What's wrong with the Bobcats?....

[davcbow]

Things I've noticed since the trade deadline has come and gone....
Before the deadline we thought we had a team that was playoff bound just looking for a few peices to complete us as a team. What I think was going on for real was we had a bunch of players wanting to showcase themselves for possible trades. I am beginning to think we only have a few players that want to play here anymore. Felton's, Bell's, DJ's, Diaw's and even GW's production has slipped, of course I know GW is coming back from his injury. We go from almost beating Orlando in their house to beating Indiana, the trade deadline passes and we get blown out by Orlando in our house and then that bullshit game last night in Houston.
Whats going on in Charlotte that no one wants to play here? Am I wrong? If so what are your thoughts to whats going on with this team? I'm truley disgusted with things right now, like I said last night in the game thread, "The wind has been blown out of my sails." :(

[arh1109]

I don't know, but i'm not getting my hopes up until they start playing like we know they can.

[Slam]

We aren't the sort of team that can coast. We can't carry any dead weight. Everyone on every single night has to play to their, or at least very close to, their full potential - other wise we'll get beat.

We have too many inconsitent guys and when you don't have a super star, you can't afford that.

[spectre]

In the first ORL game we let Mek deal with Howard alone and almost beat them even tho Howard had a career night. The next game we tried to double Howard (epic fail) and last night we kept trying to help vs. Yao, which in turn left their perimeter shooters wide open.

IMO that's part of the trouble...IMO we should just let the big try and beat us and contain the other guys.

Another is Bell. He's not playing at all like he was before the groin injury. We have so little room for error that it's hard to survive him shooting sub .400.

[BRNC]

I thought that the players were at least playing with energy before the break...it no longer appears that they are...I am wondering if Bell expected to be traded to a playoff team and if Diaw expected to go to NY with D'Antoni...I've seen both these players pass up too many open shots and pass to a defended teammate on too many occasions after the break...someone told me what pros these guys were but these two gripped themselves out of Phoenix because they did not like T. Porter...I'd like to think that it is not happening here because of the relationship Bell has with LB but something is not right...

I've watched Ray "try" to get these two involved with the offense after the break only to have them pass up open looks and toss the ball back...I like the fact Ray is taking blame but it is not all him...

The offense is stagnant and uninspired...but in LBs defense I still don't understand why guys driving to the basket are going in the lane so deep that they can't even make a successful dump pass...and even if it is made the player receiving the ball is too deep to make a shot...

I watch crappy pass attempt after crappy pass attempt (that even CP3 or Nash would'nt attempt) resulting in a TOs and empty possessions...

I here the coach talking about a 64-62 game that is 80-62 the next time he checks...why the heck did'nt you take a time out and make some adjustments (plays or players) before the game got away?

I'm not saying that I'm correct (nor am I going to act like I know) about any of this but they are small things I've seen after we've come back from the break...I wish I knew what was going on because we have better talent and a deeper bench but frankly this group looks worse that any that FHB put on the floor...and I really don't know why...

[BETCATS]

i dont think we are going to make the playoffs. I hope i am wrong, but i dont see it happening. I think we are just going through a rough stretch. Raymond has cooled down, Wallace is playing at xamount%, we dont know how healthy he is anymore, Diaw is consistant, VLAD RAD needs more playing time, DJ should have been traded, and now it seems like we are building towards NEXT season when we should make the playoffs. If we keep our core we got right now together, we should make it NEXT season, once everybody gells and gets used to playing with each other.

Still i am not a big fan of 1 move we made, when we aquired Diop. He is a A+ defender, but i am starting to get pissed at him missing shots 3 feet in front of the rim. If we still had Hollins and Carrol, at least we would get offensive production.

[BRNC]

I was not for "blowing up the team' as many others were...but if you're going to blow it up...fine...get players a coach wants and go with it...problem I have is LB got these players and they have played together long enough look better than this sloppy garbage (except the first game) we've seen after the break...these are guys LB wanted so what the heck is the problem? Do we have incredible and deep talent...no...do we have a superstar or two...no...we have about the same talent level as the Bucks, Nets, and Bulls...and more than the Pacers and Knicks...yet all those teams are in front of us and don't seem to be embarrassing themselves...we do not have the talent level to play sloppy games and win...and I'm not putting it all on the coach or the players...they are all equally guilty since the break and I only hope that it gets turned around...

Playoffs or not (I thought the playoffs were a reach this year anyway because of schedule after the break) they need to at least look like a team that wants to play together...and I'm not seeing that...

[spectre]

I don't think the trade deadline had anything to do with our performance over the last 4 games, nor do I think Boris or Raja were wanting to get traded.

IMO once Crash & Raja get back to where they were before the injuries we'll be rolling again.

Of course that might be too late.

[BRNC]

I hope you are correct spectre...but this schedule gives us very little chance at the playoffs...right now I just want respectable so we have something to build for next season...and at the moment I'm not even seeing respectable...

[Slam]

I don't think the trade deadline had anything to do with our performance over the last 4 games, nor do I think Boris or Raja were wanting to get traded.
Plus, now we are playing legit teams. It's not like we are playing the Wizards or the Clippers any more.

Orlando and Houston are serious teams.

We can't get away with having "off nights", not executing and not playing D against teams like them or we'll get blown out.

[BRNC]

I know you're correct about the schedule slam ( it is why I doubt playoffs this year)...I'm just not convinced these players are on the same page now (or close to it) because they have played better against good teams...and the one win we have had (Pacers) after the break (Granger and Foster both hurt) was sloppy at best...

Side Note: I play the ESPN Lottery daily (sure others do) and for the first time had us with the #1 pick on my third role...that actually would be nice!:biggrin:

[etothet]

I think there are still some trades that need to be made. I am going out on limb, but this is the way I really feel. We a need a good shooting guard. We need to get rid of some dead weight. Nazi, May, and possibly little Sean, and lastly Howard. I just don't see where these guys are giving us much. Howard has played well when healthy. If we had traded Raymond Felton for Diop, that would have been insane. We need a solid big who can defend and score. So basically we need a 2 who can hit the jumper and defend and a big who can score, rebound and defend. Even we need to trade to Diop, while we trying to get it right, go all the way. So with 4 or possibly 5 players we should be able to get a good big and a good 2 guard.

[ArcandiaS]

Hey, it's not the first time that this team lose two straight games!! Why say that now!! You all seem to be like the 'fans' of my favourite soccer team... when there is something wrong, just fire all players and staff.
Two hard games against two good teams and it's like the end for Bobcats. I don't think there is so much problems as you think.. If they play the same for the three next games, I'll say OK there is a big problem here.

I just don't understand, maybe I don't know enough of the NBA. It's quite possible.

[BRNC]

Little Sean, McMay, and Howard are all have only one year and I doubt any will be signed with us again...Nazr will have two years left at the start of next season...we may be able to move him before the draft...depends...

[BRNC]

Hey, it's not the first time that this team lose two straight games!! Why say that now!! You all seem to be like the 'fans' of my favourite soccer team... when there is something wrong, just fire all players and staff.
Two hard games against two good teams and it's like the end for Bobcats. I don't think there is so much problems as you think.. If they play the same for the three next games, I'll say OK there is a big problem here.

I just don't understand, maybe I don't know enough of the NBA. It's quite possible.

Well...I watch 2-4 European football games a week...and I've seen lots of talented teams that did not work well together...I question the team chemistry at this point that is all...

As far as firing anyone...you are the only one that has brought that up...so who is it that you want to fire?

[ArcandiaS]

You think most of the players don't like to play for Charlotte? Can you tell me why?

What I see is a quite young team and lot of new players, so I don't think they will win all in this first season together. The situation was too bad to come back for the playoffs. So if we have good luck for the draft, this team will be very solid for the next season. I don't think 'Cats will go to playoffs this year but why not next one?
I can see that you had many hopes for this team this season and you must be disappointed?

[ArcandiaS]

Well...I watch 2-4 European football games a week...and I've seen lots of talented teams that did not work well together...I question the team chemistry at this point that is all...

As far as firing anyone...you are the only one that has brought that up...so who is it that you want to fire?


I thought you was questionning the motivation of some players of the team. Is that right? If not I'm sorry I've not really understood your point of view.

(Which european soccer team is your favorite?)

[BRNC]

I do question the motivation of Bell and Diaw...I've never been a fan of taking unhappy players from other teams (particularly when their unhappiness stems from a defensive scheme similar to one our team uses) because I do not see it as a cure for unhappiness...I see it as a transfer of unhappiness...

I get the distinct feeling that both of these players thought they would be traded before the trade deadline...I did not hear (what someone else claimed a Houston announcer said during the game) that Bell appears to be playing that way but I'm watching the way both these guys are playing since the break and it bothers me...and it strikes me that they'd rather not be here...I would rather be incorrect about this...

The team is a good blend of youth and veteran players so I do not see that as a problem...I hope it is a bump in the road rather than a problem with team chemistry...and if that's the case it should turn around soon enough...if not we have a problem...

[BETCATS]

IF i ran the team, i would do the following in the order displayed:

Get rid of Sean May, Desegna Diop(I HATE HIM, MISSING LAYUPS AND DUNKS? ARE YOU SERIOUS!), and Nazr Mohammed

Re-sign Raymond, Cartier Martin, and Sean the Little ( I heart that guy, Sean will be good in the future)

Use our draft pick for a center (to replace desegana) and a reserve shooting guard

Sign the best power forward around this summer (_________ or Rasheed)

Keep 1 roster spot open for a in-season free agen

MAKE THE PLAYOFFS

[ArcandiaS]

I do question the motivation of Bell and Diaw...I've never been a fan of taking unhappy players from other teams (particularly when their unhappiness stems from a defensive scheme similar to one our team uses) because I do not see it as a cure for unhappiness...I see it as a transfer of unhappiness...

I get the distinct feeling that both of these players thought they would be traded before the trade deadline...I did not hear (what someone else claimed a Houston announcer said during the game) that Bell appears to be playing that way but I'm watching the way both these guys are playing since the break and it bothers me...and it strikes me that they'd rather not be here...I would rather be incorrect about this...

The team is a good blend of youth and veteran players so I do not see that as a problem...I hope it is a bump in the road rather than a problem with team chemistry...and if that's the case it should turn around soon enough...if not we have a problem...


Ok I disagree with that but that's just my opinion. I can tell you that before this tradeline Boris & Raja had some bad games like this one in Houston...
I think I know Boris Diaw, I follow him months ago. I'm ok with the fact that he was unhappy with Porter in Phoenix but I'm absolutely sure that he takes his role in Charlotte with pleasure and engagement. I'm sure he will show you all that he's happy playing with 'Cats and for Larry Brown.
I don't know Raja, so I hope he is like Boris. What is sure, they help their teammates to be still better.

Ok I've no problem with you're point of view, I hope Boris will make you change your opinion.

[spectre]

Ok I disagree with that but that's just my opinion. I can tell you that before this tradeline Boris & Raja had some bad games like this one in Houston...
I think I know Boris Diaw, I follow him months ago. I'm ok with the fact that he was unhappy with Porter in Phoenix but I'm absolutely sure that he takes his role in Charlotte with pleasure and engagement. I'm sure he will show you all that he's happy playing with 'Cats and for Larry Brown.
I don't know Raja, so I hope he is like Boris. What is sure, they help their teammates to be still better.

Ok I've no problem with you're point of view, I hope Boris will make you change your opinion.

I go more with this view on Raja & Boris. Boris came from a team that wasn't utilizing him at all; with us he has the opportunity to make this his team pretty much. When we're clicking it's all going thru him. With Raja I see it as him coming to a team that "needs" him and leaving a team that had pretty much passed him by. Here he's a leader (as evidenced by how he barks at the other starters, leads discussions in group, etc.), and I believe Larry Brown absolutely adores him.

If it continues then I think this might have a point (and it goes beyond where Crash is truly back...he's been struggling mightily with finishing).

[BRNC]

Spectre...again I'd be thrilled to be wrong about this...and I've tried to be clear that this is just what I'm observing...but I'll also admit that what I'm seeing is unrelated to the motivation of these two players...that's why I brought up stagnant offense and crap plays (driving to deep and down right awful passing) that have been going on since the start of the season...I'm to a great degree at a lose because we do not have a bunch of kids...most of these players are 4+ years in the league...but I'll have a much clearer view (I think) by the end of this road trip...

[spectre]

Well I hope you're wrong too!

Hard to say man. I did hear the Houston announcers' comments and I pretty much blew them off as just rattling off crap without knowing what they were talking about.

I feel sure DJ was leary of shooting last night, and remember LB was busting on them for being a "shoot first" team vs. ORL in the 2nd game. I also think we're a much better defensive unit when we don't try and help (each stay with their own assignment), and the last 2 games we went away from that.

It'll be interesting to see if we double down on Shaq...pretty sure we didn't in the first matchup. I love LB a lot, but he's far from infallible.

Maybe that game will be a good barometer.

[BRNC]

I agree somewhat on the barometer...but the Suns would be 5th seed in the East so I'm looking for a better game (than we've seen lately) more than a win...the last three games of the trip (against basically the crap of the league) will give me a better feel...the Ls against good teams (although I'd love wins) bother me less than the way we're going about it...the Pacer game (even though a W) bothered me...sloppy...inconsistent...

I agree 100% about the help defense...one guy will not beat us but the last couple of games we're letting teams beat us...

[teej]

Well Boris and Raja aren't the only problems if they are at all a problem. We are too wary of being mistke free that we make mistakes, and we re maybe reading too much media?? I'm not sure, but this team needs to shape up, and now

[Keetch]

I don't think this has anything whatsoever to do with the trade deadline.

Has this team ever really successfully stopped the 3 while doubling or tripling the post? I don't think so.

The Bobcats commentators said before the Rockets game that Houston was the best 3 point shooting team in the league. Funny, because I would have sworn Orlando was...anyway when we stay in the man-to-man we seem to do well; when we don't...HORRORS.

I think a lot of this falls on Diaw, VladRad and Crash. They haven't learned how to help each other; and thus aren't really hustling at it. With all the 3's by Battier and Artest in the Rockets game I kept rewinding to see who was where...and I kept seeing these 3 standing around kind of in no man's land with one shoulder leaning toward Yao in the paint while looking out the other way to "watch" the 3 point shooter launch it. They were really not in any kind of defense at all.

For now, I hope they adjust either staying on their man; or learn damn quick how to rotate out and help each other.

As for Boris and Raja....hmmmm....well; I haven't really been on the Boris Bandwagon....yes, he's a nice stat filler; especially for assists...but his TO's are also WAY too high and that's not a new thing. I like to sort of narrate the game to myself while watching...and the Rockets game started like this:

"Emeka turns and shoots right into Yao's waiting block"....sheesh...I'm a living "shaking head emote" about that time.

"Boris drives too deep and hands the ball to the Rockets" oh gawd.

"Boris drives too deep and hands the ball to the Rockets" oh my gawd deux.

"Boris gets in deep and toodles the layup" sigh whats on CSPAN?

Raja's game will come back; he's showing he needs a few games to get his timing.

Crash isn't confident enough to return full throttle. Would you be? I'm amazed he's doing what he IS doing...I hold my breath with every contact.

VladRad is VladRad. I don't expect great defense; and truly he's shown some pretty bad defense. But on the other hand; he's doing much more than any of us expected. He's not going to successfully rain 3's every night; especially when the flow of the game is already wonked-out by the time he gets in. I think guys like VladRad will excel when the team plays well and suck when the team sucks. That's still 100% better than the guy he replaced, who kind of sucked all the time.

The Bobcats just can't continue to let quality shooters take uncontested 3's. They just can't. That shouldn't be too hard to figure out. Fortunately we have two good defenders inside in Okafor and Diop that can hold there own against most NBA centers. Guys like Vlad, Wallace and Diaw should be able to guard the shooters; so long as they will do it.

[davcbow]

Spectre...again I'd be thrilled to be wrong about this...and I've tried to be clear that this is just what I'm observing...but I'll also admit that what I'm seeing is unrelated to the motivation of these two players...that's why I brought up stagnant offense and crap plays (driving to deep and down right awful passing) that have been going on since the start of the season...I'm to a great degree at a lose because we do not have a bunch of kids...most of these players are 4+ years in the league...but I'll have a much clearer view (I think) by the end of this road trip...

I dont see it as just those 2 players, DJ has slowed way down scoring too, I feel GW will be back to his old self in time, Mek is about the same as usual, Diop cant hit the backboard let alone score, Felton is scoring but has other problems. The worse problem I see right now besides the scoring woes with the team is the terrible passing and turnovers. Every single player is having that problem, some worse than others and its killing our offense. Our defense looks good at times and at other times looks non existant especially on the perimeter game. The 3 point game has been killing us all season long.... My reason for starting this thread was because it all seems to have gotten much worse since the trade deadline.... I really like the players on this team and hope Im wrong about my thinking. :cool:

[ziggy]

The last two games have been puzzling for me. Why the lack of effort and poor play showed up in these last couple of games that we desperately needed is beyond me. I'm hoping that it was just some kind of weird 2 game stretch and not something thats going to be the norm for the remainder of the season.

If it were up to me, the one thing that I would do right away is to waive that waste of a roster spot COULDABEENDANNYGRANGER ( thats what I'm calling him until he is off of the Bobcats roster) and bring in some more D-League talent to audition... You never know, we might stumble onto another Cartier Martin.

[teej]

The last two games have been puzzling for me. Why the lack of effort and poor play showed up in these last couple of games that we desperately needed is beyond me. I'm hoping that it was just some kind of weird 2 game stretch and not something thats going to be the norm for the remainder of the season.

If it were up to me, the one thing that I would do right away is to waive that waste of a roster spot COULDABEENDANNYGRANGER ( thats what I'm calling him until he is off of the Bobcats roster) and bring in some more D-League talent to audition... You never know, we might stumble onto another Cartier Martin.
You mean waive fatass?

[ziggy]

You mean waive fatass?

yep







.

[SWedd523]

You mean waive fatass?
You mean waive tub-o-lard?

[teej]

yep







.

doesnt that free up 2 roster spots?

[ziggy]

doesnt that free up 2 roster spots?

It would free up a second roster spot, but COULDABEENDANNYGRANGER is serving no purpose here other than taking up a seat at the buffet table. I'd rather have a D-Leaguer in his spot, and if I can't have that then I'll settle for an empty seat where he used to sit.

[teej]

It would free up a second roster spot, but COULDABEENDANNYGRANGER is serving no purpose here other than taking up a seat at the buffet table. I'd rather have a D-Leaguer in his spot, and if I can't have that then I'll settle for an empty seat where he used to sit.
2 empty seats >:(

[SWedd523]

2 empty seats >:(
one of which being Gerald Wallace's

[teej]

one of which being Gerald Wallace's

yea he woulda fratured his rib if bynum didnt

[spectre]

I don't think this has anything whatsoever to do with the trade deadline.

Has this team ever really successfully stopped the 3 while doubling or tripling the post? I don't think so.

The Bobcats commentators said before the Rockets game that Houston was the best 3 point shooting team in the league. Funny, because I would have sworn Orlando was...anyway when we stay in the man-to-man we seem to do well; when we don't...HORRORS.

I think a lot of this falls on Diaw, VladRad and Crash. They haven't learned how to help each other; and thus aren't really hustling at it. With all the 3's by Battier and Artest in the Rockets game I kept rewinding to see who was where...and I kept seeing these 3 standing around kind of in no man's land with one shoulder leaning toward Yao in the paint while looking out the other way to "watch" the 3 point shooter launch it. They were really not in any kind of defense at all.

For now, I hope they adjust either staying on their man; or learn damn quick how to rotate out and help each other.

As for Boris and Raja....hmmmm....well; I haven't really been on the Boris Bandwagon....yes, he's a nice stat filler; especially for assists...but his TO's are also WAY too high and that's not a new thing. I like to sort of narrate the game to myself while watching...and the Rockets game started like this:

"Emeka turns and shoots right into Yao's waiting block"....sheesh...I'm a living "shaking head emote" about that time.

"Boris drives too deep and hands the ball to the Rockets" oh gawd.

"Boris drives too deep and hands the ball to the Rockets" oh my gawd deux.

"Boris gets in deep and toodles the layup" sigh whats on CSPAN?

Raja's game will come back; he's showing he needs a few games to get his timing.

Crash isn't confident enough to return full throttle. Would you be? I'm amazed he's doing what he IS doing...I hold my breath with every contact.

VladRad is VladRad. I don't expect great defense; and truly he's shown some pretty bad defense. But on the other hand; he's doing much more than any of us expected. He's not going to successfully rain 3's every night; especially when the flow of the game is already wonked-out by the time he gets in. I think guys like VladRad will excel when the team plays well and suck when the team sucks. That's still 100% better than the guy he replaced, who kind of sucked all the time.

The Bobcats just can't continue to let quality shooters take uncontested 3's. They just can't. That shouldn't be too hard to figure out. Fortunately we have two good defenders inside in Okafor and Diop that can hold there own against most NBA centers. Guys like Vlad, Wallace and Diaw should be able to guard the shooters; so long as they will do it.

If I could give you more rep I would for this post. Well said. That's exactly what I see too.

In regards to Boris, I'll chalk some up to him being so under utilized previously. If it was another player I'd wager that an offseason working with the team and LB could probably do wonders and we'd really see him shine next year. As it is I'm hoping he'll be motivated enough to want to work and not be lazy.