Thoughts on Raja?

[neogenic]

I know it isn't fair to rip him to shreds at 3 games in, but it's natural to open the dialog. Many people were upset we traded our SG star for him and said he's a competent player that will ratchet up our defense. Thus far, our plus/minus is horrendous when he plays...the worst on the team. His shooting percentage is under 15%, I think...it was 20% for the first two games, then he went 0-5 before his ejection. Oh, and what did he say to get ejected? I was courtside and it was..."F$%^ You, Whitey" to the Caucasian referee. No, I am not kidding and that's why he wasn't talked to or just given a tech.

Given our other shooting guard, Felton, shoots 30% (including a high percentage from penetration where he probably make 7/10...meaning his shots from the field are low percentage)...what do we do to overcome our SG woes? The SG we had was our best scorer and now it's our most unreliable position, even over the 4 or 5 spot...especially with Emeka, Ajincia, and Hollins improving, and Diaw doing very well.

I am not willing to write Bell off and don't think 3 games makes or breaks him, but let's talk about why the transition has been rough and why he's underperformed thus far.

[BRNC]

I'd rather have the discussion after 15-20 games (with him here)...

[neogenic]

I'd rather have the discussion after 15-20 games (with him here)...
Hence, me being openminded and saying to not tear him down. I wanted to discuss, why he may not be transitioning well and if this is the right system for him.

I, again, am not writing him off after 3 games...that would be ignorant. There is many discussions on this board about a single game performance or even thoughts on the trade before we saw him play at all. I think the discussion is worthwhile as now it is our most troublesome position, ironically, despite it being the one position where we were "overloaded".

I'd love to talk about it too, it 15-20 games. But it's silly to have any discussion off the table until then on a message board about the Bobcats when it was a major, major trade and we're struggling.

I was told by someone in the organization one trade being considered was Diaw and some other players (including Morrison) for Curry and David Lee. Diaw just got here and is performing well. Players could be dealt away and not be here is 15-20 games at this pace. We can and should talk about the team openly.

[dav7z]

Bell is pressing , trying to hard . Hes out of rythem , He konws his shot isn't falling and hes just pissed at his self. After 0 for 5 again he just vented his flusteration the wroung way. Give Bell time to get adjusted.
Why the hate for Felton . I havn,t looked but i bet you hes shooting close to 40 percent if not better on the season. Give Bell about 10 more games be for passing such a harsh judgement on him.
As far as Swish goes Diaw seems to be doing ok on this side of the trade.


Hear is this years stats so far Felton is shooting .398 much better than the .300 you saying . DJ isn't shooting much better at .415 . Should we hate on him to.


http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/charlotte-bobcats/team/playerstats/09/3/1

[Mustachio]

this is as happy with a roster as I have ever been with a Charlotte Bobcats team.

Raja isn't even a concern for me. It's a new team, a new city, and he isn't a star player... he is what he is. He will gel with the guys and produce good defense, about 10 ppg and 5 or so boards. Raja isn't gonna score 20 a game like Jrich... but he wont have to anymore i dont think. He will add a defensive touch that Jrich didn't give us and still be a guy who can hit an open J when needed. (even though he hasn't here yet) I think we are seeing a transformation from an outside game to an inside game and i love it. (more consistent, easier buckets, higher % and more free throws)

Raja can be supplemented easily for DJ, Matt, Adam or Ray at the SG spot when a little extra scoring is needed. My whole thing about this trade is this: When Larry is happy, the teams he coaches win. We weren't winning so screw it... make Larry happy and see what happens. So far I dig it. Just scanning the bench I feel so much more secure than I used to. It just feels more like a competent NBA bench. that is no disrepect to Dude and definetly not Jrich.... I just like seeing Howard, Diaw and Raja (proven winners) sitting or playing. Its comfortable.

I will be so highly pissed if we re-route Diaw and Bell to New York for Curry and Lee. I like the way this team has started off already and theres plenty of room to grow. Please front office... let this play out. Lee and Curry just makes us less athletic, and even less fun to watch.

[ChuckHayes69]

Felton is shooting 39.8 percent this year and 30 percent from behind the line. And as for Bell I agree with the idea he is pressing. As for the trade for Lee and Curry, I'd probably do it, depending on who was involved other than those 2 and Diaw, but only because I love David Lee's game and have been wanting him on the Bobcats for a few years now...Curry, not so much.

[Mustachio]

Felton is shooting 39.8 percent this year and 30 percent from behind the line. And as for Bell I agree with the idea he is pressing. As for the trade for Lee and Curry, I'd probably do it, depending on who was involved other than those 2 and Diaw, but only because I love David Lee's game and have been wanting him on the Bobcats for a few years now...Curry, not so much.


I understand you like Lee... thats cool. I kind of like his game too.

I can't see how he in any way is better than Diaw. Maybe rebounding...but in my opinion it will put us in the exact same situation we have been in. No offense down low... and no one is scared of Lee hurting them offensively meaning Okafor wont be freed up to score down low either.

I see Lee as a Joakim Noah type. a very good bench rebounding, put back hustle kind of guy. but definetly not an adequate starter at PF. I would rather stay athletic and offensively capable, than get 3 more rebounds a game.

[Chef]

as i posted in yesterday's blog comments...raja is washed up. offensive performance is expected to dip when you enter a new system with new teammates. raja's defense is not that good. he has lost a step and can not guard the better guards in the league anymore. joe johnson blew by him more than a few times. we should trade him if we can.

[spectre]

I was told by someone in the organization one trade being considered was Diaw and some other players (including Morrison) for Curry and David Lee. Diaw just got here and is performing well. Players could be dealt away and not be here is 15-20 games at this pace. We can and should talk about the team openly.

No you didn't! Was this "someone" stating that we were actually thinking about it or was he/she just repeating the New York article?

Jesus H. Christ...we can't be THAT dumb can we? David Lee will NOT stay here; he told Memphis that if they traded for him he would not re-sign. Not to mention he'll probably get upwards of 9 million per year, and unless he's developed it he has nothing outside of 10 ft.

Raja...a disappointment so far to say the least. Like I mentioned in another thread though Jason Richardson was struggling under Brown early on as well. I think he's studying too much on when to shoot vs. not.

If he gets back to what he's shot for the last 5 years (over 40% from 3) and he can still play passable defense I'll be fine with him.

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

sure, we can talk about raja...but what is there to talk about? it's all speculation..you have one game and 3 mins of another game to talk about.....talking about him is just going to lead to more discussions about the trade etc , which are irrelevant at this point - the trade happened and so far we look better in the first two games.

we need more games to evaluate raja.

[GoBobs]

Bell was playing great D on that play and he had every right to argue that call. Bell will be fine he is just learning that the refs don't give you anything when your in a bobcats uniform.

[x2pacalypse]

well so far bell is proving ...in the words of denny green, he is who i thought he was...and that is a complete asshole

i knew i didn't like him, i can't remember why, but his attitude and antics are just proving it

[dnbman]

For me, the verdict is still out. If doesn't become a solid player for us, I have no doubt a team will take a chance on him before the deadline. So, either way, I think we'll be in o.k. shape.

[Ghost Kat]

Did he really say F..K whitey.. thats a bit harsh for a foul isn't it ? I'll agree with everyone else that Bell is pressing and trying to hard. I don't know what his problem is right now. If he can get it together this looks to be a better ending to the season then i thought.

[ALuhrs704]

I understand you like Lee... thats cool. I kind of like his game too.

I can't see how he in any way is better than Diaw. Maybe rebounding...but in my opinion it will put us in the exact same situation we have been in. No offense down low... and no one is scared of Lee hurting them offensively meaning Okafor wont be freed up to score down low either.

I see Lee as a Joakim Noah type. a very good bench rebounding, put back hustle kind of guy. but definetly not an adequate starter at PF. I would rather stay athletic and offensively capable, than get 3 more rebounds a game.

I Agree with you 100%. I would be extremely pissed if we traded diaw and bell for lee and curry. Diaw is a very dynamic option when he is on the court and is playing well. He is much better than david lee, whose numbers are inflated by the D'Antoni system. AND CURRY? i mean come on, do we need to take any more chances on players? espicially at currys contract, plus he isnt in shape at all and hasnt even played all season. I just want us to stick with this roster, pick up a decent player in the draft and move on from there. Bottom line keep diaw!

Plus you were exactly right about lee hurting okafors Offensive game.

[TheBeagle]

I don't see in any of the earths of the multiverse Larry willingly trading such a versatile player as Diaw for a couple of stiffs like Lee and Curry. Hell, Curry is jealous of Sean May's conditioning, so why in god's little acre would we take him on?!?! That is horseshit rumour at best.

About Bell, there are two possibilities for why he's struggled:

1. He's trying too hard to fit in with the team and getting reacquainted with Larry's system.

2. He's upset that he was traded here, and hasn't gotten over it yet, meaning he isn't focused.

From what I've heard about him, and seen his cheerleading from the bench during the Pistons comeback, I'd have to say it's option one, but it's possible option two is playing some part in his struggles.

********

His defense on Rip Hamilton was outstanding I thought; it was only the constant staggered screens and the fact Hamilton's a great shooter that he scored when he did; otherwise, Bell was stuck to him like glue. Joe Johnson is just a mammoth of a 2, and not many people can do much against him in man defense. Still, he played very well first half defense. His rebounding has been a pleasant surprise as well. Really, the only reason, I find to have this discussion, is because his shot is looking so bad right now.

He's just needs to unclench and he'll be fine.

[Festar21]

I dont really like Raja that much it obvious he dont want to be here. Not the answer for at shooting guard. We need more of a Mike Miller Marco Belinelli type to fill this roll. Defense isnt a problem it scoring points where we benn struggling.

[spectre]

I don't see in any of the earths of the multiverse Larry willingly trading such a versatile player as Diaw for a couple of stiffs like Lee and Curry. Hell, Curry is jealous of Sean May's conditioning, so why in god's little acre would we take him on?!?! That is horseshit rumour at best.

About Bell, there are two possibilities for why he's struggled:

1. He's trying too hard to fit in with the team and getting reacquainted with Larry's system.

2. He's upset that he was traded here, and hasn't gotten over it yet, meaning he isn't focused.

From what I've heard about him, and seen his cheerleading from the bench during the Pistons comeback, I'd have to say it's option one, but it's possible option two is playing some part in his struggles.

********

His defense on Rip Hamilton was outstanding I thought; it was only the constant staggered screens and the fact Hamilton's a great shooter that he scored when he did; otherwise, Bell was stuck to him like glue. Joe Johnson is just a mammoth of a 2, and not many people can do much against him in man defense. Still, he played very well first half defense. His rebounding has been a pleasant surprise as well. Really, the only reason, I find to have this discussion, is because his shot is looking so bad right now.

He's just needs to unclench and he'll be fine.

Thank you! Best post on this thread...actually breaking down how he's been playing (I haven't had a clue...either no or bad vision since he came). IF he's playing good defense like you're saying then I feel almost sure it's #1...there's a world of difference in how PHO vs. LB plays offense.

[Chef]

so basically, he can stay with the older guards who have lost a step, but the younger guards he can't touch. not good if he really is a stopper. towards the end of the game he was playing johnson to go left, but off enough to entice a contested 18 footer. he was playing him so far to the right that johnson's only move was to go left into help. he beat raja so bad to the left that the help couldn't get there and he had a layup. unless he is really have a tough time playing for the cats and his heart isn't in it, i would have to say that he is pretty washed up.

[BIGCatBobcat]

To me the trade was J-Rich for Diaw. Bell, Singletary and Dudley and the pick are just toss-ins? I know that sounds bad, sounds like we got ripped but I mean afix numbers to it: J-Rich = 4. Diaw = 2.5. Bell = .5. Singletary = 0. Dudley = 1. Pick = 0. 4+1+0=2.5+.5+0 we're down one, which doesn't make sense to include Dudley, Diaw could pan out and make a full 3 Bell won't get much better. Singletary might, if he uses his brain a sec and doesn't spaz his way up the court, end up a .5 but I need to see a whole lot more than I saw Monday night or was it Tuesday?

[docend24]

I don't see in any of the earths of the multiverse Larry willingly trading such a versatile player as Diaw for a couple of stiffs like Lee and Curry. Hell, Curry is jealous of Sean May's conditioning, so why in god's little acre would we take him on?!?! That is horseshit rumour at best.

About Bell, there are two possibilities for why he's struggled:

1. He's trying too hard to fit in with the team and getting reacquainted with Larry's system.

2. He's upset that he was traded here, and hasn't gotten over it yet, meaning he isn't focused.

From what I've heard about him, and seen his cheerleading from the bench during the Pistons comeback, I'd have to say it's option one, but it's possible option two is playing some part in his struggles.

********

His defense on Rip Hamilton was outstanding I thought; it was only the constant staggered screens and the fact Hamilton's a great shooter that he scored when he did; otherwise, Bell was stuck to him like glue. Joe Johnson is just a mammoth of a 2, and not many people can do much against him in man defense. Still, he played very well first half defense. His rebounding has been a pleasant surprise as well. Really, the only reason, I find to have this discussion, is because his shot is looking so bad right now.

He's just needs to unclench and he'll be fine.
I think the option 2 can be more a lack of Nash than real dislike of trade. Nash was really upset that Raja left so Bell coukld fell the same a bit.

[amour217]

I think he just misses D'antoni:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/amour217/Rajah2.jpg

[spectre]

In 38 minutes: 7 of 12 (5 of 7 3 ptrs) for 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 TO.

Why we didn't put him on Crawford I'll never know as he did a fantastic job on Mayo last night.

[ohara831]

In 38 minutes: 7 of 12 (5 of 7 3 ptrs) for 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 TO.

Why we didn't put him on Crawford I'll never know as he did a fantastic job on Mayo last night.

Exactly what I was thinking. I was happy with his scoring tonight. But because we had just played a game the night before, he may have been a little tired and LB may have just not wanted to have him over exerted so he would be there the entire game for us. Just a guess, but sounds reasonable.

[teej]

him tired is better than what we did tonight, and it was obvious by the seocnd half he was on tonight, so why not play him on Crawford in the second half at least?

[neogenic]

In 38 minutes: 7 of 12 (5 of 7 3 ptrs) for 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 TO.

Why we didn't put him on Crawford I'll never know as he did a fantastic job on Mayo last night.

I was screaming this the entire game. At one point in the third he did play him and pretty much stopped him over 5 minutes or so.

Felton, I love him in many ways, is a liability to guard taller shooting guards...which is most SG's. Felton was trying, but Crawford didn't need to drive, crossover, or use speed...he has great lift, was taller, a sweet stroke and just easily shot over the top of Felton at will. (This type of shooting is what many expected of Morrison coming in to the NBA, scoring like this in college...alas...not exactly).

For the life of me, I can't understand why this assignment wasn't changed. After the first half when he had 23 or 25...that's enough of sign to change something at halftime. Maybe he was too busy (LB that is) courting Turiaf. Sometimes, like the Memphis game, I think LB is a genius and stuff like this has me racking my head.

We have a SG...he's supposed to be a defensive stopper...he shut down someone last night that no one else has shut down all year...uhhhhhh?????

Am I missing something?

[ALuhrs704]

Ya we deff shoulda had raja on crawford....... or jesus. Those may be the only two that could stop them tonight. Games like this make me realize the Bobcats arent meant to win this year.

[spectre]

I was screaming this the entire game. At one point in the third he did play him and pretty much stopped him over 5 minutes or so.

Felton, I love him in many ways, is a liability to guard taller shooting guards...which is most SG's. Felton was trying, but Crawford didn't need to drive, crossover, or use speed...he has great lift, was taller, a sweet stroke and just easily shot over the top of Felton at will. (This type of shooting is what many expected of Morrison coming in to the NBA, scoring like this in college...alas...not exactly).

For the life of me, I can't understand why this assignment wasn't changed. After the first half when he had 23 or 25...that's enough of sign to change something at halftime. Maybe he was too busy (LB that is) courting Turiaf. Sometimes, like the Memphis game, I think LB is a genius and stuff like this has me racking my head.

We have a SG...he's supposed to be a defensive stopper...he shut down someone last night that no one else has shut down all year...uhhhhhh?????

Am I missing something?

Exactly! Crawford wasn't really driving but hitting from outside...which is Raja's specialty. Larry Brown is revered for his in game adjustments, so I have to think there's something we have to be missing.

Regardless...I feel pretty good that Raja's defense is still there. Since he's shot great from 3 for the last 5 seasons I have to think that's going to get back to being dependable as well.

If he can also add rebounding and assists like he did last night he'll be a great addition.

[neogenic]

Good to see I am not alone on my thoughts. I really felt like this was the Grady leaving pedro in for the red sox thing...everyone is seeing this right? Oh well.

[neogenic]

Oh, and have the been posts on the PA, driving irritation even higher? Since we're discussing Raja "BING!" Bell. OMG. I can't take it. Is that supposed to be witty? Cool? Funny? It is not any of those. I am surprised Raja himself hasn't punched him in the head when running by.

BING! Right back atcha jackass.

[neogenic]

So this just spurred me to try and find Raja's nickname...according tho this wiki list...Raja Bell's nickname is..."raja"...crazy right?

Actually it is kind of fun to scroll through this and it list Boris Diaw at the top with "3D".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_basketball_nicknames