Let's Start Ben Gordon!

[GoBobs]

Starting Ben Gordon is a great idea. We missed a chance to do it when Hendo was hurt but should do it now anyway.

Walker/Sessions
Gordon/Williams
Hendo/Taylor
MKG/Tyrus Thomas
Bismack/Haywood

I would give that a try for a while. Can't be worse then the worse defense in the league which is what we have now.

[Plowright]

We already have numerous times. The starting team doesn't matter! We play that lineup all the time during games

[fan_of_a_fan]

The starting lineup does matter because we always start slow, and are usually out of it by halftime, or trying to make up a double-digit deficit.

[Plowright]

Because we're really strong in the 2nd, 3rd and. 4th quarter? Our struggles are throughout the entire game, not just the 1st quarter

[fan_of_a_fan]

Because we're really strong in the 2nd, 3rd and. 4th quarter? Our struggles are throughout the entire game, not just the 1st quarter

We're actually average to above average in the NBA at scoring in every quarter that doesn't start with our starting lineup putting us in the hole.

1st quarter: 22.2 pts (28th), -4.7 (30th)

2nd quarter: 24.4 pts (15th), -2.3 (28th)

3rd quarter: 23.7 pts (20th), -1.8 (25th)

4th quarter: 23.8 pts (13th), +0.5 (11th)

http://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat...oints-per-game

[tom v]

While I like the idea of boosting a player's value before the deadline, I'm afraid that Gordon's situation is pretty complicated. No matter how well he plays, even if it is at an all-star level, he is still going to have only a few places to land. As a three-point specialist, he is pretty much a luxury item on a roster. In other words, the only teams really interested would be ones who feel they are one scoring piece away from a championship. Unfortunately, almost all contending teams are brushed up against the luxury tax and Gordon makes an exorbitant 12 million a year for a one dimensional player. Which means that the Cats will be taking back bad contracts in to make the salary match in exchange for some assets. But what assets can a contending team offer? Draft picks in the 20s which are practically worthless. If a team like that has a quality young player on their roster, they guard them like gold because that's the key to being able to fill out a contending, having productive players playing on cheap rookie deals.
I just think that regardless of how Gordon plays, the main value he has will be in the off-season when Cho will probably have the opportunity to pull the same move that he did with Maguette to get Gordon. Trade Gordon's high salary for a worse contract and get a pick or two for the trouble. If Gordon plays really well, the Cats will obviously have an easier time facilitating a trade like that, but the main thing is still going to be the salaries and not the production. Still, I loved the trade to Gordon because of the pick, and I'd love to see them replicate it this summer.

[Bogg]

We're actually average to above average in the NBA at scoring in every quarter that doesn't start with our starting lineup putting us in the hole.

1st quarter: 22.2 pts (28th), -4.7 (30th)

2nd quarter: 24.4 pts (15th), -2.3 (28th)

3rd quarter: 23.7 pts (20th), -1.8 (25th)

4th quarter: 23.8 pts (13th), +0.5 (11th)

http://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat...oints-per-game

By those numbers the fourth quarter is the only time that the Bobcats have been even average, and that's at least partially due to the "starters" (the team doesn't really have a clear-cut best five) trying to make up big deficits against the oppositions' second team when their starters have packed it in for the night. Charlotte badly, badly needs an elite scorer at two-guard and some competent big men. The good news is that it looks like Portland is going to finish outside the "top" 12 in the draft, so Cho is probably going to have a second pick in the mid-teens to help fill out the roster.

[alfie6]

ben gordon has really only been effective coming off the bench his entire career. he is the perfect, jump off the bench and get 8 quick points type of guy. starting him would just waste minutes that hendo of even taylor could use to develop.

not that it wouldnt be an improvement...but its a matter of ~5 wins vs. not demoralizing the young guys.

[fan_of_a_fan]

ben gordon has really only been effective coming off the bench his entire career.

That is a blind belief. Gordon was just as good of a scorer as a starter with Chicago. I never remember him coming off the bench when it came playoff time when he was with the Bulls except for maybe his rookie year.

not that it wouldnt be an improvement...but its a matter of ~5 wins vs. not demoralizing the young guys.

I would rather the 5 more wins to increase his trade value than the 5 more losses to disprove that Hendo & JT are starting material, something I already know.

[Plowright]

Only reason we are close in the 4th is because the other team have thrown in their scrubs who aren't playing to their full as they know the game is won. At the same time we've got our best team out trying to claw ourselves back in the game.