Season Preview: Charlotte Bobcats

by Dave on Oct 1, 2007 10:57 PM PDT in News Comment 16 comments

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

Record: 33-49, 4th in Southeast Division, 11th (tie) in Eastern Conference

Statistical Comparisons:

Notable:

26th in ppg differential (-3.7 ppg)
5th in steals (7.8 spg)
5th in opponent turnovers (15.2 per game)

Others:

18th in the league in scoring (96.9 ppg)
21st in opponent scoring (100.6 ppg)
25th in field goal %
22nd in opponent field goal %
12th in three-point %
8th in assists
19th in blocks
13th (tie) in turnovers
Average offensive rebounding team
Poor defensive rebounding team

Significant Additions:
Jason Richardson, Jermareo Davidson (R), Coach Sam Vincent

Significant Subtractions:
Brevin Knight, Jake Voskuhl

Key Players

PG: Raymond Felton, Jeff McInnis
SG: Jason Richardson, Matt Carroll
SF: Gerald Wallace, Adam Morrison, Jared Dudley
PF: Emeka Okafor, Walter Herrmann, Sean May
C: Primoz Brezec, Ryan Hollins

Comments: In principle I agree with the Bobcats' big off-season splash, trading their lottery pick for an established star. They didn't need more younger players and even if you trusted their somewhat hurried preparation and Michael Jordan's draft savvy there wasn't anyone there at that spot who was going to make a major impact. As this team's expansion-years youngsters mature it needs a shot in the arm to spur growth, lest they get caught in a cycle of losing. However I am not convinced that Jason Richardson was the answer to their prayers. In fact he's about the last star I would have picked for this team. Richardson was reportedly available to the Blazers had they desired him but they passed on him because his knees had deteriorated to the point that it was affecting his game. The J-Rich of old could drop 20 on you like lightning before you knew what was happening. This J-Rich can still drop 20 but he takes a lot more shots to do it. The athleticism just isn't there. Plus they already have an athletic, versatile scorer in Gerald Wallace. Even if Richardson were 100% repaired those two would seem to be competing for touches and shots. Worst of all, Richardson is a poor defender. One of the reasons I'm not enthralled with statistically-snazzy point guard Raymond Felton is that he's an indifferent defender. Between them they're going to put an enormous amount of pressure on the rest of the team to cover. Emeka Okafor is a fantastic defensive player when healthy, but who else is there? Primoz Brezec? Wallace? Adam Morrison? Also Felton is a poor shooter himself, so there are going to be a lot of ugly heaves coming out of that backcourt. Let's hope the offensive rebounding is up to snuff.

Both Okafor and Wallace bring strength to the table. Emeka's offensive game is starting to rise closer to the level of his defense, making him a dangerous player. As long as he stays healthy his athleticism will make him a genuine star. Wallace is a threat from anywhere within the three point line and doubly so on the break. Between the two of them you are not going to want to see this team running against you. Then again you can't run if you can't defend and rebound and I don't see anybody besides Okafor who's capable of making that kind of impact.

The Bobcats' talent base suffers after the obvious four names. You have to love Fabio Jr., uh, I mean Walter Hermann, but he's not going to carry the team or his position. Primoz Brezec got overrated a couple years ago and is now approaching non-defense-playing stiff category. Adam Morrison needs to improve every aspect of his game if he's going to make a contribution. Even though they look laden with star power this team really is paper thin. One injury or even a guy underperforming is going to hamstring them but good.

Between the chemistry issues, health issues, and talent issues new coach Sam Vincent may have a long year. With the increased name power expectations have risen for the Bobcats but I'm not sure the team is up to the challenge of fulfilling them. They lost most of their cap space in the off-season. I wonder how much they'll have to show for it.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Comments

J-Rich and Gerald

While I agree that J-Rich isn't the player he is supposed to be anymore (and doubly so with that enormous contract), I think a shooter like him could play well with Wallace because Gerald is more of a transition, garbage buckets type scorer. You don't need to run plays for him, and he'll do everything on the court.

A big problem is that both Wallace and Richardson are rarely healthy for a season, and if they go down the team has no scorers... and historically, those two players will go down. Same with Emeka, but I sincerely hope not because early last season he was really emerging as a force to be reckoned with. If Sean May can keep his weight under control and thus avoid more injuries (but most fatties stay a fatty, too bad so sad) he is actually a really good post scorer (can't do nothing else, but a remarkable Z-Bo like post scorer). Carroll and Walter "The descendent of Nazi war criminals who escaped to Argentina" Hermann are solid bench guys, but a big step down from J-Rich and Wallace when those guys get their weekly injury.

Morrison should be traded while he still has name value. Not to us though; I dislike white players who get way overrated because they are white. Morrison is aggressively unathletic and while he may become a decent off 'da bench Juan Dixon scorer, that is a far cry from what many predicted. But, I'm sure many teams around the league would over value him now before the season starts, and the Bobcats could get something much better in return than what Morrison can bring. Once the season starts, Morrison will be behind J-Rich, Gerald Wallace, Herrmann, and Matt Carroll... even with an injury he isn't looking at the spoon fed playing time he got last season. His crappy numbers will get crappier, and his value goes down the crapper. Trade him to a dumb GM while he's still a hot young popular prospect!

As always Dave, I agree that the IDEA of trading a draft pick ya don't need or want for a proven star player is a good IDEA in this situation, but the execution wasn't quite right. However, I'm not sure who else they could have gotten off the top o' my head...

This is a team that could surprise people in the east and make the playoffs, or be a bottom 5 team. Neither would shock me. If healthy, they have 3 players who can really make a difference. Unfortunately, all the guys they depend on have YEARS of injury plagued seasons...

I wish the best for the youngins.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 2, 2007 2:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Both great assessments...

While I too applaud the Bobcats for trying to bring name recognition to Charlotte (something they haven't had since Baron Davis left), I don't think Richardson was the right piece to the puzzle. His knees are weak, which is absolutely detrimental to a player who scores above the rim, but on the bright side, his jump shot seems to be improving as he realizes that he can no longer jump over people.

Charlotte needed a shooter to couple with the inside game of Okafor and the all-over-the-map game of Gerald Wallace, but they could've easily acquired someone who wasn't nearly as high priced as Richardson. In some ways, you have to be happy to be a player involved in one of Michael Jordan's trades, because usually, both players immediately and drastically improve, but for other teams. (Think back to Rip Hamilton who was dealt to the Pistons and Jerry Stackhouse once he left for the Mavericks)...

I think Adam Morrison's value has sunk far below even the most negative fan's expectations. You assume that a rookie is going to improve as years pass by, but the Morrison's worries are only going to get worse. He can't play defense. He can't dribble if faced with pressure. And worst of all, the little athleticism he flashed in college, which created almost all of his scoring opportunities, just flat out isn't enough to get the job done at the NBA level. Honestly, I think he's destined for a similar career to Dan Dickau and that isn't just because they both went to Gonzaga.

The Bobcats are really going to struggle in the front court. Yes, Gerald Wallace is an absolute freak and he plays the boards like a PF, but beyond him, I'd be worried. Emeka Okafor is solid, but often-injured. Walter Hermann seemed as soft as a roasted marshmallow last year, and Primo Brezac is another center that capitalized on a good year and cashed in (see: Jerome James, Nazr Mohammed, Adonal Foyle, etc, etc).

Basically, the Bobcats have a solid starting 5. On NBA Live 08, they'll be fun because you can turn off injuries. In real life, not so much. Emeka and J-Rich are too often hurt, and Gerald Wallace is too close to diving into the front row and snapping his neck for this team to take the next step...

by Champs2009 on Oct 2, 2007 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To me the problem is

when J-Rich becomes primarily a shooter, especially from deep, he loses a lot of what makes him special even if he makes a few shots.

--Dave

by Dave on Oct 2, 2007 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I abso-tively agree

I guess I mean is that the idea of a scorer like J-Rich would work well with Gerald Wallace because you can run plays for the shooter and clean up messes with Wallace... but I agree that this broken down version of J-Rich, the 'chucker from deep' version, isn't the right choice. ESPECIALLY when it takes up all your cap room for several years, and locks it up in a player who's best days are already behind him.

Good idea, poor execution.

Who else do you guys think that could they have gotten that would fit and was available? Rashard? I believe he's older than Richardson, but a much more consistent scorer (if not otherwise afflicted with the same weaknesses as J-Rich). Ray Allen would be too old for the young Bobcats... maybe I'm just drawing a blank, but I can't think of any young-ish wing scorers who are gettable. If J-Rich can maintain/regain/obtain any of his old slashing athleticism and keep improving his shot, maybe he has a chance.

I'm also drawing a blank on Gerald Wallace's nickname. I know he has one... Multiplicity maybe?

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 2, 2007 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way Lewis

was signing with Charlotte. And they really didn't have the assets to pull much more of a trade. I like that Michael Jordon's first draft pick here is a complete bust. Pretty much Kwame Brown all over again. Maybe he can hire Isaiah to come make his future picks for him? Didn't think so either.

by lee3022 on Oct 2, 2007 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I concur

I only mentioned 'Shard because I couldn't think of any wing scorers who were even remotely available, but I didn't expect him to land in Charlotte even if they did have cap room-- he wanted to go to a better team I'm sure.

J-Rich might not work out there, but he might have been the best option available. I don't know. But, it's a tough position to be in, and sitting pretty on cap room doesn't always look or sound good... ya gotta get the best player available, and maybe, just maybe, Jason Richardson was the best wing scorer available. That's not saying he's a perfect fit for the Bobcats, or that he will even play well, but I can't think of who else they shoulda' got.

When we have cap room in 2009, we might find ourselves in a similar situation. Wanting to make a jump and having cap space to make a move (and not gonna have it the next season, I believe), we'll try for the best player available either via sign and trade or free agency. The player we get might not be a perfect fit, but some years the best player available isn't the ideal player. What do ya do? Nothing? Maybe. I just hope we aren't stuck with nice cap room but slim pickens to choose from, like the Bobcats.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 3, 2007 3:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A Small Quibble

In both reviews so far, your "Key Players" section reads more like a depth chart. I hardly think Jared Dudley - who CBS Sportsline doesn't even have a photo on file for - is "key" to the Bobcats plans.

Other than that, though, great stuff.

by Toast on Oct 2, 2007 8:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Key Players

pretty much IS a depth chart, except for some teams there are still positions yet to be won so it's not a clear depth chart in terms of "these are the starters and this is the bench". That's why it's "key players" instead. But yeah, it's the top 12 players more or less in order of importance for each position.

--Dave

by Dave on Oct 2, 2007 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh

and Jared Dudley is going to EXPLODE this year!

--Dave

by Dave on Oct 2, 2007 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and yet...

jermareo davidson is the only rookie you list as a "significant addition"!

i like dudley, though. he has a pretty good shot at supplanting morrison as the primary backup 3.

by game sink on Oct 2, 2007 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was teasing

about Dudley, but you're right, I forgot to list him. My bad.

--Dave

by Dave on Oct 2, 2007 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

forgive the Blazer comparison but

since I don't care much for other teams I'll point out one thing I appreciate about this thread. Felton is described as "an indifferent defender". I can't think of anybody on the Blazer roster who would be described this way. (Note: there's a difference between indifference and incompetence.) And if there is anybody who is indifferent to defending he won't play. That cultural change will lead to fastbreak baskets because as Dave says in his post, if you don't defend you don't get the fastbreaks.

Thanks for giving me something to compare the Blazer situation to.

by jon on Oct 2, 2007 8:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Miles is an indifferent defender

But he won't play much this year anyway.

"It's low fat and has Culture!" (Krang)

by jamon51 on Oct 2, 2007 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Yeah, I agree with you that at times Miles has looked indifferent about nearly everything at one time or another. Once I think I even caught him appearing to be indifferent about breathing. But like you said he won't play much this season and that's doubly true if he displays his past lethargy.

Fortunately it's a different time and what's past is past. There's some evidence that the fellow is clueing in that he either gets with the program or the program is moving on without him.

by jon on Oct 2, 2007 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we can all agree

that Miles is either going to really have changed his attitude or is not ever going to see the floor. He was indifferent. But surgery can change a guy and the culture change here can also have a big effect. Not many of us are concerned that Miles will corrupt the others. I think he can become a big asset for us both defensively and offensively.

by lee3022 on Oct 2, 2007 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs