See all 2009 NBA team previews
Charlotte Bobcats
2007-08 Record: 32-50
Cool 2007 Stat: Matt Carroll, my boy from Notre Dame and Hatboro-Horsham, is now the 4th leading scorer in Bobcats history. Sorry, Bobcats fan(s), that’s all I got.
Anticipated Starting Five
PG- Raymond Felton
SG- Jason Richardson
SF- Gerald Wallace
PF- Emeka Okafor
C- Nazr Mohommed
Key Reserves: DJ Augustin, Matt Carroll, Jared Dudley, Sean May, Alexis Ajinca
Biggest Strength – Perimeter Scoring
The Bobcats’ top 3 scorers come from the 1, 2 and 3 positions. Felton is a strong penetrator and finisher at the basket. Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace are pretty much the same player in my book. Both very athletic and great going to the cup and getting out on the break. Richardson absolutely shot the lights out from deep last season as well. These guys are going to bring it on offense every night, no question. But I am very curious to see how they perform under Larry Brown who tries to put the reins on guys.
Biggest Weakness – Bench/Health
Last season, after Matt Carroll, this squad had no one of substance coming off the bench partly due to injuries. Dudley is ok but nothing special. Morrison was out all last season but stunk terribly in 78 games as a rookie (MJ, I love you, but you gotta let someone else handle the draft picks, man!). He may just turn out to be another great college player not fit for the pros. They added D.J. Augustin, who I think can be a very good back-up point guard and really push Raymond Felton. I thought they should have taken Brook Lopez; they need a center real bad. The big question mark for me is Sean May. I absolutely loved this guy and watched him a lot at UNC. If healthy he is a solid NBA power forward behind Okafor, and I actually think he is a better offensive player. His 2007 per 36-minute stats in 35 games were 17.9 points, 10 boards, 1 block, 50% from the field and 76.8% from the line. But until he proves his durability that all means nothing. The front office didn’t add any depth so they must be hoping guys stay healthy enough to give them a fighting chance this season.
Key Player in ’08 – Raymond Felton
New coach, new system always puts extra pressure and importance on the point guard. And judging by all the off-season talk regarding the team being interested in T.J. Ford and then drafting D.J. Augustin it will be a make-or-break first quarter of the season for Raymond Felton. He is a solid floor leader which will be especially important to keep Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace in check under Larry Brown’s new “play the right way” style. I like Felton. He is a good passer and not a liability turning the ball over. He just can’t shoot to save his life (39.6% FGs career). If he improves that area of his game, he should keep his job and increase his stock going into free agency.
Their Thaddeus (exciting player 22 or under) – Alexis Ajinca, 20
The Bobcat rookie is the definition of a “raw” talent. Ajinca is 7′1” with a good handle and a great touch around the basket. But there are 2 things wrong here. The first is something I say all the time: If a guy is over 7 feet tall, and he’s not a lottery pick, he won’t be any good. The second is summed up nicely by Chad Ford, “Ajinca is 20-years-old and averaged 5 ppg in France. In the history of the NBA draft, has there ever been a player who averaged 5 ppg or less who turned into a decent player? Ajinca was a workout warrior, dominating some of the other big men in the past few weeks.” Workout warrior, over 7 feet, from France. C’mon, this guy doesn’t have a shot.
Pete’s 2008 Outlook: 5th place, Southeast division / 13th place, Eastern conference / 25th place, NBA
The last two years, I’ve picked the Bobcats as the surprise team to make the playoffs. This year, I’m officially done with that. The ‘Cats have had several high draft picks since they joined the league, but they have yet to hit a home run with any of them. Added to that, they’ve had some bad luck with injuries, and have never really had their team at full strength. It will be interesting to see what Larry Brown does with this team, but I’m not falling into their trap 3 straight years.
Dannie’s 2008 Outlook: 5th place, Southeast division / 14th place, Eastern conference / 26th place, NBA
I agree with Pete. On paper this team doesn’t look like one of the worst teams in the East yet they continue to underachieve and, for some crazy reason, guys (Emeka Okafor) think they are better than they really are. The Bobcats aren’t horrible in most team statistical categories and not great either. You would think they will land middle of the pack. But this collection of players continues to fail to maximize all the athleticism they use offensively on the defensive end. It’s going to take a change in mentality and belief in Larry Brown’s coaching to keep this decent team from being a bottom-feeder in the East.
Philly Connection: Matt Carroll
Larry Brown would be the obvious choice here, but I’m going to save the “he was the same as Iverson, only old, white and had glasses, so everyone made Iverson the villian” card for another day. Instead, I’ll talk about my favorite college player of all-time, Hatboro-Horsham grad Matt Carroll. Carroll made it to the NBA the hard way. He went undrafted, then had stints with the Trailblazers, Spurs, Warriors and Knicks before dominating the D-league with the Roanoke Dazzle and catching on with Bobcats. In 255 games for them, he’s averaged 9.4 ppg and is a career 41% shooter from 3. He was rewarded for his efforts with a Billy King-esque 6-year, $27 million deal. Carroll is the 2nd leading scorer in Southeast PA history, sandwiched in between Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain.
Loading ...
{ 1 trackback }
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice assessment Dannie & Pete! Pete, you still have your old results from Sacramento in your Conference ranking!!
Biggest strength(s):
- Home court (It’s never a cakewalk over there!!)
-Larry Brown (playing the right way + NC connection)
-Athleticism
-Great team when healthy!!
-They play their butts off!!
Biggest weakness(es):
-Health
-Unproven bench, but with potential
-Larry Brown’s negatives (no threes, clashing with management, neglecting certain young players, etc)
- Road Woes
-Michael Jordan, Managing Member of Basketball Operations
(see past, other than his playing days with the Bulls)
They are a hard working team and it is hard to evaluate the Bobcats for sure. Injuries have affected their progress that’s for sure. You guys have certainly nailed it when talking about the Bobcats.
Health is the KEY. They are not going to make the playoffs, but they could suprise people for sure!!
I say the Bobcats will be 5th in the Southeast, 13th in the East. (Don’t be fooled by their record or their standings, they play hard!!!)
12th is a shot if the Pacers are really that shallow in depth, shot selection, and commitment!
On a side note: The Sixers will go (3-1) against the Charlotte Bobcats. I am not really certain as to how healthy the Bobcats can be and these injuries woes will most likely continue. The one loss will probably be at Charlotte in April, but I hope that doesn’t happen. Raymond Felton has played big against the Sixers when healthy. Andre Iguodala will continue to play big against the Bobcats. Larry Brown v.s Mo Cheeks (master v.s student), fun to watch and enjoy talking to each other.
I see a bit of Larry Brown’s positive stuff (Playing the Right Way) in Mo Cheeks’ coaching. Maybe it is just me, but that is a great sign!!
I see 44 wins and a possible playoff team if 3 things happen.; 1] they buy into defending; 2] S.May is healthy; 3] Morrison can play at a Korver type level. L.Brown has a knack for turning teams around, although their draft picks were a bit of a surprise. N. Carolina seemed 1/2 the team it was when Felton left the floor but he has yet to have that effect at this level. Danny, agree about May but disagree about Morrison, another guy drafted higher than he should of been who has the bar set too high. If he can become a 10 to 12 p.p.g. guy off the bench along with Carroll than Okafor and May will get open looks down low.
Suede – Morrison averaged 11.8 as a rookie he was just horrible doing it take 12 shots to get there. Most guys given the shot attempts can score 10-12 in the NBA that isn’t an accomplishment or something to strive for. He was a terrible pick that high yes, but that doesn’t change my opinion of how his game translates to the NBA. He was a dominating and clutch college player and that is what attracted Jordan to him.
He isn’t anywhere near as good a “shooter” as Korver, not even close. He was a scorer in college and that scoring ability doesn’t translate well to the NBA. He would need to turn into a straight shooter to be successful in my opinion and I am not confident he can. And what’s the point anyway if he did anyway that is what Matt Carroll excels at now. No, they need Morrison to be a complete player at the small forward position off the bench and I just don’t think he is that good. Loved him in college though.
The Bobcats are alot like the way people saw the sixers before they got Brand – tons of athleticism, but not enough skill to go with it. The sixers however developed their chemistry and became a dangerous team. I don’t see the Bobcats doing that with Richardson and Wallace playing together – you said it right on the money, they are basically the same player. They might make the playoffs, but a miracle needed to make it out of the first round
They could be one of those surprise teams, the “coming out of nowhere” type of team. Wouldn’t suprise me!!
“Cool 2007 Stat: Matt Carroll, my boy from Notre Dame and Hatboro-Horsham, is now the 4th leading scorer in Bobcats history. Sorry, Bobcats fan(s), that’s all I got.”
Hahahaha.
if everyone stays healthy, they could be good. especially sean may.
morrison sucks though. I saw him play twice in person. worst defender in the NBA and Carroll is a far better shooter and rebounder.
I’m with you, don’t understand how they passed on B. Lopez.
I’ve got them at 30-52. Michael Jordan + Larry Brown = Worst Talent Evaluation combo in league history.
Duke I’m with you man…Larry Brown’s talent evaluating is absolutely horrible. Top 3 teacher in the game, but man he does not know how to play that GM role. I read in an article he had a lot of input with the Ajinca pick, and was impressed with the raw potential that was there *sound of collective GM’s laughing*.
I think a lot of fans are getting down on Adam Morrisson WAAAAAY too early…a lot of people had issues with taking him at the #3 spot, and obviously he’s not worthy of that, nor was he coming out of college. But these blanket statements of “He’s horrible! He can offer nothing to an NBA team!” I think are a little bit premature.
There are many players that come into the league after being good in college…and get smacked on their ass and flat out suck at first. Sometimes these guys never make it, and are swept away in the “What have you done for me lately?” category, and are buried on benches in Europe or the CBA, never to be heard from again. But there are plenty of others that take the opposite attitude, work their butts off, learn the NBA game, become more self aware of their own game, and do what they need to improve so they CAN be an effective player in the NBA.
Adam Morrison is certainly capable of being a productive scorer off the bench. I’m willing to cough up his rookie year to a case of jitters and a big wake up call. No one can judge his year two because he’s injured…I still think the jury’s out on him.
Sean May: Agree with what the Recliners have said…love the guys talent, great inside game on the offensive end…unfortunately injuries have just killed this guy’s chances. I’m rooting for him to put his talent into action, but after two major knee (I think it’s the knee?) injuries…that’s tough to come back from.
Jason Richardson: I think J-Rich is going to surprise a lot of people this year, and move up a few slots into the 6th or 7th best SG’s in the country. This won’t happen right away…most scoring guards used to a free wheeling style don’t find success at first with LB. But if you really look at last year’s box scores with this guy…first half of the season he was very mediocre and underachieving, in what I’d guess was him getting used to the new offense (and a seemingly inept coach). But the second half of the year, Jason absolutely tore it up. He had regular multiple 30 point games, games where he’d be hitting 4-6 threes, or just go on 10 point scoring bursts in one quarter. Now that he’s had a year to get used to his teammates, I see him picking right up where he started.
Gerald Wallace: If he stays healthy…he’s a total Artest-lite. Love this guys versatile talent…saying a lot because I HATED him coming out of Alabama early and on the Kings, but he has really, REALLY improved his game. Able to be a lockdown defender, nice passer, very effective rebounder, plays a team game, his jumpshot has improved…I love this guy’s talent, and he and J-Rich form an interesting combo of talent…one a classic SG shooter/scorer, the other an Iguodala like versatile game. Larry Brown is going to nut himself over this guy’s game.
Jared Dudley: Loved him in college…but thought he literally had no shot of sticking in the NBA. After watching a few Charlotte games, he was a pleasant surprise, and I think he’ll become a solid rotation guy if they keep giving him time (a la Ryan Gomes). Real worker that has the ability to take SF’s down on the blockand score, and tough as hell on defense and rebounding. Really didn’t see it coming with him, but it looks like he’s found a good niche for himself.
Nazr Mohammad: I’ve always thought this guy has been criminally underused and underrated. Sometimes coaches don’t play guys for a good reason…other times it’s because a player is in the wrong place, for the wrong coach, in the wrong time with log jam situations. Story of Nazr’s career, and he’s proved time and time again when he does get PT, he puts up very effective numbers. I would imagine (hopefully there is SOME logic to the Augustin pick) that Nazr impressed them enough over the summer or at the end of last year to warrant them NOT picking the obvious B Lopez choice, and letting Nazr get 30 mpg in the middle.
Dannie: I’m identical to you…I picked the Bobcats the last two years to make the playoffs or land in that 9th spot…they’ve dissapointed my twice due to injuries. But they DO play hard, and if injury free, and with a great teaching coach, I think they have a good shot at finishing around 10th or so with 35-37 wins.
If ever a guy maxed out his potential, it’s Carroll. A tribute to his parents, hard work, focus & determination and an especially savvy agent.
u8j263i6qqx779ii