<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Three weeks from today, the Charlotte Bobcats will convene in Wilmington to tip off their fourth training camp. With camp on the horizon, consider these 10 questions, raised and addressed, by Observer NBA writer Rick Bonnell:</p> Q. What's the best thing the Bobcats did in the offseason? Go back to draft night, when they exchanged their lottery pick and much of their available space under the salary cap to acquire shooting guard Jason Richardson.</p> Brandan Wright (the rookie the Bobcats chose eighth overall, then sent to Golden State for Richardson) teases you with his athletic potential, but Richardson provides what the Bobcats lack -- a go-to scorer with a chance to close out fourth quarters.</p> The Bobcats have always been in games; the hurdle is turning close losses into victories. Richardson has the skill set to make a difference where it's needed most.</p> Q. What have the Bobcats failed to do in the offseason? They haven't signed Emeka Okafor to a long-term extension.</p> That's a bit surprising, considering Michael Jordan -- managing partner of basketball operations -- said in March of Okafor: "I would want to tie him up as quickly as possible." Under rules governing the NBA's rookie pay scale, the Bobcats have until late October to sign Okafor long-term. The alternative isn't horrible -- Okafor would be a restricted free agent at the end of the coming season -- but that's one step closer to losing him.</p> Anyone who saw the games Okafor missed with injury last season knows this team is terrible defensively in his absence. He might not be a maximum-salary player, but he deserves the biggest salary on the roster.</p> Q. So whom, in order, could the Bobcats least afford to lose to injury? First, Okafor, because he's a fine shot blocker on a team that's poor cutting off penetration. Second, Gerald Wallace, because he sets the agenda in terms of energy and hustle. Third, Raymond Felton, because point guard is a crucial position, and they won't have the same depth they did with Brevin Knight gone.</p> Q. What did the Bobcats lose, on balance, this offseason? Experience and leadership. Knight's nickname was "Diablo'' for his volatile personality, but he rode herd well in that locker room. Knight (now a Los Angeles Clipper) and backup center Jake Voskuhl (now a Milwaukee Buck) understood the game and their roles with great sophistication. If the Bobcats don't re-sign Derek Anderson, that's three of their smartest, most-experienced players out the door. Anderson belongs on this team, for his IQ, versatility and leadership.</p> Q. Is Felton up to this increased responsibility at point guard? Remember when the Carolina Panthers cut quarterback Steve Beuerlein, on the reasoning that coach George Seifert needed to stop using aging Beuerlein as a crutch? That's similar to the Bobcats buying out Knight's contract; now they can't help but settle whether Felton is the long-term solution at the point.</div></p> Source: Charlotte Observer</p>
The Bobcats have a great trio with Okafor, Wallace and Richardson. I think the key to there success is the development of Ray Felton. If he has a great year this year, I expect them to snag one of thefinal playoff spots in the East.
BTW this quote</p> "If the Bobcats don't re-sign Derek Anderson, that's three of their smartest, most-experienced players out the door. Anderson belongs on this team, for his IQ, versatility and leadership."</p> Is downright laughable.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JfizzleRaider)</div><div class='quotemain'> BTW this quote</p> "If the Bobcats don't re-sign Derek Anderson, that's three of their smartest, most-experienced players out the door. Anderson belongs on this team, for his IQ, versatility and leadership."</p> Is downright laughable.</p></div> Derek Anderson did play well with the Bobcats, he had a +6.3 on/off court rating last year, which was the team high. The Bobcats don't have much experience in the backcourt, and if they have aspirations of making the post season, they'll need a veteran like Anderson to get them through the rough stretches.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JfizzleRaider)</div><div class='quotemain'> BTW this quote</p> "If the Bobcats don't re-sign Derek Anderson, that's three of their smartest, most-experienced players out the door. Anderson belongs on this team, for his IQ, versatility and leadership."</p> Is downright laughable.</p></div> Derek Anderson did play well with the Bobcats, he had a +6.3 on/off court rating last year, which was the team high. The Bobcats don't have much experience in the backcourt, and if they have aspirations of making the post season, they'll need a veteran like Anderson to get them through the rough stretches.</p> </p></div> He's a baby and doesnt need to be around the younger Bobcats. This is the same guy who sat out with a "toothache" and milked it for all he could with the TrailBlazers.</p>
[quote name='JfizzleRaider'][quote name='shapecity'][quote name='JfizzleRaider'] BTW this quote</p> "If the Bobcats don't re-sign Derek Anderson, that's three of their smartest, most-experienced players out the door. Anderson belongs on this team, for his IQ, versatility and leadership."</p> Is downright laughable.</p>[/QUOTE] Derek Anderson did play well with the Bobcats, he had a +6.3 on/off court rating last year, which was the team high. The Bobcats don't have much experience in the backcourt, and if they have aspirations of making the post season, they'll need a veteran like Anderson to get them through the rough stretches.</p> </p>[/QUOTE] He's a baby and doesnt need to be around the younger Bobcats. This is the same guy who sat out with a "toothache" and milked it for all he could with the TrailBlazers.</p>[/QUOTE] He might have been a baby in Portland, but he certainly wasn't with the Bobcats last season.</p> Here's a nice breakdown of what he did for the young team last season.</p> <span style="font-family: Georgiaserif"> </span></p>
I don't think the Bobcats can shoot effectively enough to put up enough points to win games. I'm not a big fan of Richardson, as he has become an inefficient chucker rather than someone that often penetrated when given the opportunity. Also, their post scoring isn't up to par.
The problems with post scoring will be solved by a healthy Sean May and the continued development of Okafor. But even without it, the Cats will do fine in the Eastern conference. What Eastern Conference teams really have dependable post scoring these days anyway? The key will be Felton's decision making and finding the proper balance of minutes at the 2 and 3 between Richardson, Wallace, Carroll and Morrison(and Dudley, if he makes strides). Morrison's never going to be a star, but he's better than he showed last year. If he can make the most of his minutes the way Carroll always does, that will help as well.
Hey Starman85,</p> It's great to have you posting again. I agree with you about the Bobcats having enough fire power in the post to compete next season. Aside from May, they might get a resurgence in production from Primoz Brezec. He'll be in a contract year, and 7 footers who can put the ball in the basket usually get rewarded with a hefty contract. Brezec has been hampered with injuries like the other Bobcat frontline players, but he has a nice touch around the rim, and is capable of scoring with either hand. He posted solid numbers the previous two seasons with averages of 12/6 & 13/7.</p> I posted another article that said Sean May is overweight again and doesn't have the conditioning level the Bobcats want him at.</p>
Thanks Shape, its good to be back.</p> I agree about Primoz, and that's definitely gonna be the case if what you say about May is true. But May is in a serious year too, especially if he wants the Bobcats to pick up the option on his contract, so I wouldn't be surprised if he pumps up his numbers this year too. A battle between two contract year guys is never a bad thing, and in this case could provide the Bobcats with a few more facts on which of these guys to keep around for the next couple of years. </p> Of course, Okafor is going to get his minutes, so I had the 4 adn 5 spots down to a 3 man rotation between him, Brezec and May. But a continually improving Walter Hermann could throw a wrench into those plans, as I'm pretty sure this is the last year on his contract too, and there's a good chance he doesn't plan on being in Charlotte beyond this season.</p>
