« Rush out for revenge Friday | Main | Okafor's foul trouble is bad news »
November 13, 2007
Stray thoughts entering the Bobcats' game against Miami
- Coach Sam Vincent has a judgment call right now, figuring whether Jeff McInnis or Matt Carroll should finish a close game. McInnis provides an extra ballhandler, freeing up Raymond Felton to score more. Carroll helps spread the floor by nailing jump shots, something Jason Richardson isn't doing in his current slump. The real issue is Richardson's shooting slump. After starting the season with two great games, he's made 15 of his last 57 attempts. That sure isn't go-to-guy efficiency, but the season is still young. - Why doesn't Richardson drive more? He obviously has the speed and explosiveness to get to the rim. Seems like that would be a good way to get himself started again as a scorer. - I get e-mail from fans wondering why Primoz Brezec is still starting. I think that's about Vincent's desire to place some length alongside Emeka Okafor. Since the preseason, Vincent has been concerned about Okafor staying out of foul trouble. If it's Brezec giving a few fouls against opposing big men, that cuts down on the fouls Okafor has to give. The alternative is playing Ryan Hollins or Jermareo Davidson, and Vincent has concerns about their experience, based on how he's using them. Bottom line: The Bobcats should have signed another veteran big man, as Vincent advocated. - I liked what I heard out of Felton, when a media member threw him a softball question Sunday; one of those "You didn't win, but you played so well" questions. Felton said it's time to stop writing off close losses to the young, expansion-team excuse. Good for him. Leadership is about accountability. - Vincent sent out hints in training camp that Walter Herrmann wasn't a lock to be in the rotation. But I still think it's a head-scratcher that Herrmann has no role, with Adam Morrison and Sean May out for the season. Rookie Jared Dudley is seemingly getting the minutes Herrmann would get and there's some merit to that; you have to love Dudley's effort to go get the ball. But on a team searching for toughness, it's strange not to find any time for a scrapper like Herrmann.
Posted by rbonnell on November 13, 2007 at 09:41 AM | Permalink
Comments
Rick, I plan to comment more later, but I wanted to say STRONG work. This is the type of writing/insight we need more of!
Posted by: jperry | Nov 13, 2007 10:26:24 AM
Hi Rick,I totally concur with you on the thought of tbe Bobcats signing another big man. I wonder why they haven't made a strong pitch to PJ Brown. He's a good player and also can play the 3,4 & 5 positions. He would definitely be better at the 5 & Emeka @ at the 4. at least they would be able to run. not to mention PJ can step out and hit the 15 footer. Just BJ & MJ being cheap.
Posted by: keith allen | Nov 13, 2007 11:40:16 AM
Well done Rick...good analysis solid approach...no team negs, just solid questioning with sound back up..think you're right on mark...keep up this kind of "quizicle" writing with the Bobcats...THEN...in a few weeks...send all our feedback to your Panthers writers and show them what we have been expecting of them as writers for the past decade and havent gotten...I'm guessing Sorenson next week will enlighten us to his vast knowledge of "Suits worn by Professional Football Players off the Field", or maybe this week ole Tom will mezmerize us with his wit over todays picture of Julius Peppers entitled "Dentistry in the NFL"...but of course...its just "In my Opinion" ...well well done Rick!
Posted by: Bob | Nov 13, 2007 1:20:56 PM
I have to say that I agree with Rick, actually, good job on this article. It's true, the Bobcats should trade for a big man. Plus I still believe that Hollins is better than Primos even without the experience. At least he does a little bit of something, take the game v.s. Houston for example, he provided very good minutes on the court, but Primoz is totally out of shape and focus.
Posted by: RobC | Nov 13, 2007 3:03:15 PM
PJ Brown will be a good fit for the Bobctas, and what about Anderson Varejao, both of those guys will be great at the 5 together with Okafor.
Posted by: RobC | Nov 13, 2007 3:05:56 PM
Ive been saying that....Anderson is the key and would be the key for us while he is out in limbo with the Cavs....Mr. Micheal J. Jordan you have to pullout the 7.5 to 9.0 million he wants...3 years 25.3 million??...What would we have to lose, besides having to find money for Okafor. Hey we have to get bigger and stronger, maybe even faster....Detroit will come down to the East having to battle for the title anyways...I know fans you may NOT like this but bring in Marbury...:$
Posted by: BobCat Fan D | Nov 13, 2007 7:17:59 PM
BobCat Fan, you're crazy. Who would want a legitimate point guard running our team?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Nov 13, 2007 10:13:41 PM
Yeah, bring in a cancer to our team when we have good chemistry. That makes sense. Bring a New Yorker down to small market Charlotte where he won't be happy. Our guard situation is not our problem. It's the depth in the frontcourt and consistency there.
Posted by: jperry | Nov 13, 2007 10:47:19 PM
PJ Brown is going to retire or play for a serious contender. Don't be surprised if he signs with PHX later on.
As for signing someone Bonnell, we had no roster spot. Someone would have to go first and I'm guessing that it would be Harrington.
Posted by: Nope | Nov 14, 2007 1:05:39 AM
PS suggesting that we get Marbury is absurd. It would be a horrible move on many levels and has no chance in hell of happening anyway.
Posted by: Nope | Nov 14, 2007 1:08:45 AM
Varajao is WAY, WAY, WAY overpriced at what he's asking. Marbury, no thanks. At this point it looks like the only thing we can hope for, at least in the short term, is for the continuing development of Hollins and Davidson and the return of Harrington (all three are better than Brezec right now). While I'm all for bringing in outside help for the frontcourt, I'm not for mortgaging the future of the franchise for the likes of Anderson Verajao. We already have a lot of $ tied up with Wallace, Richardson, and hopefully Okafor, I'm all for patience and shrewdness in making decisions about our supporting cast. Contracts of the like that Verajao is asking for should ONLY go to established, skilled players- not "energy guys" or unproven youth. Verajao shot 47% from the field with average rebounds/min and next to no blocks last season. How is he a solution?
Posted by: BustaCat | Nov 14, 2007 1:13:32 AM
The 'Cats are 4-3 right now, that's not bad. I think the best move is to wait, letting the team continue to develop, hopefully staying in the thick of the playoff race, and try to pick up a big near the trading deadline from a team that's out of the race. And although I haven't generally had good things to say about Hollins before, I think he and/or Davidson could be valuable contributors that fill the need from inside the organization. I'm just happy to be above .500 seven games into the season. The 'Cats play so far puts me more at ease about the pg and frontcourt issues that we often write about on this blog. It's nice to see the team actually playing well.
Posted by: BustaCat | Nov 14, 2007 1:20:57 AM
You Bobcat fans are going to learn why JRich was expendable in Oakland. Take it from a dedicated W's fan. During the playoffs last year he never drove to the bucket and he played miserable defense. All the best and thanks for Brendan Wright in return.
Posted by: WarriorsFan | Nov 14, 2007 1:52:21 AM
Hey warriors fan...you think that had anything to do with the fact that the guy rushed back from knee surgery and a broken hand to aid in your playoff push? And as for the defense, you may not have gotten the memo, but there's not exactly a cry for effort on that side of the ball in Golden State. As for Brandan Wright, good luck to him. Maybe he can join David Noel, Joe Forte, and Jackie Manuel on the D-League All-Star team.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Nov 14, 2007 4:13:47 AM
I totally agree with Procton, J-Rich did more than enough for the W's last season. As for Marbury in Charlotte NO WAY!!! Not necesary at all, probably we can sign a nice & cheap backup next season (i.e. Carlos Arroyo from Orlando)He can provide 6pts/4assists in 15-20 mins. As for Varejao, I do like him but he is asking for way to much money. $25M/3Yrs is too much. Maybe $18-20/3Yrs could work, no more than that. And for PJ Brown, he will be a good fit, but with his idea of playing for big team, he'll end up retired.
Posted by: RobC | Nov 14, 2007 8:29:11 AM
Today V.S. Hawks, I would prefer to start Hollins against Horford, than Primoz. You need someone athletic and able to run & jump against Horford. I know fouls is an issue, but you still have Davidson and Primoz if it comes out that bad.
Posted by: RobC | Nov 14, 2007 8:32:14 AM
Bring back Joe Wolf
Posted by: steve | Nov 14, 2007 6:29:03 PM
Bobcat world I know that Marbury int the key jsut like to see the difference in character for the Bocats as opposed to the Panthers... You see how the fan base wants the Bobcats to wait it out and see how this team pulls together is the defining truth. Didnt mean it nor do I want Marbury....But seriously we need a big...Who?? Jared Jeffries, Chris Webber, Abdur-Rahim. If you look at it there are really no bigs worth chancing. Looking good Bobcats, keep it up and prove to yourself and the league that we are not playing...its going to take sometime for alot of other teams to get started and chemistry going and I hope that puts us 10-20 games ahead of them....42 wins are coming maybe even more....20 before break and 22+ after break. where will that might place us maybe winning the division or second place....but 6th Overall place in the east....that will work wonders. Remember how it came down alst year with Chicago and Cleveland switching places due to wins and loses. That determining factor may work for us in the end. Holla
Best wishes this year BobCats and get it together Panthers so Charlotte will have something to really cheer about, The rising of our professional sports and recognition.
Posted by: BobCat Fan D | Nov 14, 2007 8:21:15 PM
There is no chance this team wins more games after than before the break given its front-loaded home schedule and its vagabond month in March. As for the team, yet another night against the Hawks when Felton doesn't lead the team in assists. Shouldn't your "franchise" PG be doing that more often than every other night?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Nov 14, 2007 10:47:24 PM
So the story of the Hawks game was McInnis getting one more assist than Felton?
And here I thought it was the Hawks assortment of wings combining for 91 points on 64% shooting. You're relentless if nothing else.
BTW, if you were REALLY fair and critical, you would have noticed that rookie Horford outshot, outscored, outrebounded and generally outplayed our big man who is seeking a 5 year 85 million dollar max contract. Heck, Hollins almost matched his impact in 10 less minutes. And while I am not one for making every game about individual players, your overlooking every positive Felton brings and impacts in our wins with overweighing of a particular stat in every loss is beyond old. Not that I expect you to stop.
If he were out here saying he desrves a max contract and yada yada, it would be one thing and warranted. However, all he has done is be stand up, willing to play through whatever they let him and be a guy who gives it all and does not make excuses and accept mediocrity without accountability. It's funny how folks always point to Paul and Williams as if they are the only young pgs out there. How about the rest of them? How many of them are HIGHLY successful (whatever you want from Felton)without franchise type players around them?
And the fact that you even supported (if only halfway) the notion of Stephon Marbury here kills whatever credibility or hint of objectivity you had left on this topic.
Posted by: jperry | Nov 15, 2007 10:08:04 AM
Post a comment
Advertisements
