I'm sold on Charlotte's chances of being perhaps the most successful expansion team in it's first year EVER. Given the current circumstances, for instance Charlotte landing in the lackluster Eastern Conference, and the amount of quality "franchise" players declaring for the draft, you can't help but like Charlotte's chances. Here's the top 6 reasons why Charlotte can be successful it's first year: 1. They can pursue other teams who are looking to move over paid talent and big contracts. From what I understand if they waive them prior to the season they are no longer responsible for their contract and that player simply becomes a free agent. Plenty of teams (Portland, New York, Dallas, Orlando, etc.) would be interested, and making a similar deal could help Charlotte aquire draft picks or young prospects. 2. The expansion draft is a chance for Charlotte to pick up prosects players or veteran role players who won't be protected by their respective teams. I believe Charlotte should bunch together a nice mix of veterans and young talent, that way they prospects have teachers and it will help them succeed in the present. 3. They currently hold the 4th pick in both rounds, and with so many "franchise" prospects (Okafor, Howard, Deng, Warrick, Nelson, etc.) entering the draft this season they defintely have a chance to hit the jackpot. Not to menton the possibility of them aquiring more draft picks for picking up salaries is very likely. 4. They're in the Eastern Conference, they don't even need to be .500 to make the playoffs so the possiblity is unreal. 5. They have enough salary to get a franchise player either through a trade or through free agency. Perhaps a 10-12 million dollar a season type player would be best, if they spend too much money on a franchise player they'll end up losing depth and role players. 6. They should also try and sign a quality and proven coach. Seeing as Charlotte is an expansion team, I'm sure the thoughts of having so much freedom and so many possibilites must have to intrigue some coaches, it's just a matter finding one. My Prediction is Charlotte will infact make the playoffs in the eastern conference with a 40-42 record. They should try and take a page out of Memphis's book and go for depth rather than superstars. They can aquire that one superstar via free agency or trade, than another possible superstar through the draft. Their other talent should be younger prospects, role players, and veterans that would be aquired through free agency or the expansion draft. If they put together the appropriate roster that is well coached, they defintely have a shot...
Another thing is that they're alone in the expansion draft, he other expansion years, 2 teams would come into the league together so when you were drafting you'd have to deliberate more so the other team doesn't take who you want. With them being alone they have all the choices from the available players.
I think they will pick Dwight Howard..he is so young and he could become a franchise player..they will also get a few Veterans in the C and PF positions to help him and I mean I wish I was the Bobcats they can do so many things .. 8th Seed 41-41
I say they should pick Shaun Livingston.This guy is a great playmaker who could help this frnachise right away(possibly).i say draft him then in the expansion draft somebody like Antonio Davis or Jerome Williams and your already off to a decent start.With the division their in next year they could do well.Besides the Heat their arent many good teams in their division.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TMac_OwNz:</div><div class="quote_post">I think they will pick Dwight Howard..he is so young and he could become a franchise player..</div> Dwight Howard's stock is very high, and NBADraft.net has him going second, after Oakfor. It's very unlikely for the Bobcats to draft him unless they somehow move up for a higher selection. The Bobcats would most likely draft Ben Gordon, Shaun Livingston, Andris Biedrins, or Josh Smith. All players are projected between 3-6, and they show enormous potential. First year teams always struggle, and I don't see how the scenario would be any different for the Bobcats. But who knows, the east is so weak anything is possible.
Like practically everybody said I think that the bobcats wont do so bad because their in the East and in the East like the 6th, 7th, and 8th seeds usually arent over .500. I think that they should sign Pargo as their PG or pick up Maurice Williams from the Jazz and draft either a big man like Warrick, Okafor if he's still their or a SF like Luol Deng or someone that can play defense while having an offensive presence. My prediction they will finish next season 39-43
You really like the smilies don't you <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lamar Odom:</div><div class="quote_post">I say they should pick Shaun Livingston.This guy is a great playmaker who could help this frnachise right away(possibly).i say draft him then in the expansion draft somebody like Antonio Davis or Jerome Williams and your already off to a decent start.With the division their in next year they could do well.Besides the Heat their arent many good teams in their division.</div> Antonio Davis' contract would take up half of their cap space, unless the Bulls gave them a draft pick and money to take him they wouldn't do it. Also if they took him they'd probably waive him because thats too much on your cap.
I think the Bobcats could be good. Mainly cause they are in the Eastern conference. Also, it is likely that they could land a pretty good player out of the expansion draft. But, they need a good draft pick, someone they could possibly throw a franchise stamp on. But, I don't really like making a prediction for a team that doesn't even have a roster. Cause yea, how can you predict how good they'll be without one. Not too mention they don't even have a coach yet. So, yea, I can't make much of a prediction yet, but, I'll say anywhere from 24-38 wins next year. Anything is possible though when you're in the East.
[QUOTE Not too mention they don't even have a coach yet.[/QUOTE] What??!!?? Hey man, have you ever heard of Bernie Bickerstaff?? That's our head coach and our GM!!! What a crazy statement!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting gobobcats04:</div><div class="quote_post">What??!!?? Hey man, have you ever heard of Bernie Bickerstaff?? That's our head coach and our GM!!! What a crazy statement!!</div> Oh, you see, I didn't realize he was also the head coach. I knew he was the GM and all, just not coach. Sorry.
Its okay.... hahaa.....it's okay man. Not too many people know that much about the Bobcats......yet! All is cool.
the charlotte bobcats could be the best team in the nba next year, but that would be impossible salary-wise, the market of next years FAs is huge, with all-star talent, but the cast will be lucky if they are able to pick up one of them. another great addition would be a person like quenton richardson. my prediction is that the wont make the playoffs, and that they will be the tenth spot at a 28 win record.
The bobcats will struggle next season unless they sign a great coach like jerry sloan who works very well with mediocre players. I;m pretty sure they will not get any stars and for this they will need to a great passing team, but most of all a great team. bobcats: 32-52
Already have a great coach named Bernie Bickerstaff..... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The bobcats will struggle next season unless they sign a great coach like jerry sloan who works very well with mediocre players. </div> Dude, we already have a great coach by the name of Bernie Bickerstaff!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Fundamentals:</div><div class="quote_post">The bobcats will struggle next season unless they sign a great coach like jerry sloan who works very well with mediocre players. I;m pretty sure they will not get any stars and for this they will need to a great passing team, but most of all a great team. bobcats: 32-52</div> 32-52? That adds up to 84 games. Are you wrong or is it that the season will be extended next year?
Well I see it like this: I see the Bobcats as being a so-so team. They probably won't do anything phenomenal, but they will definately have some good moments. Unless they make their mark throughout the whole season, they won't be playing in the finals for a year or two.
My Prediction: 35-47 They will draft Livingston who will commit to the draft. This team has the potential to be an amazing team in a few years, don't count them out!
If the Bobcats do make the playoffs (which I highly doubt will happen), it will be because they would be in the weakest division in the NBA where their competition will be the Magic, Hawks, Wizards and Heat. The Heat are pretty much a lock to win the division, but the Bobcats have a good chance of coming in second but I don't believe they will make the playoffs until their 5th season.
