Charlotte Bobcats Need To Get Out And Run More

[spectre]

NBAPlaybook

The Charlotte Bobcats surprised a lot of people by making it into the playoffs last year winning 44 games and earning the 7th spot in the East. Despite being swept by the Orlando Magic in the first round, it was a successful season especially considering this was the first playoff appearance in team history.

The Bobcats got to the playoffs on the strength of their defense. According to both Hoopdata.com’s defensive efficiency and Synergy Sports’ points per possession, the Bobcats were the top defense in the league last year. According to Synergy, the Bobcats gave up just .87 points per possession.

It was the offensive end where the Bobcats struggled. According to Synergy, their offense was ranked 22nd in the league with just .92 points per possession. If Charlotte wants see their offense to improve, they really need to try and get out in transition more, where the Bobcats really excel. The Bobcats were ranked 1st in terms of points per possession scoring 1.23 points per every possession the Bobcats got out and ran. However, they didn’t run much. According to Synergy, transition plays account for just 12.1% of their offense. The Bobcats also had the sixth worst pace in the league, creating just 92.9 possessions per game (average is 95.1).

~much more at the link~

[Toocool]

Spectre, you always seem to amaze me with pulling links from no where that hold great reads and information. Thanks for that. Would +1 you, but it seems need to share the love around more.

[Muttley]

This doesn't surprise me too much. It's great to see the data analysis on this. It always looked weird and awkward when the team would slow the ball down to run a half-court set.

[Chef]

good thing we are terribly weak at pg.

[spectre]

Playing uptempo would help DJ even more than it would have helped Felton last year IMO. The one thing I think DJ is really good at is getting out and running.

I had no idea we were so good on the fast break last year. Pity that goes against everything Larry Brown (no matter what he says).

[GoBobs]

Posters have been saying the team needs to run more for years. I bet the reason our transition stats are so good is because Gerald Wallace is unstoppable in the open court and he takes most of our shots in transition.

I think a big part of what keeps us from running more is Gerald has to grab so many defensive rebounds. He can't get the defensive rebound and leak out on the break too.

Also we can't play Gerald and Jack so many minutes if we are going to run, but Hendo and Brown would be great backups for a running team.

It would really help a front court combo of Tyrus and Diaw when we go small. Diaw is good at changing ends because he has great endurance. Tyrus is fast for a PF and can finish on the break.

I actually think if we got Dantoni or somebody like that with a running offensive focus this team would become a monster. Look how much it helped the suns to get alivin gentry a defensive minded coach, they made the conference finals last year. The suns were as a team were already great on offense they just needed the D. The Bobcats are great on D and need some help on offense.

[DY_nasty]

good thing we are terribly weak at pg.

Because Felton running the point was poetry in motion.

[SWedd523]

It makes sense to run with Gerald, Tyrus, Hendo, and Brown on the wings with Jack trailing for the 3 and DJ able to pull up in transition for open looks. I think it'd be in our benefit to run, even at the likely small cost of our defense.

[Chef]

Because Felton running the point was poetry in motion.

felton is incredibly fast end to end and he is a much better finisher than dj. felton routinely scores at the basket after contact in traffic. dj gets blocked or shoots a bad jumper. felton is actually a very solid pg. can't say even close to the same for dj.

[TheBeagle]

This doesn't surprise me too much. It's great to see the data analysis on this. It always looked weird and awkward when the team would slow the ball down to run a half-court set.

Agreed. The numbers seem ironic, but it's not really a surprise for me either, Muttley. And yeah, with no post presence still, the awkwardness will continue.