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January 31, 2008
Bobcats still looking for help; how about a rebounder?
I chatted with Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins before Wednesday’s game in Sacramento, and it was clear Higgins hasn’t closed the door on making another deal before the Feb. 21 trade deadline.
Don’t get the wrong idea; I don’t see the Bobcats acquiring Jason Kidd or someone else of huge consequence. However, another tweak would make great sense, considering that two teams with losing records might qualify for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
More rebounding would sure help. A Western Conference player-personnel executive I know saw the Bobcats live for the first time this season Wednesday. He was struck by how easily the Kings pushed around the Bobcats under the boards (a 16-rebound advantage), because Sacramento is the second-worst rebounding team in the league. The Bobcats are 27th among 30 teams.
Rebounding and another fundamental flaw – foul shooting – cost the Bobcats their chance Wednesday. Charlotte shot 57 percent at the line, including Emeka Okafor’s 1-of-4.
Posted by Observer Sports on January 31, 2008 at 12:20 PM | Permalink
Comments
So the Bobcats need a front court energy guy, right? Someone to rebound, block and defend while spelling the starters 8 to 12 minutes a night, right? I have just the right person...ME!
Seriously, what scenarios are out there that will give the Bobcats the player they are looking for at the right price (whether via trade or FA pick up)?
I am going to say something alot of fans don't like to hear. Maybe the Bobcats should concentrate on the players they have now and look to address weaknesses through the draft and FA.
While I am not saying give up, but every team that consistently competes in the NBA has a roster with Lottery Picks. Not just draft picks but lottery picks. Yes Okafor was a lottery pick as well as Felton. I feel that neither were deserving of lottery status (drafted, yes lotter, no). You want to see legitimate lottery picks, look at the two players that were drafted right before them, respectively.
Posted by: northcliq | Jan 31, 2008 2:45:19 PM
Yes. Let's get Antawn during the offseason, and a solid rookie with our probable lottery selection, and then we'll be a legit playoff contender.
Posted by: TheBeagle | Jan 31, 2008 3:20:08 PM
Bonnell.
It came about two months too late, but you were proven wrong on your blog about how the Bobcats would not pursue Boykins.
You were wrong about us trading for Richardson, you were wrong about us going after Varejao, you were wrong about us being frugal in our search for a big man (Mohammed makes around 6m/year), and now you were wrong about us signing Boykins.
Why are you still employed?
Posted by: Will | Jan 31, 2008 3:40:52 PM
Will...lets take a break from your love of Bonnell...anybody wanna guess Sean May's current weight?...I'm voting 280...he can bearly lift himself out of his seat...when he walks he looks like a bad Jello commercial...question is how could we get him on a scale....how bout if when Bonnell goes into the locker room next home game, he stands behind the scale with a pork roast hanging from his neck...that will get ole Sean "Doughboy" May up onto that scale :)
Posted by: Mike | Jan 31, 2008 5:11:04 PM
Try 300+
Posted by: Will | Jan 31, 2008 5:28:24 PM
Will,
I still don't understand why he's covering the Bobcats.
Posted by: bobcats fan | Jan 31, 2008 5:37:23 PM
Are you guys serious?!?! Just because you hate Bonnell doesn't mean you have to make up stuff... If you look back at his post he reports that they were NOT persuing Boykins...
"Certainly all this makes sense. Point guard is not a position of great need for the Bobcats. They need help inside – a big guy who can rebound and bang in the lane – far more than an undersized scoring point guard. Boykins is certainly an NBA player, and fun to watch, too. But I can’t picture him being such a priority that they’d cut another player and sign him to a guaranteed contract."
So A LOT has changed as you can see... injury problems have made PG more of a priority (seeing how we played a game without a single PG on the bench) and we now have an empty roster spot b/c of the trade. Also... as you can see, he IS consistent about our need of a big man. So quit your whining and GTHO..
GO BOBCATS!!!
Posted by: Aaron | Jan 31, 2008 6:02:21 PM
Brilliant move to get Boykins...he just became the best PG on the roster. Better shooter than Felton (inside, outside, and at the line), takes better care of the ball, and it's not like he can be any worse of a defender. It's too bad we can't pair them in the backcourt, though. BobCat Johnson won't want that 5th pick money wasted with Felton on the bench like he should be.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 31, 2008 6:13:49 PM
How can anyone say that Okafor shouldn't have been a top 14 pick in that weak draft?
Posted by: Will Amette | Jan 31, 2008 6:16:47 PM
Yeah we definitely could use a big man not named Ryan Hollins or Othella Harrington. If only May and his injuries could heal up...Everyone is getting on May's case but the real case is ADAM MORRISON. Drafting top 3 busts wont get the franchise anywhere. We are lucky to have Gerald Wallace around or we would be terrible. Trading Richardson for Wright looks good in the short term but we could use a athletic, long big like Wright. We going to have to draft a big anyway this year (maybe we get lottery luck and draft Beasley). Too bad our franchise is so consumed with trying to make the playoffs...learn to be patient fellas and draft right, not guys that played in the WCC or whatever, and score against no one like Adam Morrison did when he was in college. Can you say Rudy Gay or Brandon Roy, nice scouting Bobcats
Posted by: Elliott | Jan 31, 2008 6:41:58 PM
Sean May's "injuries" are attributed to his unhealthy snacking habit. He'll never be right again. Bad pick from the second it was made. Tough to say Adam Morrison's a bust. He was a top 3 rookie, and he's been hurt this year. Brandan Wright will never amount to anything in the NBA...Stromile Swift, anyone? If you're going to complain about Gay or Roy (and yes, I did think those were better picks at the time, though it was hardly the consensus opinion), you should mention that we could have had Danny Granger or David Lee instead of Fatty May.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 31, 2008 11:36:30 PM
You guys need to lay off May about his weight. He has simply gained back the weight he lost after his sophomore year at UNC due to inactivity. The Bobcats should bear some of the burden for the May situation because they kept allowing him to come back for 8-10 games only to rest the knee again. He should have had the microfracture surgery at least a year and a half before it was done. Nonetheless, he is the 1st round pick that has the qualites the Cats are missing-Low Post Scorer, Big with Mid-Range Jumper. I personally witnessed May abuse the best young big in the game, Dwight Howard, with a 32 and 10 performance while giving up at least 3-4 inches. This guy can play if healthy. The Cats need to see if this surgery is going to work for him. If not, then just let his rookie contract run out and cut your losses
Posted by: Adrian Cooper | Feb 1, 2008 12:19:16 AM
Lay off of him? Maybe if he showed he cared at all about his conditioning or EARNING his $2 mil+ salary, he could get some slack. Instead, he's more interested in getting his drank and his swerve on in the club. No matter how good he is, 30 games a year ain't gonna cut it.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 1, 2008 3:33:18 AM
To those attacking Rick Bonnell. Well, think about this. Yes, Rick was wrong about the Bobcats trading for Richardson and going after Varejao, and he was wrong about the team NOT spending money on a big man (they did sign Mohammed to a big contract), and yes, he was wrong about Boykins. BUT maybe, just maybe, by calling out Bob Johnson he forced Johnson to pay big dollars for a big man, trade for Richardson, and sign Boykins? Maybe without Rick Bonnell, we would have none of this? mmm
Posted by: CSK | Feb 1, 2008 9:05:49 AM
Back to Sean "Kong" May....ever watch him at the home games? Morrison is jumping up and down (or as best he can)...meanwhile Kong is stretched out in his Chair-and-a-half looking like my dog wanting to be fed...sheessh...yes he can play...but so could Dan Morgan and that got us no where....in short...trade him to New Orleans where he can get his real game going on Bourbon Street....or better yet...if he really wants to stay on the team....team him every day with one-one-ones with Michael Jordan for 20-25 minutes with no stop clock...if and when he beats MJ w/o needing 3 hours of hydrotherapy...then and only then can he stay
Posted by: mike | Feb 1, 2008 9:44:30 AM
Listen the need for a big man was adressed, and now the need of a pretty good PG. The real problem here is the coach Sam Vincent. First let me say that i liked it when the Bobcats hired him, but now I'm disappointed and I think it was a mistake. He is either blind, dumb or both. Why? Keep reading...
Wallace CAN NOT and WILL NEVER be a Power Foward, please!!! More of a PF will be Dudley than Wallace. Dudley being the same height of Wallace is a lot bigger in body size, stronger (relatively speaking) and a lot more "low-post oriented". If Sam uses Mohamed & Okafor at the 5 & 4 regularly and Dudley & Hollins sharing some minutes to allow some rest to Mohamed & Okafor that would work great. That way Wallace will over power every single SF in the league and Richardson will over power or at least match with any SG in the league.
Posted by: Rob C | Feb 1, 2008 11:07:04 AM
Just for the record: Rick Bonnell wasn't wrong at all about Anderson Varejao. He explained what some people still aren't getting: the Bobcats were not going to pay Varejao more than the Cavs had already offered him (because the young man wasn't worth more...); the offer sheet to which they signed him up was actually for a lower salary than that offered by the Cavs, and it was known from the beginning that the Cavs will match the offer, and get the guy back to Cleveland. This was nothing but a clever trick by Varejao's agent to get his player back from Brazil to the NBA in a face saving manner; what Varejao got from this was less money than initially offered to him, but also, a shorter term contract before he can become an unrestricted free agent. Briefly, the Bobcats' part in this was doing a favor to Varejao's agent and to the Cavs, which may - or may not- pay off in the future.
About Boykins, Aaron explained it clearly above: circumstances (including the opening of a roster spot) changed since Bonnell wrote about this player, and so changed the management's approach to this player. That's why they didn't sign him up then, but they did now...
It would be nice if bloggers could focus on basketball, rather than on their personal hate for this or that person. On the other hand, it would be very boring to keep on hearing about Varejao for the next 10 years...
Posted by: Sandy | Feb 1, 2008 11:33:40 AM
The management should look for an opportunity to trade Sean May - if there are any takers. He is a very capable and talented player, but his lack of self-discipline is wrecking his pro career. He really looks like he puts his love of good food above a desire to be successful in the NBA. It's sad to say, but I don't think he has the determination to get himself in shape and to contribute significantly to the team in the following seasons. After paying him several millions for playing 58 games in three seasons, it's time for the Bobcats to let some other club take chances on Sean May. (Actually, a trade might be just what he needs; maybe that will shock him enough to take him out of his comfort zone, and then, he'll finally become serious about getting in shape to play). It seems that the Bobcats are treating Sean May with kid gloves, and that's not gonna achieve anything with him.
Posted by: Sandy | Feb 1, 2008 12:53:46 PM
Totally agree with Sandy...Ole Sean "Never met at Buffet I didnt like" May is starting to look like a rehab out-patient from the KFC Clinic...he really could be a good player, but when the towel kid shows up for more games than May, ya gotta wonder...besides, when you're on the booty trail til 1-2am at night its tough to see how he can "get lucky", play pro ball AND polish off 8-10 pounds of ribs, a couple of double Whoppers and a two-fer from Pizza Hut on a daily basis...something has to give when you're juggling this demanding a schedule...and I guess we know which one is losing out...trade him before the next Sunday buffet at the Marriott while there is still hot food in the serving trays...
Posted by: mike | Feb 1, 2008 3:07:09 PM
90% of the guys posting here, know little or nothing about basketball transactions or sportswriting. They are just frustrated wannabees. Comical in their ignorance, but still lacking in their knowledge of the game of basketball. But they do give me a good laugh. Keep it up jayvees.
Posted by: D-Cat | Feb 1, 2008 3:52:57 PM
They need to start jared dudley. He is one of the hardest working, fundamentally sound players I have seen. Even though they were lossing he played and had 4 points and 8 rebounds in 17 minutes and 4 assists. Dudley is the only one playing as hard as he can every second that he gets in, for the exception of wallace. Dudley goes after lose balls and dives on the floor for lose balls. The cats want someone who can redound they have okafor and Dudley, but Dudley does not get enough playing time. Dudley plays bigger than what he is. When the NBA draft comes up, in the second round the bobcats need to look at DeMarcus Nelson of Duke. Nelson is an explosive gaurd who leads his team in rebounds and he is 6-4. Nelson is 3rd in california history in rebounding in high school. There is only one flaw to his game and that is free-throw shooting. Nelson also plays bigger than he is like Dudley. Nelson would bring great contribution off the bench.
Not to mention that the cats have one of the worst coaches in the NBA. I can't believe that they passed up Larry Brown or for that matter Stan Van Gundy.
My starting line-up:
C: Emeka Okafor
PF: Jared Dudley
SF: Gerald Wallace
SG: Jason Richardson
PG: Earl Boykins
Posted by: BF | Feb 2, 2008 1:58:54 PM
Wow, BF whatever you are on, I'd be up for some, because they stuff is putting you in fantasy land. Although Dudley is hardworking, that surely does not put him in a position to get majority of the minutes.
I personally think we have the right pieces, they are just not hungry players. Jordan crony needs to motivate his team, and get their fundamentals straight. Okafor is a beast, when he wants to be so he will show up once a while and make us think he's trying, but come on, you can't be a lottery pick and average 10 shots a game. There is no offensive presence. He needs to accept offensive responsibility the FULL SEASON and take his shots, that's just the way it is.
Have 3 guys run the floor, and shoot 3's all day isn't going to cut it, we are not great shooters, and shouldn't have to rely on that.
Felton is our guy, and he's gotta stay at the point and lead the team through the struggles, we can't change our minds every other minute when things are going right. Make an evaluation of whether or not he's worth a damn at the end of the season.
We still need to emphasize fundamentals, take care of the ball, free throws, run an offense. This isn't street ball, there is some strategy involved. Just some tips for the jordan crony.
Posted by: Michael | Feb 4, 2008 9:41:30 AM
But Michael...what do you do with that line up when the Fast Food Mesiah, Sean "lemme have another" May hits the Court....is there a few minutes available for a solid PE (Power Eater)? I dont think you're being fair to our 3 year Veteran Love Machine...dont you think he deserves a chance? I'm sure if we need him to "bulk up" he'd be the first to the Buffet Table...you need to think more creatively or we'll have to start forwarding your blog onto the Mechlenberg Democratic Committiee for them to "null and void" your input... :)
Posted by: Mike | Feb 4, 2008 10:56:12 AM
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