Alexis Ajinca Working Out for the Bobcats?

[Black]

The coach of the Blues told us that another player should be integrated workforce. Track the most plausible Alexis Ajinca. The latter made a workout in San Antonio Monday and is now in Charlotte.

http://basketactu.com/alexis-ajinca-en-workout-nba-bientot-avec-les-bleus/

I assume that means he's working out for the Spurs and us, otherwise I don't think he would be in Charlotte.

Thoughts?

[Let's Go Cats 218]

514
This about says it all...

[Black]

Considering how cheap he would be, I would give him a good look. He's tall, long, and we aren't exactly set at center. He's been playing pretty well in France.

[Let's Go Cats 218]

I just can't get behind that at all. He'll never see the court. Especially if we pick up Thomas Robinson or Drummond. Bismack, Our 1st Round Pick, Mullens, Tyrus, etc will all be in front of him. But then again, I didn't think Hollins would be worth a crap after his last stint with the 'Cats and he got some good minutes during the playoffs.

[Ghost Kat]

Tyrus is probably as good as gone. Bring back Lexy, Who cares. He's cheap and 7'0 and yellow and french, big ass super sized McDonalds fry. Especially if they want Shaw & the triangle. I kinda liked Lex, I just wanted to play tougher. Should have learned my lesson from Diaw

[Plowright]

PLEASE NO! I am sick of having low motivated characters around her like him. He is still as thin as a bean pole and has no motor whats so ever. Get that lazy ass hole out of Charlotte, I will fly over to the USA and drive him to the airport

[spectre]

If the Spurs are looking at him then we need to be looking at him.

[Black]

If the Spurs are looking at him then we need to be looking at him.

Another great point. He's had time to add weight and work on his game. Definitely worth a look.

[WAM9]

If the Spurs are looking at him then we need to be looking at him.

This ^^^

I understand the Tony Parker connection but like Spectre said, I think looking at the same players as the Spurs is a great thing.

[ZackTB23]

Well he's better and more cheap costing than Diop, so in the words of Herm Edwards, WHY NOT?!

[Plowright]

I think some of you don't remember just how bad of an attitude Ajinca had and how lazy he was with playing NO defense. They are only working him out to make TP happy, hes not even in the french national team set up... sure you look at him on paper, athletic, 7ft, can shoot... but that doesnt tell the entire story. I am sorry but I will never be on board with this. He averaged 14 points and 5 rebounds for his french team this year, he didnt even start... he only played 24 mins a game and averaged close to 4 fouls in that time, he cant even stay out of foul trouble in the french league.

[Whiz Kid]

Don't get me wrong, I'm no kind of expert on the guy, however, I do say he's worth a look. I mean c'mon guys. It is an absolute must to explore options at this point. If our front office can sign 31 year old (at the time) Jamario Moon with only 8 games left in the season then we can afford to give this guy a chance. We are historically the worst team ever so really even if it doesn't help, it really doesn't hurt either. Only possible downfall that should be taken into consideration is cost, which he wouldn't be expensive so that eliminates that.

[Chef]

it is things like these that make us the butt of jokes around the league. first we trade up to get him then we find out we took him about ten thousand spots too high. then we trade him to the mavs as an expiring deal in part of a trade where we take back matt carroll and eddie najera to get the DUST chip for an anchor center on a championship team and last year's DPOY. then we invite him back for workouts? gotta love being a bobcats fan.

[SWedd523]

For the record, we didn't trade up to get him specifically.

[WAM9]

For the Reddit, we didn't trade up to get him specifically.

We were actually targeting Hibbert if I remember correctly...

[SWedd523]

Yes.

LB liked DJ, so they traded back into the first hoping to pick up a big.... Hibbert and Ryan Anderson (I believe) were at the top of the list and both were of the board so they went with Lexy

[Black]

We were actually targeting Hibbert if I remember correctly...

Still could have had Ryan Anderson, Ibaka, Batum, DeAndre Jordan, or Dragic.

I know, I know...hindsight.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Yes.

LB liked DJ, so they traded back into the first hoping to pick up a big.... Hibbert and Ryan Anderson (I believe) were at the top of the list and both were of the board so they went with Lexy

Actually, Ryan Anderson was available. We passed on him for Lexy. Another episode of Bobcats ineptitude.

I remember this, because we desperately needed anything remotely resembling a "stretch 4" at the time, and there Anderson was staring us in the face. And instead we drafted the project without a history of statistical production.

The 2008 draft night still wakes me up in the middle of the night.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

I just don't think LB was at a point in his life where he was into drafting white shooters...

[Black]

Actually, Ryan Anderson was available. We passed on him for Lexy. Another episode of Bobcats ineptitude.

I remember this, because we desperately needed anything remotely resembling a "stretch 4" at the time, and there Anderson was staring us in the face. And instead we drafted the project without a history of statistical production.

The 2008 draft night still wakes me up in the middle of the night.

At least we got Kyle Weaver. :-\

[Veteran_Picksetter]

At least we got Kyle Weaver. :-\

Thanks for the reminder. Now I am banging my head against a wall. I am not responsible for what I post after this....

[Steelmatic]

Still could have had Ryan Anderson, Ibaka, Batum, DeAndre Jordan, or Dragic.

I know, I know...hindsight.

I remember wanting DeAndre Jordan, once Hibbert and JJ Hickson were off the board. I was shocked he dropped into the 2nd round. But I definitely don't see what it would hurt to bring Ajinca in to take a look. He will be cheap plus Kwame Brown became serviceable so you never know.

[Black]

I remember wanting DeAndre Jordan, once Hibbert and JJ Hickson were off the board. I was shocked he dropped into the 2nd round. But I definitely don't see what it would hurt to bring Ajinca in to take a look. He will be cheap plus Kwame Brown became serviceable so you never know.

I definitely wanted Jordan when he was there. He was a projected lottery pick at one point.

[superb1]

I don't think it would hurt to bring him in. But personal I would not want him back due to him not turning out to be what he was promised to be, we could have had Jordan, Hickson etc. Too many bad memories. It is like that old girlfriend you know you should not deal with but.....

also because he was a product of the LB era.

[SWedd523]

Actually, Ryan Anderson was available. We passed on him for Lexy. Another episode of Bobcats ineptitude.

I remember this, because we desperately needed anything remotely resembling a "stretch 4" at the time, and there Anderson was staring us in the face. And instead we drafted the project without a history of statistical production.

The 2008 draft night still wakes me up in the middle of the night.

It was Hibbert and Hickson, my mistake.


And I hate to do this, but really? Are we calling passing what became the 21st pick ineptitude? At that point you just hope the player makes a roster, much less become a serviceable player. It's not ineptitude, it's luck on the part of Orlando.

[Chef]

We were actually targeting Hibbert if I remember correctly...

even worse. don't give up a future pick to move up for a player that you aren't sure is going to be there! let's all be thankful cho is running things now.

[westbrook08]

I don't know for a fact that alexis can't play.Look at it this way.Larry brown said when he was drafted that he was 2 or 3 years away from being ready.Yet brown proceeded to beat the kid into the ground destroy his confidence, and shipped him out the first chance he could.He did the same thing with ammo.I mean i'm not saying that ammo would have been a star,but i do feel that he rushed back too soon because of pressure from brown,who was never really supportive of his young players anyway,and promptly re-injured himself.If your draft players as high as ammo and lexi were taken and put all that pressure squarely on their shoulders,then you @ least have to take the time to develop their talent properly.I don't think alexis was ever treated with any level of patience here before,and i for one,would like to see if he's actually improved his game since then.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

It was Hibbert and Hickson, my mistake.


And I hate to do this, but really? Are we calling passing what became the 21st pick ineptitude? At that point you just hope the player makes a roster, much less become a serviceable player. It's not ineptitude, it's luck on the part of Orlando.

Yes, ineptitude. Anybody can watch college footage of Ryan Anderson and know that he knew how to play the game of basketball while Lexy had no clue. He could catch, dribble, shoot, react appropriately to plays, etc. The Pac-10 was loaded with talent that year, especially big men, and Anderson excelled.

And like I said, Anderson was a perfect roster fit at the time.

Lexy was wingspan and little else.

If they made the trade, they obviously thought that draft would have some nice options at 21. And it turned out that it did. We just didn't take advantage. What was it that we gave up for that pick?

Bobcats/LB/MJ/Higgins fail.........

[superb1]

I don't know for a fact that alexis can't play.Look at it this way.Larry brown said when he was drafted that he was 2 or 3 years away from being ready.Yet brown proceeded to beat the kid into the ground destroy his confidence, and shipped him out the first chance he could.He did the same thing with ammo.I mean i'm not saying that ammo would have been a star,but i do feel that he rushed back too soon because of pressure from brown,who was never really supportive of his young players anyway,and promptly re-injured himself.If your draft players as high as ammo and lexi were taken and put all that pressure squarely on their shoulders,then you @ least have to take the time to develop their talent properly.I don't think alexis was ever treated with any level of patience here before,and i for one,would like to see if he's actually improved his game since then.

And this people was the downside of having LB here, he screwed up the draft picks doing his era here. I agree that he had his hands in mind f*cking Ammo, don't know if he would been even good but LB should shoulder some blame. Then we allow LB to have say in the draft picks, I think some of us was shocked with the pick but gave him a chance and like LB gave up on him too soon but his attitude did not help. He rarely played Hendo and UPS, shipped Dudley out who is playing decent.

I think we should let him workout but should know there are no promises.


Yes, ineptitude. Anybody can watch college footage of Ryan Anderson and know that he knew how to play the game of basketball while Lexy had no clue. He could catch, dribble, shoot, react appropriately to plays, etc. The Pac-10 was loaded with talent that year, especially big men, and Anderson excelled.

And like I said, Anderson was a perfect roster fit at the time.

Lexy was wingspan and little else.

If they made the trade, they obviously thought that draft would have some nice options at 21. And it turned out that it did. We just didn't take advantage. What was it that we gave up for that pick?

Bobcats/LB/MJ/Higgins fail.........

LB fail but Higgins and MJ failed for giving him so much say.

[BlockParty]

If we let go of our own past (dumping a 1st round pick on him) and just look at him like a prospect (like the Spurs are) that can be signed for the vet minimum, he looks much more appealing.

Remember everyone second guessing bringing Kwame in because he was a horrible #1 pick, Kwame was one of our best 'values' for his season in Charlotte.

Cho is tasked with finding as much 'value' as possible with our current roster spots.

[BountyHunter]

If we let go of our own past (dumping a 1st round pick on him) and just look at him like a prospect (like the Spurs are) that can be signed for the vet minimum, he looks much more appealing.

Remember everyone second guessing bringing Kwame in because he was a horrible #1 pick, Kwame was one of our best 'values' for his season in Charlotte.

Cho is tasked with finding as much 'value' as possible with our current roster spots.

I agree. While I've had my fill of lazy, unmotivated Frenchmen, at least this one wouldn't be a burden on our salary cap. He's going to be cheap and he fills an area of need. God knows we need someone to help Biyambo defend the paint. If he's looking to to us as a stepping stone back into the league, I say give him a shot. You never know, he might just like it here and stick around.

[SWedd523]

Yes, ineptitude. Anybody can watch college footage of Ryan Anderson and know that he knew how to play the game of basketball while Lexy had no clue. He could catch, dribble, shoot, react appropriately to plays, etc. The Pac-10 was loaded with talent that year, especially big men, and Anderson excelled.

And like I said, Anderson was a perfect roster fit at the time.

Lexy was wingspan and little else.

If they made the trade, they obviously thought that draft would have some nice options at 21. And it turned out that it did. We just didn't take advantage. What was it that we gave up for that pick?

Bobcats/LB/MJ/Higgins fail.........

Was it also ineptitude on the part of the Heat, Timberwolves, Bucks, Bobcats (first pick), Nets (first pick), Pacers, Kings, Blazers, Warriors, Suns, 76ers, and Cavaliers since they passed on him for an arguably worse player? No. He went 21 for a reason.

Sounds like a classic case of "I knew he was going to be good. How could nobody else see it?!" Just like that one person who just KNEW Monta Ellis was going to be really good when he went 40th.



Also, the pick we traded became Luke Babbit. Oh noez!

[bes628]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO !!.


This will accomplish nothing except add to the people's opinion that we are a joke of a franchise.

[Chef]

Also, the pick we traded became Luke Babbit. Oh noez!

you know that isn't the point. we could just as easily apply the "could have been monte ellis" logic to the denver pick. continuously being on the wrong side of transactions during the first 6 years of the franchise is. again, thankfully it appears we have turned things around in the FO going forward. sure bring him in, but dude is terrible, beyond our help. spurs may be able to help him (probably not) but their situation is far far different than the state of the bobcats.

[BETCATS]

I think Ryan Anderson is more of a system player than anything else. Not saying he sucks, but Van Gundy's system helped him get him those stats as much as he earned them. Not sure how history would've been written if we had drafted him.

As for Lexy, I am only opposed to signing him because we already have Mullens who is basically a better version of him, and if we are a rational thinking team we'll either draft Thomas Robinson or trade for 2 picks and get a big with one of them. I wish him well but I don't think we need him.

[spectre]

It was "that close" to being Hibbert. The FO took a gamble and I'm fine with them doing that.

What Blockparty said. That draft is way gone and we need to forget about it. Giving him a look is just due diligence in trying to acquire cheap assets.

[Let's Go Cats 218]

No to Ajinca... no no no no no, a thousand times no. We need to take Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond and we'll finally have someone to compliment Biyombo down low.

I also want us to take Mike Scott from UVA @ 31. The kid is legit.

[WAM9]

No to Ajinca... no no no no no, a thousand times no. We need to take Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond and we'll finally have someone to compliment Biyombo down low.

What does Ajinca have to do with drafting Robinson (or Drummond)? They are completely unrelated.

I m certainly not on the Ajinca bandwagon or anything but I think, as a franchise, you have to evaluate ALL available talent (regardless of who drafted them or if they were undrafted).

Also, there is a lot of talk about what other people are going to say about us if we give him a look...would you rather be the team that drafted him in the 1st and then "rediscovered" him later or the team that drafted him in the 1st, got rid of him, and then he finds a roster spot on the Spurs.

Secondly, who cares what others say about you? We are the Bobcats and will be the butt of every NBA joke until we improve. During that process of improvement, I fully support the FO making any move they deem necessary (regardless of public opinion).

[Let's Go Cats 218]

What does Ajinca have to do with drafting Robinson (or Drummond)? They are completely unrelated.

I m certainly not on the Ajinca bandwagon or anything but I think, as a franchise, you have to evaluate ALL available talent (regardless of who drafted them or if they were undrafted).

Also, there is a lot of talk about what other people are going to say about us if we give him a look...would you rather be the team that drafted him in the 1st and then "rediscovered" him later or the team that drafted him in the 1st, got rid of him, and then he finds a roster spot on the Spurs.

Secondly, who cares what others say about you? We are the Bobcats and will be the butt of every NBA joke until we improve. During that process of improvement, I fully support the FO making any move they deem necessary (regardless of public opinion).

They are not unrelated. He will NEVER see the court if we draft a big man.. he is a pathetic basketball player and we don't need anymore of those.

[WAM9]

They are not unrelated. He will NEVER see the court if we draft a big man.. he is a pathetic basketball player and we don't need anymore of those.

He just turned 24 years old and he is 7'2''. How much have you actually seen him play in the past year?

Why won't he ever see the court? Did you think I meant to sign him for our starter instead EVALUATING him?

They are completely unrelated. One is a possible franchise cornerstone in Robinson and the other is a guy trying to get a roster spot. One has nothing to do with the other.

[dnbman]

Sidenote: the last time Jordan did this with a questionable pick, we brought in Kwame Brown. That worked out o.k.

[Plowright]

he averaged 4 fouls in 24 mins in the french league. Couldnt stay on the floor because of foul trouble and he still only averaged 5 rebounds. That is appalling for someone 7 ft 2 who apparently has NBA caliber talent

[Let's Go Cats 218]

Sidenote: the last time Jordan did this with a questionable pick, we brought in Kwame Brown. That worked out o.k.


DNBMan, are you one of the final 5 in hiding? :biggrin:

(Love your Avatar)

Long live Gaius Baltar.

[dnbman]

DNBMan, are you one of the final 5 in hiding?

What would Gaius say? ;)

[Scrapper1]

Kwame Brown was an old pick.. dang, MJ will never live that down. Physically, Kwame seemed like he had good upside at the time. Jordan didnt pick Morrison. Henderson, Walker and Biyombo werent bad picks.. one day, Charlotte.. people will be piling into your arena to see them play in the Finals. Rich Cho was a good decision, i believe.. i know it will happen

[Hormel]

Alexis always turned into a beast for me on NBA 2k, so for that reason alone I say bring him back

[Black]

he averaged 4 fouls in 24 mins in the french league. Couldnt stay on the floor because of foul trouble and he still only averaged 5 rebounds. That is appalling for someone 7 ft 2 who apparently has NBA caliber talent

Actually 3.5 fouls, and 5.5 rebounds. At least be consistent with your rounding of numbers. He also lead his team in scoring, shot 58% from the field, and blocked two shots a game.

Again, he's a cheap seven footer with some offensive ability. I trust Cho's judgment if he does indeed workout.

[superb1]

I believe we are just bring him in for a workout to evaluate talent, like we bring in potential draft picks, free agents, etc. We maybe starting to bring players to start evaluating our summer league team. What I am saying it does not hurt to bring him in for a workout

[Plowright]

Actually 3.5 fouls, and 5.5 rebounds. At least be consistent with your rounding of numbers. He also lead his team in scoring, shot 58% from the field, and blocked two shots a game.

Again, he's a cheap seven footer with some offensive ability. I trust Cho's judgment if he does indeed workout.

I was, thats what they said on the site I got them from.

Oh woopdy doo bazzle he scored 14 points a game and had 2 blocks playing in the FRENCH LEAGUE!!! An NBA calibre talent should be the focus point of the team and dominate, he did not start for a reason. If he can't stay out of foul trouble against smaller less athletic guys in France how do you expect him to do it here? Look you can all say you want him, but if we sign him I guarantee he just gets in foul trouble straight away. The tendency to foul doesn't show in workouts, Lexy is like the anti jordan. Weak,no motor, timid. There was a reason no team in the league picked him up last year. I mean to be 7 ft 2 and have a decent jump shot you have to be pretty terrible at everything else or you should make a team somewhere, teams are always wanting bigs. But Lexy couldnt even find a team last year! It just shows

[WAM9]

I was, thats what they said on the site I got them from.

Oh woopdy doo bazzle he scored 14 points a game and had 2 blocks playing in the FRENCH LEAGUE!!! An NBA calibre talent should be the focus point of the team and dominate, he did not start for a reason. If he can't stay out of foul trouble against smaller less athletic guys in France how do you expect him to do it here? Look you can all say you want him, but if we sign him I guarantee he just gets in foul trouble straight away. The tendency to foul doesn't show in workouts, Lexy is like the anti jordan. Weak,no motor, timid. There was a reason no team in the league picked him up last year. I mean to be 7 ft 2 and have a decent jump shot you have to be pretty terrible at everything else or you should make a team somewhere, teams are always wanting bigs. But Lexy couldnt even find a team last year! It just shows

Take a look at many of the 10th-15th men on the bench at the nba level (on any team). Are you saying that ALL of them would dominate the French League?

I don't think anyone is saying that he is a finished product at all, simply that it is ok to LOOK at him.

Best case scenerio for him is to 1st - earn a spot on an NBA team and 2nd - continue to learn and see if he can become a regular rotation guy.

That is all.

[DY_nasty]

he averaged 4 fouls in 24 mins in the french league. Couldnt stay on the floor because of foul trouble and he still only averaged 5 rebounds. That is appalling for someone 7 ft 2 who apparently has NBA caliber talent
I'd take him fouling out over Mullens' patented "spread yo legs" defense...

[LiquidWayno]

"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." — W., Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

[BrotherDave]

No to Ajinca... no no no no no, a thousand times no. We need to take Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond and we'll finally have someone to compliment Biyombo down low.

I also want us to take Mike Scott from UVA @ 31. The kid is legit.
Dude is almost 24, I don't think he's a kid anymore, lol.

[dnbman]

"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on S on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." — W., Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX5pHK1ey4k&sns=em

[WAM9]

Perfect !!!!!

[LiquidWayno]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX5pHK1ey4k&sns=em

haha, too many Michael Scott moments fit this franchise.

[WAM9]

haha, too many Michael Scott moments fit this franchise.

or at least fit this forum :)

[GoBobs]

Lexy can play without a doubt. He still has some things to work on, but I would be really happy if we brought him in. Hendo didn't have the best attitude under LB either. Every time the guy played extended minutes there were some things he did well. If you got played the last 2:30 of every game and only got to touch the ball once, you might have a piss poor attitude as well.

[superb1]

curious to see now how he would develop under Mike Dunlap

[Plowright]

http://www.nba.com/summer-league/2012/players/sl_alexis_ajinca/index.html

There are his averages from summer league for the Spurs... WOW hasn't he improved, yeah he could really contribute in the NBA right now!!! For all those times I said he is a waste of space and people said he is worth taking a risk on, here you go.

[superb1]

I guess he is really not worth the trouble

sent from the pseudo GM offices of the Charlotte Bobcats.

[GoBobs]

http://www.nba.com/summer-league/2012/players/sl_alexis_ajinca/index.html

There are his averages from summer league for the Spurs... WOW hasn't he improved, yeah he could really contribute in the NBA right now!!! For all those times I said he is a waste of space and people said he is worth taking a risk on, here you go.

So if you add up all the minutes from those games he played 40 minutes total. Over those 40 minutes he went 5-10 and 1-1 at the line. Two of the 5 shots that he missed where 3's. He also grabbed 11 boards, 4 of which were on offense. He made 4 turnovers, but also had 3 steals 2 blocks and 2 assists. 6 total fouls is not a huge deal for somebody who could be your backup center.

[Plowright]

They are still very average numbers for any player nvm in summer league. Also, in the NBA he would have fouled out in those 40 minutes. Also if he was worth a roster spot why didnt the spurs play him more to see how he did? The reason is from the first training they knew he was not good enough... You cannot still defend this guy