I had a horrible realization at the game tonight

[MattD]

Tonight, at the last game of the season, Bob Johnson addressed the crowd. He had Ray and Gerald next to him. He described them as "superstars"

As I am watching Johnsons body language along with MJ's, I began to realize they are really convinced what we have going is eventually going to make us a contender. Frankly I dont think we are remotely close, maybe an 8th seed, but no where near a contender.

I think we are going to lock up Felton and Okafor to long term extensions/contracts and be stuck in mediocrity for several more years. This combo of Felton/Rich/Wallace/Okafor didnt seem to flow this year (blame it on sam vincent all you want, but dallas has a bad coach, though he is inspirational, and still finds ways to work around it)

I think this is going to be a painful offseason for people like me who love to play with the trade machine and try to improve the trade by finding realistic trades that can be made, and for those who want to see the team shaken up (I do I do, the only lock piece for me is Jrich).

My logic tells me he has to be gone, but I also felt that there is a distinct possibility Vincent stays. Somehow with MJ courtside, he must have seen how poorly Vincent coaches, but I am afraid they wont want to give up on him.

This will be an interesting offseason, one that I think is going to make me hurt a little.

[dnbman]

I don't see why that core can't be Eastern Conference elite team. You've got a defensive anchor, a true gunner, a two way wing player, and a dynamic pg. The key is to get them all to gel, which it looks like they're slowly doing.

Something to keep in mind: Arenas and Nash were both guys considered to be not worth keeping around. Of course, they went on to become two of the best pgs in the NBA. Those four guys could do an awful lot with the right coach and the right system.

Get a new coach, and they'll be in much better shape.

As for Vincent, he's gone.

[bizzlecatz]

Call me what you want, but I think the foundation is there also, we need to add and subtract a few pieces here and there, but I believe these guys can complete with the best, but they are going nowhere with Sam Vincent. I agree this offseason is goin to be interesting, but it will work out in favor of the Bobcats.

Good night!

[TheBeagle]

I'm actually in agreement with all 3 of you. My inclincation is that Matt is right, that are general core is in place, and there won't be any blockbuster trading. Our improvements will come via draft and a couple veteran FAs.

Now I'm in agreement with DNB and bizzle that I think the core of this team can get some things done with a competent coach that they respect and trust. We definitely need a solid 4 to start alongside Mek to make us contenders, but it's my opinion, we're closer, personnel wise, than some think.

[ohara831]

If, via Draft or trade, we landed a a big that could score, rebound and play Defense, be that a PF and Okafor moving to Center or a Center and Okafor playing PF, then this lineup can work. We need that presence down low who can do all 3 things- especially give us another scoring threat. That alone would take pressure off of the other 4 and open up their games.

[MattD]

well one thing that scares me is that other teams that are in similar situations think that they are almost there too, the reality is, just like us, they're really not in my opinion

[Dead_Real]

I believe we are a coach away from making noise in the East it's shown we can hang with the best squads just need a coach/real system to be in place.

[ohara831]

I believe we are a coach away from making noise in the East it's shown we can hang with the best squads just need a coach/real system to be in place.

_______________________________________________

It is not all the Coach in our case. Yes, to a large degree it was, but the blame also lay with the players not always giving their best effort (Okafor) and mgmnt not pulling the strings on any deals, other than Nazr, to make us better. Everyone in the organization takes some blame, not only the Coach. We need some new blood in the Coaching ranks and player ranks, along with our foundation, and we can then make some noise.

[Mustachio]

ohara come on buddy... you can hardly blame management for not trying to make the team better. they brought in Jrich and Nazr. thats too pretty large moves for a 4th year franchise team. I feel the mngt want to win. i feel like the players REALLY wanna win. but i feel like neither thinks that it can really happen with the current coach.

[Slam]

I think that Vincent will be back next season.

And because of that, EO50 will not be.