Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Bobcats 12/05

[dav7z]

OK last game Emeka played just 20 mins . And scored all right in the first half. Last night he had only seven shots and was compleatly for got about in the 4th quarter . He only had one touch a offencive rebound dunk. No were near enough.
Some one tell me why Herrmann gets jrrked out after scoring 4pts 2 boards in about two mins. He was key in extending the lead to ten. Dudley was doing nothing last night any way.
Our coach has a major problem making midgame adjustments.
We taking way to many threes not near enough north and south play. It could be a lack of a big causing a lot of this problem . The defence and offence seemed to flow better with Hollins in the rotation.

[CaptainCrunch]

I went to the game last night and I must say it has to be one of the most disappointing losses I have ever been to (I wasn't at the Celtics game). We have got to do something and stop this losing streak. I guess the injuries to AMMO and May are really starting to catch up to us

[dav7z]

Crunch agreed May and Morrison would be a big help right now.

[ohara831]

I went to the game last night and I must say it has to be one of the most disappointing losses I have ever been to (I wasn't at the Celtics game). We have got to do something and stop this losing streak. I guess the injuries to AMMO and May are really starting to catch up to us

__________________________________________________ ___

I would like to think Ammo would have been a big help, but I did not see enough of him before the injury to know how well his Defense improved.
May, I really do not see back. someone on the Board mentioned they were acquainted with someone who saw the diagnostics on the knee, and said there was literally no cartilage left. He'll never stand the wear and tear of an NBA season again.

[Keetch]

I sit about 6 rows behind Sam. When Okafor put down a slam near the end of the 4th quarter, I yelled out "Remember Him?!" I sure hope he heard me. Okafor was playing against Noah most of the second half for crying out loud.

Thoughts on the game...

We were expecting the Bulls to win the game, but were hoping for a surprise...Chicago has a huge advantage on us in the paint, being so much bigger and deeper with Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Tyrus Thomas, Noah, Nocioni and Luol Deng. That's a tremendous amount of quality depth. We kept saying it was a good thing they didn't know it though, as (except for Nocioni and Deng) they kept playing around the perimeter and mostly missing their shots. We were very thankful that Skiles kept Tyrus Thomas on the bench. I think the guy could have killed us inside. He's pretty much a freak of nature I think.

At halftime, we had an ominous feeling that the Cats would find a way to lose, and it proved true.

I think it started with McInnis in the 3rd Quarter. The offense stalled. Sam was sharp enough to yank him, but unfortunately when Felton came in everything went crazy bad. So Ray gets frustrated; Crash suffers a couple of bad calls and gets frustrated; Emeka doesn't get the ball and gets frustrated; JRich missing his shots and getting frustrated...all we saw in the second half was the development of a loser's mentality to the Bobcats game. It was pretty sorry really.

So last night we decided that this is fundamentally still a lottery team and to reduce our expectations. And to say it one more time, the reason is we have an inexperienced coach who doesn't instill confidence in his team. Maybe he will as the season progresses, or in future seasons; but right now they have a very very long way to go. They'll get their confidence back at times and each of Felton, Rich and Wallace will have some great games; but it will only be fleeting successes for the foreseeable future. Until the coach develops a mentality of confidence and willfulness for the team; there's no real possibility of the playoffs.

Of course; those things come when you plan sound game strategy, have a knack for inspired situational strategies, develop team chemistry and intelligent player rotations; and are backed by a management group that can provide a balanced roster of talented and skilled players.

For the most part, we have a few pieces for sure; but otherwise we're pretty much failing across the board.

I'm ready for Larry Brown.

[ohara831]

Keetch: I appreciate the insight you provided above. You have a keen eye and think things through thoroughly.

You were at the game. Tell me, do you feel we would have been more solid this year if we had taken Noah with he 8th and let him start with Okafor on our front line. Maybe starting Matt Carroll at the SG instead of having traded for J-Rich? Did you see a talent and energy that led you to believe that he could be a avg. PF in the NBA?

[Keetch]

Ohara: That's funny because I said out loud to my friend at the game "I know this is heresy, but right now I'm thinking we could have used that guy." Speaking of Noah of course.

I'm one who actually likes and enjoys Noah's antics and quirkiness, I think he's probably a nice kid. But his game? Hmmm...not sure. I think "average" C/PF is probably saying it right. He's ok, but I would hope to strive higher, and the JRich deal was one I was completely in favor of; so won't renege now. I think JRich needs better chemistry and better management of the offense around him to succeed; and hopefully that will happen in time. I like JRich and hope for his success here; even though its pretty rocky now.

[ohara831]

Thanks for the insight. I am also having to reconsider my whole idea of the Okafor trade to get Phoenix's Atlanta pick. Atlanta is starting to play too well. They will be late Lottery if Lottery at all. The idea I had was to wait till All Star Break to see where we would be and Atlanta. No way we can do such a deal if the Atlanta pick is outside the Top Ten.

[TheBeagle]

So last night we decided that this is fundamentally still a lottery team and to reduce our expectations. And to say it one more time, the reason is we have an inexperienced coach who doesn't instill confidence in his team. Maybe he will as the season progresses, or in future seasons; but right now they have a very very long way to go. They'll get their confidence back at times and each of Felton, Rich and Wallace will have some great games; but it will only be fleeting successes for the foreseeable future. Until the coach develops a mentality of confidence and willfulness for the team; there's no real possibility of the playoffs.

Of course; those things come when you plan sound game strategy, have a knack for inspired situational strategies, develop team chemistry and intelligent player rotations; and are backed by a management group that can provide a balanced roster of talented and skilled players.

For the most part, we have a few pieces for sure; but otherwise we're pretty much failing across the board.

Yeah, Keetch, it's not easy when the reality of the situation hits you in the face, and the finality of it sets in, as it did for you last night. I'm not sure when it hit me; I'd been feeling it for a while, but I can't say it was the Phoenix/Philly debacle; that's just too early to make any kind of real judgement. I think the Wiz game was the first real sign that things were wrong in bobcatsland, and from there it's really spiraled out of control.

You, me, and ohara all have the same perspective on what kind of team is being put together, and how we'll be very very fortunate to match our win total from last season. That said, you're right, we'll have some bright spots along the way, but they won't last as long as the relative gloom that's going on right now; it's just the whole makeup of the team, the disorganization and confusion and lack of cohesion that make it impossible to generate any significant momentum.

I'm calling for a complete overhaul of the team, or as I called it on another thread, Building the Bobcats: Part II. From the first part of this team, we've managed to get 4 players who can be a solid foundation to build on, and act as a bridge to Part 2 of this franchise's progression: GW, Mek, Matt, and Dudley. The rest of the players are, no offense intended, just purely expendable, and should not be in the plans for Part 2.

The verdict is still out on the coach, but I think this year has proved that MJ's frat-party approach to building the front office has been a disaster. It's time for him to decide if he wants to build a winner, or if this is just something he wants to do between fucking tee-times! We deserve more than having a part-time decision maker!!! He needs to check his ego at the door and go out and hire somebody that has documented success in assessing talent, and let them do their job, as opposed to what he's doing with Higgins.

There are no easy solutions, and success is going to take more time then we thought, but I'm okay with that so long as visible, tangible steps are being taken to improve this team for the long-haul: not some idiotic one-year playoff promise!!!