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November 04, 2007
Jason Richardson good go-to guy
- Wonder if Panthers coach John Fox has some spare time late Monday. The Bobcats are practicing at 3 p.m., and maybe he should monitor a team that wins at home once in a while.
- The Bobcats have never before had a player like Jason Richardson – a genuine go-to guy in a league where that’s essential to success. But isn’t it strange that such a good 3-point shooter would struggle at the foul line?
- Matt Carroll is struggling, and in part that’s because teams respect him. They’re reluctant to leave him to double, and it’s hard for a spot-up shooter to be effective if his defender won’t occasionally sag into the lane to help defend the post.
- If there’s one game you should see this season, it’s Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns. You will never see prettier, more fluid, offense than the Suns’, and the local team is undefeated
Posted by rbonnell on November 4, 2007 at 11:37 PM | Permalink
Comments
It will be really nice to see some of you local sports reporters eat crow, when the Bobcats make the playoffs!! I know 2 games does not a season make, but heart has alot to do with a team's success (just ask the Rockies)! I know all the Bobcat bashers out there hate to see us doing well, but I'm proud to be a Bobcat fan!!
Posted by: Go Cats Go!! | Nov 4, 2007 11:54:14 PM
I'm proud too! GO BOBCATS!
Posted by: GJ | Nov 4, 2007 11:59:05 PM
I was waiting for you to write something postive about J-Rich after the first home regular season game. I didnt read any quotes on his thoughts on playing in his first home game in Charlotte. No quotes from the players on their impression after playing their first regular season game with J-Rich. That's important stuff! Do you get any quotes from the players?
I'm a Knicks fan too and you may wanna check NYPOST.com. They have some excellent articles on their team. They picked up Zach Randolph and they already have an article on Zach about his first home game. They have some really good quotes from Zach about his experience playing his first regular season game at the Garden. Good Stuff! I would like to see some personal stuff from the Observer also.
Posted by: Bobcats Fan | Nov 5, 2007 4:10:51 AM
i think bonnell is more of a carroll fan than a bobcats fan.. base on the past post, article after article pleading the case of carroll as a ft shooter, i think he has personal inclination with carroll. i bet if carroll plays well, whether they win or lose, this writer could care less n wil have something positive to say for the first time with the team.. IN MY OPINION, bonnell has a thing for carroll.
Posted by: wil | Nov 5, 2007 4:39:33 AM
Go Bobcats!
Its great to see them off to a good start, I can't wait to see them live on Tuesday!
As a huge Panther fan its nice to have at least 1 of my sports team give it there all.
Posted by: Cat | Nov 5, 2007 6:42:20 AM
How come your article didn't say the Heat had thousands of empty seats? Observer is so focused on that at home games...why not on the road? Is the objective of the Observer to be fair and honest....or too just take shots at the Bobcats?
Posted by: Selective Observer | Nov 5, 2007 9:10:36 AM
Yeah...it sure would make a good article on Jason Richardson's transition from a packed and rocking Oracle Arena in the playoffs to a sputtering, barely over half-capacity unnamed arena. As for the Heat, they SOLD every ticket, and their actual attendance was surely higher than the announced attendance from Friday.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Nov 5, 2007 9:26:23 AM
THANKS RICK!!! Please listen to the Bobcats employees and write positive comments!!! Go to the NY Post and actually learn how to write!!! Finally! Rick, thanks for listening to us!!! I can't wait to see them on Tuesday!!!
Wow, you Bobcats employees are something else...desperate to get a few folks to support the Bobcats. Nice strategy...bash the Panthers to try to get support for the Bobcats. Is this a corporate strategy guys? If winning is all it will take to fill the arena, can we send the NY subway drum line, the cheerleaders and the halftime entertainment home? I am a season ticket holder and I go to the games with the bus terminal guys. I support the team. I just like basketball. I do not support the absentee ownership and the lifestyle and morals of the ownership group. I do know that you cannot field a weak front line and ask Wallace, Richardson and Felton to win consistently over an 82 game season with jump shots. GO CATS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Willie McLane | Nov 5, 2007 9:31:35 AM
Great start by the Cats. I love the Panthers, don't get me wrong, but if you want to watch guys play their heart out every night, watch the Bobcats.
Jason Richardson is exactly what this team needed. Thank God MJ traded brace-face Brandon Wright for J-Rich, we didn't need another young project.
I couldn't ask for a better start to the season! I realize it's only 2 games, but it's great they started the season off on the right foot. GO CATS
Posted by: Bobcat Matt | Nov 5, 2007 9:42:26 AM
I have to admitt that Bonnell does HATE the Bobcats... Bonnel you forgot to say that J-Rich shoot for 63% and 55% from 3pts. Matt Carroll is a good bench player, but never as good as J-Rich, and even less a player to trust in a close game only because he can make freethrows. If he doesn't get to the basket, he will not be fouled, and he is a perimeter shooter, nothing else. The team shoot for 82% from the line.
Posted by: RobC | Nov 5, 2007 10:07:49 AM
That's ridiculous, Rob. Matt Carroll is much more than a jump shooter. His slash and drive skills are severely underrated, and last year, he was 4th on the team in free throw rate, ahead of Felton, Herrmann, and Morrison. Beyond that, you know you can count on him. In 193 career games, Carroll has missed more than one free throw a grand total of 11 times! He has missed as many as three only ONCE! Felton and Richardson have done that three times combined in only TWO GAMES!
Posted by: Michael Procton | Nov 5, 2007 11:30:07 AM
Give Jordan credit for pulling the trigger on that trade. Jrich legitimizes the Bobcats and gives them 4 really good players to lean on. They have a really good core. I wouldn't be shocked to see them make the playoffs...and they're fun to watch.
Posted by: G.M. | Nov 5, 2007 1:05:12 PM
LOL, I can't believe the Proct-ologist is calling out Felton for missing "more than one" free throw in a game. For the record, Ray's 15-19 from the line. Way to focus on that very, very insignificant negative instead of ... you know ... the fact that he had 26 pts, 12 assists in game one and 19 points, 7 assists in game two. After all the time and energy you've wasted trashing the kid, it must be killing you that Ray's enjoying such a great start to his season.
Posted by: felton > procton | Nov 5, 2007 1:35:45 PM
Procton you really are out of focus, First: I didn't say Matt is a bad player, He is a very good player and an excellent backup SG. But he is no a starter YET. Notice I said yet. Matt is not underated at all. Why?, consistency builds rating, and Matt have not reach the level of consistency needed to trust him the ball in close games, only because he has a better FT%. My argument is not that Matt is not good, is about people saying that he should play more ONLY because he is a better FT shooter. He will be a star, SOON, but not yet. Now he have to lear from G-Force and J-Rich something called consistency, especially in being agresive and being a go-to guy.
Posted by: RobC | Nov 5, 2007 1:51:47 PM
Procton was a fan of the Bobcats when Primo and BK were running pick and pop, but no longer supports the team at all b/c this era is over. He is here pretty much to back Bonnell when he writes something controversial or most specifically something critical of Felton. He'll be in full force as soon as Felton has a down game.
Posted by: jperry | Nov 5, 2007 2:03:56 PM
Procton does love him some Primo.
Posted by: LeeL | Nov 5, 2007 2:40:40 PM
As far as being a go-to guy, I'm not suggesting that Carroll be in when we're trailing as the guy who will hit the dagger to beat the other team. But in an end-game situation like Friday night, when we were getting fouled on purpose, Carroll should have been in the game. As for his "perimeter-only" game, I'll defend Carroll as a slasher and driver every day.
As far as Felton goes, his numbers have looked fairly decent, but he's still far too careless with the ball (5 TOs vs. only 7 ASTs yesterday.) Furthermore, much of his scoring and shooting success has come at SG, only further solidifying my point that he will never be a good NBA point. The detailed breakdowns I use at 82games.com are not up yet, but I'm sure they'll support the notion that he has been far more productive and efficient when playing off the ball, which you people suggest "stunts his growth." Maybe the growth you anticipate is never coming. Maybe he'll never blossom into a quality PG with good decision-making skills. More consistent shooting would obviously make me happier, but I'm still not satisfied with what I've seen out of our "franchise" point guard.
As far as my support of the Bobcats, I've proudly been wearing my G-Force jersey since Friday, as they're fulfilling my ideas that they could play well enough to win this weak SE division (a position I've maintained on this site and elsewhere since the Richardson trade.) My only anti-Bobcats argument isn't really against the team as a whole at all. I've simply said that the success they will have will be in spite of Raymond Felton running the point, not because of him. Out of our starters, he's clearly the 4th-best, and he's also the one who most often causes a negative impact on the court with his poor, over-eager shooting and careless turnovers. We're working on far too small of a sample size to tell what full Richardson's impact will be, but the fact of the matter is that Felton's far more frequently a drain on the team than the ever-consistent (when healthy, granted) Okafor and the energetic Wallace. Please find a way to argue that point, because I know you can't.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Nov 5, 2007 3:02:27 PM
Watch Felton's time at the 2 this year and compare it to the 2 guard Ray played his first year and at times last year. In this situation, it is McInnis brining up the ball and giving it to Ray to initiate the offense and playmake and create. This has been done with Paul often during his time with Hornet and when he was at Wake. It's a way of preserving energy and giving a guy the opportunity to use combination skills.
The ONLY drain on them is PRIMO PERIOD. This 4th best junk on Felton is SILLY, as all you are saying is we have a good starting lineup...DUH. Besides, there is no way to objectively support that. Yesterday, Richardson and Felton were the top 2 players according to writers followed by Okafor and Wallace. When we needed a play at the end of the game after the drought, who made it? Felton with the drive and 2 FTs. He is no liability as you say. Hollinger says our starting lineup can hang with anyone (I don't know if he knew Primo was starting then), so there is no way of spinning that into a negative against Felton.
Felton's "play at the 2" success(when McInnis comes in for Primo) this year is a bi-product of several things: 1) Our lineup is QUICKER than the opposition UNLIKE when Primo is DRAINING the energy and dragging us down (I wish we had Voskuhl instead); 2) McInnis gives Felton the ball right away after crossing halfcourt and Felton does not have to count on hoping to get it when he comes free every few possessions.
Vincent's use of McInnis is about multiple things and is different than the previous group b/c: 1) Felton doesn't have to guard 2 guards like he did in the previous regime; 2) He is STILL initiating the offense on MOST possessions being the primary playmaker.
Vincent is trying to keep the Raymond "the Drain" Felton on the court as much as possible if you haven't noticed. It's funny how a guy can be a drain while going for 26 and 12 in game 1 and 19 and 7 with the deciding FTs in game 2 for a 2-0 team. No one is acting like the season ends today, but your disdain for Felton is rooted in bias b/c he replaced one of your favorites moreso than reason. And you can play with 82games.com as much as you want this year, you will do it working to make the same point that we need to drop Felton. No one is surprised anymore. Same ol schtick.
Posted by: jperry | Nov 5, 2007 3:24:42 PM
BTW, I do appreciate you admitting clearly your biased and unrelenting distaste and lack of support for Felton. Once you admit that you collaborate with Rick and articles and posts, all the secrets will be revealed.
And come off the backhanded compliments, they're tired. As far as a weak SE division (beyond questionable assessment), that's not doing much for the other pro sports team in town is it?
Posted by: jperry | Nov 5, 2007 3:28:14 PM
He can write something negative if J-Rich played horrible, but he didnt. I expect a writer who covers a team to get interesting stories on that team. Why would you not atleast give your impression on what the new pickup has meant to the team so far. What dimensions he adds to the Bobcats. He covers the game as if he's watching the game on TV. Give me some inside stuff! Is that too much to ask from the teams beat writer?
Did you read the aritcle he just printed on J-Rich. That's freaking horrible! The headline is Jason Richardson good go-to guy, but the first bullet is about John Fox. You don't think that's dumb? Then when he does talk about J-rich he takes a jab and talks about his free throw shooting. How ambigous is that!
I don't work for the Bobcats, but it's too my advantage people don't go to the game b/c I can get great tickets at the last minute. I sat near the floor during the first game and I bought the tickets a week before the game. Great! I don't expect every ariticle to be positive, but give me something worth reading. Cover the team like other cities do! I challenge you to read other newspapers coverage of their NBA team and I guarantee most of the websites will have much better coverage. More in-depth coverage of their team. The Observer covers the Bobcats as if the writer watches the game from his freaking living room.
Posted by: Bobcats Fan | Nov 5, 2007 3:36:47 PM
This is the garbage I'm talking about
Bonnell:
If there’s one game you should see this season, it’s Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns. You will never see prettier, more fluid, offense than the Suns’, and the local team is undefeated
What sticks out about this paragraph? Anyone!
1st: You should come to the game on tuesday to see the Phoenix Suns play pretty ball instead of supporting your team.
2nd: This is the funny one to me! At the end of his sentence he throws in the ultimate disrepect to the team he covers by saying
"and the local team is undefeated"
What local team may that be? Could it be the team you get paid to cover each week? Atleast give the respect to call the local team by their actual name! BOBCATS! You didnt say the visiting team when you mentioned the Phoenix Suns, so why demean the Bobcats by calling them the local team.
Let's Petition to get this guy moved!
Posted by: Bobcats Fan | Nov 5, 2007 3:49:17 PM
One more thing. 82games.com will probably tell you that Felton was the ONLY starter with a positive +/- yesterday at +4 and a positive one in both games. But keep spewing your trash for people who won't actually check you out. It's not even that simple +/- without knowing circumstances tells the whole story.
But I'm not going to let you refuse to acknowledge truth and promote propoganda as easily as Rick has until folks buy in. This whole Felton thing has taken on a life of its own because of Rick Bonnell having a monopoly on the writing for this franchise and writing the same TRASH OVER AND OVER until others say it as well.
Felton is not a selfish gunner without offensive skills who does not pass the ball to his teammates. He had the most shots last year with a lower fg%, b/c: 1) HE WAS HEALTHY ALL YEAR unlike the rest of the Cats; 2) He PLAYED THE MOST MINUTES; and 3)Because he had the most ability to create something at the end of the clock (where he took a lot of forced/tough shots).
He's going to shoot b/c the guy has a decent offensive repetoire, but he is going to find his teammates AS WELL (playing combo guard he had 7 assists/game). And the more opportunities he has to develop chemistry with them and learn their tendencies (Richardson fading to the corner for a transition 3 instead of to the basket for a lob) the better we and he will be. I'm interested to watch the development of the team and Felton under Vincent using a style suited to the personnel. The guy plays hard, gives his all, is the ultimate US/TEAM guy and loves to win. I hope this happens here.
Anyway, feel free to manipulate stats and play fantasy basketball as much as you like this year, but understand that you will get checked. Besides, don't you have a Clippers board to go post on and keep up with BK?
Posted by: jperry | Nov 5, 2007 3:51:57 PM
Bobcats Fan I hear ya. I think Rick left when the Hornets let Zo go. I don't see his heart as being in this. Not much depth, and most of the good comes in backhanded form. It's sad if they can do any better. It's even more pathetic to watch the Gaston Gazette run circles around it all.
Posted by: jperry | Nov 5, 2007 3:55:10 PM
RAY RAY is tha man!! who ever is talkin' trash about Felton is ignorant...
Posted by: Jada777 | Nov 5, 2007 6:28:28 PM
I agree with you all...I want some indepth and behind the scenes reporting. Like, I want to know if there has ever been another professional team where the owners have had to shell out so much cash in divorce settlements? I understand Mike will pay Juanita $154 million. Didn't Bob have to pay his wife about $1.5 billion? It was pretty expensive chasing tail on the side, wasn't it? Can we get some coverage of this?
Posted by: Jeffrey Encino | Nov 5, 2007 9:24:00 PM
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