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December 13, 2007
Wait til Okafor learns to read double-teams
Stray thoughts on the eve of what could be an actual winning streak:
-- In case you're wondering whether running the offense through Emeka Okafor in the post really makes a difference, consider this: Okafor took a season-high 18 shots against the Clippers and the Bobcats generated 108 points. They had not scored more than 96 in the previous eight games.
Okafor is essential because just about the most important thing an NBA offense can do is force the opposing team to double the post. That skews the defense and always leaves someone open.
That means the next step in Okafor's development is teaching him to read a double-team and pass to the guy who would have an open shot. That sounds obvious, but it's not because NBA defenses rotate so smoothly.
Learning to find the open man out of a double-team is what made Patrick Ewing such a devastating scorer; you couldn't fully commit to doubling him because he was so good at finding the open shooter.
-- I haven't seen it yet, but I hear rookie Jared Dudley's video tour of Bobcats Arena for ESPN is a hoot. Dudley ad-libbed his way through most of it, and I'm not surprised how funny he was.
Dudley is one of the smarter Bobcats. Being smart doesn't automatically make you funny, but I've seldom met dumb people who were funny. Bobcats p.r. guy B.J. Evans did a smart thing, sending Dudley out to be the franchise's face for this assignment.
-- If coach Sam Vincent isn't going to use Walter Herrmann more, then maybe the smart thing would be seeing what he'd bring in trade.
I know Toronto expressed interest in him after last season, which is no surprise that Raptors player-personnel chief Brian Colangelo loves international players.
Posted by rbonnell on December 13, 2007 at 09:42 PM | Permalink
Comments
Bonnell, when is all the ESPN stuff going to happen? I know you're going to do a write-up tomorrow with the schedule so we know when to expect all this ESPN coverage "stuff," right?
Posted by: Will | Dec 13, 2007 11:48:42 PM
ESPN hasn't really done a whole lot in terms of explaining specifics, but you can assume they'll be showing some clips on SportCenter and maybe First Take (ESPN2 10-2) throughout the day, and then the bulk of it will be on the NBA Gameday show at 7:00.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Dec 14, 2007 12:11:05 AM
We just traded Herrman and Brezec for Nazr Mohammed. I'm really excited to be done with Brezec, not so much about parting with Herrman. I mean, I think trading to fill our need at the 5 was the only option, but we traded a pretty skilled player for a guy who hasn't ever proven to be worth starter minutes.
Oh, and here is what really bugs me. Herrman and Brezec were set to come off the payroll after this season. Mohammed will be payed $6 million per through 2010 (he's 30). Seems like a lot to commit to a guy who really hasn't played much the last few years and will be 34 by the time his contract is up.
Overall, I'm happy that the front office is trying to do something, just hoping that Mohammed is a better option than I suspect he is. Really don't think so.
Posted by: BustaCat | Dec 14, 2007 11:41:19 PM
BustaCat,
What????? You mean that Michael Jordan and Co. might have made a bad personnel move that will not benefit the team and that will strap the franchise financially? You mean MJ is not the shrewd negotiator of personnel we all thought? Shades of the Wizards! Ditto your comments.
Posted by: ditto | Dec 15, 2007 10:40:15 AM
When Mekka learns to pass out of doubles he'll be playing somewhere else. Like Gilbert Arenas said on his blog, Okafor is insane for turning down a solid contract to go chase Dwight Howard money. He will never get Howard money because Howard is better. Arenas makes is very clear -- from a player's perspective -- how dangerous it is to peg your value to another player's. Can end up very badly.
And Bobcats fans need to understand that the Nazr deal is meant to help now AND in the event -- the likelihood? -- that Okafor walks when his contract expires.
Make no mistake, MJ and the Rod are sending a clear signal to Mekka: We've made an offer.
Posted by: JAT | Dec 15, 2007 12:53:46 PM
That's a ridiculous assertion, JAT...if they're legitimately trying to threaten Okafor with the aquisition of Nazr FREAKING Mohammed, he might as well walk. The guy's never played more that 25 MPG in his CAREER!
Posted by: Michael Procton | Dec 15, 2007 3:23:24 PM
I think that Emeka has the belief that guys will actually PASS him the ball when he is open(unlike in the CELTICS game even though he shoots %50 from the free throw line, better two shots missed at the other end of the floor than what happened). Do you think that instead of having Raymond Felton and Jeff McInnis(Adam Morrison)that Emeka's numbers would be substantially higher if he had CHRIS PAUL(The Bobcats could have traded up to number three with Portland)and BRANDON ROY(Clearly the more Jordan-like player)? I know he would. Emeka is most effective at Center(Although he still does not take the ball to the rim with bad intentions enough, maybe he needs to start embarrassing his teammates like when he is wide open after the pick and roll). Thank goodness that Hubie Brown pointed out how ineffective this team is when they continue to not use Emeka as a first or second option.
Posted by: Bruce Griffith | Dec 17, 2007 7:17:45 PM
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