Dunlap names starters

[CarolinaBlue704]

I expected this to be the starting lineup.

[spectre]

Reason 1... What does Rings have to do with anything? Alexis Ajinca has a ring as a backup Center on the Mavericks too, Adam Morrison has 2. I don't see us bringing those guys in and starting them in front of our rookies. secondly, he was the BACKUP center on that Mavericks team, which is what he needs to be here.

Reason 2... Biyombo can't learn from the bench after starting? His brain shuts down and can't observe Haywoods play after sitting down? No. "Hey Biyombo, look at how this guy plays basketball... now go out there and try that" works anytime Biyombo isn't on the court. It has nothing to do with starting. weak sauce.


I don't think Biyombo should play the whole game and Haywood should absolutely get minutes. But Haywood is a blip on our radar. He's not in any way shape or form integral to our future, Biyombo is critical to our future. Its more about confidence and trust, and you are essentially demoting and destroying any confidence Biyombo may have... and for what? Because he won a ring as a backup center? We've done this through out our history as a franchise and its one of the few consistent things about this organization other than a losing record. We draft players, then immediately replace them if they aren't world beating super freaks in their first year. We never gain the players trust, and we destroy any semblance of confidence they may have. We did it with Raymond, with Brevin Knight and McInnes. We did it to DJ with Raymond. We never just draft a guy and hand it over to them. This is your team... we drafted you 7th for a reason, now prove us right. Thats all I'm asking for... a single reason that justifies why we are doing that again. Reason better than jewelry, instruction, or the other players getting their feelings hurt.

You know I love our young guys and I initially wanted Biz to start too. From the SL/preaseason though I've come to realize that the coaches are having to really tear him down in order for him to learn the things a lot of kids get before they reach this level. You can tell on the court Biz is thinking way too much (not as many blocks, looking lost a lot of the time) and he's hurting the team and in turn the growth of the other guys by getting heavy minutes right now. I'm not a big fan of Haywood but he does know how to play the game and Biz should learn a lot just by watching him.

I expect the youth movement to go all in not too far into the season and Biz's minutes will grow and he'll most likely take over the starting gig. If that doesn't happen then I'll be right there with you pushing for him.

[SJackson1]

Ive always thought that youth should start games but i think Biyombo can learn something from haywood by watching him early on in the season. Ive got no doubt in my mind that Biyombo will end up starting after 15/20 games

[Mustachio]

All I can say is that I attended the Wizards game, and Haywood was obviously superior to Biyombo. Haywood did not stuff the stat sheet, but he provided tremendous defensive presence and communication. I think it is important to get off on the right foot and win some games, if for no other reason than we don't want to break the NBA record for consecutive losses.

It is a long season. The nagging pain and injuries will pile up. Biyombo should get his chance soon enough.

It is IMPERATIVE that we steal a few wins early for the sake of morale. Haywood starting is part of that equation. And we need to push Biyombo to earn more minutes.

Sorry I just don't buy this. Of course Haywood looked better than Biyombo. Biyombo is 20, Haywood has been in the league 30 years. The difference between the two isn't big enough that it warrants Haywood starting. To use someone elses NBA2k12 analogy... Biyombo is a 62, Haywood a 67 with no upside.

And forget all this "morale" stuff. Thats silly. We went 7-59 last season... you should have low morale, they were terrible last season. You think Hitlers morale was high while sitting in his bunker in the waning hours of WW2? You get your ass kicked around, you don't get to have high morale. (yes I did just compare the Bobcats to Hitler. Thats worth at least two thumbs up)

I do agree with Spec about tearing down Biyombo. He has a long way to go, and needs as much work as possible. I just think starting him is the best way to do that.

I go back to the confidence thing. We are essentially demoting him for a career back up center, and for what so we can win a couple meaningless games? Wins mean nothing to us at this point. We hold the record for worst NBA season now, that happened. Who cares if we do it again, what are we gonna be doubly shamed? No. From now on its all about player dev. It's just like DJ Augustine just said today... He never knew where he stood on this team. We can't keep doing that to players we invest high draft picks in. For once I'd like to see us say. Here the job is yours, we trust you, we think you're gonna be a great player... go prove us right.

[kitch0202]

I take your point, but the one thing I'd answer it with is ... funnily enough a question: is it not best for the team that Haywood starts?

I think Haywood starting allows a developing PF, a very young rookie SF, and a second year PG (Hendo has enough experience for it not to affect him) to have a central figure to build their team shape around. Haywood will communicate the defensive rotations etc. and give the other guys a reliable, consistent presence on the court.

Biz needs, and will receive, minutes. I don't see his not starting adversely affecting his confidence. I am certain Dunlap has left him in no doubt what his role is on the team, what he needs to continue to work on and that he is a valued member of the Bobcats. If we were talking about the communication levels of days gone by (see http://www.bobcatsplanet.com/vb/show...898#post228898) then I would share your concerns.

[SJackson1]

i think Biyombo will play 20 minutes a game in any case becasue of our player rotation, he will definatley be a big impact player coming off the bench

[Talent]

Biz played 23 minutes a game last year. I believe he needs around 25-28 minutes a game this year to see any real improvement from him stats wise. I like having the vet in the starting role at the beginning of the year. Later on in the year when he tires out he will be happy to take a back seat to which ever player deserves the slot.

[SJackson1]

Biz played 23 minutes a game last year. I believe he needs around 25-28 minutes a game this year to see any real improvement from him stats wise. I like having the vet in the starting role at the beginning of the year. Later on in the year when he tires out he will be happy to take a back seat to which ever player deserves the slot.

im on the same page as you mate.

[ncstamey]

so we can win a couple meaningless games? Wins mean nothing to us at this point. We hold the record for worst NBA season now, that happened. Who cares if we do it again, what are we gonna be doubly shamed? No. From now on its all about player dev.

you can't be serious, man... wins mean nothing? This team will mean nothing and will be driven out of town if they have another season like last year's. It's important, especially in the first couple of weeks that we compete and win some games. For the fans and more importantly the PLAYERS so they buy in with what coach is talking about.

I get your argument and I like Biyombo... a lot... but starting Haywood is the right call and we do want to win games. Very badly. Having the worst record does not make you a shoe in for the 1st pick as we all saw this year.

[Mustachio]

you can't be serious, man... wins mean nothing? This team will mean nothing and will be driven out of town if they have another season like last year's. It's important, especially in the first couple of weeks that we compete and win some games. For the fans and more importantly the PLAYERS so they buy in with what coach is talking about.

I get your argument and I like Biyombo... a lot... but starting Haywood is the right call and we do want to win games. Very badly. Having the worst record does not make you a shoe in for the 1st pick as we all saw this year.

Im dead serious. Wins mean absolutely nothing to this team.

We aren't moving anywhere. and you would be hard pressed to lose more fans than we lost last year (if we even lost any last year). Do you really think there are people out there watching for wins from this team? Anyone who is a fan of this franchise, understands whats going on here now. Anyone who made it this deep with the Bobcats isn't going anywhere.

We are at rock bottom, there is no rush to reach mediocre so a couple dummies will buy season tickets again.

Wins are great. But developing talent is the more important goal right now. And any threat to our #7 draft picks confidence can't be taken lightly. Our draft picks are 100000x more valuable than any win we get this season.