The Bobcats are trying to re-sign Jeff McCinnis

[ziggy]

According to the Charlotte Observer article here (http://www.charlotte.com/bobcats/story/226756.html)
The Bobcats want to have Jeff back as Ray's backup. On the court it makes great sense, but how will this work out with the whole Jeff/Phil/Phil's wife "situation" ?

[tamburello]

First of all, I'd like to say that McInnis/Ford's wife thing comes to me not more than a gossip. No one showed a "concrete" proof. I've always believed the fact that "nobody is guilty before the judge gives eventual decision".

Please check this out: http://www.slate.com/id/2111295/

Sometimes the whispers get so loud that one of the subjects goes public to defend his reputation. In 1996, practically everyone in North Carolina had heard the gossip that University of North Carolina point guard Jeff McInnis had been sleeping with Phil Ford's wife. In his book A March to Madness, sportswriter John Feinstein delicately alludes to Duke fans razzing McInnis about "personal animosity between him and assistant coach Phil Ford." As that year's NBA draft neared, McInnis broke the official silence when he told the Charlotte Observer that Orlando Magic staffers had quizzed him about the allegations that he was leaving school early due to the fallout from an affair with Ford's wife. His answer: "Nothing ever happened. She is often hugging players. … The Duke people blew the whole thing up."

About Jeff, since we're running out of options, McInnis is a logical choice. Hopefully we can convince him to vet min. Because no other team would give him more than this.

[Muttley]

I couldn't agree with Tam more. I think this whole thing is probably blown way out of proportion.
I think Jeff is the best and most reasonable choice for back-up at this point (yes, pun intended).

[Jonathanmartin7]

It sure seemed real when it was going on. But MJ wouldn't deliberatly keep a bad situation.

[spectre]

First of all, I'd like to say that McInnis/Ford's wife thing comes to me not more than a gossip. No one showed a "concrete" proof. I've always believed the fact that "nobody is guilty before the judge gives eventual decision".

Please check this out: http://www.slate.com/id/2111295/

Sometimes the whispers get so loud that one of the subjects goes public to defend his reputation. In 1996, practically everyone in North Carolina had heard the gossip that University of North Carolina point guard Jeff McInnis had been sleeping with Phil Ford's wife. In his book A March to Madness, sportswriter John Feinstein delicately alludes to Duke fans razzing McInnis about "personal animosity between him and assistant coach Phil Ford." As that year's NBA draft neared, McInnis broke the official silence when he told the Charlotte Observer that Orlando Magic staffers had quizzed him about the allegations that he was leaving school early due to the fallout from an affair with Ford's wife. His answer: "Nothing ever happened. She is often hugging players. … The Duke people blew the whole thing up."

About Jeff, since we're running out of options, McInnis is a logical choice. Hopefully we can convince him to vet min. Because no other team would give him more than this.


Thank you! I've long wondered how much was true, and by us bringing in Ford AND making an effort to keep Touche' has to blow it out of the water. All these guys are former UNC players and no one would know this situation better than Jordan...and I see no way that he'd create an issue with minimum players and an asst. coach.

[Dead_Real]

Hopefully we get it done I wont be upset with a Ray/Jeff/New Edition PG core.

[Mustachio]

im still under the persuasion that if all the gossip was true, then we need to keep McInnis anyway and let Ford go.

McInnis is more useful to this team than Phil Ford. He actually puts a body on the floor where we need depth at. To me, if we need a PG so badly... the logical choice is to keep the one who played well for us and cut the coach we havent even used yet.

but it looks like none of that matters now.

[spectre]

im still under the persuasion that if all the gossip was true, then we need to keep McInnis anyway and let Ford go.

McInnis is more useful to this team than Phil Ford. He actually puts a body on the floor where we need depth at. To me, if we need a PG so badly... the logical choice is to keep the one who played well for us and cut the coach we havent even used yet.

but it looks like none of that matters now.


Ford makes Felton better. Touche' subs in for 10 minutes a game and plays the role most any minimal salary PG would bring that can get the ball across the time line. Touche' also has a huge history of being an issue in the locker room whereas Ford is loved by all the players he coaches (Thomas was going to let Ford...a leftover from Brown's staff...someone Isiah probably hates now...coach the team during Summer League until we stole him away).

I can't stress enough how big I think getting Ford in here will be, mainly in Felts' development but in overall team unity.

Heh, but as you said it appears moot now.

[ALong13]

Meh I mentioned re-signing McInnis earlier, so I'm fine with it, we need a back-up PG badly, and I think he could be a nice position for it, I could see him raising up the ppg totals a bit, and see a bit more playing time....I could see a two-year $3 million dollar contract, maybe $4 million, but nothing more than that....

[timang]

finally! some real bobcats news...

Mcinnnis knows what he plays for (back-up pg) unlike brev, so i'm taking him on the team better than anyone else at present. hopefully they'll sort those things out.

[ALong13]

Well McInnis wants 1.8 million a year and the Cats want to give him the vet min. I say if they meet in the middle at 1.5 or even 1.6 million that a deal will indeed get done...

[qchoops]

McInnis was brutal last year, and I don't see that changing with another year of age. His shooting % was terrible, at 39%, he can't hit from long range, 12.5%, and he does not get to foul line. Just from Bobcats from last season, Derek Anderson and Brevin Knight would be better options. While a lot of the free agents have been signed at this point, there are still some available, see http://www.queencityhoops.com/PossiblePoints.php for a quick rundown. I would be very disappointed if the Bobcats did not bring in a better backup, after spending the money they have on Gerald and Richardson.

[dvdbumpus]

McInnis was brutal last year, and I don't see that changing with another year of age. His shooting % was terrible, at 39%, he can't hit from long range, 12.5%, and he does not get to foul line. Just from Bobcats from last season, Derek Anderson and Brevin Knight would be better options. While a lot of the free agents have been signed at this point, there are still some available, see http://www.queencityhoops.com/PossiblePoints.php for a quick rundown. I would be very disappointed if the Bobcats did not bring in a better backup, after spending the money they have on Gerald and Richardson.


I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Mcinnis had a full year off due to the NJ dispute so he was probably off. In his 3 games as a starter he shot 50% from 3 and total FG %, and then also dished 5 assists/avg.

Post all-star he shot 45% 3 assists, .4 steals and there's no need for this team to have him make 3's or to score. They have J-rich and Crash to drive the lane and gets fouls, as well as j-rich, walter, matt, adam etc etc to shoot 3 balls all day.

He'll be good as a backup for 15-20 minutes a game. Here's another stat for thought:

2006-07:
Jeff Mcinnis 3.0 A/T rate
Brevin Knight 3.1 A/T rate
Raymond Felton: 2.4 A/T rate

a 3.0 Assist/turnover rate is very respectable, and that's what I'd be happy with if he continued that. What I care about for him is that assist/TO rate to be at least 3. His career average is 3.2, so he takes care of the ball and can distribute and let other people make plays. I'm happy with that for my backup point guard that's aware he's a backup point guard for near vets minimum.

Other noteables with an A/T rate of roughly 3:
Jason Kidd 3.46
Brevin 3.12
Deron Williams 3.03
Where Mcinnis fits in @ 3
Andre Miller 2.82

Those are players in the top 15 in the league for that category, and they're starters.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statistics?stat=nbaassists&qual=true&sort=asts&league=nba&split=0&season=2007&seasontype=2&avg=48&pos=all

[Dlpz87]

Is it just me or wouldn't DA be just as sufficient? He has the BBall IQ to manage the court and wants to pursue a coaching career after he retires. To me that would mean he would have more to give the team in terms of effort.

Then again, he does have bum knees, and to my knowledge McInnis does not...

Not to say he'd be a major improvement, but he could teach more and lead more at the same time IMO. He might also accept the vet min to play if he thinks he could parlay this season into an assistant role.

BTW, this is my first post and I love reading these forums for opinions, thoughts, and articles. Probably one of the friendliest and well-spoken forums out there...

[dvdbumpus]

Is it just me or wouldn't DA be just as sufficient? He has the BBall IQ to manage the court and wants to pursue a coaching career after he retires. To me that would mean he would have more to give the team in terms of effort.

Then again, he does have bum knees, and to my knowledge McInnis does not...

Not to say he'd be a major improvement, but he could teach more and lead more at the same time IMO. He might also accept the vet min to play if he thinks he could parlay this season into an assistant role.

BTW, this is my first post and I love reading these forums for opinions, thoughts, and articles. Probably one of the friendliest and well-spoken forums out there...



Welcome to the board! I agree that I think that DA would be a good pick for the backup. You also point out the bum knee situation, which would be a serious downer. He also seemed to have less of an ability to set people up to score. DA had Felton's a/t rate of 2.4(respectable). I think he would be an excellent pick, but for on the court I think that Mcinnis is a more ideal option, as he ran the offense more smoothly than DA (although he ran it well).

Off the court, however, I think that DA is a much better choice. Currently, however, we have two roster spots open. I see Mcinnis as one and possibly DA as another as I doubt any bigs left would be of any value unless someone can think of someone...

[tamburello]

I don't think that making Derek Anderson the main back-up PG is not a good idea. We need a "real" PG. Derek Anderson can only bring the ball to the offense when the PG is marked one-to-one. Although since the end of the season, we heard not a bit of news about Derek's future with us (or with any other team) I want him to be back.

This is the latest news about Jeff's situation: http://www.gastongazette.com/sports/mcinnis_8338___article.html/contract_charlotte.html


CHARLOTTE — Jeff McInnis is hopeful of returning to the Charlotte Bobcats’ roster as a backup point guard.

A Charlotte native and former University of North Carolina standout, McInnis feels his reputation was repaired last season after the Bobcats acquired him in trade from the New Jersey Nets and he backed up Raymond Felton and Brevin Knight.

Now that Knight has signed a two-year free agent contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, McInnis’ agent Steve Kauffman felt his client would be a priority for retention by the Bobcats.

“I would like to think that this is the type of situation that is easily resolved,” Kauffman said Tuesday. “But, for circumstances beyond my control, I think this may drag on.”

The impasse is over $700,000 in salary for the upcoming season. While Kauffman declined to discuss contract details, NBA sources say McInnis is seeking a one-year, $1.8 million contract and the Bobcats are offering only a minimum-wage $1.1 million contract.

Kauffman hopes McInnis will remain in Charlotte since the former West Mecklenburg and West Charlotte high school standout desires to stay in his hometown.

“It is absolutely no problem getting a minimum contract somewhere in the league,” Kauffman said of McInnis. “Jeff’s preference is Charlotte. We would just like for the contract to be more equitable.”

A 10-year veteran of seven teams, McInnis has career averages of 9.9 points, 4.4 assists and 27.8 minutes in 522 career games (308 starts). Last season after offseason knee surgery, McInnis averaged 4.3 points, 3.3 assists and 18.5 minutes in 38 games (three starts) for the Bobcats.

[dav7z]

Welcome to the board , good post for thought. I worrie about Jeff and locor room issues this year. And at his age and all the disputes hes had over the years.Hes lucky to get a offer period. He should just shut up and take it no one else is going to offer him any thing. On the other hand D.A . is great in the locor room . But hes not a true point . Hes more of a wing who can just get by at point. Its still a few options left out thair i would look in to. D.Armstrong, D. Brown etc. But if it was up to me , Jeff would play for mim , Hell we picked him up off the street. Hes lucky just to get a offer.

[spectre]

Off the court, however, I think that DA is a much better choice. Currently, however, we have two roster spots open. I see Mcinnis as one and possibly DA as another as I doubt any bigs left would be of any value unless someone can think of someone...

Yah, I want both (assuming Touche' is one). DA can get it across the timeline but he's not the best at actually running the point. He is however AWESOME in keeping the ball moving as well as very decent in smart man defense (who could forget the charge he got on Kobe?). If he was 3rd SG/PG he'd probably be 2nd best defender only to Felton in our backcourt.

Personally I'd rather go young instead of Touche' (McLeod, Lucas) but in either case I want DA back. IF Touche' does become a locker room cancer we can always send his butt home as we'd only have approx. 600-700k in him at the league minimum.

[ALong13]

I'd rather sign Dee Brown over McInnis though, Brown I think could handle the run offense better, $700,000 dollars apart, let's hope they can meet somewhere in the middle...

[jaxatax23]

yea dee brown is much younger, cheaper, VERY quick....i think he'd be better with our offense

[dnbman]

The problem is we really need a veteran backup. If Felton's not on the court it's because he's taking a short breather or he's messing up. We need a vet who can settle the offense down and help coach Felton. Even if Brown is better, he's got next to no experience. If we can't get Jeff, I really think we need to get McLeod or someone like that. I'd be happy to settle for a younger guard with plenty of PT, like Devin Brown or Pargo.

[dav7z]

I personally dont want Jeff back . I just dont think hes right for the team and hes not worth the 1.8 milion dollars.I do agree with a vetran back up though. In this situation we might sign two more points. Thats why i keep saying D. Armstrong and Dee Brown. But that would kill any chances of resigning D. Anderson. With that in mind and Pargo gone Mcleod would be my choice . A lot depends on if we resign Anderson.Either way i dont think Jeff is worth more than the vetran minimum .

[dvdbumpus]

I'll take Jeff at 1.4 million with incentives.

Is there a vet exception we can use?

Dee Brown doesn't have the expererience to be a legit backup IMO. He'd be 3rd stringer @ best for us due to this lack of PT.

Two roster spots....I think Mcinnis and another player....BPA of either a big or guard(probably DA).

[dav7z]

Remember thease words if we resign Jeff . WE WILL END UP REGREATING IT . Hes not a teacher or good in the locor room . Hes a hot head who calls out the other players for mistakes. He always has and allways will . Hes all ready asking for more money . He has no apreation for us picking him up off the street,HES TRUBLE.

[dnbman]

Dav,

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I wonder why you think he wasn't at least somewhat of a changed man when he came here.

For one, I think he was somewhat humbled by the Nets basically telling him he'd help them team the most by staying home. When he got here, he seemed to be pretty sincere in trying to fit in with the team and contribute where he could.

I don't think that being a good teammate necessarily means you take a significant pay cut though. If Jeff thinks he can still get a better salary from another team, he should probably evaluate his options. I don't hold that against a guy who can make 50 to 100% more at one place over another. He's only got a few years left, so he's got to make them productive.

Ultimately, I don't know what he's like in the Charlotte locker room. I know he's had issues (though I thought they were mostly off court, non teammate issues), but he seems like he's changed somewhat now that he's basically a cast off.

[dav7z]

Debman you may be right and i hope you are. Jeff has allways had a mouth and i just dont see that changing. Because if he starts running it to players ,like Wallace or Felton or even a easy going Oakfor, then truble is soon after.
Its still to many choices left to settle for Jeff.He just scares me i just dont thint he fits in.
Im a hudge Carolina fan so thats surely not the reason i feel that way about Jeff......

[TheBeagle]

I think McInnis will be okay. If he somehow doesn't gel in the locker room, and riles some of the players, they'll deal with him, or he'll get the boot. I see no problem coming whatsoever.

Concerning the Ford/McInnis rumours: Chapel Hill (as some of you well know) is nothing if not a rumor mill to begin with. Many of the students who have some classes with players think they have carte blanche to start any rumor. A running joke about students there is that every sentence starts with "Yeah, I have a class with (fill in the blank with a player of your choice) and he says..." An en vogue rumour this past season was that Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington had stopped going to classes in mid-February because they were leaving for the pros. Nothing was further from the truth. McInnis was just not a true team leader and didn't take to Phil's instructions too well, thus Deano giving Jeff his "blessing" to enter the draft even though he was projected outside the lottery. I'd like to think they've buried the hatchet and most probably have. Now that I recall, in '98, two years after he left for the NBA and was playing in the CBA, the team was on the road somewhere during their pre-conference schedule, and they hung out with him and watched one of his games.

[Slam]

I agree with Brett - I thought he was terrible last season and more often than not did harm when he was on the court. He played like a shoot 1st PG rather than looking to set up his team.

Of course, he did just have a year off so maybe he was still to blow the rust off?

Either way, I'd rather pass on Touche.

I'd MUCH rather sign Dee Brown and then bring back DA to mentor him (and continue the work he's done with Felts). That way we could play DA sparingly (like if we were in a pinch and needed some vet leadership on the floor) and at the same time be grooming Dee to be the full time back up point.

[ALong13]

I just wish somebody would have an update on his signing...Sure there are other that could do well here, but I think McInnis will be fine, he's a hometown man as well, so maybe he has some old high school people that will come out and see him...either way we need to get something done at the point...

[dvdbumpus]

Once again I'll point out his assist/turnover rate was top 10 worthy last year......

[Slam]

It's pretty hard to cause turn overs when you rarley pass the ball and shoot it any time you touch it.

[WarioVsMooChicken]

It's pretty hard to cause turn overs when you rarley pass the ball and shoot it any time you touch it.


Then how does he get assists?

::)

[Slam]

It's pretty hard to cause turn overs when you rarley pass the ball and shoot it any time you touch it.


Then how does he get assists?

::)




The sun shines on a dogs arse at least once in it's life time.

[Keetch]

The Bobcats currently have 13 contracts for next season; so unless they unload one or two, I guess they'll sign 2 dribbling-type guards and not any more bigs. So maybe its McInnis and Derek Anderson, or McInnis and a young project like Bobby Brown or keep McInnis and DA and try to fly Brown to the NBDL for a year.

A pass at Dee Brown would be cool, but he doesn't seem to be on the teams radar at all...so no point no point.