The Bobcats will make the playoffs as long as...

[ziggy]

what?

Whats the one thing that has to happen or not happen in order for the Bobcats to make the playoffs?

In my opinion, the Bobcats are an absolute l-o-c-k for the playoffs as long as Emeka Okafor doesn't go down with a serious injury. we all saw how bad the Cats were last year when Emeka was out for a 15 game stretch and we don't have anyone else thats even close to Emeka's interior defensive presence if he goes down with an injury.

Your thoughts?

[dnbman]

The Bobcats will make the playoffs as long as other franchises continue to under achieve.

Aside from Detroit, Chicago, and Cleveland, the Eastern Conference is comprised of a bunch of either inexperienced or underachieving teams; they're not necessarily lacking for talent. Atlanta, Boston, and New York all have plenty of talent, especially with the acquisitions of Allen and Randolph, respectively. The question is, can they turn that talent into cohesive teams that play hard every night? A team like Philadelphia had less talent, yet was much more competitive, especially after trading away Allen "We're Talkin' 'bout practice" Iverson. If it weren't for an immense first half, Orlando would also be with that group. However, the acquisition of Lewis vaults them to top of that group.

Miami and Washington should both rebound this year from disappointing campaigns last year, both hurt by injuries to their key stars. Arenas and Wade should return to be All-Star guards again, putting their teams in prime position for the playoffs. Toronto and New Jersey should both be very competitive. However, Toronto seems like the Sonics team of a couple of years ago that advanced far in the playoffs, only to be horrific the following year. Of course, Seattle didn't have a immense young big like Bosh to anchor the team. Meanwhile, New Jersey is like an 80s American sports car: pretty tough looking, but the wheels could fall off at any moment.

That leaves the Bucks and the Pacers. Both teams are huge question marks with Yi and O'Neal wanting out. These rosters could still change considerably before the start of the season. Who knows what an All-Star FC and a supposed blue chip prospect will get these organizations.

Oh, yeah, and the aforementioned 76ers. If the Bobcats don't make the playoffs, I hope it's because the 76ers beat everyone else out for it. After a superstar says he doesn't have enough talent around him to compete, that left over talent, plus an underrated Andre Miller, go on to become one of the hardest working teams in the East. In many ways, I think Phili and Charlotte represent the similar philosophies of play: quality team with hardworking players.

[twebb]

The Bobcats will make the playoffs if...

1) THey get off onto a good start (Chance for this happening: 50%)

2) J-Rich and G-Force bond well (Chance for this happening: 80%)

3) They get good bench play in the 4th quarter (Chance for this happening: 70%)

I think that #2 will probably happen and there is a good chance #1 happens. We seriously need 4th quarter help from the bench and with Carroll, a slimmer May, and a Morrison with better confidence, I see this happening as well.

To me the bobcats will definitely get into the p-offs from the east but if all three of these things happen then they will be contenders for their division and an absolute lock

[BobcatGSWJrich]

dont jinx the team man! cmon!

[dvdbumpus]

I think we really can't determine that until we have seen the offense in action. With the new offense things could change immensely, making different people more indispenseable or interchangable than others. For example, J-rich may be that player that if we don't have, we're toast. On the opposite end, we could have matt, Adam, or others step in and not lose a beat. Who knows for sure yet?

What does it all hinge on though, regardless? Raymond.

[timang]

* raymond felton fitting and executing coach vincent's new system WELL, not just so-so fine, as obviously the starting PG spot is his now.
* our players gel as a team as early as possible or as late as the middle of the season. i always get the idea that our players get their chemistry on the last part of the season, and that's why they're always promising. the sooner that they gel, the better.
* consistent bench production.
* no injury bugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no!

though honestly i don't have any idea how we will actually fare the next season, i'm sure as hell we'd be on the radar as the season progresses, whether on the top or in the running. oh yes, we'll be there. no more bottom-team jokes, i hope.

[123together]

to make the playoffs, we have to get off to a good start, i think we were 7-21 last yera and played about .500 after that. we can't start off bad. we can not have ANY significant injuries to starters (okafor, wallace, j-rich, felton). we have to continue to play as hard as we have for the first 3 years

[dnbman]

we have to continue to play as hard as we have for the first 3 years


That's huge. Richardson's going to give us more swagge, and fans are already talking about playoffs. But we can't forget what made us competitive: hard work and energy.

Now we add execution to that hard work and energy, and we should be solid.

[ammofan]

1. Okafor must stay healthy!
2. Morrison plays well.
3. Felton actually plays like a point guard

We also need another good big man.

[Dead_Real]

Staying healthy is by far the biggest key in us making it into the playoffs in the 08/09 season in my opinion. Looking back at previous years especially this past year, I honestly think we could have made the playoffs with a healthy Okafor and Sean May on the floor.

Another thing is winning games that we should in fact win a lot of times last year we played hard for the first three quarters but in the 4th we had a hard time putting away teams and we would end of losing. With Richardson we finally have a go to scorer that can drop 20 a night so I think he'll be a guy we can rely on late in games to take the big shot if need be.

So if these two things happen I think we are a lock for the playoffs.

[dvdbumpus]

to make the playoffs, we have to get off to a good start, i think we were 7-21 last yera and played about .500 after that.



Yup, those were the Brevin starting at the point. After that, we did well when Brevin was not available at all. When he came back, it went kerplooie.

[Beekizzle]

On paper we look great. I want to check out some pre-season games before I can really make a call on this topic.

I would say health is the #1 concern and if anything would keep us out of the playoffs.

[Mustachio]

im not a huge raymond supporter really and i dont think hes the best in the league by any means... BUT

i feel completely comfortable with Felton at point guard. his offense and finishing needs work.. but as far as full time just point guard duties of distrubiting and leading... i think hes as solid as we will need. basically we know he wont have trouble ever bringin the ball up, and he throws quality oops, and passes well... so im fine with him there.. not worried at all really.

i think bench play is the real key here to us makin the playoffs. those guys perform like we think they can, i think its a mortal lock to make the playoffs.

[rallydurham]

Obviously #1 is Okafor staying healthy.


#2 We need Jason Richardson to have a bounce back year. He's coming off a poor season that was (hopefully!) due to lingering injuries. He had a pretty strong playoffs so perhaps he's back on track.

#3 Hermann to play like he did the last 20 games of the season

#4 Felton to get his act together

#5 They've got to finish games

[x2pacalypse]

Obviously #1 is Okafor staying healthy.


#2 We need Jason Richardson to have a bounce back year. He's coming off a poor season that was (hopefully!) due to lingering injuries. He had a pretty strong playoffs so perhaps he's back on track.

#3 Hermann to play like he did the last 20 games of the season

#4 Felton to get his act together

#5 They've got to finish games


i dont see him doing anything wrong that would call for this...i know he shoots a little too much...but i dont think its that much of a problem to get his act together so to speak

[rallydurham]

Well he played poorly the first half of his rookie season and then he was terrific the 2nd half of the year.

Then he came back last year and stunk up the joint for the most part.

His field goal percentage dropped, his scoring, rebounding, and assist rates (per 48 minutes) dropped. His turnover rate was higher.

He had a crappy year. Hopefully all the shuttling between PG/SG was the cause for it. Brevin Knight is gone now, so no more excuses. He's got to play a lot better to justify being the #5 overall selection and if he wants a contract extension worth more than the midlevel exception he's going to have to do it this year.

[dav7z]

to make the playoffs, we have to get off to a good start, i think we were 7-21 last yera and played about .500 after that.



Yup, those were the Brevin starting at the point. After that, we did well when Brevin was not available at all. When he came back, it went kerplooie.



Our record all ways seemed to be better without B.K. Im not worried at all about Felton . Befor hes done he will be a all star. His work ethic and desire to win rerely comes in players . All his short comings will be his assits in a few year due to his work ethic and drive . The kid is a winner even it he don;t have the numbers on paper........

[dvdbumpus]

Hopefully Felton makes the turn this year, just like he did at UNC his 3rd year.

[dnbman]

I think he'll be better this season, but I think he's big jump (ala 3rd year at UNC) will be year 4. This year he'll get used to the system and get his fg% above 40. I think by next year he'll be able to get it closer to 45%. He needs to pay attention to how Tony Parker attacks the rim, as that should be one of his key methods of attack as well.

I think when it's all said and done, Felton will have a game somewhere in between Parker and Billups. He probably won't ever get Billups back to the basket game or finish quite like Parker. However, he'll be quicker than Billups and be able to shoot better from outside than Parker. I know that's aiming high, but if he just gets more consistent at doing what he does well, that should be a reasonable expectation.

[Dead_Real]

I think Felton will be fine he had a strech last year when BK was injured that he played pretty damn good I'll still feel a lot better when the back up PG situation is all cleared up though.

[dvdbumpus]

We just have to remember Kirk Hinrich had low percentages his first couple of years, as well as Jason Kidd. I still think that he's the key. He has more weapons with more experience, so that should help greatly. Felton has always been a trial by fire kinda guy and hopefully it lights a fire!


Go cats!

[Mustachio]

also not that im worried about it terribly...

but how vincents style and coaching prowess will affect the team this year.

its not like we can say anything at all really... cause hardly anyone has seen him coach, and hardly anyone knows what he wants to do with this team.

so im a little concerned about that just because we have no way of knowing until the season starts.

[ziggy]

Good point Mustachio, I just hope that his rotations and game management make slightly more sense than Bernie's.

[Grandmama]

Does Charlotte have a Mystery Spot like Springfield? Cause if we push Primoz in we will probably make the playoffs.

[jpf_v2.0]

I'm not as worried as some seem to be about Raymond. Though there's reason to be worried I suppose. He did shoot the ball too much some games, and for a less than stellar percentage.

Hopefully adding J-Rich will help cure both of those issues to some degree by giving Raymond another option to pass to that he can trust.

[Grandmama]

The Ray haters keep saying: "he shot too much..." "he made bad decisions..." And while that might ultimately be true when viewing Ray's statistical comparison to his first year.

But you must remeber for long stretches he was in the unenviable position of being the number 1/2 scoring option for the team when Dub/Mek was out; which is when he is not the most comfortable. He had to shoot the ball all the time cause there was no one else with the onions to shoot it, most of the time.

Plus, ultimately with him running the show for the majority of the year the team was better than it was the year before which should be his ultimate gauge of productivity.