<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">? If Duke's Luol Deng enters this draft, and he's available at No. 4, the Bobcats should snatch him. After Emeka Okafor and Dwight Howard, Deng is the prospect with the best chance to be a star. He's too long, too skilled and too smart to be dismissed. ? Technically, the Bobcats don't yet have full rights as a member of the NBA. That will change around May 5, when coach/general manager Bernie Bickerstaff can start talking to teams about trades. The real action begins around June 12 when the unprotected list becomes available for the expansion draft. I already know of at least two teams looking to acquire veterans who might be left unprotected. No doubt, Bickerstaff's phone will be busy once the list is out. ? Look for Bickerstaff's son, J.B., to end up with the Bobcats as an assistant coach or scout. J.B. Bickerstaff, currently a radio analyst with the Minnesota Timberwolves, played forward for the Minnesota Gophers. ? Count Chicago Bull Eddie Robinson and Los Angeles Clipper Melvin Ely as players who'd be happy to move to Charlotte. Both are frustrated with a lack of playing time. Robinson's huge contract probably negates him as an option, but Ely is young and inexpensive enough to be a factor.</div> Europeans can be hard to figure out?
I think the Bobcats would want to take him if he does enter the draft, but I'm not so sure he'll be avalible at #4. I think whoever gets the #3 pick will be drafting Deng. If he is taken by the time they pick, I expect them to draft Josh Smith.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Bobcats will be working with a salary cap of approximately $28 million, which is 60 percent of what everyone else's cap is expected to be next season. They must take 14 players, but no more than one from any of the 29 other teams. The Magic have 10 players under contract for next season and likely the two left <u>unprotected</u> will be Hill and center Zaza Pachulia, which is not a very attractive menu from which to choose. They likely will <u>protect</u> Tracy McGrady, Keith Bogans, Juwan Howard, Andrew DeClercq, Drew Gooden, Pat Garrity, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines. Although Hill was once one of the game's best players - the Magic signed him as a free agent to a 7-year, $92 million contract in 2000 - four ankle surgeries later he has become a medical liability.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But that's a risk the Bobcats won't even think about. Hill is under contract to make $14.4 million next season, half of what the team's entire salary cap will be. Although the Magic once thought Pachulia could be a serviceable center, their reluctance to use him last season spoke louder than any words could have. And if they don't want him back, it's hard to imagine the Bobcats taking him. </div> http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/cust...ports-headlines <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Duke's Luol Deng would like to be a top-five pick in the NBA draft. The Charlotte Bobcats, who pick fourth, might be in position to oblige him. A team source said Tuesday Deng would definitely be considered if he is available at No. 4, but added he is no lock to be the Bobcats' first choice.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"The guy never takes a play off. He works his tail off. But when he goes to the next level, how will it work out?" the Bobcats source said on condition of anonymity. "I like the kid. We've got to seriously consider him. But is he quite quick enough? We know his basketball IQ and his skills are terrific."</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Bobcats are leery of selecting a high school player with the fourth pick, because that player will be under so much scrutiny as the franchise's first-ever selection. That likely leaves the Bobcats looking hard at four prospects: forwards Deng and Josh Childress of Stanford and guards Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's and Devin Harris of Wisconsin.</div> Deng hopes to be top-5 pick
european stars I think the bobcats really should look into getting a couple of europeans. They're cheap they're good and they work there ass off. Some suggestions : Jose Manuel Calderon (Spain) Daniel "chip" Jones (Netherlands) And I think they should see into getting Steve Logan from the Golden State injury list. I've read he'll soon be in his old form again and that would mean one heck of a PG/SG
BTW the bobcast do NOT want any high school players or old veterans so people should stop talking about those.
If I was Bickerstaff I'd love to get Howard. A guy drawing comparisons to be a KG/Tim Duncan kind of player. Thats a nice way to start a franchise.
I have always stated that the bobcats should choose Jemeer Nelson. He reads the court well and has range.
