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May 25, 2007
Impressions of Sam Vincent
Some initial impressions from the Sam Vincent press conference:
When Vincent said he "absolutely, positively’’ expects the Bobcats to make the playoffs next season, he showed a gutsy candor. (Never once did he say "It is what it is’’ like the local NFL coach.)
Bob Johnson sure doesn’t like that cheap label. The Bobcats owner said cost was no consideration in choosing a coach. I don’t know whether that’s true or not, but obviously a rookie head coach in the NBA was quite affordable.
Vincent loves gym rats. He says his players should be in the gym virtually year-round. He doesn’t like it when players take off a month or two after the season.
"Accountability’’ was the buzz word of the day, and Vincent doesn’t seem threatened by that. The guy sounds very confident he’s ready for this job.
Vincent seems to like tough guys, and it’s not my impression the Bobcats have a lot of those. I’d say Jake Voskuhl is the most willing to take a hard foul. Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton and Matt Carroll are pretty tough and Brevin Knight is in a pugnacious way.
I hope Vincent’s point-guard background helps Felton to become more of a playmaker. If Felton again takes the most shots on this team next season, it won’t be good for the Bobcats’ playoff chances.
Posted by rbonnell on May 25, 2007 at 06:24 PM | Permalink
Comments
It'll be interesting to see how well Vincent does.. I've got a feeling that the Bobcats got the right coach who'll lead this team to the playoffs next year. I'm excited to see how the draft and the off-season go.
Posted by: OneAmaru | May 25, 2007 10:16:32 PM
If Coach Vincent comes in here and does not establish Emwka Okafor as a Go-To Player and does not try to hire Moses Malone as an assistant coach to teach Emeka how to be a Go-To-Center then this team is going nowhere.
Clearly a mistake was made in selecting Adam Morrison over Brandon Roy if for no other reason than the Bobcats have established themselves as a hard-nosed defensive team and Brandon Roy was the perfect fit at two guard(Just as Chris Paul was the pick the year before over Felton and May).
This year if Portland is serious about picking up Mike Conley and he is there at 8 Jordan & Bickerstaff need to offer the Number 8 pick and Morrison for Brandon Roy and next year's #1 pick. If that ca'nt work out the only smart pick is Corey Brewer or Jeff Green unless Yi Jianlian drops down. At 22 Jordan and Bickerstaff need to figure out a way to get Acie Law IV on the Bobcats(especially if it is true that before the Wooden Awards that he beat Kevin Durant three out of four times in one-on-one games).
Although the Bobcats have no 2nd round pick they need to make moves to get Glen "Big Baby" Davis from LSU and if they can't get Acie LAw then go and get Jamal Tatum out of Southern Illinois as the future backup point guard.
Lastly, where do they get veteran leadership from? They bring Grant Hill back to North Carolina to finish out his career and to teach the young kids about winning with class and dignity.
The Bobcats can make the playoffs if they make the right moves for the right reasons as opposed to Drafting Felton and May because they were Tarheels when Chris Paul or Deron Williams were clearly better players, or Drafting Adam Morrison because he is a "Marquee" White ballplayer when Brandon Roy possessed everything that the Bobcats needed last year and was so much closer to what Jordan brought to the game it was baffling when that pick was made.
Posted by: CuzBruce | May 26, 2007 10:37:34 AM
We must resign Gerald Wallace...he is the team right now we can not let him get away. TRADE Morrison, May, or even Felton for a better pick or picks in this draft...preferably two of the following...Al Horford, Mike Conley, Corey Brewer, or Yi Jianlian. If we can not get two of those players in the draft get Shawn Marion in a trade... do that Vincent will have a team capable of making the playoffs. My perfect starting 5 would be...
PG:Felton or Conley
SG:Marion or Wallace
SF:Wallace or Marion
PF:Horford or Jianlian or Okafor
C:Okafor
Posted by: Virus | May 26, 2007 1:57:02 PM
We must resign Gerald Wallace...he is the team right now we can not let him get away. TRADE Morrison, May, or even Felton for a better pick or picks in this draft...preferably two of the following...Al Horford, Mike Conley, Corey Brewer, or Yi Jianlian. If we can not get two of those players in the draft get Shawn Marion in a trade... do that Vincent will have a team capable of making the playoffs. My perfect starting 5 would be...
PG:Felton or Conley
SG:Marion or Wallace
SF:Wallace or Marion
PF:Horford or Jianlian or Okafor
C:Okafor
Posted by: Virus | May 26, 2007 2:01:47 PM
I hope that they surround Vincent with quality assistants like Del Harris and Patrick Ewing to give him every chance to make the playoffs.
Posted by: Slam | May 26, 2007 4:36:50 PM
Why would we hire Moses Malone as an assistant coach, that is the dumbest thing I have ever seen.
Granted, signing a rookie is cheap and for that Johnson - an owner already known for being cheap - will be attacked for it. I think if he goes out this summer and throws down money on a valuable free agent, some people will shut up.
BUT the fact of the matter is, this team isn't selling tickets. Until then, I can't see Johnson throwing much of anything down on this club. I mean, we can talk all we want about how cheap George Shinn was, but from day one, when the Hornets came to Charlotte, they sold out night after night after night! The Bobcats have struggled to get anybody in the arena, and this is a complete '360 that nobody expected.
I don't know if it's all protest against an NBA team, the fact that the owner is black, or what? BUT the bottom line is, I'm not convinced - nor do I think anybody is - that by spending money, that people in Charlotte will come around to supporting this Bobcats team.
Posted by: Todd | May 27, 2007 3:05:41 AM
Mr. Bonnell here is why I should be a pick up for the Bobcats.
Dear Rick Bonnell,
My name is Eddie L. King Jr. and if you don’t live in certain parts of Chicago, IL (where I was born and raise and was a Junior College All-American at Morton Community College) or in Omaha, NE then you probably haven’t heard about me or maybe you have. I’m a former graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) where I was a stand out player for two seasons. I’ve been pushing for my dream to play in the NBA ever since I left college. I’m declaring myself eligible for the NBA draft of 2007. I am unknown prodigy who hasn’t had the opportunities and the correct people looking at me play. There is an abundance of talent in this years NBA draft if everyone actually comes out and I will be that 2nd round, unknown talent that will surprise everyone in the summer camps. I played for former NBA player and Creighton stand out Kevin McKenna. This man can speak of my B-ball ability. He won a NBA Championship with the LA Lakers in 1982 and still communicates and sometimes fishes with Pat Riley. I have gained almost a cult status here in Omaha NE from former college and pro players here in Omaha. I scrimmage every summer with NBA players Kyle Korver and Rodney Buford here in Omaha. My talent and story needs to be out there and I need to be in this year’s draft. They always say in the NBA “if you can play they will find you” and I believe that in its entirety. The best untapped basketball talent is right here in America, not Europe. No disrespect and European player. Therefore I am declaring myself eligible for the 2007 NBA draft. Eddie King 402-991-4334 (h) 402-850-8079 © email eddielkingjr@yahoo.com Let’s talk! My story needs to be out there. Mr. Bonnell you’re great at what you, can you help me get my story out there? Thanks!
Posted by: Eddie King | May 28, 2007 3:01:18 AM
Rick,
I think it is a very easy decision for the Bobcats on the upcoming draft. Why not package the #8 & #22 for an established player and then pick-up a free agent of choice to complete the playoff scenerio. You have to go by past history and the local management crew has never shown any due diligence to push the right button at the right time, so why should we exspect them to do it now. I say, swallow your ego, do the right thing and welcome the playoffs.
Posted by: Morrie Rosen | May 29, 2007 9:52:46 AM
The more I read about Sam Vincent, the more I believe that the Bobcats made a very good choice hiring him.
He has a bunch of great qualities:
confidence and determination to win, intelligence, good people skills and ability to motivate players to give their best, and also great work ethic. Although experience is not his strongest point, it's not too shabby either: several years as head coach, even though not in the NBA. I think there is a very good chance that Sam Vincent will become what Michael Jordan wished for - the next Avery Johnson!
Posted by: sandy | May 29, 2007 11:39:42 AM
So who exactly do you think would be availible to vault us into the playoffs for mere draft picks? These are the kind of moves that tank salary caps, and that's precisely what the Bobcats have avoided thus far. Build through the draft and intelligent, conservative FA signings (including our own re-signings).
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 29, 2007 11:42:44 AM
I cannot believe the most of the fans are so hard on the Bobcats. They have improve their record each and every year. They have improve the quality of play as well as the atmosphere at the Area. Stop comparing the Bobcats to the Hornets. A different era when Charlotte and North Carloina had no professional sports and it was the only thing to do in town. Of course, the draft is hit and misses. Ask Portland and Houston about Michael Jordan or the other 12 teams that past up on Kobe Bryant. But overall the team is improving. The cure for any team is winning. They get to the playoffs next year the critics will quiet down until they lose the first or second round. The Bobcats will be ok. When they start winning more often than everyone will be happy...
Posted by: Riv | May 29, 2007 2:21:20 PM
What people need to remember is that Deron Williams and Chris Paul were drafted ahead of Raymond Felton. The Bobcats did not pick Felton over those two. Also, Felton will and is the man for Charlotte, he just needs time and a good solid team around him. Also a package deal for the 8th and 22nd pick would be nice. Either trading up in the draft or trading them for a veteran player would be nice. Signing a solid free agent is also needed since there is alot of money to use. Also if Jordan brings in the Gm from Golden State then I think that could be a bad move. Jordan likes to bring in close friends and it has not paid off yet. Washington was a bust for him especially with the Kwame Brown ordeal. But Vincent is young a full of potential and he could be better than Brickerstaff. So lets see what happens.
Posted by: Andrew J | May 29, 2007 4:04:13 PM
Felton is garbage*CLAP, CLAP, CLAPCLAPCLAP*!
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 29, 2007 5:15:21 PM
The guy who said it doesn't matter how much money Bob Johnson spends is probably right. The Bobcats are in their own world with their front office. Michael Jordan and Bob don't live here and aren't like us. They want to treat Charlotte like Chicago and Washington DC. The team has not asked Charlotte what they want. And, when fans have stated their opinion, the team doesn't listen. I'm not responding to them anymore. I've got one more year on my season ticket commitment and I'm out of there. I'm sorry I bought tickets. I think Michael Jordan is an arrogant ass and looks down on Charlotte. When the Bobcats put on a season ticket appreciation event, neither Bob nor Michael show up. No wonder only 250 season ticket holders even bothered to show up.
Posted by: Rocky | May 30, 2007 10:45:05 AM
I agree with Rocky. I don't care who they hire. Higgins? Vincent? Hire the local postal carrier. WHO CARES? The top Charlotte sports: I would rank the Bobcats slightly above the WNBA and women's softball in terms of "buzz" in Charlotte. Gerald Wallace has privately said he's not coming back. The Bobcats will draft some no-names. Another throw away year.
Posted by: Randy | May 30, 2007 10:51:24 AM
KB wants out then let em' come back to where he first got drafted...Charlotte..
Posted by: Dee | May 30, 2007 2:10:03 PM
Gerald dont want to come back then trade him for R. Lewis or R. Jefferson or S. Marion...shoot, go get that big 30+ mil contract...somewhere else
Posted by: Dee | May 30, 2007 2:13:25 PM
MJ is the worst kind of celebrity. He busted his butt to become the kind of ballplayer people wanted to pay to see and now he don't want to be a part of the "dog and pony" show. In other words, he doesn't want to come out and meet anybody to help the Bobcats. Other than put a ball in the hoop and lose lots of cash gambling, he really has not distinguished himself at anything. So, he thinks people will want to buy tickets simply because his name is on the ownership roster? Give me a break. MJ can call the shots from Illinois by fax for all I care. Congratulations to Wilmington's MJ for growing up and becoming a first class jerk. MJ, have any friends in the NBA draft you can bring to Charlotte?
Posted by: Dale | May 30, 2007 11:15:34 PM
WOW...What a racist city Charlotte is. Most of this negativity stems from the fact that this franchise is black owned with blacks in the decision making positions and this primarily white city can't stand it. If it was Larry Bird as the owner with the same 3yr team history, the tone would be much more positive and optimistic. The sad thing is, the majority of the negative whites will not admit to this. Many cities would be glad to have a professional sports franchise win or lose. Charlotte isn't as progressive as they like to appear to be. Still hillbilly and racist except they're wearing ties and working uptown now.
Posted by: Tony | May 31, 2007 1:09:08 PM
the city sold out the hornets and can't figure out why the robbercats can't compete.Karma..the hornets had a very good team that was play-off material. u had a personal vendeta against the owner.i worked in the old hive for nearly 12 yrs.there was a time when u couldn't get a tix escept by birth rights. but no, u had to sell out to a man who could care less about c-town.mike jordan's name won't put people in the seats. try this:win some games and make it affordable for the ex-nba fans.i would never work for the cats again. i can't afford to work uptown for the greedy robbercats.it's bad when an employee has to pay to work.it looked and still does look like a chinese fire-drill when preparing for an event. the city could have sold the coliseum to george,but NO,gotta have world class..what a joke. when the people voiced their opinion on the NON-BINDING referendum, it was voted on and lost!i thought the majority ruled..i guess u see what we got...no revenue producing fancy building.they are classless as management goes.no clue to why attendance is down, take a quess.keep on and u will alienate those who might have bought tix. i've heard several season tix holders say enough is enough,so no big $$ crowds.ther management goes out of their way to make sure there is enough minority hirings,regardless of experience or work ethic.oh wait, i think i hear another minority wanting to build a baseball stadium uptown.good-luck with your crowds of support.bob johnson, u had better take your head out of your a__,and move on before someone wakes up to this subsidizing the wealthy with meck.taxes.tears r beginning to fall by all those who invested in a team the majority rejected.yes, there r a few prople who read and know what's going on.Do u think minorities understand what they vote for or care...NO. the gov't is sending out welfare and uneducated people to support a billionaire..why not clean up c-town. Sickening!!!
Posted by: michael d.fowler | Jun 1, 2007 1:20:30 PM
I honestly feel like the city of Charlotte is hating on the Bobcats, because its black owned and basically black operated. Like previously stated, if Larry Bird was making the decisions, he would get praise. The reason the Hornets left Charlotte was because the city and its citizens didnt want to build the Hornets another arena using taxpayers money. The bobcats gave the city what it wanted..A NBA without using taxpayers money. Lets not forget the Hornets, an "established team", didnt spend money on its players either. Lets see we had L. Johnson who they let go, A. Mourning who they let go, Kendall Gill who they let go, and the list goes on. If you people would open your eyes, the Bobcats are winning more games than the Hornets did in their first couple of yrs. The reason things cost more at the Bobcats arena is because Bob Johnson and others put THEIR hard earned money in everything and didnt ask the city for anything. Everybody has complaints about the Cats and how they do things, but I'll put my money on it and say they you all dont know anything about running a business much less a professional team. MJ had a bad term at Washington and you all wont forget it. Cut the organization some slack. We should have this conversation in 5 yrs and see how people feel about the Bobcats then. But for people to down the organization as a whole is TERRIBLE. Answer me this: in its first 3 yrs, what did the hornets have thats better than the Bobcats? How much of your tax dollars supported the Hornets and how many times did you complain about it? Better yet, if Larry Bird did own the Bobcats would you all have the same hatred towards the team?
Posted by: Chan | Jun 22, 2007 5:07:47 PM
chan are you as stupid as you sound. the city paid for the arena that bob uses. the city tax payers paid for it. if you did not know that then you need to do some research. the hornets sold out every game in a 23,000 seat arena. the bobcats couldn't even give tickets away to get a sell out 2 years ago. they can't even fill a 15,000 seat gym.
george shinn opened homeless shelters, gave shoes to homeless people, gave food away. yes he made a mistake and got involved with someone while he was married. it cost him dearly. george did love charlotte, george supported charlotte, george paid taxes in charlotte. michael jordan wanted george to give him total control with very little money invested. george is not stupid, he was not going to give away his business for nothing. i was a season ticket holder at the hive. this bob johnson bobcats is a joke.
Posted by: thesider | Jun 28, 2007 1:36:02 PM
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