Charlotte Bobcats at Dallas Mavericks 3/12

[TheBeagle]

Good game by Raymond, GW, JD, and Matt for the most part. Mek rebounded well, but his post game is getting atrocious to look at (a fallback mini hook right into Dampier's hands, as opposed to attacking the rim, for example).

Didn't attack the paint nearly enough for me, especially against this team. When we did, generally, good things happened.

For some damn reason, our guys (or "coach") left GW on an island when he was playing in the first half: they'd give him the ball on the perimeter and then just stop moving for some inexplicable reason. Those of you who were bitching and moaning about Crash taking too many shots and not passing enough, what the hell do you want him to do when his teammates are running FROM the ball?? I'd much rather have a Crash shot than him forcing a pass to a immobile teammate. He started finding his groove, and his teammates woke up in the 2nd half and they looked much better as a unit offensively, especially JD and GW on the court at the same time.

Could not get a loose ball or rebound to save our lives early, and that's a combination of luck and and intensity, neither of which we showed early. I hope GW starts soon because we need that speed and hustle, which Matt just can't give, god bless him...

Other than that we ran into a buzzsaw the likes of which haven't been seen since the Warriors game at GS. I didn't see a significant lack of effort tonight, I just saw a hungrier, more talented team that just couldn't miss. Just chalk it up to the vagaries of the NBA and move on......we're not dead yet.

[Keetch]

Aw come on Beagle....players stand around when GW has the ball because they're used to the program of Crash driving into the paint or taking a jumper without looking around. His offensive proforma is isolation; he never has passed the ball much once his nose is set on owning the ball.

If it was me...just me lol...this is what I'd do with Crash back..

Start Okafor, JRich and Felton for sure. Put Crash on the opponents best wing scorer (not a Center, big PF or PG) and tell him to get all over him on D.

Start either Nazr, Davidson, or Dudley at PF based on the opponents skill set. Don't get too rigid at PF as no one player can win the position this year. No one player is skilled enough. Against the Mavs, I would have started Dudley I suppose. Although Davidson is worth a try.

I would craft Wallace into the offense by using his isolation skills periodically in a half court set and at critical opportunities. Of course; he's always excellent on the break, no way I'd mess with that. I would not permit his skill set to diminish the uptempo offense of Felton driving and dishing to Carroll and JRich, nor stymie JRich's interior game; which I think empowers his outside game. I would try to emphasize defense first with Crash; and manage his isolation game, so that his teammates can work better with it.

Of course....THERE ARE games where Crash's isolation can just OWN his defenders. If I saw that opportunity evolve...why I'd just pull old Crash over and I'd say..."Mr. Crash, I believe you can destroy that team out there...DO IT."

[ohara831]

Here's how I feel: We got all high and mighty with our 5 game winning streak, and just got put in our place. We just need to keep honing the skills of our young guys, and hope we land a major player in the Draft. With the road games ahead, we really dont have a good chance at Playoffs. Atlanta has a much easier road. I just want to see us keep playing hard and trying - no quitting.

[Muttley]

Here's how I feel: We got all high and mighty with our 5 game winning streak, and just got put in our place. We just need to keep honing the skills of our young guys, and hope we land a major player in the Draft. With the road games ahead, we really dont have a good chance at Playoffs. Atlanta has a much easier road. I just want to see us keep playing hard and trying - no quitting.

That's all I'm really asking for, but I also feel that we could have put up a MUCH BETTER showing last night. (Though I enjoy watching sports and following teams for the highs and lows they bring, it's never easy to accept the dissapointments.)

[TheBeagle]

Aw come on Beagle....players stand around when GW has the ball because they're used to the program of Crash driving into the paint or taking a jumper without looking around. His offensive proforma is isolation; he never has passed the ball much once his nose is set on owning the ball.

If it was me...just me lol...this is what I'd do with Crash back..

Start Okafor, JRich and Felton for sure. Put Crash on the opponents best wing scorer (not a Center, big PF or PG) and tell him to get all over him on D.

Start either Nazr, Davidson, or Dudley at PF based on the opponents skill set. Don't get too rigid at PF as no one player can win the position this year. No one player is skilled enough. Against the Mavs, I would have started Dudley I suppose. Although Davidson is worth a try.

I would craft Wallace into the offense by using his isolation skills periodically in a half court set and at critical opportunities. Of course; he's always excellent on the break, no way I'd mess with that. I would not permit his skill set to diminish the uptempo offense of Felton driving and dishing to Carroll and JRich, nor stymie JRich's interior game; which I think empowers his outside game. I would try to emphasize defense first with Crash; and manage his isolation game, so that his teammates can work better with it.

Of course....THERE ARE games where Crash's isolation can just OWN his defenders. If I saw that opportunity evolve...why I'd just pull old Crash over and I'd say..."Mr. Crash, I believe you can destroy that team out there...DO IT."

I absolutely love your proposed starting 5, Keetch. I also like the role mapped out for GW. I swear though (and yes, I'm a raging GW homer!!! but still) I think the expect him to just drive to the basket, and don't really give him many other options when they stand around with their thumbs up their.......hind ends When his teammates are navigating the paint, back-door cutting and the like, he finds them, and finds them well. I could be wrong, but I believe he's the 2nd leading assist man on the team. Yes, he gets into his stubborn fits, which we discussed on another thread, and yes, this causes him to force the issue, but that doesn't give his teammtes the excuse of letting grass grow under their feet when he has the ball.

All things being said, I think you've outlined what would be the ideal gameplan for the Bobcats as they are now constituted. Why the hell can't we get Keetch as our coach?!?!? FINE HAM BISCUIT!!!

[timang]

guess i'd have to wait and see that six-game w streak in the future, not now.