Tough Question to Answer

[ohara831]

OK, here is the past and the future. We have to make the right call here, so let's calmly think this through:

Over the summer. we had to make a decision on picking up the options on May and Felts. We did so. Ray will cost us $4.2 mil for 08-09 season, and May will cost us $2.7 mil for 08-09.*In my opinion, we were right to pick up Ray's b/c I still beleive he will be a great PG. Problems now are just mental. I know that the team wanted May to bounce back after 2 disappointing seasons, but he could not complete either of his first two seasons, and they committed to him anyway. His work ethic was questioned, but they took a chance anyway. I fear it will backfire as I do not expect May to play again as he was out of shape to begin with, has never committed to being in shape, and will now be sidelined for likely 6 months before being allowed to start working out again. Do not think he has the make up to do it. That will be a wasted $2.7 mil unless we get him to retire and we get the Insurance benefit regarding salary hit.

**CURRENT ISSUE: Adam Morrison made $3 mil first year, and $3.25 for this year. The team holds the options on his 3rd and 4th yr. I am sure he is slated to be higher in 08-09 than this yr. Do we take the Option on him? That is a lot of $ which may go to a FA signing next yr if we let him go. Can he possibly return to some semblance of what we expected of him?

In light of his recent injury and what he is faced with in surgery, combined with his Diabetic condition which will make it tough to heal as well as one would hope, I am inclined to say "Do not pick up option." However, we can watch and see how he heals over this next 9 months or so. But come summer time, a decision must be made.

This is a tough issue, and not so wonderful to think of at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Adam and we all want the best for him. But this is a business decision. Sometimes making the right business decsion may seem like the cruel and heartless way to go, but the team has to make the right call here. Your thoughts?

[dav7z]

I am kinda disapointed in us picking up Mays option . Yes he can play when he does . But hes done little to help his self in this matter either.
In Morrison thats just somyhing you can't control. He was in shape playing defence. And was regaining his confidence. This is just a accident no one can control. My self im not ready to discuss the return of Ammo but im wishing him the best of luck. In hopes he can return.

[bobcatsden]

A healthy May for that salary is one of the biggest steals in the NBA. The Bobcats had to roll the dice on his being healthy, just in case it panned out. The upside was tremendous, and the downside (which is how it turned out) isn't the end of the world. The relatively small contract doesn't take up much cap room, and there clearly isn't an abundance of NBA-ready players out there who we would otherwise have signed.

As to Morrison, we probably shouldn't pick up his contract. It's going to be humbling for the Bobcats to admit that they're never going to get sufficient return out of a 3rd overall pick. But it's am admission they need to make.

[Mustachio]

its just way to early to tell. hes getting the surgery.... but no one knows how significant the recovery time will be. If hes back in the summer and playing hard... picking up his option might not be a bad idea.

if hes still recovering come preseason next year... it will be a tough decision but based on his salary and production (despite potential) it would be hard to pick up his option.

however the Bobcats dont HAVE to make that decision next year i dont believe. they can make it in his 4th year. i understand what your saying about money... but i think his 3 mil salary will be offset by losing Harrington, McInnis, and likely DA at the end of the season. that frees up roster space and well over 3 mil for Free Agent signings.

so what im saying is... no matter what they will at least keep him for year 3. because they will have roster space and extra cap to work with when signing any potential free agents.

[ohara831]

I see what you're saying Mustachio. You make some good points. (Glad to see you back on line with us!) I would wait until Spring to see how the healing is coming. But, IF it is not coming well, then I think I would refrain from picking up yr #3. We are a young team with Crash, Ray, Oak and J-Rich. If we have an available 6-7 mil coming off the payroll, that gives us a real good edge on the competition when it comes to going after a FA big to play alongside Oak. Again, I want to emphasize that I would wait until Spring to make the decision, but I would make it prior to year #3 rather than prior to #4 as that significant amount of money can allow us to make a big move in FA next year when others are more restricted.

[qchoops]

I would think this would be partly influenced by whether or not the team is able to re-sign Herrmann, once his deal runs out this year. If Herrmann does re-sign, I would have to think it would lessen the likelihood. I would tend to think the team should pick up the option on Morrison, if only because I'd rather the team spend the 3ish million to see what they have in him, rather than let him walk away and sign with another team and bounce back.

[davcbow]

Im now looking towards next season and just trying to compete this season because I think our team has just too many injuries. The starting team is mostly still on the floor but our bench is thin, Felton is still learning his position and learning how to score. Id try my best to be able to extend Herrmann's contract because in my opinion; he dont get hurt much, he plays his heart out and he does contribute good minutes when he is in the game. May and Morrison are both "iffy" at this point to say the least. Harrington is Harrington injury or not, Dudley is still ???? with his turf toe. Davidson has 1 bad game and coach benches him. So Im writing off this season because of the re-learning curve. Coach is still learning the team, the team is still learning the coach. We as a team are kinda stuck between a rock and a hard spot and its going to be very difficult to crawl out from under it. I pray for the best for our team and also that May and Morrison both heal completely, but in a bussiness sence the right moves need to be made to become the team we all want, I dont see that happening till next season.

[bizzlecatz]

Im now looking towards next season and just trying to compete this season because I think our team has just too many injuries. The starting team is mostly still on the floor but our bench is thin, Felton is still learning his position and learning how to score. Id try my best to be able to extend Herrmann's contract because in my opinion; he dont get hurt much, he plays his heart out and he does contribute good minutes when he is in the game. May and Morrison are both "iffy" at this point to say the least. Harrington is Harrington injury or not, Dudley is still ???? with his turf toe. Davidson has 1 bad game and coach benches him. So Im writing off this season because of the re-learning curve. Coach is still learning the team, the team is still learning the coach. We as a team are kinda stuck between a rock and a hard spot and its going to be very difficult to crawl out from under it. I pray for the best for our team and also that May and Morrison both heal completely, but in a bussiness sence the right moves need to be made to become the team we all want, I dont see that happening till next season.


This coming from Davcbow, who's always positive. Now I 'm really worried.

[bobcatsden]

Yikes - lots of sky-is-falling chatter. We still have Okafor, Wallace, Richardson, and Felton. That's always been the foursome that mattered. I don't think Morrison's injury is worth throwing in the towel on this season .... far from it.

But.... just think, the absolute WORST case scenario is that we regress and wind up with another lottery pick. Kosta Koufos or Roy Hibbert would make nice consolation prizes.

[davcbow]

But.... just think, the absolute WORST case scenario is that we regress and wind up with another lottery pick.

Dont get me wrong guys; I hope for the best and pray for even better. I love the Bobcats and will always pull for them through thick and thin. I just hope Felton gets his head right and Dudley's toe heals and Harrington? whatever.

Im sure things will not be as dismal as they seem right now but right now Im just bummed out to the max and see lottery pick.... :g:

[Keetch]

Sheesh I'm not bummed at all! At work so gotta make quick points...

I'm VERY happy we resigned Felts and May. Agree that May is a steal at that price. I've always felt his weight and conditioning issues were for the most part; blogger/forum myths. Not too worried. Like I said before; I was relieved when his knee injury was finally diagnosed and dealt with.

AMMO - very sorry about the injury - but we are deep at the wings and can accommodate very well. This is more of a marketing loss as AMMO is clearly a fan favorite. It IS sad for AMMO and I respect that totally.

As for down on the season; no way! This preseason has shown me that it will be rocky, but we can anticipate the emergence of Hollins, Dudley (well, not from any playing time so far) and Davidson. We can watch the JRich/Crash tandem develop. Felts? Yikes, I hope the coaching takes.....

I my opinion dudes like Brezac, Harrington and if retained Watkins, just inhibit the further development of the team and the overall strategy. I don't have any great sense of value for those players. End of benchers with little potential. If you have to go to that level, you are out of options.

My only real concerns are extensions for Okafor and Hermann; and of course any injuries beyond what we've seen.

[bizzlecatz]

Bow, I feel bummed as well,but I want to see Rich and Crash play together. This has been a depressing preseason, so can we fast forward to next Friday and the Bucks. Do you think CV, or Yi will start, how will we match up to them,Ect.

Thoughts. :funkybanana:

[dav7z]

I don't quite understand the coach yet. And how he handles things. Either we just playing and trying to get through the preseason . Or this is a very unorganised team one night he plays ok50 45 mins the next night 22 . One Wallace trys to score last game didm't. He tryed to involve everbody. Another night its a big line up the next its small.
Davidson our ROOKIE gets NO MINS like hes in the dog house.
Fabio gets no playing playing til Morrison goes down . Now he starts. Coach is pissed at Dudleys and say he will be lucky to get in the rotation befor mid season because hes been out the preseason. So far not much has made sence this preseason to me. To me its as if no one knows whats going on. Or is all this just me

[ohara831]

I don't quite understand the coach yet. And how he handles things. Either we just playing and trying to get through the preseason . Or this is a very unorganised team one night he plays ok50 45 mins the next night 22 . One Wallace trys to score last game didm't. He tryed to involve everbody. Another night its a big line up the next its small.
Davidson our ROOKIE gets NO MINS like hes in the dog house.
Fabio gets no playing playing til Morrison goes down . Now he starts. Coach is pissed at Dudleys and say he will be lucky to get in the rotation befor mid season because hes been out the preseason. So far not much has made sence this preseason to me. To me its as if no one knows whats going on. Or is all this just me

__________________________________________________ ____________
Great post! It's not just you. I have been pondering that same question recently. I wish I was a fly on the wall in Coach's office to know the answer. I really think he has a game plan, and is working on who he wants with whom when he subs. I think he knows the starters. At least this is my POSITIVE hope! Also, the deal with Jermareo really throws me. He plays well when played only 20 minutes for a few game, then has an off game, and then gets only 5-10 minutes a couple games? I am hopeful that there are factors of which we are unaware and all is smooth in Cats Land. For all we know, he was sick with a case of the runs and they just didn't tell people. It would be embarrassing to be on the court, and have a "messy britches accident", or go sprinting off the court when your 4 teammates on the floor are thinking "hope he makes it". Think of something positive like this and not something like him being in the doghouse. I did that at first and it's just depressing. Keep it light and funny and your day goes better.

[dnbman]

Again, I want to emphasize that I would wait until Spring to make the decision, but I would make it prior to year #3 rather than prior to #4 as that significant amount of money can allow us to make a big move in FA next year when others are more restricted.


The problem is we have to make the decision by the end of the month.

Check this:

"Rookie "scale" contracts for first round draft picks contain team options for the third and fourth seasons (team options for the third season exist only for players drafted in 2005 or later), which must be exercised by October 31 of the prior season No other options are permitted in rookie scale contracts."

from: http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#64

So, if we want to pick up Morrison's 3rd year option, we have... 8 days to make the decision.

I say we do it. Worst case scenario is we use his contact as an expiring contract to sign an underused veteran. Best case scenario is he comes back to be a great gunner and a valuable asset.

If we don't sign him, we have more cap room.

The question is: is the cap room worth more than he might me as a trade option or active player?

[spectre]

Sheesh I'm not bummed at all!  At work so gotta make quick points...

I'm VERY happy we resigned Felts and May.  Agree that May is a steal at that price.  I've always felt his weight and conditioning issues were for the most part; blogger/forum myths.  Not too worried.  Like I said before; I was relieved when his knee injury was finally diagnosed and dealt with.

AMMO - very sorry about the injury - but we are deep at the wings and can accommodate very well.  This is more of a marketing loss as AMMO is clearly a fan favorite.  It IS sad for AMMO and I respect that totally.

As for down on the season; no way!  This preseason has shown me that it will be rocky, but we can anticipate the emergence of Hollins, Dudley (well, not from any playing time so far) and Davidson.  We can watch the JRich/Crash tandem develop.  Felts?  Yikes, I hope the coaching takes.....

I my opinion dudes like Brezac, Harrington and if retained Watkins, just inhibit the further development of the team and the overall strategy.  I don't have any great sense of value for those players.  End of benchers with little potential.  If you have to go to that level, you are out of options.

My only real concerns are extensions for Okafor and Hermann; and of course any injuries beyond what we've seen.


As the immortal would say...REP IT UP!!!!

Thank you!  All this doom and gloom.  I came into this season expecting NOTHING from May...he wasn't here last year and we did pretty darn well to close out the season.  Same with Ammo; I am/was very thrilled with his new work ethic, but again...we went thru the latter part of this past season without him.  We've since added JASON RICHARDSON, giving us one of THE most exciting wing duos in the NBA.

I know a lot of you guys didn't see that Laker game, but the second part of the 1st quarter where we made like a 15-0 run...it was a thing of beauty, and all Crash & JRich.  We had NOTHING like that up til now.

The only net loss we have is Jake Voskuhl, and tho Twiggy isn't ready to go we have to be pleased with him compared to last year when he couldn't even stay on the court!  We've also got a young promising big that teamed with Mek can give us some short offense. We've even got a 3/4 we've not even see play yet!

Oh, and Felts wasn't that great at the end of the season either...yet we played near a .500 record.

We're going to see some killer bball this year, and I can't wait.

DNB, you are correct about the "prior" year, but next year is guaranteed; it's the following that's an option.  We won't have to make a decision until Oct. 31, 2008, and we'll know by then what to do.

[Fromage]

So far not much has made sence this preseason to me. To me its as if no one knows whats going on. Or is all this just me


BINGO. I've seen two games and i was stunned at how pitifuly disorganized it looked. all we can hope is that we're tanking the preseason by resting folks, and tinkering with some irregular lineups and strategies. just unspeakably out of sorts. i just don't get it.

[Jonathanmartin7]

I only got to watch a few minutes on tv the other nite. It was a perfect example of how NOT to play. Saw Kobe drive to the hoop, lose the ball, goes between 2 bobcats legs into an LA players hands who kicked it out for a wide open 3 by Walton.

After that play I took a Valuim, drank a beer and said goodnite. I came in here to type about it and Adam had been hurt.
I agree with the guys that say we can still have a good season without may and adam. I would really like to add another big guy, but I think that Ray will pull it together. If he doesn't then MJ will be looking to trade him for someone that will do it.

[dnbman]

DNB, you are correct about the "prior" year, but next year is guaranteed; it's the following that's an option. We won't have to make a decision until Oct. 31, 2008, and we'll know by then what to do.


I don't think so. Are you sure? Hoops Hype is showing next year as a team option.

[spectre]

I stopped using HoopsHype...they've had a bunch of inconsistencies.  Sham Sports is generally recognized to be one of the better ones out there.

Scale Salary Amounts for First Round Draft Picks (http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/scale.htm)


The following are the "scale" salary amounts for the first round picks in each draft.  A player's actual salary in any year may be as little as 80% or as much as 120% of the scale amount for that year.  The fourth year of rookie "scale" contract is at the team's option.  The percentage in the column for the fourth year is the required raise over the third year salary for a team to exercise their option.  If the option for the fourth year is exercised, the team may retain the right of first refusal (make the player a restricted free agent) after the fourth year by submitting a qualifying offer.  The last column designates the required percentage increase over the fourth year salary for the qualifying offer.

Sham Sports (http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/bobcats.jsp)

Adam Morrison $3,887,880 (2007/2008, 2nd year) $4,159,200 (2008/2009, 3rd year) $5,257,229 (2009/2010, 4th year) $6,897,484 (2010/2011, 5th year)

This year and next is guaranteed, 09/10 is a team option and 10/11 is a qualifying offer...per Sham Sports.

Maybe this is causing the problem:

NBA Rookie Salary Scale - 2007 NBA Draft (http://www.mynbadraft.com/NBA-Rookie-Salary-Scale-2007)


The first round Selections for this year's 2007 NBA draft are guaranteed to two seasons. In 2006 it was three. All of the selections for 2007 are paid according to the round and order of which they were selected.

It appears that the salary scale in regards to guaranteed years has been revised from 3 to 2 starting with this draft class.

[Keetch]

I dunno; this preseason has left me a little worried about our coaching for sure, but not fully to the extent you all express. Rotation - Seeing the need for a serious big alongside of Okafor, at the expense of Hermann, I think Coach Sam sincerely tried out a rotation starting with Hollins at starting PF (even though announced at Center) but has had to back off after seeing his still-too-rawness and bad hands. I don't fault that, might have done the same thing myself :) Hollins is an impressive guy. There is still great hope there.

He DID give Davidson a reasonable chance to show his skills and has to be happy with the results. Sitting Davidson after that for one preseason game has no great deep meaning. Davidson is very young and who knows what was going on, if anything.

He gave AMMO great looks as 6th man.

No IDEA whats up with Dudley, but I can't find anywhere that Sam is upset with him. Linkage?

JRich out for the birth of a child was unavoidable and pretty much a non-issue for the team. It gave Matt and AMMO opportunities. I don't think much was lost. It will take time for JRich to fully gel with the team anyway....like months.

A big thing was Okafor's 45 minutes. Made totally NO sense to me either. Then Okafor goes out and stinks up the court the next night too! I think it was his revenge on Sam :wink:. No worries with Okafor.

PG and Big Man coaching...Can Mokeski really teach Hollins anything? It's not like he was a world-class athlete or rebounder himself. I hope it works, but so far the results aren't great...is Ford even talking to Felton? I don't see a lot of interaction there so far; not sure.

Defense. OMG its looking awful. This could be the albatross on the new coach. For all we know, he has no clue. Surely, MJ will get him one soon though, if he doesn't.

It's too early to tell. We'll know soon enough if Sam is a complete moron...but so far, its his first preseason, and he's had his hands full for sure.

As for giving up on this season, hell that is SO last year! Apologies but I was quite happy last year with our losses and a little miffed at our late season run (you known, the big picture and all that); but that's over. Now its all about winning. It's about MJ and passion. It's about development for championships. I have no interest in speculating whether we land 8th Seed or 6th Seed or last. I just want to win, or see action that builds opportunities for development of players that can get us there.

OH YEAH

[davcbow]

Oh yeah!
GO BOBCATS!!!! :g:

[dav7z]

This is not what im looking for but it kinda says the same thing about Dudley only nicer.
Link.


http://www.charlotte.com/bobcats/story/328876.html


At the very end of the artical

[ohara831]

Ouch! I think that was the Coach telling his player "Dudley, time to get over that toe injury and get your butt out onto the Court!"

[davcbow]

Well we know who our 12 dressed players will be now so coach better get his rotations down against the Hornets and so they can start gelling and improving.... :g:

[Alex]

I hate to give up on Morrison but after his latest injury I say no. I don't believe he will ever amount to anything more than just a decent guy off the bench in this league.