What Has Happened?

[Proudiddy]

Did our guys forget how to win? Did they forget how to close games? I'm starting to get that same hopeless feeling we had last year where you feel like you already know what to expect each game versus the beauty of feeling like you have a chance each game.

I just don't know... Is it because we're so young and the guys can't get themselves out of the losing mindset or the "it's happening again" mode?

As I said before, we were not as bad as we appeared to be last year, but through a combination of lack of coaching (although I love Silas) and too much youth, we got in funk and never were able to pull ourselves back out of it. We went from pushing the NBA Champions to the brink early in the season to losing a couple close ones and it was like after that, our guys just expected to lose. I fear they're starting to do the same now... I really hope we get it back together here ASAP.

[Scottley Crue]

These are the growing pains of a young team. I think it's reasonable to expect inconsistent play from an inexperienced group.

The main reason, though? The schedule got tougher. Also, teams have a book on the Cats and have a better understanding of how to handle them. Let the schedule ease up (read: Let December end) and things will look a little better, I believe.

[GoBobs]

We were just lucky to win so many close games at the start of the season. Even when we were winning I never felt like the coaching or the scheme was that great. In the games we play it seems like the other team usually gets more open quality shots. We give up a lot of open threes and if the other team hits them we lose by 30. We also give up a lot of offensive rebounds in the zone. I would like to see a man press instead of a trapping press.

[fan_of_a_fan]

The biggest problem to me is Dunlap's substitution patterns. He rotate players in & out as if the Bobcats were a 16-under AAU team instead of a NBA team. Even though he's had this same flawed coaching habit since the beginning of the season, now it's beginning to bite us because Sessions isn't playing as surprisingly productive as he was in the first 10 or so games. That's not a shot at Sessions because I'm still content with what he's bringing to the table, but his play of late is more so what I expected from him instead of the 20 points & 5 assist he was averaging during the winning streak. Also to mention, I think that Mullens' and Taylor are getting too much lead way to play through mistakes while Kemba, MKG, and Biyombo are getting yanked at the blow of a whistle or turnover. The losses to the Blazers & Knicks are almost horrific in hindsight, but those are also examples of Dunlap not having the right personnel on the floor at the right time. I'm patient enough to expect these type of miscues from Dunlap as a rookie coach and not call for his head, but I hope he improves as the season goes along

[SWedd523]

What happened?

We came crashing back down to reality.

[dav7z]

Hears a old mans take on a few statments. First about Dunlaps sub patterns . Henderson returning is sending chemristy to hell . Either him or Taylor 1 needs to go. Dunlap seems to have a lot of trust in Taylor. Henderson has good value . It might be time to move my favorite player'.
As another said growing pains are expected.
Me i think we should pick up 3/4 court man for 48 mins of hell. With Dunlap playing so many guys it shouldn't be any trubble
Last whats the deal on Haywood and Diops play . Is Haywood in the dog house ? Or is possable we trying to show case Diop

[CampNightmare8]

What happened?

We came crashing back down to reality.

Honestly.
10char

[JGib23]

At least for the most part we are keeping the games close. We are more competitive than we were last year.

While it sucks to lose and I cheer like hell all the way to the buzzer, if we end up losing and play competitively I don't sweat it.

We don't need win a single game more this season than is necessary to keep the players believing. We are 2 years away and need a another Top 5 pick to keep the rebuild rolling.

[Bogg]

It's unfortunate that they weren't able to hang on for a win against either Portland or New York, but a skid like this was inevitable at some point. The team just badly needs two more difference-makers to help Walker and Kidd-Gilchrist. Hopefully this years draft pick is one and they're able to cash in some of their chips for the other in a trade.

[Keetch]

Our front line is Brendan Haywood, Byron Mullens, Bismack Biyombo and Gana Diop. Seriously.

I love Biz. He's come so far, but he's still very young and filling out physically. When he finally grows up, fills out and matches his body more fully to the motor skills of the game; he's going to be great.

Otherwise, our frontline is really pretty bad. The other 3 guys aren't exactly great athletes and get burned in so many ways during games by much more gifted players. I think we're missing TT quite a bit. He was a big spark before the injury.

MKG is just a kid and has a long wonderful career to look forward to. This year is about development for him; both physically and intellectually. It would be crazy to play him like a veteran so soon. He's like a thoroughbred still growing into its legs. MKG still has that young gangliness that time will refine. You can see it often in his rookie recklessness. There's no rush.

The guards are playing great; but their mostly small. It's tough to beat good teams on the sole will and talent of Kemba Walker and Ramon Sessions.

We'll need to wait a bit longer yet - for Biz and MKG to grow; and for more athletic bigs to arrive.