Is there really THIS much of a home court advantage?

[wundrbread33]

Just looking at our record, how can there be THIS much of an advantage at home and a disadvantage away? These are professional athletes. The rim is the same height. Court is the same size. I just don't get it.

I would understand if this was middle school with kids getting intimidated leaving home, but how can there be this much difference to a professional team? Thoughts?

[BRNC]

...not really...we allowed last nights game and the Dallas game slip away...even some home games we have not learned (killer instinct) how to close games out like the better teams in the league...

I think Jackson is helping the rest of the team with this...but it has more impact when your on the road because the fans start giving energy and that always helps the home team...when we learn to maintain leads and close out leads on the road other teams (and refs) will start to respect us more...but playing bad games (Nets) and not shutting down teams (Indy and Dallas) gains us nothing but an "L"...

[Dcarnys]

There was no way we should have lost last night. The Cats gotta start closing out games. The issue is there are a lot of players on this team that have never had much pro success, when you're not used to it success can be pretty intimidating. Just get a couple of key wins and get into a flow and you should be fine.

[teej]

The issue is there are a lot of players on this team that have never had much pro success,

Not really true. Take a look.

All three centers have played in multiple seasons worth of playoffs, Nazzy was the starter on a championship team.

Boris was a major part of the Suns playoffs runs over the last 5 years.

Crash played on the Kings teams in the early 2k's.

Jack was a ring winner in SAS, and has vast playoff experience in multiple places. Flip has lots of playoff experience and has started a few games on many playoff teams. Stevie was on the playoff roster with LeBron a few years back. Even Acie has made the playoffs twice.

We have 9 players who have made the playoffs and 152 playoff starts between them. Along with 2 champions.

Not too shabby, eh?

[BRNC]

I agree with what you say Teej...but extend it to this team...this "team" has not had that kind of success...and as a team they need to learn how to close out...two of our three key players (at this point in time), Ray and Crash, have not had that kind of success...

I just see it as part of the process and team growth...we've had 4 road games that were very much "our games" but we did not close them out...after a couple of more road wins I think the team will start to feel they can do it...and gain confidence as a team...it will come...and I think it will come this year...

[Scottley Crue]

I just see it as part of the process and team growth...we've had 4 road games that were very much "our games" but we did not close them out...after a couple of more road wins I think the team will start to feel they can do it...and gain confidence as a team...it will come...and I think it will come this year...

I'm with you on this. I think it's all part of the growth process. The first thing they need to do is come out of the gates with at the very least as much energy/intensity as their opponents. Digging themselves a big hole right out of the gate does force them to play at a level that's very hard to maintain for a whole game (as well as get to them a little bit mentally, I'm sure). Getting rid of that problem will go a long way to winning on the road.

[jeffre]

I also used to have a hard time understanding why teams have such a hard time winning games on the road. Now I figured out thats it just a total lack of focus and effort when they are on the road. And when I say lack of effort I mean for a full 48 minutes. Sure, they do start playing hard for a few minutes here and there. But, I think the majority of players are more concerned about getting home or figuring out what they are going to do after the game in whatever city they happen to be in. Think about it, when you are away from home in a new city do you feel like doing work. And that is all this is to a majority of NBA players, just a well paying job.

I know there are some players that give it their all every game(Ex. Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton) but the majority just dont seem to care in my opinion. Which is sad because a lot of times I feel like I'm more upset after a loss then the actual players. I've learned to accept that this is just how it is in the NBA and I dont see it changing anytime soon. I just have to hope that my team cares a little bit more than the other team. I'm sure if there were no more guaranteed contracts the level of play would change. Has anyone ever flipped back and forth between an NBA game and a college basketball game? When I do this it seems the NBA game is in slow motion. In college I see players playing defense, diving around for loose balls, and generally showing that whether they win or lose is important to them. When I watch an NBA game I see guys standing around, players on benches laughing and joking around even when they are losing, and just a look of disinterest. I would imagine that the coaches most difficult job in the NBA is getting the players to care all 82 games. At this point of the season it appears Larry Brown has not figured out how to get this team to play hard all 48 minutes on the road.

With all that being said, I still am a huge Bobcats fan. I root for them because I love the city of Charlotte and I know that if they could start winning and packing the arena it would be great for this city's economy and morale. Having 18,000+ people pouring into the city for 40+ games a year would bring a lot of business to the uptown area. Plus, they are the only professional sports team in North Carolina that has this city's name on the jersey.

P.S. There is another post on this board about how to increase attendance. I know for sure if people knew the team would play with 100% effort and left it all out on the floor every game(Home and on the road) that would be the first step in my opinion. I think everybody would be much more willing to part with their hard earned money if they knew for SURE they were going to get at least 100% effort every game.