some of us arent blinded by our rabid loyalty as to not see the issues. This teams makeup is not the same as last yr, the team doesnt even have the same mindset it seems after three games as they did last year.

Last year we put 150% into defense, this yr these guys look like they may be putting 25%. We arent looking for the open man anywhere near enough, everyone thinks they need to chuck up any damn shot they can.

I dont have any issues with people expressing their displeasure with the team. If they think DJ sux, if they think Jax has a shitty attitude and think he is best getting on the first greyhound out of charlotte then so what. Others may agree and some may disagree but you dont hear any of them bitching that someone is voicing their opinions and yelling chill the fuck out.

as we stand right now we arent a playoff team, the chemistry is jacked up. Defense took us to the playoffs last yr, and this yr we are trying to be the suns under dantoni which we dont have the talent for.

again you can make a point and disagree but show a little class.

[Fred Williamson]

Then why the fuck are you out here complaining? C'mon, son.

My point was that, after three games, especially with LB, you can't judge anything. We're missing Kwame and Dom, who figure to both play large minutes. DJ is getting acclimated to not having any help behind him (Livingston is miles away from being back to form). Whether he will thrive or not remains to be seen, but tonight was a good sign. Nazr and Gana both suck, but if the guys in front of them learn to rotate and play good D, it'll mask it. Crash and Jack are both trying to get back into things, and everyone else follows them. The sky isn't falling, and for the love of Christ LB isn't trying to get himself fired. Have you watched him on the sidelines? He's yelling, screaming and teaching per usual. Chill the fuck out, people.

Did you read my post buddy? "I don't care" about how we start into the season. 0-3 or 3-0, point is, we aren't going to win more than 40games. Just look at our awfully assembled roster. The only thing on this team that doesn't suck is the Small forward rotation. Everything else isn't worth more than a bag of peanuts talent wise.

As for my opinion, I agree with everything millst2 said.



The sky isn't falling, and for the love of Christ LB isn't trying to get himself fired.

No shit? Of course he's not forcing it. We have Michael freaking Jordan as the franchise owner. He's not going to make the same drama he did in New York, because he's all up in Mike's ass.

[ammofan]

We will be fine.....I think we win at least the next 2 games, and possibly get revenge againest ORL on Saturday.

Im not concerned about our roster right now because we ahve alot of young players playing big roles for the first time AND this wont be our roster all year. Trades will come, im sure lol

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

Yeah I don't know why people are pulling their hair out. It's only 3 games! If we were 0-10 and getting blown out then yeah let's flip out. I'm not sure how it is anywhere else but it seems like the Panthers and the cats have a lot of fans who live to bitch and moan about everything! It's your team! Pull for them instead of wigging out and calling for the heads of everyone involved. You know what we need? Positive vibes man. Positive vibes.

[DCW]

I think we will be fine, DJ has been really good n i think for the most part its the C position that hasnt looked to hot. But hey were only 3 gms in and the biggest question mark should be is can this team win gms on the road.

[Chef]

i am thinking rationally when i say i have seen enough basketball and enough basketball teams to know when one is out classed. slow start or not, "new players" or not. our team lacks talent. we have a very poor center rotation and a very very mediocre point guard situation. i have already said i think dj will make a great jason terry-like 6th man but he is not a great starting point in this league. that is 40% of the starting 5 that is far below average.

as far as indiana and milwaukee, sure they may be competing for playoff spots but neither team is good. the point most on here are making is, we don't want to watch a team compete for the 8th seed. especially when our 2 best players are not exactly young up and comers. we have a small window and we are pissing it away with terrible drafting and being cheap.

[BlockParty]

we are pissing it away with terrible drafting and being cheap.

We had no draft picks this summer and dumping a pitiful Chandler for Cap relief (and the potential to attract something more in a trade) shouldn't be used to condem the Bobcats as being cheap. If anything, it's an acknowledgement that we don't draft well, and would prefer to grow responsibly through trades. Our last 'draft' move was trading a 2012 first round pick away for Tyrus Thomas, which currently looks like a brilliant move.

If they were cheap, they wouldn't have made a $7M committment to Livingston, they wouldn't have offered Felton a 5-6 year deal the prior summer, and they would've dumped Damp's contract the day after they made the trade for it. In a perfect world Chandler would've opted out of his contract and we wouldn't have to absorb Carroll and Najera's contract, and make no mistake, the Cats would've jumped at that chance.

The Cats aren't cheap, they are being fiscally responsible in the reality of being a mid-market, non-championship caliber team (had they done that prior to the Diop trade, we would be in a better position now). If Jordan opened his check book, it wouldn't guarantee any additional success, it would only guarantee future financial obstacles in free-agency. Just like Atlanta will experience in 3 years when Joe Johnson's contract has 60% remaining, just like Washington will feel over the next 3 years with limited flexibility because of Arenas' contract. I appreciate that the Cats don't just add everytime LB complains, heck he might only be here for this season.

[Chef]

If anything, it's an acknowledgement that we don't draft well, and would prefer to grow responsibly through trades. Our last 'draft' move was trading a 2012 first round pick away for Tyrus Thomas, which currently looks like a brilliant move.



in the past 4 years:
signed carroll and mek to two of the worst contracts in the nba
traded for nazr who had 4y/6mil contract
traded for diop
retraded for carroll
traded for diaw and raja - both way past their value/primes
gave up draft picks for TT, AA

my point is, unless you have huge expiring deals which we never do or superstars (which we don't have) you can not build any type of contender through trades. maybe the cheap comment was unwarranted because we should not be over the LT with a non-championship team, but we are constantly swapping out crap for crap and spending money on players who aren't worth it. and to say we don't draft well build through trades, it won't work. learn to draft better, it is the only way you are going to build a contender.

[TheBeagle]

Interesting but meaningless stat I was thinking of before the Pacers game (but now including it and MIL), in games that count, we're on an 8 game losing streak.

On topic: the start has been disappointing, but not at all surprising for reasons teej lists, plus, we're a marginal playoff team at best, as currently constructed, to begin with. I will say I'm concerned by the body language of the team...it's damn early of course, and I could be way off, but it seems there's just something "off" with everyone: little communication on the court, guys standing off by themselves, little excitement. Could be reaching here, but that's the impression I'm getting so far. Maybe adjusting to live without Raymond? I mean, DJ's doing great work so far, and Raymond had his faults, but he was communicative and was a co-captain for a reason, and there's gotta be an adjustment period.

Wish I could be as optimistic as others, but I like I said in the few off-season discussions I partook in, there's a lot of challenges ahead for the team this year because of an overall improved conference, no noticeable roster improvement (if not regression), disgruntled coach, leadership, etc.

Still, IMJIT, so something will be done to improve the team if not this year, then for the coming years. 0-3? Pshaw! Wait 'til we're 0-10 before we put a nail in this team's coffin. ;)

[Absinthe]

in the past 4 years:
signed carroll and mek to two of the worst contracts in the nba
traded for nazr who had 4y/6mil contract
traded for diop
retraded for carroll
traded for diaw and raja - both way past their value/primes
gave up draft picks for TT, AA

my point is, unless you have huge expiring deals which we never do or superstars (which we don't have) you can not build any type of contender through trades. maybe the cheap comment was unwarranted because we should not be over the LT with a non-championship team, but we are constantly swapping out crap for crap and spending money on players who aren't worth it. and to say we don't draft well build through trades, it won't work. learn to draft better, it is the only way you are going to build a contender.

He's right, but some people here don't want to listen. Not only that, but they signed a bunch of washed up overrated players in the off season. Kwame Brown? Give me a break. Livingston? He's lost a step since that horrific injury and none of the other teams wanted him. Management of this team is slightly above Minnesota and below everyone else.

[millst2]

well everyone i agree has their own opinions about how the season is still early so we cant tell but a lot of stuff we are seeing so far is really obvious. Like our defensive mindset, it is non existent. I agree with beagle that we are seeing a lot of lackadaisical players with energy levels of the local senior residential facility.

i agree with what others are saying about the draft, trades etc. We suck ass at drafting and we seem to give up bad contracts for even worse ones. the kwame trade i didnt see as such a bad deal, 1 million dollars to give us 6 hard fouls. Livingston to me is up in the air right now, could be go either way.

All in all i think theirs valid points in this thread and even though the season is young, the bobcats this year are gonna be in some trouble if we dont act before it is to late

[Scottley Crue]

I think the losses to Dallas and Milwaukee were probably coming, especially being home openers for both teams. The loss to Indiana is one I'm not fond of, but Granger was unconscious. I don't think it mattered how well he was defended that night, he was going to score regardless. To a smaller degree, Delfino was the same last night. Many of his three pointers were contested, but he kept hitting them. When things like that happen, there's not much you can do.

I am concerned about the production from the center spot, though. I'm OK with what Gana is doing, but Nazr really has to step it up. He's regularly missing layups and dunks. And if he's not doing that, he's nearly useless out there. If he can round into the form he had in the beginning of last year, it will be better. But with him already talking of being tired, that's concerning. I'm sure trades will come, and if so, I'd really like to bring a decent center in here.

[millst2]

I am concerned about the production from the center spot, though. I'm OK with what Gana is doing, but Nazr really has to step it up. He's regularly missing layups and dunks. And if he's not doing that, he's nearly useless out there. If he can round into the form he had in the beginning of last year, it will be better. But with him already talking of being tired, that's concerning. I'm sure trades will come, and if so, I'd really like to bring a decent center in here.

Scottley, Thats a solid point. I would about rather use diop for some defensive sets and then swing either Diaw( which i think should be included in any trade we do) to the 5 or TT to the 5 and run a lineup of Jax, Wallace, TT, Diaw, DJ/Liv. We look ok running offensive sets where we go small.

The only issues we have right now outside the center slot is diaw playing with no energy and jax attitude which effects the whole team. I think DJ is playing decent for the most part on the offensive side of the ball, I think his assists will get better with time, and livingston i think will get healthy to help out.

I think our issues revolve around the center and jax and diaws attitudes. Ones acting like he has done with every other team he played with and diaw is , well, he is just being diaw.

[Pepperz]

You can build a good team either thru trades or drafting. The last three years, the team that won the title built their team with TRADES. We just need to be patient which is what the Bobcats were doing with Damp contract. It didnt pan like we wanted to so we cut. We have been drafting better compared to what we did when we first came into the league. DJ, Brown, Hendo > Ammo, Felton, May. Everybody wants overnight results but we just have to wait. I see Jordon has improved as a Owner and as a GM.

[WAM9]

I also see alot of positives in the start. Don't get me wrong, I am as disappointed as everyone else in going 0-3 but I don't think the overall play has been all that bad and there have been several bright spots.

DJ's play to start with has been pretty good and more importantly, he seems to be showing improvement each game. Having the point guard position not be a huge problem is quite a relief for me. Some of the other problem areas are easier to address than finding a legit point. As long as DJ continues to improve, we'll be just fine here. As long as he can stay healthy, Livingston seems to be more than competent as our backup point.

Tyrus Thomas has been another positive for me. He is clearly the best athlete on the floor when he is in and seems to hustle and help defensively very well. I personally think he should be starting and honestly think his shot selection is what is holding him back in LB's mind right now. Again, as long as he keeps his head screwed on right (which he is doing so far) he will continue to improve and eventually start. I really like the dynamic he brings to the team. Did you see the quickness of his footwork in cutting off guys driving last night (Mil)? It was very impressive to me and shows huge potential.

Gerald Henderson is being addressed in another thread so I won't duplicate the comments but his +/- numbers are stellar. His offense needs to improve and he has to take open shots but his defense is very good. I watched this same development with him at Duke where he depended on his athleticism early and then learned and developed a much more well rounded game. I expect the same from him at this level. Even now though, he has shown he is a competent rotation player.

Derrick Brown certainly continues his journey in becoming a solid role player and the best 2nd round steal of his draft. Again, I don't think we have seen his ceiling even approached and he is getting pretty consistent minutes now.

There are plenty of other positives as well but if you take just these and mix them with Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson and what we already know they bring, we have a pretty good cast. I am not so happy with Diaw and clearly Nazr has been a huge dissapointment this year so far. As someone else mentioned, Diop has improved but he isn't even close to the answer.

At 0-3 it is easy to just say everything is going wrong but I just don't see it that way. Dallas and Milwaukee are both solid playoff teams we played on the road. I wish we could have that Indy game back but we still competed. We have been in every game so far. Let's give this group a little time to gel before we go jumping off any bridges. Go Bobcats!

[rsxnova]

i agree. Fox sports were comparing the bobcats to the panthers last night:facepalm:. I called and left a message about how you cant compare the Cats to the other Cats with 3 games. Of course i didnt get on.

[Pepperz]

I also see alot of positives in the start. Don't get me wrong, I am as disappointed as everyone else in going 0-3 but I don't think the overall play has been all that bad and there have been several bright spots.

DJ's play to start with has been pretty good and more importantly, he seems to be showing improvement each game. Having the point guard position not be a huge problem is quite a relief for me. Some of the other problem areas are easier to address than finding a legit point. As long as DJ continues to improve, we'll be just fine here. As long as he can stay healthy, Livingston seems to be more than competent as our backup point.

Tyrus Thomas has been another positive for me. He is clearly the best athlete on the floor when he is in and seems to hustle and help defensively very well. I personally think he should be starting and honestly think his shot selection is what is holding him back in LB's mind right now. Again, as long as he keeps his head screwed on right (which he is doing so far) he will continue to improve and eventually start. I really like the dynamic he brings to the team. Did you see the quickness of his footwork in cutting off guys driving last night (Mil)? It was very impressive to me and shows huge potential.

Gerald Henderson is being addressed in another thread so I won't duplicate the comments but his +/- numbers are stellar. His offense needs to improve and he has to take open shots but his defense is very good. I watched this same development with him at Duke where he depended on his athleticism early and then learned and developed a much more well rounded game. I expect the same from him at this level. Even now though, he has shown he is a competent rotation player.

Derrick Brown certainly continues his journey in becoming a solid role player and the best 2nd round steal of his draft. Again, I don't think we have seen his ceiling even approached and he is getting pretty consistent minutes now.

There are plenty of other positives as well but if you take just these and mix them with Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson and what we already know they bring, we have a pretty good cast. I am not so happy with Diaw and clearly Nazr has been a huge dissapointment this year so far. As someone else mentioned, Diop has improved but he isn't even close to the answer.

At 0-3 it is easy to just say everything is going wrong but I just don't see it that way. Dallas and Milwaukee are both solid playoff teams we played on the road. I wish we could have that Indy game back but we still competed. We have been in every game so far. Let's give this group a little time to gel before we go jumping off any bridges. Go Bobcats!

THIS!!!

Everybody is so quick to scream "The sky is falling." but we are not as bad as people making it out to be. We need to work out a few things.

[Chef]

You can build a good team either thru trades or drafting. The last three years, the team that won the title built their team with TRADES. We just need to be patient which is what the Bobcats were doing with Damp contract. It didnt pan like we wanted to so we cut. We have been drafting better compared to what we did when we first came into the league. DJ, Brown, Hendo > Ammo, Felton, May. Everybody wants overnight results but we just have to wait. I see Jordon has improved as a Owner and as a GM.

celtics: drafted both pierce and rondo: the two most important pieces
lakers: drafted kobe, the most important piece

[Chef]

Derrick Brown certainly continues his journey in becoming a solid role player and the best 2nd round steal of his draft. Again, I don't think we have seen his ceiling even approached and he is getting pretty consistent minutes now.



dejuan blair?

[Pepperz]

celtics: drafted both pierce and rondo: the two most important pieces
lakers: drafted kobe, the most important piece


celtics: The C's were just bound to win w/o KG and Ray Ray, right?
Lakers: Actually, they did trade for Kobe. And same thing can be said about the Lakers, they were going to win regardless if they had Gasol and Odem, right?

You can build a championship team with either trades or drafting. Its best if you can do it with both but there is no right way of doing so. It just takes time and patients. You dont want to force any trades for you will most likely be on the short end of the stick.

[WAM9]

dejuan blair?

Yeah, Blair is clearly in that conversation and has gotten way more consistent playing time but I'm not ready to say that in 3 years he will clearly be better than Derrick Brown. Maybe so, maybe not but either way, they are both going to be way better than a lot of 1st round choices from that draft.

[Pepperz]

The thing with Blair was that he was expected to be a lotto pick if it wasnt for everybody worrying about his knee problems. Brown on the other hand came out of no where. Nobody expected Brown to do as good as he is doing now.

IMO....
SAS = lucky with the Blair pick
CHA = Good drafting skills.

but that still doesnt take away from that they are both going to be GREAT players(unless injury happens) in years to come.

[DY_nasty]

celtics: The C's were just bound to win w/o KG and Ray Ray, right?
Lakers: Actually, they did trade for Kobe. And same thing can be said about the Lakers, they were going to win regardless if they had Gasol and Odem, right?

You can build a championship team with either trades or drafting. Its best if you can do it with both but there is no right way of doing so. It just takes time and patients. You dont want to force any trades for you will most likely be on the short end of the stick.You really shouldn't use two of the biggest impact trades of all time, certainly of this generation, as an example... Most of the time, the idea of building through trades is what keeps a team in purgatory. Also, building through trades doesn't work if you have nothing of value to begin with.

[Pepperz]

You really shouldn't use two of the biggest impact trades of all time, certainly of this generation, as an example... Most of the time, the idea of building through trades is what keeps a team in purgatory. Also, building through trades doesn't work if you have nothing of value to begin with.

How about the Heat with Shaq?

We are not a attarctive market so a James signing or O'Neal(when he went to the Lakers) signing is not happening. Since thats the case, we BETTER FUCKING PRAY we get a #1 overall pick.

KG
O'Neal
The Dream
Duncan

Maybe we should hope we have the next pick in line and the guys in front of us pull a Sam Bowie.


So we either do really shitty to get a top pick so we can get that SUPERSTAR that everybody wants or we can pull a piston and build a well rounded squad to win. I like the latter.

[DY_nasty]

How about the Heat with Shaq?

We are not a attarctive market so a James signing or O'Neal(when he went to the Lakers) signing is not happening. Since thats the case, we BETTER FUCKING PRAY we get a #1 overall pick.

KG
O'Neal
The Dream
Duncan

Maybe we should hope we have the next pick in line and the guys in front of us pull a Sam Bowie.


So we either do really shitty to get a top pick so we can get that SUPERSTAR that everybody wants or we can pull a piston and build a well rounded squad to win. I like the latter.In each of these trades you've mention, it had something to do with one of the best bigs of this generation.

We're not landing any Top 10 player with the assets that we have. Its not happening. The teams that go on trading forever just establish themselves in no man's land - too good to get a high lottery pick, too bad to make any noise in the playoffs. And imo it doesn't matter if this team gets the #1 pick or not. No player the Bobcats have ever drafted (conventionally, not talking about GW) has improved significantly during their time with Charlotte. We don't even need a #1 pick... just a FO and coaching staff that believes in developing talent.

[teej]

CHA = Good drafting skills.


That, my friend, is not what one would consider Rod Higgins' strength.

[TheBeagle]

[QUOTE=Pepperz;181515]... Brown on the other hand came out of no where. Nobody expected Brown to do as good as he is doing now...

QUOTE]
Nobody not named "The Beagle", that is. ;)


Also, another really good post, WAM. I'd argue about the "winability" of the Bucks game: I mean Jennings and Delfino were on, but they were very beatable had our team as a whole been hungry for the win. Otherwise, good stuff. +1

[BETCATS]

Every year it is the same shit from the team and the fans. The team always looks promising but starts slow. The only thing left to be determined is how long we will slump for. I dont think we will continue to suck much longer, as soon as our ball movement picks back up and Jack takes his head out of the clouds we will be in business. I put the over under on that at 10 - 15 games.

I havent been around here that long but i have been a fan since day 1. When i would browse the Charlotte Observer and when i posted here last year i always see the same reactions. A bunch of Chicken-Littles; the sky is falling on the Bobcats. I am sick of this shit. Just calm down and let it play out. Every year we have so called 'fan experts' that will tell us just to give up and that they dont care what happens because the team isnt going to make the playoffs and the world is ending in 2012.
Fuck them. I.L.B./M.J.I.T.:cool:

[kickazzz2000]

What fuckin sucks is that 10-15 games makes the difference between playing Orlando in the first round vs. playing some scrub ass overrated shit like Atlanta.

[Pepperz]

In each of these trades you've mention, it had something to do with one of the best bigs of this generation.

We're not landing any Top 10 player with the assets that we have. Its not happening. The teams that go on trading forever just establish themselves in no man's land - too good to get a high lottery pick, too bad to make any noise in the playoffs. And imo it doesn't matter if this team gets the #1 pick or not. No player the Bobcats have ever drafted (conventionally, not talking about GW) has improved significantly during their time with Charlotte. We don't even need a #1 pick... just a FO and coaching staff that believes in developing talent.

In a perfect world, every player we draft turnout to be a star. The draft is a crap shoot sometimes but we have gotten better at drafting. Look at what we have done lately compared to our early years. Since we have not had the best of luck at the draft, we are doing our best to flip player to get better players and we have done really well at that. Give it time and you will see that we are doing a lot of things right now, we just cant expect instant results.

Teej, maybe you are right and it was luck on Higgins part but you have to admit that they found a diamond in the rough. :)

[DY_nasty]

In a perfect world, every player we draft turnout to be a star. The draft is a crap shoot sometimes but we have gotten better at drafting. Look at what we have done lately compared to our early years. Since we have not had the best of luck at the draft, we are doing our best to flip player to get better players and we have done really well at that. Give it time and you will see that we are doing a lot of things right now, we just cant expect instant results.

Teej, maybe you are right and it was luck on Higgins part but you have to admit that they found a diamond in the rough. :)
In a perfect world, people we draft actually become better. I can forgive a bust, I can't get over guys with very good talent not or hardly developing at all or getting worse.

Trades are where people get the delusion of instant results.