Charlotte Bobcats @ Houston Rockets 2-22-09

[davcbow]

Well here we go again on the start of a 5 game road trip. I feel this road trip will either make us or break us and will show us how good the Bobcats really are. We will have to play much better than we did at home against Orlando friday night.

21Alexis Ajinca (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/alexis_ajinca/index.html?nav=page) C
14D.J. Augustin (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dj_augustin/index.html?nav=page) G
19Raja Bell (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/raja_bell/index.html?nav=page) G
32Boris Diaw (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/boris_diaw/index.html?nav=page) F-C
7DeSagana Diop (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/desagana_diop/index.html?nav=page) C
20Raymond Felton (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/raymond_felton/index.html?nav=page) G
5Juwan Howard (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/juwan_howard/index.html?nav=page) F
1Cartier Martin (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/cartier_martin/index.html?nav=page) F
42Sean May (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/sean_may/index.html?nav=page) F
6Nazr Mohammed (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/nazr_mohammed/index.html?nav=page) C
50Emeka Okafor (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/emeka_okafor/index.html?nav=page) C-F
10Vladimir Radmanovic (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/vladimir_radmanovic/index.html?nav=page) F
44Sean Singletary (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/sean_singletary/index.html?nav=page) G
3Gerald Wallace (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/gerald_wallace/index.html?nav=page) F

Houston Rockets:
96Ron Artest (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/ron_artest/index.html?nav=page) F
17Brent Barry (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/brent_barry/index.html?nav=page) G
31Shane Battier (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shane_battier/index.html?nav=page) F
0Aaron Brooks (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/aaron_brooks/index.html?nav=page) G
43Brian Cook (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/brian_cook/index.html?nav=page) F
15Joey Dorsey (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/joey_dorsey/index.html?nav=page) F
44Chuck Hayes (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/chuck_hayes/index.html?nav=page) F
2Luther Head (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/luther_head/index.html?nav=page) G
14Carl Landry (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/carl_landry/index.html?nav=page) F
7Kyle Lowry (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kyle_lowry/index.html?nav=page) G
1Tracy McGrady (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tracy_mcgrady/index.html?nav=page) G
55Dikembe Mutombo (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dikembe_mutombo/index.html?nav=page) C
4Luis Scola (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/luis_scola/index.html?nav=page) F-C
3Von Wafer (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/von_wafer/index.html?nav=page) G
11Yao Ming (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/index.html?nav=page) C

[WarioVsMooChicken]

I think Ajinca needs to go aganist Yao and move Okafor to the 4.

[Robertpel9]

I am looking forward to see how they play toda. I was at the game friday and it was very frustrating to watch, we just played terribly.

I think it is going to take the coaching staff some time to figure out how to best use our now deep team that lacks a true star. I love th team we have and it is WAY different than the team of 2-3 months ago. We have done 2 things in three months

1) gottena decent starting 5 to put on the court

then

2) created depth and have a bench that should amtch up well with most of the teams int he league

Now what we still lack is a real start player. I love Wallace jus tlike the rest of us but he is a 7/10 player at best. Raja is too streaky, same with Felton, Okafor is really a PF playing C and Diaw is very good at a lot of things but not a star. DJ is a money shooter but LB is not giving him minutes and Vlad is a strong 6th man.

Real playoff contenders have to have a player that truly can put the team on his back when needed and make it happen and we just dont have that. It will be an interesting season next year, i think this year is all about developing the squad we have and i enjoy watching the games for that. I have given up on the playoffs, we just are not ready yet.

Havng said that i hope we run the table on this trips. I think a good performance will be going at least 3-2

[WarioVsMooChicken]

You can win a championship without a star. I don't see why everyone thinks otherwise

[Ghost Kat]

I have no idea with the Cats. Some games they come ready to play...then there gmes like that last Orlando when they looked flat from the start. I want to see LB use his bench more... we have a nice boost finally

[Muttley]

With the way Coach Brown probably laid into the team after Friday's loss, I think the way we play this game will be very telling.

If the team plays well, then I think that means lots of good things on this road trip.

If the team responds poorly to having their asses chewed-out, then I can only see bad things for this road trip.

Either way, it's not totally about winning and losing, but playing the right way.

...I've feel like I've heard that somewhere before.

[Robertpel9]

You can win a championship without a star. I don't see why everyone thinks otherwise


I agree you can IF you are extremely well coached, te coachuses the rotation properly and you have a solid group of starters that are above average.

Look I love the cats as much as anyone here. Our lineup is so much better than it was 3 months ago it is amazing. Having said that we do not have above average at the key positions. Felton is average, Bell is a great defender and a streaky shooter but is aging and at the 2 spot average, Diaw I think is our all around best player due to his finesse and flexibility, Wallace brings his A game night in and night out and i feel is above average but not real star material and Okafor would be an amazing 4 (If he could get better hands which hopefully come with time) but putting him up against the best of the league at the C positon exposes his size issues. Vald is a great shooter and i love watching him play but he is not starting material. DJ may be well above average someday but the isue with minutes with felton still here will be a problem, i also worry about durability. Juwan howard is a nice pop off the bench but he is not spring chicken and the rest of the lineup is below par.

I think we will make the playoff next year rather easily. I do not think we will go deep into them without one more move. I like Bell a lot of we need a 2 that if not a star is at least above average to go with this group. I'm also not sure how we will fare with Okafor at Center if we want a championship. Hes a great talent but needs size.

Ther proof is in the pudding though not in our opinions, lets see how this road trip goes

GO CATS

PS - Make no mistake it is ALL about winning and losing, this is professional athletics at an elite level. Winners make plays, losers make excuses

[ziggy]

You're right Muttley, I think that we will undoubtedly see a stronger effort from the Bobcats today after LB chewed some lackadaisical ass following Friday night's game.

Here is the enemy's Game Thread --> ClutchFans (http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=163260)

On a side note, Clutchfans is one of the largest independent forums that you'll find anywhere. The owner has been running the site for about 13 years and it has become ridiculously gianourmous.

[Muttley]

PS - Make no mistake it is ALL about winning and losing, this is professional athletics at an elite level. Winners make plays, losers make excuses

Okay, I'll agree with the last line, but to clarify my statement, it's all about winning and losing in the bigger picture and not just this one game this afternoon. For example, winners get chewed-out by LB and go 4-1 on this road trip. Even though there's one loss in there, 4-out-of-5 is a team of winners.

Losers get chewed-out by LB, pout, and then go 1-4.

[Muttley]

You're right Muttley, I think that we will undoubtedly see a stronger effort from the Bobcats today after LB chewed some lackadaisical ass following Friday night's game.

Here is the enemy's Game Thread --> ClutchFans (http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=163260)

On a side note, Clutchfans is one of the largest independent forums that you'll find anywhere. The owner has been running the site for about 13 years and it has become ridiculously gianourmous.

Wow, that site is insanely huge. Their game thread is already on page 5 and going strong. Also, I noticed that their fans weren't entirely disrespectful to the Bobcats. I in no way expected that.

[teej]

You can win a championship without a star. I don't see why everyone thinks otherwise

Just ask Larry Brown...but besides him when was the last time a team won without one?

[SirBobcat]

Wow, that site is insanely huge. Their game thread is already on page 5 and going strong. Also, I noticed that their fans weren't entirely disrespectful to the Bobcats. I in no way expected that.

Goes to show that all fans of the game aren't stupid. Seems like these guys actually do their homework and realize the Bobcats aren't that bad of a team.

[polarcat]

as has been stated, this game is a pretty big glimpse into what this team is made of. that orlando game on friday was not a good start to this stretch but hopefully the leaders in the locker room combined with the veteran presence that we now have should pay off. and oh yeah, that hall of fame coach is kinda good too. the rockets are a playoff caliber team and it's in their house, so here's hoping for a good showing from our guys. so, no t-mac, rafer is gone and there's some new blood learning to gel with their new team. i'm feeling good about this one today.

LGC!

[TattoodCats4life]

The way larry is, with his "your contract doesnt buy playing time" attitude, it wouldnt shock me if he alters the lineup, or at least some of the rotations tonight to reward those who played friday and punish those who didnt show up.

DJ
Cartier
Wallace
Vladi
Ajinca

That'd be an awesome starting line, then first dead ball sub if needed.

[Bobcat4Ever]

Any links?

[spectre]

^ Yeah, that's gonna happen! :cool:

The nice thing about playing Houston is that there's about 20 links for the game; the negative is most are in Chinese.

http://www.justin.tv/paul0004

That one's supposed to work. If it doesn't Guangdong is going to play it via sopcast.

[Ghost Kat]

The way larry is, with his "your contract doesnt buy playing time" attitude, it wouldnt shock me if he alters the lineup, or at least some of the rotations tonight to reward those who played friday and punish those who didnt show up.

DJ
Cartier
Wallace
Vladi
Ajinca

That'd be an awesome starting line, then first dead ball sub if needed.

Athletic and lively group. Long range shooting and speedy... but no rebounding and defense.. plus u have three rookies starting.

[Ghost Kat]

That one's supposed to work. If it doesn't Guangdong is going to play it via sopcast.

Sounds like a bad chinese porn star name

[Bobcat4Ever]

^ Yeah, that's gonna happen! :cool:

The nice thing about playing Houston is that there's about 20 links for the game; the negative is most are in Chinese.

http://www.justin.tv/paul0004

That one's supposed to work. If it doesn't Guangdong is going to play it via sopcast.

Yeh that one doesn't work, I tried it earlier and you have to go the site. And I don't have SopCast :(

[spectre]

Sounds like a bad chinese porn star name

Well the quality is certainly bearing that out LOL!

Do you have it on the tube?

91, why not load it real quick? Pretty fast.

[Bobcat4Ever]

Load sopcast?

[spectre]

Yeah...but hold on. There's a bunch popping up on Justin right now.

[davcbow]

Its on channel 145 in the Apex area TWC.....:cool:

[spectre]

http://www.footysports.tv/content/sports/?page=basketball#splayer

[Ghost Kat]

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/magnetik

[docend24]

sop://broker1.sopcast.com:3912/6543 - Guandong Sports - see?

No Sun Yue on our roster :g:

[spectre]

Doc...my quality sucked on the guangdong channel; the above is pretty clear and in English.

[docend24]

more links here http://www.ppnba.com/english.html (didn't tested if they work)

[teej]

why did we leave battier wide open?

[Bobcat4Ever]

NICE, thanks everybody.

[Ghost Kat]

Okafor 6'10....Yao 7"6... why is he trying to shoot over him?

[teej]

Ray for 3

slopppppppy play early

[davcbow]

Wonder if Yao has his Garmin? :p

[Ghost Kat]

13-11... not a bad start at the first time out... but someone bigger needs to guard Tao. He can just shoot over Okafor. I still think we are the better team... We just need to play tonight

[Slam]

The timing on Felts drives over the past month are night and day to where they used to be.

That was SUCH a pretty drive. Totally different player when he just takes his time.

[teej]

why's MJ in Houston? to enforce for LB?

[bing!]

hmmm, what might come to our rescue is the fact that, our bench > their bench.

[davcbow]

17-11 not looking real good yet.... we are missing way too many shots...:cool:

[Ghost Kat]

If your using my link and your page died just refresh

[teej]

19-13, kinda worrying me but I think our bench should step up when Vlad gets in

[spectre]

Mek/Boris/Crash 2 for 11...not good.

[bing!]

Awful shooting performance thus far, 6-17.

[Ghost Kat]

I agree i think we need to spend the floor more...

[teej]

27-20 not what I wanted but a good end to the quarter as far as the last few minutes, we started gelling, hopefully it will continue the rest of the game

and this link sux

[davcbow]

Some how we have to play better perimeter defense because Houston can hit the long range shots... 27-29 end of 1st...:cool:

[Ghost Kat]

Bad idea and pass by DJ...

[teej]

Bad D, just like against Orlando

[Ghost Kat]

Okafor!!!!!... Yao with the foul

[Ghost Kat]

Bobcats fighting back into the game.....Yao is to big inside and they are bombing from long range...But right now we are hanging in there^-^

[teej]

good effort so far, I'm liking how Larry is adapting, and they can't drain 3's forever

[davcbow]

good effort so far, I'm liking how Larry is adapting, and they can't drain 3's forever

I hope you are right I can already see where they are playing better perimeter defense.... Now got to pass the ball a lot better....:cool:

[Ghost Kat]

I'm keeping a eye out for ""The Impaler" on defense... his foot work isnt great but i dont see this Space Cadet name he got in LA. He'll get steal before this game is over

[arh1109]

maybe its because his jumpshot looks like a rocket launching

[davcbow]

Down by 2 at the half looking much better.. Mek, Felts and Radman all having a pretty good game so far...:cool:

[teej]

44-42 at the half, lookin pretty good imo

[docend24]

Bucksd winning s o far. That's the only game whioch is not going our favour tonight. Magic will help us in their next games i guess, they are up by 15 over Heat already.

[WarioVsMooChicken]

Started off bad, but we're getting back on track

[docend24]

Nuggets down by 1!

Good comeback by us I agree.

[dnbman]

My link was sort of choppy, but Diop looked like he had a few nice defensive plays against Yao. He also had a really nice pass to Raja, but the defensive closed down on his drive, making him bring it back.

[docend24]

Nuggets up by 3 - halftime. Great.

[bing!]

Too many TOs, Boris seems to be rackin'em up.

[davcbow]

Enough with the turn overs all ready!!!!!!...:cool:

[teej]

Felton is playing really tough today

[bing!]

If turn-overs were edible, the Bobcats would save the world from hunger...

[bing!]

Drop dead Shane.

[Robertpel9]

DVR just caught up with the game

We are playing very sloppy again today

How many damn 3's can a team give up without figuring out how to switch and D up

We got close int he 2nd simply beacause houston took bad shots and Diop surprisingly played Yao tough

Now we are yurning it over more then shooting and they are sinking 3's like layups

[Robertpel9]

Yao just had 3 offensive fouls in one move and we got the foul charged to us

[Robertpel9]

wallace is a tough bastard

Unfortunately i dont think it will be our night tonight, it goes back to what i said in page one, we have a more balanced and deep roster now but there is a lot of mediocrit in it and we need a touch of greatness here and there in games like this to take over and we just do not have players who can do it

[Robertpel9]

Now the question of the game, can Diop attempt 2 FT's without an airball LOL

The sad thing is it is actually a valid question

[Ghost Kat]

My link died>:(

[WarioVsMooChicken]

Stop doubiling Yao with guards.

Not like a guard helps anything down there

[davcbow]

Ive come to the conclusion this team isnt ready for the playoffs even if we were to luck out and make the 8th seed.... They cant hit their shots, they seem to forget about the guy out on the perimeter waiting to hit a 3. We cant pass the ball with out turning it over.... :cool:

[bing!]

wow, an 8sec call, haven't seen that in quite a while.

[teej]

down by 15, really disappointing 3rd, LB is not gonna be happy and I'm not either

[arh1109]

Damn nothing seems to be going right for us. lol artest is abusing gerald physically.

[Robertpel9]

Ive come to the conclusion this team isnt ready for the playoffs even if we were to luck out and make the 8th seed.... They cant hit their shots, they seem to forget about the guy out on the perimeter waiting to hit a 3. We cant pass the ball with out turning it over.... :cool:


Sadly I agree, we are still a ways away from having Gelled as a team and really need one more trade or aquisition for an A level player, we dont have one

[Robertpel9]

outscored by 15 in Q3, we barely scored 15 pts in Q3

man this pisses me off, every time i think we are on our way to becoming a decent team we throw games away or dont bother to show up at all.

[spectre]

Crash has always had trouble vs Artest...but right now he's working his ass off.

Sadly, he didn't accomplish a whole lot.

[davcbow]

Sadly I agree, we are still a ways away from having Gelled as a team and really need one more trade or aquisition for an A level player, we dont have one

Sadly I agree, we do need a A level player like you say....:(

[docend24]

I just hope I will see Lex in 4th quarter.

[GoBobs]

this game is out of hand lets see if sean may and alexis ajinca have anything in the tank.

[teej]

We should see Cartier play some against Artest.

and Ajinca on Yao, no way on earth OK50 can handle him, we proved that

[WarioVsMooChicken]

What are you talking about?

Mek has done just fine against Yao.

[teej]

What are you talking about?

Mek has done just fine against Yao.

Um, what game have you been watching? We have had to double team Yao and even that hasnt worked...he just kicks it out to Artest/Battier. When only Mek is on him, he scores or gets fouled...which is why Mek had 4 fouls early in the 3rd.

[spectre]

Nice D to get the 24 second violation!

Then Crash finally hits a shot in the paint.

[Robertpel9]

Um, what game have you been watching? We have had to double team Yao and even that hasnt worked...he just kicks it out to Artest/Battier. When only Mek is on him, he scores or gets fouled...which is why Mek had 4 fouls early in the 3rd.


I agree, i cant stand Diop but he has played much more effectively than okafor tonight

[docend24]

I'm looking forward when Ajinça will be ready to get serious minutes. Imagine that we would have a big threat on perimeter for screens instead of Diop who is lucky to catch a ball. Imagine the mismatches. Imagine his lenght. Emeka is undersized and sometimes it is too painful no matter how good he is. Diop is bigger but we almsot have 4 players for offense with him. If Ajinça would get enough toughness he would be great for us.

[Robertpel9]

3 shots no points WTF

This game is a frustrating way to end the weekend just like fridays game was a frustrating way to start it

I put a lot of time and money into this team, it is like asking to just bend over and get your ass kicked

[spectre]

I still wish it was DJ shooting when we go with the 2 PG lineup.

Think maybe LB's rant in the post game interview scared him out of taking the shot? Only 2 thus far, and I definitely saw him pass up an open 3 earlier in the game (it was early in the shot clock).

[bing!]

Tonight's one of their worst nights this season, if not the worst.

[bing!]

I was kinda bored with the game so I took some time and made this...
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr138/ch_bing/proba2.gif

;)

[SirBobcat]

Just goes to show you that we still need a solid MLE and a star.

[teej]

i think you need to add about 20 more though, bing

but the effort on your part is what counts, its more than we have, excpet for boris, ray, vlad, and gerald

[spectre]

That was a strong play by Martin from one end to the other.

At least these guys are working.

[davcbow]

Tonight's one of their worst nights this season, if not the worst.

Yeah with DJ missing free throws and GW fouling out, Radman not hitting shots. Felton has the best % so far 6/13.... terrible shooting by everybody tonight..... yeah this is more than likely the worst game with the present squad.....:cool:

[docend24]

I was kinda bored with the game so I took some time and made this...
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr138/ch_bing/proba2.gif

;)
sig worthy :(

I agree, i can't watch this. And refs are not that bad tonight - they ARE bad but nothing unusual like against Magic, so there is no excuse.

[Robertpel9]

That was tough, better luck Tuesday

We are playing VERY sloppy. Even the game we won last week that i was at (Indiana) we played VERY sloppy

Need some discipline

[davcbow]

99-78 boy the air is blown out of my sails. Looks like the lottery once again....:cool:

[ohara831]

Man, I am so glad we didn't make any trades at the deadline. What was I thinking? The team is healthy now, and starting to gel. Could have messed up this awesome 1-3 run after the break! These last 2 games, we are looking ready for prime time baby!

CAnt believe we did it again. 15 Assists to 21 TO's. Awful. Just terrible.

[teej]

awful excuse for a game...more like roll over and let the rockets beat us til we have no heartbeat...bulls and knicks also lost however, but the nuggets cant pull it out against the bucks...heat also should lose

[docend24]

99-78 boy the air is blown out of my sails. Looks like the lottery once again....:cool:
This is a weak year so we could actually win lottery. No way we could win it in strong year.

[BRNC]

Man, I am so glad we didn't make any trades at the deadline. What was I thinking? The team is healthy now, and starting to gel. Could have messed up this awesome 1-3 run after the break! These last 2 games, we are looking ready for prime time baby!

CAnt believe we did it again. 15 Assists to 21 TO's. Awful. Just terrible.

I think we all need to realize this is not a particularly good team that can play very badly at times...many folk wanted the team blown up at the start of the year and the team was blown up...many folk were happy with the players coming in...

I'm not happy...it would be too easy to just "blame the players"...it is not just the players...IMO it seems to be a combination of chemistry, (lack of), pressure, (too many players that can't handle it), coaching, (an offense so stale it gives bad breathe bad breathe), and a real intense desire not to screw up...I really get the feeling (from the last two games) with the over-passing, passing so close under the basket no one could score, cross-court passes etc. that these players are simply petrified to make a mistake...when one thing goes wrong this "team" falls apart...

I'm beginning to get the feeling that it is just a collection of players with more talent than we started out the year with but (too many) players with less desire...I really question at times if Bell or Diaw really want to be here because it does not appear to me that they do....I'm in no way blaming either (or both) of them for this two game skid but I am starting to look at the "team" chemistry...and I really question if these two want to be here...

[teej]

I think we all need to realize this is not a particularly good team that can play very badly at times...many folk wanted the team blown up at the start of the year and the team was blown up...many folk were happy with the players coming in...

I'm not happy...it would be too easy to just "blame the players"...it is not just the players...IMO it seems to be a combination of chemistry, (lack of), pressure, (too many players that can't handle it), coaching, (an offense so stale it gives bad breathe bad breathe), and a real intense desire not to screw up...I really get the feeling (from the last two games) with the over-passing, passing so close under the basket no one could score, cross-court passes etc. that these players are simply petrified to make a mistake...when one thing goes wrong this "team" falls apart...

I'm beginning to get the feeling that it is just a collection of players with more talent than we started out the year with but (too many) players with less desire...I really question at times if Bell or Diaw really want to be here because it does not appear to me that they do....I'm in no way blaming either (or both) of them for this two game skid but I am starting to look at the "team" chemistry...and I really question if these two want to be here...

I think Raja may not want to be here (Houston commentators said as much), but whether Boris does or not he seems resigned to play well wherever he is sent, and he sees this as an opportunity to be a leader on a playoff-bound team. I just think it takes some time for these new guys to get the hang of LB's system and the team to gel and get used to each other, but I do understand exactly what you're saying on the mistakes thing, dead-on

[ArcandiaS]

In his behavior during the games I can see that Boris is really happy in this team. He's always talking to his teammates to encourage them. I don't know why you said that... maybe the anger of this big disappointing lost... It's the same for Raja. They are good professionnals. I believe in these mens like in all the team and it's not some missed games that will change my point of view.
You'll see it in the end of this season and next one...

[TheBeagle]

99-78 boy the air is blown out of my sails. Looks like the lottery once again....:cool: The fact that I didn't even know these guys played tonight until I saw the final score while watching AZ/ASU shows how much apathy I've got for the season. The apathy paid off since I didn't have to sit through what must've been another horseshit performance.

Now I have to seriously question if we'll match last year's 32 wins...ugh....wha happened? :confused:

[teej]

The fact that I didn't even know these guys played tonight until I saw the final score while watching AZ/ASU shows how much apathy I've got for the season. The apathy paid off since I didn't have to sit through what must've been another horseshit performance.

Now I have to seriously question if we'll match last year's 32 wins...ugh....wha happened? :confused:

Um, we'll match last year by virtue of our coach and players and schedule

As far as tonight, only Boris, Ray, and Vlad really wanted to play...I think Gerald did but sometimes he looked out of it. Cartier didn;t play much but he did ok. Other than that, we played like the Sacramento Queens

[gforce33]

let's go GW!!

[TattoodCatswife]

If we make the playoffs this year at this point I will be shocked. It looks to me like Larry needed to do some more trades before the deadline.