The Bobcats will make the playoffs as long as...

[ziggy]

what?

Whats the one thing that has to happen or not happen in order for the Bobcats to make the playoffs?

In my opinion, the Bobcats are an absolute l-o-c-k for the playoffs as long as Emeka Okafor doesn't go down with a serious injury. we all saw how bad the Cats were last year when Emeka was out for a 15 game stretch and we don't have anyone else thats even close to Emeka's interior defensive presence if he goes down with an injury.

Your thoughts?

[dnbman]

The Bobcats will make the playoffs as long as other franchises continue to under achieve.

Aside from Detroit, Chicago, and Cleveland, the Eastern Conference is comprised of a bunch of either inexperienced or underachieving teams; they're not necessarily lacking for talent. Atlanta, Boston, and New York all have plenty of talent, especially with the acquisitions of Allen and Randolph, respectively. The question is, can they turn that talent into cohesive teams that play hard every night? A team like Philadelphia had less talent, yet was much more competitive, especially after trading away Allen "We're Talkin' 'bout practice" Iverson. If it weren't for an immense first half, Orlando would also be with that group. However, the acquisition of Lewis vaults them to top of that group.

Miami and Washington should both rebound this year from disappointing campaigns last year, both hurt by injuries to their key stars. Arenas and Wade should return to be All-Star guards again, putting their teams in prime position for the playoffs. Toronto and New Jersey should both be very competitive. However, Toronto seems like the Sonics team of a couple of years ago that advanced far in the playoffs, only to be horrific the following year. Of course, Seattle didn't have a immense young big like Bosh to anchor the team. Meanwhile, New Jersey is like an 80s American sports car: pretty tough looking, but the wheels could fall off at any moment.

That leaves the Bucks and the Pacers. Both teams are huge question marks with Yi and O'Neal wanting out. These rosters could still change considerably before the start of the season. Who knows what an All-Star FC and a supposed blue chip prospect will get these organizations.

Oh, yeah, and the aforementioned 76ers. If the Bobcats don't make the playoffs, I hope it's because the 76ers beat everyone else out for it. After a superstar says he doesn't have enough talent around him to compete, that left over talent, plus an underrated Andre Miller, go on to become one of the hardest working teams in the East. In many ways, I think Phili and Charlotte represent the similar philosophies of play: quality team with hardworking players.

[twebb]

The Bobcats will make the playoffs if...

1) THey get off onto a good start (Chance for this happening: 50%)

2) J-Rich and G-Force bond well (Chance for this happening: 80%)

3) They get good bench play in the 4th quarter (Chance for this happening: 70%)

I think that #2 will probably happen and there is a good chance #1 happens. We seriously need 4th quarter help from the bench and with Carroll, a slimmer May, and a Morrison with better confidence, I see this happening as well.

To me the bobcats will definitely get into the p-offs from the east but if all three of these things happen then they will be contenders for their division and an absolute lock

[BobcatGSWJrich]

dont jinx the team man! cmon!

[dvdbumpus]

I think we really can't determine that until we have seen the offense in action. With the new offense things could change immensely, making different people more indispenseable or interchangable than others. For example, J-rich may be that player that if we don't have, we're toast. On the opposite end, we could have matt, Adam, or others step in and not lose a beat. Who knows for sure yet?

What does it all hinge on though, regardless? Raymond.

[timang]

* raymond felton fitting and executing coach vincent's new system WELL, not just so-so fine, as obviously the starting PG spot is his now.
* our players gel as a team as early as possible or as late as the middle of the season. i always get the idea that our players get their chemistry on the last part of the season, and that's why they're always promising. the sooner that they gel, the better.
* consistent bench production.
* no injury bugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no!

though honestly i don't have any idea how we will actually fare the next season, i'm sure as hell we'd be on the radar as the season progresses, whether on the top or in the running. oh yes, we'll be there. no more bottom-team jokes, i hope.

[123together]

to make the playoffs, we have to get off to a good start, i think we were 7-21 last yera and played about .500 after that. we can't start off bad. we can not have ANY significant injuries to starters (okafor, wallace, j-rich, felton). we have to continue to play as hard as we have for the first 3 years

[dnbman]

we have to continue to play as hard as we have for the first 3 years

That's huge. Richardson's going to give us more swagge, and fans are already talking about playoffs. But we can't forget what made us competitive: hard work and energy.

Now we add execution to that hard work and energy, and we should be solid.

[ammofan]

1. Okafor must stay healthy!
2. Morrison plays well.
3. Felton actually plays like a point guard

We also need another good big man.

[Dead_Real]

Staying healthy is by far the biggest key in us making it into the playoffs in the 08/09 season in my opinion. Looking back at previous years especially this past year, I honestly think we could have made the playoffs with a healthy Okafor and Sean May on the floor.

Another thing is winning games that we should in fact win a lot of times last year we played hard for the first three quarters but in the 4th we had a hard time putting away teams and we would end of losing. With Richardson we finally have a go to scorer that can drop 20 a night so I think he'll be a guy we can rely on late in games to take the big shot if need be.

So if these two things happen I think we are a lock for the playoffs.