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January 31, 2008
Boykins move means Bobcats are trying
I don't know that point guard is the first position I'd address on the Bobcats' roster.
I do know this: Earl Boykins is a player and the Bobcats' front office is trying.
I talked with general manager Rod Higgins Wednesday, and got the sense they weren't done tweaking the roster. Of course he's going to say that - and mean it - but this was a bit more pointed. Higgins mentioned that despite the Bobcats' sub-.500 record, they weren't far off the pace for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
In other words, I translated, go for it, regardless of how tough the road schedule is the rest of the season.
So Thursday they signed Boykins - a 5-5 rocket with a knack for scoring - for the rest of the season.
Bravo. Higgins and managing partner Michael Jordan are trying and not afraid to take some risks. I still think Nazr Mohammed's contract could be problematic down the road, but Mohammed has been a fine addition this season and Boykins could have similar quick impact.
Posted by rbonnell on January 31, 2008 at 06:37 PM | Permalink
Comments
We will see what it do Cats... Keep progressing. Hold it down! Go Cats!
Posted by: Bobcat Fan D | Jan 31, 2008 7:13:19 PM
That is strike 3 Bonnell. LMAO! How does it feel to get owned again?
Posted by: DS | Jan 31, 2008 8:29:39 PM
This just means that you guys have guard after guard you can keep throwing at teams. But this does not address the two main issues of your team. First rebounding - your coach was quoted last game as saying we did not box anybody out, and then you go get the smallest guy in the game. Second defense - who is earl going to guard that wiill give you an advantage, once again he is the smallest guy on the floor.
Not to knock earl, he is a legend for guys 5'11" and under but he doesnt fit in this plan, its like having a faster Brevin Knight. Which would mean we are back to the same position as two years ago.
My nickname should be broken record because I will say again that the best fit for this team was and is Alan Anderson. Can play and guard 3 positions in the NBA. Consistent when given minutes and very reliable. Doesnt disappear every other game like some resigned player the everyone jocks. Please dont think I am knocking any player I just know of one that would help this team go in the direction it want. Cause the only thing different from this team then the last two years (both improving years) is Alan Anderson.
Holla at me!!!
Posted by: T-Dub | Jan 31, 2008 8:41:05 PM
PG is without a doubt the position we needed to address! Rick, what's the first position you would address on the Bobcats roster??? MJ already addressed the big man need by trading for Nazr, and that has worked out better than anyone could've expected.
Watching this team all year, it's obvious our biggest need at this point is the PG. Felton probably isn't going to be the long term answer (he'll be a great back up!), Touche should be a 2nd or 3rd stringer, and DA is a true wing player. The fact that Felton has been playing the 2 and McInnis has been starting makes it pretty obvious that we've got major issues at the point.
I'm ecstatic to see us make a move and sign the Boykins. He's a shoot first PG, but he'll give our 2nd unit a nice boost b/c we have a tough time putting up points when JRich and Wallace aren't on the floor.
Another nice move from His Airness. He hasn't completely redeemed himself, but he's proving not to be completely worthless.
Posted by: Bobcat Johnson | Jan 31, 2008 10:20:21 PM
Newsflash "T-Dub:"
Going back to the "same position as two years ago" would be an upgrade to the situation we currently have at PG.
Posted by: Will | Jan 31, 2008 10:24:46 PM
Earl is a good move! And he moves like a waterbug! Fast & will push the ball. He a good shooter too! Maybe another small man with a big heart(Muggys) will push the team. He averaged 14 points and 4.5 assists with the Bucks last year but opted out of his contract and has been working out at home.Fresh legs!! He is more of a shooter rather than a passer.
Posted by: Panfan1 | Jan 31, 2008 11:22:02 PM
But he still stays away from the kind of poor decisions with the ball that Felton is legendary for, Panfan, shoot first or not.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 31, 2008 11:38:33 PM
Wow. How is PG not the first position you would address? Maybe this will help: the Bobcats starting PG is JEFF MCINNIS!!! Jeff does his best, but even he can't believe he's a starter!
Posted by: TheBeagle | Jan 31, 2008 11:51:49 PM
Boykins has shown he can score in this league despite his size. We you see him on the floor amongst the trees he will look like your baby brother playing in the driveway or something. LOL!
Posted by: northcliq | Feb 1, 2008 7:45:44 AM
what position would you address first Bonnell? Let's take a good look at the roster right now.
SG: naturally we want J.Rich playing this position, but due to Raymond weakenss running the point we play him at the sg. We have Matt Carroll amd D.A at the backup spot
SF: I do remember this paper saying we have a glut at this position. We naturally want Gerald at this spot, but J.Rich plays the spot. We have J Dudley and injured A. Morrison playing this spot.
PF: We don't want Gerald getting alot of minutes at this spot, but he does. Ideally, we want Emaka getting the most minutes at this spot. We have Othella back and he can be switched between PF and C
C: Emeka gets the start at this spot, but Nazr would be the most ideal person playing this postion. Backup would be Hollins and Othella
PG: We have Ray or Jeff switching at this position. We should have kept B.Knight, but that's hindsight.
We don't get any offensive pressure from the PG position. Felton is not a playmaker. The signal has been there all year long. That's why Jeff get's so many minutes at the PG spot. The organization doesn't believe Felton is ready to takeover. We have two 20 point scorers at the sg and sf position. A double double machine in Emeka and Mohammed has been a great addition.
Earl can get you 15 points easy at the PG spot as a backup. That puts pressure on the defense b/c you now have a guy you must keep an eye on. This will open up the floor for Emeka, J.Rich, and Gerald. Great addition for the Bobcats!
Posted by: Bobcat Fan | Feb 1, 2008 7:47:07 AM
I am happy the Bobcats signed Boykins. I am a Raymond Felton fan, but he is inconsistent at PG. Raymond seems to be developing into a Ben Gordon type of guard, which isn't a bad thing. Hopefully, Boykins will be the starting PG by the time the Bobcats return home from this West Coast swing.
Posted by: Token | Feb 1, 2008 8:46:01 AM
GREAT MOVE! One of my favorite players in the league is in Charlotte.... It don't get no better.
Posted by: T-Bro | Feb 1, 2008 10:22:24 AM
Ray Felton a Ben Gordon type player? I'd take that deal in a heartbeat. Listen, I'm a big Raymond Felton fan. He seems like a nice guy, and he is one of the quickest players with the ball I've ever seen. But he constantly makes dumb decisions and is a below average shooter. If Sean "May I have another twinkie?" would spend more time conditioning than "going clubbing" then maybe Ray would have had an easier transition, with his college teammate there the past 3 seasons. But Ray is now 6 years out of High School, and a solid veteran point guard is what we need. We'll see if Boykins is the answer.
Posted by: tomP | Feb 1, 2008 11:19:11 AM
I think this is a great move for the Bobcats. This is definitely a place where we were lacking. Not to say that Jeff McInnis is a bad player, but he is not a starter. He is more of a role player, and just does not have the vision of the florr and instincts to make good assists in the up-tempo game that he Cats are playing.
I must say that Jordan and the rest of the management has impressed me with the recent moves. We are really close to being a playoff team, but there has been a couple links missing to the chain. Hopefully management was able to recoginize those missing pieces and fill them with Boykins and Nazr.
Posted by: Sean | Feb 1, 2008 12:13:41 PM
If MJ and Co. want to make the next move...dump Sean "Don't make me eat ONE MORE" May...am really surprized MJ tolerates how fat Kong has gotten in the past 2 years...surgery or no surgery...the boy looks and moves like he spent the day blocking the drive-thru at McDonalds...the only reason he musters up enough energy to get up from the bench at half time of home games is so he can pop into the BackCourt Lounge on the way to the locker room and grab a mid game to-go basket....unload Kong and give up a pick and get a veteran big man to clog the middle...especially one that doesnt go into withdrawls when a Domino's Pizza driver goes by....
Posted by: Mike | Feb 1, 2008 3:31:35 PM
Serge Ibaka
Posted by: Bro. D. | Feb 1, 2008 3:33:05 PM
Hey Mike...Sean May will always get a free pass from MJ and the fans...do you think it has anything to do with where he went to school?
As for the Felton-Gordon comparison, I agree wholeheartedly. Felton would be at his best as a 6th man SG. The unfortunate difference, though, is that fans and management are somehow convinced that Felton is a PG, unlike Gordon.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 1, 2008 4:54:45 PM
Earl Boykins is a special talent and a nice addition to the team. He can help with the back court scoring, which is always good, and especially on nights when other guards shoot poorly. For instance, against Sacramento, JRich shot 25%, and Matt Carroll went 0 of 5, from the field. But I agree with Rick, this isn't the team's most pressing need now. The Bobcats' roster has now seven guards (six ready to play, one out for the season), two small forwards, and six power forwards and centers - three ready to play and three others: one out for the season, one not yet ready for the NBA, and Othella Harrington. Othella made two cameo appearances in the Bobcats' last two games (3 minutes and 5 minutes), and I don't think he'll be able to contribute a lot for the rest of this season. Obviously, Othella wants to play, but Sam Vincent's assessment at the beginning of the season, that Othella's knees can't take much more wear out, was most likely correct.
The Bobcats badly need another big man for at least 20-25 minutes per game, or maybe even more, given Sam Vincent's reluctance to play Ryan Hollins. This should help with the team's inferior rebounding, of course, but not only that. When Emeka and Nazr are not together on the floor, the inside defense is usually butter-soft, in spite of Emeka's efforts. In many games, the Bobcats are not only out-rebounded, but also outscored in the paint. There is also the issue of Gerald Wallace playing power forward; although Sam Vincent stated that he understands that Gerald takes too much banging from bigger and stronger true power forwards, and that this results in too much wear-and-tear and increased injury risk for him, he still uses Gerald against such players. Although I don't think Sam Vincent uses enough the "bigs" that he has, it's also true that the roster is too thin at the 4 and 5 spots, and this is an issue to be addressed by the management (maybe, another trade).
Posted by: Sandy | Feb 1, 2008 5:16:58 PM
Sandy, you hit it on the head as far as the BIGS go. The D of the Bobcats is not that great inside at times, consider the game at Sacremento.
Even if the Bobcats had a PG like Paul from NO, would this team be in playoff contention? I would say NO because of lack of size at C and poor FT shooting. Then when you add in D, the team has shortages.
Somebody needs to clog the middle.
Put a PG or SG with a GREAT BIG MAN & some good things will happen faster.
The team is in need of proven players, too many "potential" players could make us the CLIPPERS of the EAST.
Posted by: CEREBRUM | Feb 1, 2008 5:54:59 PM
Yeah...it only makes sense, given how "great" David West and Tyson Chandler were before Chris Paul showed up.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 1, 2008 10:39:23 PM
They should also tweak the coaching staff by running Sam Vincent's sorry a$$ out of town. That would be the best thing this team could do for its future success.
Posted by: Fire Vincent | Feb 2, 2008 10:56:28 AM
sam vincent and jordan's decision making are top two problems. WHo hires an unproven coach for a 4th year franchise team. i love the cats and cant barely stand to watch MJ do us like he did the wizards. i keep turning on espn waiting to see we traded memphis two number one picks for kwame. seriously mj took his first pick on a shooter who cant create his own shot, cant rebound, or defend and is a shaky passer at best. THis isnt hindsight anyone with eyes could have told you that AM wouldnt be able to start in the nba before the draft. thanks mj you are horrible at drafting players please hire somebody with sense.
Posted by: bernie bickerstaff | Feb 2, 2008 10:58:09 AM
Absolutely right, BB...in fact, most people thought Morrison was best suited for the Italian league.
Draftexpress.com: "Adam Morrison is undoubtedly a top 5 pick, and could go as high as number one depending on which team is selecting there. Morrison isn’t a lock to be a star, but will be a very successful NBA player in the right system. There is little up in the air when it comes to Morrison’s skill level and feel for the game, but there are questions about his physical abilities on the next level. Does he have the footspeed and overall athleticism to create his own shot in the NBA? To put up a fight on defense? Opinions on Morrison probably vary greatly depending on which person is making the decisions, so his final draft position will probably be locked in only when the draft order is. IF THE GM WITH THE TOP SELECTION NEEDS A WING AND BELIEVES ADAM MORRISON CAN BE A GO-TO SCORER, IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE HIM BEING PASSED ON."
"Many see him as having a Dunleavey type game in the NBA, but Dunleavey never CREATED HIS SHOT THE WAY THAT MORRISON DOES."
"Comparisons:
Best Case: Shorter Dirk Nowitzki
Worst Case: Post-prime Glenn Robinson"
I think we all know that Dirk Nowitzki is an MVP, but Robinson's worst year as a starter was 16-5. You think we wouldn't take that in the lineup over McInnis?
nbadraft.net:
NBA Comparison: Larry Bird
"Strengths: A special talent ... Old school right down to the stripes on the socks ... Like a coach on the floor ... Incredibly competitive ... The game comes very easily to him ... A great player in the half court ... Can create offense for himself or others ... Really excels with the ball in his hands at the top of the key ... Very good scorer with complete offensive repertoire ... Effortless shooting stroke ... Has great anticipation and basketball understanding ... Great intangibles, competes and inspires others to play hard ... Hard worker ... Plays with great intensity and aggressiveness ... Fundamentally solid, does all the little things to help his team win ... A true competitor. Will not back down from anyone ... Wants to take the big shot ... Sees the floor well, and is creative finding teammates for baskets ... Catches and shoots, or can shoot on the move ... Great at moving without the ball ... Finds a way to score against better athletes ... Great leadership ability"
collegehoops.net:
"Adam Morrison ***** (Superstar/All-NBA potential)
Scouting Report: Whether or not Morrison beats out Redick for Player of the Year honors, there's little doubt he's the most fun player to watch in college basketball. Don't buy into the Larry Bird comparisons, Morrison is good but he won't be an NBA all-time great. There's no reason that he couldn't score 20+ points per game in the L however.
Strengths: Scoring, scoring and more scoring. Can get his shot off from anywhere on the floor, open or double teamed. Decent rebounder. Clutch performer – wants the ball in crunch time. Proven himself to be a good leader as his career has progressed.
Consensus: Morrison's killer instinct and ability to score will make him sucessful in the NBA. He does need to get a bit stronger to handle covering some of the League's bigger 3 men, but if his health (diabetes) stays in check he should have a long and successful pro career."
So I wonder where your highly regarded draft site is saying that he was such a bad player. You're talking about a guy who was one of the top 3 rookies in his class on the court and had no opportunity to show what he could do in his transition from rookie to sophomore before tearing up his knee. Jordan is a bad executive, yes, but it's tough to question the selection of Adam Morrison. If you want to question a draft pick, question Sean 'Fatty' May and his unhealthy Cheetos addiction, who's never been able to keep his body weight low enough for his joints to support him.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 2, 2008 2:06:51 PM
I have no problem with Boykins being on the team, but why would you have Felton walk the ball up the floor and play halfcourt ball as a pg and then bring in a guy who is more shoot first for his quickness and scoring? At least have Felton push the ball and play transition ball first before moving into the halfcourt set as the pg. Boykins is less of a pg and less able to get folks involved BUT he DOES add depth and fast depth.
Felton pushing the ball with Wallace and Richardson on the wings could be good transition ball, but we don't try to exploit that. The main transition we have is when Gerald and J-Rich try to go to the hoop coast to coast on their own. It can be successful (more if it is Gerald pushing it), but it could be more efficient if they played the finishing roles on the break. There are breaks where this takes place, but then we go back to status quo of Felton walking it or J-Rich or Gerald trying to go coast to coast on their own.
The move is a fine move, but as mentioned it does not address rebounding issues (the first key to playing uptempo and getting out and running). Furthermore, Boykins thrives most off of getting his own shots and offense and not being a facilitator.
The biggest bright spot out of this is that we are still trying and that we have the notion of pushing the ball. I hope that this means Felton pushing it up as well and getting good transition shots for Carroll and J-Rich and dunks for crash. But in the end, we shall see.
Posted by: jperry | Feb 2, 2008 3:45:32 PM
This team would play Chris Paul at SG because he's aggressive with his shot. At what point will the Bobcats realize that elite teams have pgs be aggressive with their shot AND making plays for their teammates. They act as if because someone takes shots as more than a last resort that they need to play the 2.
That is not the current NBA. That is unless you have a Lebron or Kobe who everything revolves around at which point your pg becomes a guy to get it across the court and move to open spots waiting for open jumpshots. If you push the ball, 1-5, everyone can get shots and be a scoring threat other than as a bailout kickout guy. Boykins is not going to excel anymore as a don't be aggressive, stand around amd wait for a last minute shot guy than Felton.
Posted by: jperry | Feb 2, 2008 3:53:00 PM
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