One more thing to get out in the open.

[dnbman]

This draft was CLEARLY about going after Chris Paul. While what we did still makes sense without going after Paul, too many things are lining up for the pursuit of Paul.

Discuss.

[bes628]

Dude will not come here, especially if we have a really bad season next year, which we probably will. Dude wants to win.

[The Prodigy]

Dude will not come here, especially if we have a really bad season next year, which we probably will. Dude wants to win.

If we have enough Cap room and tradeable assets come free agency next year, CP3 and Dwight could concieveably decide to play together here. Not likely, but its worth a shot.

[bes628]

If we have enough Cap room and tradeable assets come free agency next year, CP3 and Dwight could concieveably decide to play together here. Not likely, but its worth a shot.

While true, you could say that with just about any team. What would possibly make them want to come here, we have nothing but unproven pieces of talent at this point and our record will more than likely be horrendous next year.

I just say we shouldn't short change ourselves with other players in hopes of holding out for the reaches like that.

[Chef]

not sure we will be going after howard. we will maintain the flexibility to do so, but i don't think we think he will come here even if paul is here. i think we look at bb as the howard for paul to bring out the best offensively. but i am absolutely convinced we are going to go after cp3 hard with a selling point of kemba off the bench, bb and at least 1 very high lotto pick in next year's draft as the team cp3 will build and win with. if cp3 comes here we will have FA $$ for at least 1 maybe 2 non-max but very effective veterans to help with the young guys.

[dnbman]

I just say we shouldn't short change ourselves with other players in hopes of holding out for the reaches like that.

When you're a free agent, it's not about how terrible a team was the season before, it's about how good or bad they'll be in the next season. If we add a high draft pick and can get a second star to go along with some of our young role players, I think we'll have a very nice vision to offer Paul.

[dnbman]

While true, you could say that with just about any team. .

That part's not true. Most teams will not have the cap space to sign two stars. We will. That's a huge selling point.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

I think we may go after some stars in free agency at some point. Mostly I think this organization is hoping young talent will be accumulated and begin to win some games before they think of adding a Dwight Howard CP3 type free agent. I feel that this team is hoping for a Kevin Durant type talent being drafted in the next couple seasons while surrounding him with some really good complimentary parts. All one has to do is look at the blue print Sam Presti set with OKC. Cho was part of that. OKC did not make a major push for Super Stars in free agency and we see how their rebuilding went. All we can do is hope everything works out in regards to drafting players. If you will, we need to hope all the stars line up for us. I don't think MJ and co are looking for a Grand Slam through free agency but they would like to try to hit a few home runs through the draft. Let us hope Corey Maggette plays his best here and at least Kemba Walker shows signs of future stardom. Also DJ and Kemba could very well benefit competing for minutes. I am happy with Kemba and I do feel that Bismack could one day be our Serg Ibaka on a OKC like team. My bitch with Bismack is how we got him and where he was picked. If this team shows signs of greatness during a losing season I can deal with it. As long as this team grows.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

I don't think the answer is to go for two major stars in free agency. At least not at this point. The team can keep a fairly low salary cap while growing it's own talent. At some point the team can make a splash in free agency. I don't think going the free agent route for a couple of seasons is the answer. I could see us getting one super star free agent but I don't see us pulling a Miami Heat. Personally I would rather we grow our own talent for a couple seasons before trying to go big in free agency. What Sam Presti has done with the Thunder is build a team that can compete for several years with young stars. Miami's blue print seems to have worked out but I myself prefer the drafted talent route.

[dnbman]

I don't think the answer is to go for two major stars in free agency. At least not at this point. The team can keep a fairly low salary cap while growing it's own talent. At some point the team can make a splash in free agency. I don't think going the free agent route for a couple of seasons is the answer. I could see us getting one super star free agent but I don't see us pulling a Miami Heat. Personally I would rather we grow our own talent for a couple seasons before trying to go big in free agency. What Sam Presti has done with the Thunder is build a team that can compete for several years with young stars. Miami's blue print seems to have worked out but I myself prefer the drafted talent route.

It's not an either/or mission. I love growing home grown talent too, but it's rare for a team to be successful relying solely on the draft. In '12, we'll be in a position to get clear star or two and take a nice draft pick. There's no reason not to do both if doing so makes you a clear contender.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

It's not an either/or mission. I love growing home grown talent too, but it's rare for a team to be successful relying solely on the draft. In '12, we'll be in a position to get clear star or two and take a nice draft pick. There's no reason not to do both if doing so makes you a clear contender.No doubt what you say is correct but let us not think that in season two of a rebuilding effort we can have a free agency where we sign two or more highly touted free agents. I can see us getting one high mark guy next season but I don't think this team is going to have a worst to first type of success through signing two big time free agents. If we can add one or two solid free agents with a Dwight Howard or CP3 type free agent that would be great. The problem with having so much money tied up on two future HOF players is that they leave less wiggle room for other moves should they need to be made. I am all for one Superstar should one be available but two to me seems like a risk not worth taking. In my mind you are better with one HOF talent and adding a few quality pieces around him. As much as possible you want to remain young. I will go out on a limb and say that OKC has as much of a chance at winning at least a few titles as Miami. So there is no right or wrong way from either team but I would rather not tie so much cash into a couple of players when not winning a title only adds more ridicule and criticism. There is less likelihood that OKC suffers as much if they do not win a title or two or three or etc etc. Not that it matter what people think but I am just of the thought that a team can have more egg on their face going the Miami Heat route. There is no written rule that teams have to have two future HOF'ers to win a title or titles. Besides I think we need at least two seasons to get those big time free agents. They are going to want a team that has a solid base of talent to play with. If the Bobcats organization is showing real promise that may convince Dwight Howard and Chris Paul type free agents to join. Nobody leaving a team struggling to gain traction is going to want to go to a team they feel is worse or no better set to win a title or titles than the team they are leaving.

[dnbman]

No doubt what you say is correct but let us not think that in season two of a rebuilding effort we can have a free agency where we sign two or more highly touted free agents. I can see us getting one high mark guy next season but I don't think this team is going to have a worst to first type of success through signing two big time free agents. If we can add one or two solid free agents with a Dwight Howard or CP3 type free agent that would be great. The problem with having so much money tied up on two future HOF players is that they leave less wiggle room for other moves should they need to be made. I am all for one Superstar should one be available but two to me seems like a risk not worth taking. In my mind you are better with one HOF talent and adding a few quality pieces around him. As much as possible you want to remain young. I will go out on a limb and say that OKC has as much of a chance at winning at least a few titles as Miami. So there is no right or wrong way from either team but I would rather not tie so much cash into a couple of players when not winning a title only adds more ridicule and criticism. There is less likelihood that OKC suffers as much if they do not win a title or two or three or etc etc. Not that it matter what people think but I am just of the thought that a team can have more egg on their face going the Miami Heat route. There is no written rule that teams have to have two future HOF'ers to win a title or titles. Besides I think we need at least two seasons to get those big time free agents. They are going to want a team that has a solid base of talent to play with. If the Bobcats organization is showing real promise that may convince Dwight Howard and Chris Paul type free agents to join. Nobody leaving a team struggling to gain traction is going to want to go to a team they feel is worse or no better set to win a title or titles than the team they are leaving.

If it wasn't for the way the salary cap were arranged, I'd agree with you to an extant. Having said that, we don't know what the new CBA will bring. However, as it is, teams are in a much better situation to retain talent and it becomes very difficult to sign the type of superstar that makes you a top four team in the league. If we have the possibility of doing that, we need to.

We need to make decisions that will allow us to win a championship. I don't care about multiple championships, as that's an extraordinarily difficult thing to do and most teams that do it combine a few stars on one team. When it comes to get those special start players, you virtually have to put your eggs in one or two baskets.

[Proudiddy]

I really hope CP3 comes. If not, we will look like the biggest dicks in the history of professional sports - blew it all up, cleared cap space, then get left at the altar for nothing if no player comes here. That would be embarassing, but either way, I'm prepared to suck next year (but I think we'll be surprisingly mediocre), and I know we had to do it and we're moving with an actual clear plan of action now.

[BlockParty]

My pie in the sky scenario.....

Bismark develops better than expectations
DHoward and CP3 come to the Queen city during Free agency
Tyrus decides to try the SF position
Hendo continues to develop and becomes our lockdown defender
Kemba flourishes and decides to be the east coast version of Jason Terry

Lineup of

CP3
Hendo/Kemba
Tyrus
Bismack
DHoward

We could have all 5 spots on NBA all-defensive team (1st or 2nd team)

Ok.dream over...we have 60/ppg in our lineup returning.

[Chef]

My pie in the sky scenario.....

Bismark develops better than expectations
DHoward and CP3 come to the Queen city during Free agency
Tyrus decides to try the SF position
Hendo continues to develop and becomes our lockdown defender
Kemba flourishes and decides to be the east coast version of Jason Terry

Lineup of

CP3
Hendo/Kemba
Tyrus
Bismack
DHoward

We could have all 5 spots on NBA all-defensive team (1st or 2nd team)

Ok.dream over...we have 60/ppg in our lineup returning.

tyrus thomas is barely a 4. i or you are more of 3 than he will ever be. in fact, this is why career has been such a drag. he spent the first few seasons trying to convince everyone he could play sf. it has only been recently that he has even considered being a pf. this is also why his contract is so FRIGGIN STUPID

[Demon DeaCat]

Both CP and Dwight are in the prime years of their career. Neither is about to waste them being a part of a team that's trying to build itself into a contender. They want to win now and we just don't have enough other pieces to to win a championship with just one of them. The only way we're a contender is if we get both, therefore, the only way I think we get either is if we get both.

I do think we're angling to acquire both though and I agree that these draft picks were likely made with that goal in mind. While I don't think the grand slam scenario is a total reach, given CP's ties to the area and gravity of MJ's presence, landing both is still probably a long shot, and that's why I can't get all that excited by this draft. Picking KW and BB in the hopes that they can deliver CP and Dwight is one thing. But if that plan fails and we're left hoping they will become CP and Dwight, we're setting ourselves up for certain disappointment.

[superb1]

Yeah, we will look lke the Knicks a few years ago

[superb1]

I really hope CP3 comes. If not, we will look like the biggest dicks in the history of professional sports - blew it all up, cleared cap space, then get left at the altar for nothing if no player comes here. That would be embarassing, but either way, I'm prepared to suck next year (but I think we'll be surprisingly mediocre), and I know we had to do it and we're moving with an actual clear plan of action now.

Yeah, we will look lke the Knicks a few years ago

[ammofan]

I agree. This was all about getting CP3. Not only would guys like Smack and Kemba compliment CP well, but it also opens up possible trade opportunities with NO. If they decide to deal him, they would be interested in guys like the ones we have. DJ for example is from NO and they could have interest in a guy like him.

[BRNC]

I agree. This was all about getting CP3. Not only would guys like Smack and Kemba compliment CP well, but it also opens up possible trade opportunities with NO. If they decide to deal him, they would be interested in guys like the ones we have. DJ for example is from NO and they could have interest in a guy like him.

Guys...I'd love to have CP3...wanted us to move up and get him in that draft...but honestly...you really think he thinks he's going to get a ring here in the next couple of years...and he's already having knee issues...dude will go where he has the best chance for a ring...

[Weezy21]

Guys...I'd love to have CP3...wanted us to move up and get him in that draft...but honestly...you really think he thinks he's going to get a ring here in the next couple of years...and he's already having knee issues...dude will go where he has the best chance for a ring...

Im just curious where you all think CP3 could go that would be better then the Bobcats....im talking about a team with enough money to sign him

1-Celtics would have the cap but they have rondo
2-Bulls have rose
3-Knicks would have the cap after Billups expires, but the CBA will most likely make that impossible after its restructured
4-Miami, nope
5-Orlando, nope
6-Thunder, not unless they trade Westbrook and fillers for him
7-Mavs, doubt it because most of that team is old anyway, so why sign there
8-Clippers would be cool but they will already be strapped for cash after signing Gordon, Griffen, and Jordan
9-Lakers, nope
10-Nets, nope they got Deron Williams

Now I know trades can happen from now until when his contract expires and teams can have cap space to get him, but as of right now, we still have a shot...I think it will come down to Deron and Paul trying to persuade Dwight where to go...unless of course the Hornets trade CP3...now thats a totally different story

[BRNC]

Celtics, at various times have explored trading Rondo...he's not untouchable particularly for CP3...

New York has Billups expiring contract...but it would cost every other asset and probably not enough but if it's the best offer they'll take something back...

OKC (IMO) would jump on this...and Westbrook back would be far-and-away the best player the Hornets could get back...

Nets...with Williams not extending...they'd do it in a heart-beat...

...and again...why would anyone think a guy with "wheels" already getting bad would opt to go to a rebuilding franchise...I mean honestly...if you were him would you?

[teej]

As a Celtics fan, I can tell you Rondo is the only untouchable in Boston right now.

And like it or not, Tex, the plan (at least with Rod/MJ) is to get both CP3 and Dwight.

There are maybe three or four situations comparable to the Cats for CP to pick from. Depending on who we draft, we may be the frontrunners. But it all hinges on the new CBA.

[EvetsMorrison15]

Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are not coming here. First off, take any high respects you have for NBA Players and throw them the fuck away. LeBron isn't the only person who would turn his back on his city for an opportunity like he had in Miami. Once players reach All Star status...they don't work as hard to keep at it. LeBron was a little late with my philosophy but you get my point. LeBron was not only looking for the best place to win, he was looking for a place where he didn't have to work as hard. Other example. Boston with KG-Ray-Pierce, Lakers with Gasol, Dallas Marion-Butler. Howard and Paul are carrying their teams through soft sand. Both are in the primes of their career's so they want to go somewhere to half-ass to win.


Guys...I'd love to have CP3...wanted us to move up and get him in that draft...but honestly...you really think he thinks he's going to get a ring here in the next couple of years...and he's already having knee issues...dude will go where he has the best chance for a ring...

BRNC, 100% true. The Bobcats don't have a roster appealing enough for him to want to win a title here. It would kick ass on so many levels if the Bobcats landed Howard and Paul but it won't go down that way. - I knew I liked you when I chatted with you in the draft chat.

The best way to win without equipping yourself with sell-outs is to do what Oklahoma City did - Use the draft to get solid players and what San Antonio and Detroit did and make trades for KEY role players who make up a good team (Defensive minded). Pieces who all work together. No pieces who work around a Money Hungry, Bitch Wining, Self Absorbed, Quote-un-Quote...Superstar.

There's nothing Super about working your ass off for five years to only learn how to bitch that your the only one "doing anything"

Work with what we have, draft more pieces and trade / sign players who aren't ranked over 75 in video games.

Fuck

[tondi]

No team that has enough money to sign Paul and Howard is going to be anywhere near a contender (at least until those guys arrive). You can't horde 30+ million in cap space and simultaneously be a good to great team. Maybe a team in the good range could clear enough for one of those guys but if they are determined to play together they are probably going to have to go somewhere that sucked the season before.

[Weezy21]

No team that has enough money to sign Paul and Howard is going to be anywhere near a contender (at least until those guys arrive). You can't horde 30+ million in cap space and simultaneously be a good to great team. Maybe a team in the good range could clear enough for one of those guys but if they are determined to play together they are probably going to have to go somewhere that sucked the season before.

That what I'm thinking...and again, thats only if they want to play together...out of the great nba teams today, how many could afford a max contract? not many

[Chef]

paul will probably not get traded. he will go via free agency. the hornets are technically owned by all the owners and if a player with the talent and marketability of paul were to get traded they would at least have to have a majority or 2/3 majority to allow it to happen.

[Silverback47]

There are solid chances that Howard never hits free agency. Andrew Bynum, Steve Blake, and cash would be enough to get Dwight Howard in LA for the foreseeable future. Orlando does this to get back 80% of Dwight Howard instead of the 0% they get losing him in free agency, and LA does it because they keep their title window open for however long Dwight stays, and also breathes new life into the end of the Kobe Era.

There's pretty much no way for the Thunder to trade Westbrook for Paul. There's a 10 million dollar difference between their salaries, and the Hornets are going to want cap relief back if they give up Paul. The Thunder don't have it. All they have is young, talented guys with friendly contracts, but it would take three of them to equal Paul's salary. He's not worth it. Paul is the only one who will probably get to free agency, and then, who knows? If there's a hard cap, the game is different for a lot of teams. The only shot we have is to shed salaries, bottom out and get a high draft pick, and then promise Paul that we can build around a high draft pick (most of the top players next year are small forwards), and a few raw, defensive guys. I don't see it. The only sell we have now is Jordan, and he's losing money at an epic rate. We have to pull a hell of a trade to even get in the discussion for Paul.

[ohara831]

I think with Kemba and Biyombo on board, there is no plan to go after CP3 or Dwight. I think MJ, Rod and Cho will focus on doing this thru the Draft with our homegrown products. It will me far less payroll, the fans will love to come to the Cable Box and watch this young exciting team and MJ will pocket a lot of money over the next few years. Even it we are not winning a lot next year, they will still come to see Kemba and Biyombo. And if we add the missing piece in the 2012 draft, then MJ has it all and our payroll will be far far less tha having a CP3 or Dwight. I think that at one time MJ considered the CP3 and Dwight option, but the way this draft unfolded I think will lead us in a different direction.

[JayTeeBeeTee]

I say new look, new formula Cats! Let's not try and follow a proven formula, let's evolve the league, show teams something they've never quite seen before and see how they handle it. Like the Mavs did in the playoffs with JJ, Kid, Jason Terry; we play DJ, Kemba, and Hendo. Then two purely athletic PFs Tyrus and Smack. Three smalls, two bigs- one big enough to play center defensively, if what they say about his D skills are correct. This is my dream team for the 2011 and 2012 MikeCats. Could be a bust, but it could just gel. I bet most of you probably think that I'm not the brightest bulb for writing this and "you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

[Silverback47]

I say new look, new formula Cats! Let's not try and follow a proven formula, let's evolve the league, show teams something they've never quite seen before and see how they handle it. Like the Mavs did in the playoffs with JJ, Kid, Jason Terry; we play DJ, Kemba, and Hendo. Then two purely athletic PFs Tyrus and Smack. Three smalls, two bigs- one big enough to play center defensively, if what they say about his D skills are correct. This is my dream team for the 2011 and 2012 MikeCats. Could be a bust, but it could just gel. I bet most of you probably think that I'm not the brightest bulb for writing this and "you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
I actually really like that unit, it's one of the first things I thought of after the draft. There's not enough offense on the floor, but we aren't going to put out a lineup that can score at will, either. Trying to capitalize off of turnovers and running like hell might be the best way for this team to score, and that lineup ought to be able to do it.

[TheBeagle]

Obviously there are no certainties, and it would seem unlikely the Chris/Dwight tandem signing will happen, but the fact that MJ and the FO have positioned themselves to even be able to entertain the idea shows things are moving in the right direction with this franchise.

[ohara831]

Obviously there are no certainties, and it would seem unlikely the Chris/Dwight tandem signing will happen, but the fact that MJ and the FO have positioned themselves to even be able to entertain the idea shows things are moving in the right direction with this franchise.

Beagle, "hope just rode back into town. Pleasantly surprised."

[spectre]

Beagle, "hope just rode back into town. Pleasantly surprised."

2nd the nomination!!!!

[TheBeagle]

Beagle, "hope just rode back into town. Pleasantly surprised." Ha! I like the sound of that. Don't won't to jinx it just yet, so I'll keep your quote from the '09 draft chat...but yeah, I like the sound of that.