Richardson thinks Bobcats can match Warriors' surprising playoff run</p> <hr width="100%" size="2" /> </p> WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) -- Jason Richardson looks around his new team and sees a lot in common with his old club that stunned the NBA last season: Similar point guards, similar athleticism, and a similar will to break through and reach the playoffs. Three months after he was shocked to learn he'd been traded by Golden State to Charlotte, the familiar traits in his new teammates are making his transition to the young Bobcats easier. "Actually, we're very similar to Golden State," Richardson said Tuesday after the Bobcats' opening practice of training camp. "Very athletic, very young, got a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things. It's pretty much the same situation on the East Coast. "We can be a playoff team." And while that might bring a chuckle knowing the Bobcats haven't won more than 33 games in any of their first three seasons, calling the Warriors a playoff team a year ago at this time may have seemed far-fetched, too. But with Baron Davis at point guard and Richardson recovering from knee injuries to lead a late-season push, Golden State ended a streak of 12 straight losing seasons -- then knocked off top-seeded Dallas in the first round of the playoffs. "The playoffs is where basketball really counts. That's where you make your name as an individual and as a team," Richardson said. "Going through that whole process for the first time in my career was a great experience. Once you taste that, you always want that." The Bobcats have been talking playoffs since first-year coach Sam Vincent declared the day he was hired that he'd be "incredibly discouraged and disappointed" if they didn't reach the postseason this season. With Richardson giving Charlotte the go-to scorer it's never had, the Bobcats plan on emulating Golden State's fast-paced style with speedy point guard Raymond Felton feeding athletic wings Richardson and Gerald Wallace.</p> <hr width="100%" size="2" /> http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-b...p&type=lgns</p> </p>
Felton isn't even close to Davis's level. And their shooting ain't that great, either.</p> While I'm hoping they'll pull thru, and that Emeka/Gerald will actually stay healthy for the whole season, I really doubt the playoffs will happen for em.</p>
Maybe Richardson sees some parallels to the 2005 warriors. Raymond Felton == crappier, shorter version of Bdiddy Adam Morrison == more aggressive, but crappier shooting version of Dunleavy Primoz Brezec == crappier version of Troy Murphy I guess x-factors are Emeka Okafor (he's no Adonal Foyle I tell ya and I think he's better than Biedrins at this point in his career) and Gerald Wallace (Who is probably a lot like Jason Richardson only better first step and stronger and longer jumping with better defensive abilities) They got a chance, but their defense has to be good because these guys shooting sucks sort of like ours. So they probably should be a fastbreak team and score the no brainer easy transition points. Here's my lineup: 1.) Raymond Felton 2.) Jason Richardson 3.) Walter Hermann 4.) Gerald Wallace 5.) Emeka Okafor I woud like Sean May playing but he is injured. I would like to see Adam Morrison playing better, but he's in the doghouse until he shoots better and plays some D. I like Matt Carroll but he's the bench guy now.</p>
Empty prediction by JRich. This team just hired a new head coach, Sam Vincent, who plans to use the Triangle offense. It generally takes 3 years before a team is comfortable running it. Looking at the roster, they don't have the shooters to execute the spacing. Gerald Wallace can't shoot, JRich has limited to range, Felton has limited range, Morrison is streaky at best, sounds like a rough season ahead for the Bobcats.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> they'll be more improved, but I'm not very high on them, they seem to have a lack of depth IMO.</p> </div></p> The problem they will face is everyone else in the East also improved. Look at all the talent the East has because of player movement over the summer. The Celtics are going to bump someone out from last year's 8 post season teams. The Knicks have a chance to make the playoffs with a frontline of ZBo & Curry. I think the Bobcats are closer to finishing last in their division than making the playoffs.</p> </p>
Plus, experience counts for something. Sometimes it takes a while for these guys to get confidence to close out games and know how to work the referees to get the calls they are trying to get. I think that's where they need a strong "go-to" veteran. I'm not sure Jrich is that because of his ballhandling ability and his ablity to make free throw shots. He'll hit the difficult field goal shot or finish in traffic, but he's not the guy that can handle the ball in traffic or shoot free throws with the game on the line. He can't really create for himself or others like a superstar. So in a sense, I still feel like the Bobcats need a real all-around perennial all-star guard because they certainly have the big men and small forwards if they can stay healthy, but they need guys who can all-around shoot and take care of the ball and make good plays when it counts. But the Bobcats seem to be okay on paper.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Empty prediction by JRich. This team just hired a new head coach, Sam Vincent, who plans to use the Triangle offense. It generally takes 3 years before a team is comfortable running it. Looking at the roster, they don't have the shooters to execute the spacing. Gerald Wallace can't shoot, JRich has limited to range, Felton has limited range, Morrison is streaky at best, sounds like a rough season ahead for the Bobcats.</p> </div></p> Seems like the Bobcats do have the players to make the triangle work, tho. The odd piece is Felton, as the triangle doesn't generally require a pure PG type of player. Wallace may well be a great post up player (required) with Okafor paying the Ho Grant/Rodman kind of role.</p> The loss of May really hurts. The keys will be if Morrison can turn into a solid NBA player and if JRich can return to previous form.</p> </p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Empty prediction by JRich. This team just hired a new head coach, Sam Vincent, who plans to use the Triangle offense. It generally takes 3 years before a team is comfortable running it. Looking at the roster, they don't have the shooters to execute the spacing. Gerald Wallace can't shoot, JRich has limited to range, Felton has limited range, Morrison is streaky at best, sounds like a rough season ahead for the Bobcats.</p> </div></p> Seems like the Bobcats do have the players to make the triangle work, tho. The odd piece is Felton, as the triangle doesn't generally require a pure PG type of player. Wallace may well be a great post up player (required) with Okafor paying the Ho Grant/Rodman kind of role.</p> The loss of May really hurts. The keys will be if Morrison can turn into a solid NBA player and if JRich can return to previous form.</p> </div></p> I don't think the Bobcats have the ballhandlers to execute the Triangle. JRich cannot create his own offense, neither can Wallace or the big men. Felton is the only player on the team who can create shots for others on a consistent basis. If a team uses a zone defense the Bobcats are going to struggle big time on offense. They don't have the outside firepower to bust a zone, or dribble penetration aside from Felton to attack the middle.</p> </p>
