Start Mullens

[Black]

SSIA.

Either move White to the bench, and Diaw to the 4, or have Diaw come off the bench.

Mullens adds size and he can score.

Would anyone like to attempt to make an argument as to why Mullens shouldn't start?

[ammofan]

YES. Start Byron. Move Diaw to the bench because he's pitifully terrible. Leave DJW at the 4 because he's playing good. Simple as that

[Black]

http://miscellany101.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/nail.jpg

[Plowright]

We cannot bench Diaw, we need to showcase him for a deadline trade. Mullins is still learning, right now he is in a good place. Lets not rush him along too quick and put the pressure of starting for us on him. He can play more minutes than Diaw like tonight, but there is no need to start him. Plus, he is the only way our 2nd unit can score right now when Kemba is not on it

[Scottley Crue]

We cannot bench Diaw, we need to showcase him for a deadline trade. Mullins is still learning, right now he is in a good place. Lets not rush him along too quick and put the pressure of starting for us on him. He can play more minutes than Diaw like tonight, but there is no need to start him. Plus, he is the only way our 2nd unit can score right now when Kemba is not on it

I agree, I think this is the best spot for Mullens right now. Perhaps later he can start, but he's the bench points right now until Kemba can figure things out. Mullens certainly deserves increased minutes and it appears he's getting them now. I do think the Diaw at center experiment needs to brought to a merciful end. I'd be inclined to start Biyombo at center while Boris works the 4 at the start if for no other reason than Biyombo is more than happy to attempt to play defense and rebound.

[CatNation1]

Slick shooter but he is too damn soft in the paint to be anything but a role player at the moment

[superb1]

We cannot bench Diaw, we need to showcase him for a deadline trade. Mullins is still learning, right now he is in a good place. Lets not rush him along too quick and put the pressure of starting for us on him. He can play more minutes than Diaw like tonight, but there is no need to start him. Plus, he is the only way our 2nd unit can score right now when Kemba is not on it

I totally agree, as horrible as Diaw played tonight, we must not send a shock that we lost confidence in him. We need to continue to showcase him. He has had a few good games too. As much as I would love to jettison him away from here. Not yet.

[dnbman]

but he is too damn soft in the paint to be anything but a role player at the moment

But compared to who? It's not like we have another great interior presence. If you've just got to stick someone out there, at least give the other team mismatches on the other end.

I'm not sure he's a starter yet, but he's definitely more than a role player for the squad we have.


I totally agree, as horrible as Diaw played tonight, we must not send a shock that we lost confidence in him. We need to continue to showcase him. He has had a few good games too. As much as I would love to jettison him away from here. Not yet.

Absolutely. He might have been our best player for the first few games.

[GoBobs]

My argument is his defense is terrible and his rebounding is also terrible. His scoring is all on jump shots and we cannot win with poor defense, rebounding and jump shooting from 17 feet. He dosen't have many assists because like DJ White he is a bit of a ball stopper and a black hole. The defense is the worst though. Two times tonight he just stood there and let guys go right by him to the basket. You never see diaw just stand there on defense and not put forth any effort. He needs to make major improvements in his defense, rebounding and activity level before he is ready to really help a team. I would rather see more of Bismack. The more I see him play the more I am liking what he brings to the table.

We need to go to Diaw in the post. He is our best post scorer and capable of passing out of the double team. I have no idea why we don't iso him in the post over and over.

And if anybody needs to be benched it's our supposed franchise player lol. I bet he has missed twice as many shots as anyone else on the team

[Marvel]

No way. We got scoring, hello. We need defense. Anyway there's no way we can have Maggs and Mullens who never pass the ball. Mullens is perfect for his catchSHOOTIT style off the bench.

[DY_nasty]

Showcasing is the dumbest idea to ever leave realgm. OKC did a great job of showcasing Mullens - and we bit on that just fine... (by the way, its a little quick to judge a guy's gunning habits when all he knows from a new team and no training camp is to shoot it. Not like there was a preseason and training camp for him to learn who to pass to while in the high post.)

Teams know what Diaw can do, and he's obviously more consistent as an expiring contract than he is as a player.

[Plowright]

http://bobcatsplanet.com/wp/the-bearded-one covers a lot of the same points on why i think Mullens should be on the bench

[adam187]

We need to go to Diaw in the post. He is our best post scorer and capable of passing out of the double team. I have no idea why we don't iso him in the post over and over.


I feel exactly the same way, especially when Hendo isn't hitting the jumper on his curls and no one can set a decent screen anymore now that Kwame is gone.

[adam187]

http://bobcatsplanet.com/wp/the-bearded-one covers a lot of the same points on why i think Mullens should be on the bench

Yupp yupp, agree. Mullens or DJ White, neither one is probably ever going to be a starter for a contending team, just too many flaws, specifically on the defensive side. Both are pretty good coming off the bench, although they are kinda similar.

Plus Mullens gets his shit rejected at least once a game which really swings the momentum and the crowd.

[Chef]

Yupp yupp, agree. Mullens or DJ White, neither one is probably ever going to be a starter for a contending team, just too many flaws, specifically on the defensive side. Both are pretty good coming off the bench, although they are kinda similar.

Plus Mullens gets his shit rejected at least once a game which really swings the momentum and the crowd.

he is 22 years old, has never been given serious minutes because he was stuck on a very deep team and is the best offensive big man we have by a mile. he is no weaker on defense than dj, kemba or diaw (when playing center). he is an offensive minded big who has shown the ability to score in the post as well as stretch the floor to 16 feet on a consistent basis. he is the only player we have who is not afraid to shoot the ball or even slightly hesitant on offense.

what seven footer doesn't get a shot blocked. it happens. last night he got blocked on a follow by thompson and then raced down the floor to block thompson above the rim on a 2 hand dunk. gerald wallace was one of the most frequently blocked offensive players in the league every year, it is no big deal as long as you continue to score. if i ever heard of a coach not playing a player because of crowd momentum, i would think the next thing i would hear would be and he was fired. we friggin sucked the past 3 games. that is what kills momentum.

this kid is basically a rookie and is the best offensive game from a big that we have ever had here. i would rather see him start at center than diaw or diop. if not start, he should be getting the most minutes. what else do we have to lose? it seems so many people are talking on these threads about what we need to do to win lineup wise, rotation wise etc .....watch the games people, we are losing because we don't have the talent! we are rebuilding, we are going to suck and lose games whether we "tank" or not. right now we don't have one single person that we can pencil in as a starter next year. not one. if we can draft a center or pf we do it, if we can draft lamb at sg we do it so why not play mullens.

it is does not follow that if we play mullens too much at center at the expense of diaw, his value goes down. teams know who diaw is and what he does. there isn't a gm in the league who would look at diaw's first two games and say "man we gotta go get the young fella, he is impressive" nor his last two games and go "that guy sucks and can't play in the league". same with dj, this whole "showcasing" preserving value thing is so overrated amongst fans as compared to what a competent gm values players on. your realtor doesn't look at huge crack in the foundation of a house but advise you to buy it because the drapes match the paint very well nor do they steer you away from a great underpriced house because there is a scuff on the hardwoods and the paint is dingy. they do their job and understand their industry and product well enough to evaluate talent or merchandise based on what it is not what it appears at that instance.

play the best people and for pete's sake let's get the youngins some burn.

[adam187]

he is 22 years old, has never been given serious minutes because he was stuck on a very deep team and is the best offensive big man we have by a mile. he is no weaker on defense than dj, kemba or diaw (when playing center). he is an offensive minded big who has shown the ability to score in the post as well as stretch the floor to 16 feet on a consistent basis. he is the only player we have who is not afraid to shoot the ball or even slightly hesitant on offense.

what seven footer doesn't get a shot blocked. it happens. last night he got blocked on a follow by thompson and then raced down the floor to block thompson above the rim on a 2 hand dunk. gerald wallace was one of the most frequently blocked offensive players in the league every year, it is no big deal as long as you continue to score. if i ever heard of a coach not playing a player because of crowd momentum, i would think the next thing i would hear would be and he was fired. we friggin sucked the past 3 games. that is what kills momentum.

this kid is basically a rookie and is the best offensive game from a big that we have ever had here. i would rather see him start at center than diaw or diop. if not start, he should be getting the most minutes. what else do we have to lose? it seems so many people are talking on these threads about what we need to do to win lineup wise, rotation wise etc .....watch the games people, we are losing because we don't have the talent! we are rebuilding, we are going to suck and lose games whether we "tank" or not. right now we don't have one single person that we can pencil in as a starter next year. not one. if we can draft a center or pf we do it, if we can draft lamb at sg we do it so why not play mullens.

it is does not follow that if we play mullens too much at center at the expense of diaw, his value goes down. teams know who diaw is and what he does. there isn't a gm in the league who would look at diaw's first two games and say "man we gotta go get the young fella, he is impressive" nor his last two games and go "that guy sucks and can't play in the league". same with dj, this whole "showcasing" preserving value thing is so overrated amongst fans as compared to what a competent gm values players on. your realtor doesn't look at huge crack in the foundation of a house but advise you to buy it because the drapes match the paint very well nor do they steer you away from a great underpriced house because there is a scuff on the hardwoods and the paint is dingy. they do their job and understand their industry and product well enough to evaluate talent or merchandise based on what it is not what it appears at that instance.

play the best people and for pete's sake let's get the youngins some burn.

i realize your post was probably in response to many people's posts on here, but i never said anything about not playing Mullens the most minutes or even starting, especially here. i just don't see him as ever being a main contributor on a contending team. you could probably say that about everyone on the roster outside of augustin and maaaaaaybe diaw. and of course i could easily be wrong about mullens. he has been impressive on the offense for sure (minus the last game against miami when he couldn't get his shot to drop). i also like his hustle, at least once a game it seems like he's flying for an offensive rebound, and of course that block on thompson showed that he could give it right back and that he wasn't affected mentally by getting blocked himself. i like seeing him in the game, especially with biyombo because they have styles that at least on paper should work very well together.

as for momentum, i was referring to player momentum (you can see i said crowd and momentum as different things). i think most people would agree certain factors affect the way a player plays through any given game and even over the course of several games. if you're shot isn't falling, if you feel you're getting fouled or not getting any respect from the refs, rejecting the shit out of some dude at the rim, those things will change your approach to the game, in positive or negative ways, and also your teammates and the opposing team. like you mentioned, mullens getting back and blocking tristan showed that he responded in a positive way.

i'm fine with starting mullens, especially for this year, but hopefully paired with a player who excels at rebounding and defense (which dj white, our current starter, does not). i was mostly just voicing my concern that he was too one dimensional, and while he's an exceptional shooter, there will be nights when his shot will be off (like miami) and in those games, mullens seems mostly useless.

[DY_nasty]

he is 22 years old, has never been given serious minutes because he was stuck on a very deep team and is the best offensive big man we have by a mile. he is no weaker on defense than dj, kemba or diaw (when playing center). he is an offensive minded big who has shown the ability to score in the post as well as stretch the floor to 16 feet on a consistent basis. he is the only player we have who is not afraid to shoot the ball or even slightly hesitant on offense.

what seven footer doesn't get a shot blocked. it happens. last night he got blocked on a follow by thompson and then raced down the floor to block thompson above the rim on a 2 hand dunk. gerald wallace was one of the most frequently blocked offensive players in the league every year, it is no big deal as long as you continue to score. if i ever heard of a coach not playing a player because of crowd momentum, i would think the next thing i would hear would be and he was fired. we friggin sucked the past 3 games. that is what kills momentum.

this kid is basically a rookie and is the best offensive game from a big that we have ever had here. i would rather see him start at center than diaw or diop. if not start, he should be getting the most minutes. what else do we have to lose? it seems so many people are talking on these threads about what we need to do to win lineup wise, rotation wise etc .....watch the games people, we are losing because we don't have the talent! we are rebuilding, we are going to suck and lose games whether we "tank" or not. right now we don't have one single person that we can pencil in as a starter next year. not one. if we can draft a center or pf we do it, if we can draft lamb at sg we do it so why not play mullens.

it is does not follow that if we play mullens too much at center at the expense of diaw, his value goes down. teams know who diaw is and what he does. there isn't a gm in the league who would look at diaw's first two games and say "man we gotta go get the young fella, he is impressive" nor his last two games and go "that guy sucks and can't play in the league". same with dj, this whole "showcasing" preserving value thing is so overrated amongst fans as compared to what a competent gm values players on. your realtor doesn't look at huge crack in the foundation of a house but advise you to buy it because the drapes match the paint very well nor do they steer you away from a great underpriced house because there is a scuff on the hardwoods and the paint is dingy. they do their job and understand their industry and product well enough to evaluate talent or merchandise based on what it is not what it appears at that instance.

play the best people and for pete's sake let's get the youngins some burn.
Excellent post. Agree completely.

Most people didnt even know Mullens could do when he first showed up. I know I didn't.

[Hormel]

I want him to start as soon as we trade Diaw;)

[Mustachio]

he is 22 years old, has never been given serious minutes because he was stuck on a very deep team and is the best offensive big man we have by a mile. he is no weaker on defense than dj, kemba or diaw (when playing center). he is an offensive minded big who has shown the ability to score in the post as well as stretch the floor to 16 feet on a consistent basis. he is the only player we have who is not afraid to shoot the ball or even slightly hesitant on offense.

what seven footer doesn't get a shot blocked. it happens. last night he got blocked on a follow by thompson and then raced down the floor to block thompson above the rim on a 2 hand dunk. gerald wallace was one of the most frequently blocked offensive players in the league every year, it is no big deal as long as you continue to score. if i ever heard of a coach not playing a player because of crowd momentum, i would think the next thing i would hear would be and he was fired. we friggin sucked the past 3 games. that is what kills momentum.

this kid is basically a rookie and is the best offensive game from a big that we have ever had here. i would rather see him start at center than diaw or diop. if not start, he should be getting the most minutes. what else do we have to lose? it seems so many people are talking on these threads about what we need to do to win lineup wise, rotation wise etc .....watch the games people, we are losing because we don't have the talent! we are rebuilding, we are going to suck and lose games whether we "tank" or not. right now we don't have one single person that we can pencil in as a starter next year. not one. if we can draft a center or pf we do it, if we can draft lamb at sg we do it so why not play mullens.

it is does not follow that if we play mullens too much at center at the expense of diaw, his value goes down. teams know who diaw is and what he does. there isn't a gm in the league who would look at diaw's first two games and say "man we gotta go get the young fella, he is impressive" nor his last two games and go "that guy sucks and can't play in the league". same with dj, this whole "showcasing" preserving value thing is so overrated amongst fans as compared to what a competent gm values players on. your realtor doesn't look at huge crack in the foundation of a house but advise you to buy it because the drapes match the paint very well nor do they steer you away from a great underpriced house because there is a scuff on the hardwoods and the paint is dingy. they do their job and understand their industry and product well enough to evaluate talent or merchandise based on what it is not what it appears at that instance.

play the best people and for pete's sake let's get the youngins some burn.


Agreed. I don't necessarily think Mullens should start but he should absolutely be getting a ton of minutes.

Then again I am under the impression that we should play nothing but the young fellas. DJ / Kemba / Hendo / Tyrus / White / Biyombo / Mullens. Thats who we need to concentrate and develop and react to. Matt Carroll should never get another minute in my opinion. Nice guy, whatever... he isn't good enough to win games and he's not a piece you build around... We need to shit or get off the pot, tired of purgatory, all the other mediocre analogies I can make. If we are gonna suck, lets suck with youth and build and get this shit going in the right direction for once.

[Ghost Kat]

Charles Oakley would have our turned our bigs into low post guerilla warriors. I miss Charles Oakley on the bench. I just wanted to say that.
The spirit of Oak wont let me change my Sig. Please get well soon


Start Mullins

[Ghost Kat]

I want him to start as soon as we trade Diaw;)

This is what I meant to say

[TheBeagle]

http://bobcatsplanet.com/wp/the-bearded-one covers a lot of the same points on why i think Mullens should be on the bench Shamless plug alert!!! ;) However, it being a good read excuses it.



And CK, I totally agree, my man. Going through Oak withdrawal as well. What he could do with Biz....

[cltblkhscoach]

Good debate here....right now I don't think starting Mullens with our current lineup is the best thing - namely because we don't have a defensive 4 to pair with him. Now him and Biyombo on the second unit works well - the problem is when opposing teams space the floor and lift Biyombo to where he can't help from the weakside, Mullens isn't going to help us defensively at all. But hey, who's to say this guy can't be a pick and pop starting center for us in the future? He already pairs well with Biyombo, and he is only 22 and basically a rookie like most have said already.

[Boomer]

Mullens is skilled offensively but he is one of the worst big defenders I've ever seen, absolutely terrible.

[Mustachio]

Mullens is skilled offensively but he is one of the worst big defenders I've ever seen, absolutely terrible.

bit hyperbolic I think. His offensive production in minutes per, far outweighs any defensive deficiencies he might have. Like I said, he maybe shouldn't start, but he should definitely see increased minutes and maybe even 6th man status.

he was matched up last night against an All star in Amare, and got beaten several times ... who wouldn't. He also scored more than he gave up. I'll take that.

[Plowright]

Shamless plug alert!!! ;) However, it being a good read excuses it.

I know i felt ashamed of myself...There really is no excuse, first time i have done it. Please forgive me

[teej]

Byron is playing decent minutes for the sixth game in three years since leaving Ohio State, and he becomes the worst defensive bigman ever? Good Lord.

Look, we don't know whether or not he's going to be decent on defense. We don't know if DJ White is going to be, either. But there's no harm in trying, and losing games right now is far more beneficial than winning. Bad defense? Fine by me, just score some points.

Also, benching Diaw would harm DJ, and that hurts DJ's trade value, plus the starting offense would have little to no flow. Now, if this is the lineup in March, then I'll be upset. But let's go ahead and let Byron develop off the bench, he's already been spending time before the games working with Coach Werdann, so let's be patient.

[ND22]

Byron is playing decent minutes for the sixth game in three years since leaving Ohio State, and he becomes the worst defensive bigman ever? Good Lord.

Look, we don't know whether or not he's going to be decent on defense. We don't know if DJ White is going to be, either. But there's no harm in trying, and losing games right now is far more beneficial than winning. Bad defense? Fine by me, just score some points.

Also, benching Diaw would harm DJ, and that hurts DJ's trade value, plus the starting offense would have little to no flow. Now, if this is the lineup in March, then I'll be upset. But let's go ahead and let Byron develop off the bench, he's already been spending time before the games working with Coach Werdann, so let's be patient.

+1.

Mullens had only scored 40 points in two years before this season. Let the guy thrive in his current role and later on insert him into the starting lineup if he's made the right amount of progress.

[ammofan]

Screw all this technically speaking crap..."Oh he's only scored 40 points in 2 years......let him thrive in the role off the bench....blahhhhh". FORGET THAT.
Right now, he and DJ White are our best, most consistent big men. Diaw is frustrating as hell and HE should be coming off the bench in a role similar to what Lamar Odom was in with LA.

If it's part of our plan to be bad this year but still hustle and put up a good fight....Kemba and Byron should both be starting. Both seem to be very talented, but need in game experience. They still have lots to learn but this season they have to basically learn along the way during games whether they start or not. There isn't much practice time this year.

And where the heck did you guys come up with Byron being the worst defensive center? Seriously it's being argued in this thread how he hasn't played at all and whatever...let him learn as he goes. HE HAS NOT PLAYED! He will learn the rotations, how to defend different bigs, etc as he plays. The key word is PLAY.

Something else I want to add: The starting lineup we have going now(with or without Corey) doesn't seem to have any chemistry. To me everyone seems timid and it just feels like something is missing when they're in the game. Just wanted to throw that out there...

[CatNation1]

I wish Oakley could come back to work man. Biyombo Mullens and White with Oakleys coaching could be beasts. I've kinda given up on Tyrus ever being a beast. I'm actually kinda worried about him, he looked deathly skinny out there, like he's lost 15-20 pounds from last year. Maybe I'm just forgetting and hes always looked like that :S

[ND22]

Screw all this technically speaking crap..."Oh he's only scored 40 points in 2 years......let him thrive in the role off the bench....blahhhhh". FORGET THAT.
Right now, he and DJ White are our best, most consistent big men. Diaw is frustrating as hell and HE should be coming off the bench in a role similar to what Lamar Odom was in with LA.

If it's part of our plan to be bad this year but still hustle and put up a good fight....Kemba and Byron should both be starting. Both seem to be very talented, but need in game experience. They still have lots to learn but this season they have to basically learn along the way during games whether they start or not. There isn't much practice time this year.

And where the heck did you guys come up with Byron being the worst defensive center? Seriously it's being argued in this thread how he hasn't played at all and whatever...let him learn as he goes. HE HAS NOT PLAYED! He will learn the rotations, how to defend different bigs, etc as he plays. The key word is PLAY.

Something else I want to add: The starting lineup we have going now(with or without Corey) doesn't seem to have any chemistry. To me everyone seems timid and it just feels like something is missing when they're in the game. Just wanted to throw that out there...

Why are you acting like coming off the bench is a negative? Derrick Brown started tonight, but he played 17 minutes to Mullens 24, and Mullens was in at the end of the game. The veterans are going to start because they are the better more experienced players, and aside from Diaw's horrendous outing against the Heat he has played well this year. "Let them play." Mullens is playing. Kemba is playing. 20+ minutes a game. Their development isn't being hindered because they aren't starting. Both are progressing nicely, and in Mullens case, progressing better than expected.

[CatNation1]

Bonnell seems to think Byron could be starting as soon as tomorrow...

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/06/2904809/bobcats-rally-but-fall-in-ot.html

could be interesting but we need a better rebounder. I would say Biyombo but man he has really disappointed me on the glass. The blocks are great but I was hoping he'd be a great rebounder off the bat.

[rsxnova]

Byron already had a great following at the arena.

[Boomer]

bit hyperbolic I think. His offensive production in minutes per, far outweighs any defensive deficiencies he might have. Like I said, he maybe shouldn't start, but he should definitely see increased minutes and maybe even 6th man status.

he was matched up last night against an All star in Amare, and got beaten several times ... who wouldn't. He also scored more than he gave up. I'll take that.

Those kind of stats can't replace seeing what Mullens actually does on the defensive side of the ball which is play matador defense. With that being said, I never said he should not be playing since Thomas/Biyombo are limited offensively and Diaw being one of our few lowpost scorers as an undersized center.

[SWedd523]

Byron already had a great following at the arena.

Charlotte fans love a white dude with a bad mustache.


http://www.wolfgnards.com/media/blogs/photos/celebrities/mustache-adam-morrison.jpg

[ammofan]

Why are you acting like coming off the bench is a negative? Derrick Brown started tonight, but he played 17 minutes to Mullens 24, and Mullens was in at the end of the game. The veterans are going to start because they are the better more experienced players, and aside from Diaw's horrendous outing against the Heat he has played well this year. "Let them play." Mullens is playing. Kemba is playing. 20+ minutes a game. Their development isn't being hindered because they aren't starting. Both are progressing nicely, and in Mullens case, progressing better than expected.

I'm saying he should start because I don't like our starting lineup. I said I don't feel like our lineup works well together at all. And it isn't a negative to come off the bench, but when you don't have many options at all to play the positions Mullens plays, why have Mullens on the bench? He's more consistent than Diaw...

[ammofan]

Charlotte fans love a white dude with a bad mustache.


http://www.wolfgnards.com/media/blogs/photos/celebrities/mustache-adam-morrison.jpg

That's because Adam is the greatest.

[Toocool]

Just to throw this out there.
Assuming Mullens started...

DJ
Hendo
UPS
Smack
Mullens

Not suggesting it or anything, but Smack helps so much on defense, could help overcome Mullen's shortcomings in both defense and rebounding.

[bozzy]

Those kind of stats can't replace seeing what Mullens actually does on the defensive side of the ball which is play matador defense.

DJ and Hendo were the ones letting their man get to the basket the entire first half. It was just embarrassing.

[CatNation1]

Just to throw this out there.
Assuming Mullens started...

DJ
Hendo
UPS
Smack
Mullens

Not suggesting it or anything, but Smack helps so much on defense, could help overcome Mullen's shortcomings in both defense and rebounding.

I just think that line would get destroyed on the boards in long stretchs. Bismack is not a good rebounder right now imo which is a surprise. Mullens is terrible, UPS can't hold on to a ball to save his life. If we had Crash it could be awesome :(

[Marvel]

Just to throw this out there.
Assuming Mullens started...

DJ
Hendo
UPS
Smack
Mullens

Not suggesting it or anything, but Smack helps so much on defense, could help overcome Mullen's shortcomings in both defense and rebounding.

I said this in another thread. A starting....yes starting frontcourt of Smack and Mullens wouldn't hurt right now would it. We're not trying to make thre playoffs over here.

[cltblkhscoach]

Made another post in another thread, but I'd go with a 3 guard lineup like this:

Kemba
DJ
Hendo
White/Bismack
Mullens/Diaw

Play zone the majority of the time this group is on the floor and run like hell on offense and use a ton of motion sets....of course this wouldn't be for the whole game but definitely as a primary option...

[Bobcatter]

Not surprisingly, OKC fans have been criticizing the Mullens trade: http://www.okcthunderfans.com/vforum/showthread.php?7732-Byron-Mullens-vrs-Knicks-on-League-Pass

[dnbman]

Double double tonight, though shooting looked mediocre. That's the stats. How did he look tonight?

[DY_nasty]

Double double tonight, though shooting looked mediocre. That's the stats. How did he look tonight?
came out extremely hot

when the rest of the team's momentum died down, his shot was just as unreliable. Hibbert gave him more than he knew what to do with in the post. His defense won't be spectacular, but its never so bad that he should be forced to sit because of it. He tries, but he gets pushed around really easy. He's really good on the offensive glass though.

[bozzy]

Luckily their aren't that many great big men in the East so I don't think Mullens lack of defense hurts the team that much.

[DY_nasty]

Luckily their aren't that many great big men in the East so I don't think Mullens lack of defense hurts the team that much.
Yep.

And the thing is, he doesn't even need to get any better than he is now and I'd be completely happy with the trade. Just keep pulling opposing bigs out of the paint and I'm good.

[ammofan]

Byron told me that he has a chance to start tomorrow and he'll find out at shoot around(the normal time when players find out whether they are starting or not)...Silas could use him to spread the floor and bring Tyson out of the paint

[Black]

He's starting tonight.

EDIT: According to these guys: http://blog.fanskills.com/byron-mullens-to-start-at-center-for-charlotte-bobcats/

[Plowright]

http://www.bobcatsplanet.com/vb/showthread.php?13056-Bobcats-acquiring-B.J.-Mullens-from-Oklahoma-City-Thunder&highlight=bobcats+aquire+mullens

Just funny to see some of the horrible points of view on Mullens. Swedd you are guilty of saying not to expect much!

[QC Thundercats]

I know Mullens is starting now, but I wanted to change it up and say let's go ahead and feature Mullens on offense. I think we've seen enough to know he's the best offensive option by far on the team. He has the best shooting touch of any 7 footer outside of Dirk (and I guess Bargnani) that I've seen, to the point that I'm surprised when his jumper doesn't go in. But its not just wide open jumpers either - he has a nice turn around off the block, and that dream shake, up and under move he pulled on Jordan Hill shows he knows how to read post defenders and the right moves to attack them.

There's no reason he shouldn't at least touch the ball every time down the floor to help set up the offense. This stand around and dribble offense we have going on is unwatchable. Utilizing him in a basic pick and roll every time with DJ could be an unstoppable combo, where he can use his athleticism to dive to the basket for an alley oop, or step out for the pick and pop if the defense sags in the paint. Or if you want to give it to him on the low block, I think he'll start to attract double teams once the league starts to figure out he can score, and he'll be able to kick it out to find the open man. Thats the one good thing most players on the team have, the ability to hit a wide open jumper. They just have problems creating outside of DJ and Kemba.

Now, Mullens' defensive problems are a separate discussion, but he seems to have such a natural understanding and awareness on offense, that I think we can entrust him with more responsibility on this team. Otherwise, watching this team will be like how it was watching Jimmy Clausen attempt to play quarterback last year.

[spectre]

I expect Mully's numbers to drop, esp. since he's currently (with Silas ya never know!) in the starting lineup. As our only consistent scorer guys are going to start crowding him out on the midrange and his shot isn't nearly as sick when it's contested. That's ok tho; he shouldn't be the ONLY offensive weapon we have on the court; it's up to the others to take advantage of the opponent's C worrying about Mully.

His D isn't as bad as it seems. I mean, he does get pushed/backed down a lot...but his effort is certainly there. If our bigs had any idea how to play with one another then I'm sure it wouldn't look as bad as it has been. I also expect him to have a great offseason after being rejuvenated with us...probably bulking up a little and helping his presence in the paint.

[DY_nasty]

I expect Mully's numbers to drop, esp. since he's currently (with Silas ya never know!) in the starting lineup. As our only consistent scorer guys are going to start crowding him out on the midrange and his shot isn't nearly as sick when it's contested. That's ok tho; he shouldn't be the ONLY offensive weapon we have on the court; it's up to the others to take advantage of the opponent's C worrying about Mully.

His D isn't as bad as it seems. I mean, he does get pushed/backed down a lot...but his effort is certainly there. If our bigs had any idea how to play with one another then I'm sure it wouldn't look as bad as it has been. I also expect him to have a great offseason after being rejuvenated with us...probably bulking up a little and helping his presence in the paint.
I agree, its not like he isn't a good passer either. Yes, he does believe in taking his shot when he sees it - but thats a good thing on this team considering most would rather run away from the ball until there's 5 left on the shot clock. He's done a great job hitting cutters when they do cut (which is never) but what people also need to realize is that this is essentially his rookie year and that he also hasn't had the time to build any chemistry with these guys. Seeing him hook up with DJ on the break is nice too.

Although... its a shame that Bullens is the only guy that runs the break well with DJ outside of UPS.

[Marvel]

I like how DJ has responded to Mullens being in the starting lineup. DJ knows Mullens strengths and that pick n pop is probably one of our best offensive sets we've run yet, lol. DJ and Mullens should be our 1st and 2nd offensive options from the tip. Develop some chemistry, understanding of each other and let fate run it's course.