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January 10, 2008
Stray thoughts while flying to Cleveland ...
--- Coach Sam Vincent has been reluctant to play Emeka Okafor and Nazr Mohammed together much lately, because that forces one or the other to chase a jump-shooting power forward around the perimeter all night.
That might be less of a problem against the Cavaliers on Friday.
Cleveland’s Drew Gooden is an old-style "4" – a rebounder-leaper – not one of those elongated small forwards, like Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu, standing at the 3-point line. Plus, Cleveland’s first big man off the bench – would-be Bobcat Anderson Varejao – is an energy guy who wants to be near the basket.
That seemingly makes it easier for Vincent to go with his best two big men together. But here’s a better reason to lean in that direction:
You want Gerald Wallace playing significant minutes at small forward Friday. Otherwise you’re forcing Jason Richardson to try to guard LeBron James.
--- Lost in Richardson’s spectacular shooting against the Celtics was how well Raymond Felton played at point guard. (Yes, point guard – he was back on the ball in key stretches.)
Felton had eight assists and no turnovers in Boston. That’s as clean a game as Felton will ever play and still push the pace to create some transition opportunities.
--- Wallace says he’ll judge himself more on rebounds than points the rest of the season. He believes that with Richardson scoring so well, he can concern himself more with possessions and slightly less with baskets.
Don’t make that for more than it is: Anyone who thinks Wallace will stop looking to score, and become Dennis Rodman, is kidding himself. He smiled with pride Wednesday night, when I passed on that he’s second in the league in fast-break scoring (behind Nets forward Richard Jefferson.)
--- Headline writers love words with few letters and emphatic impact. So it was interesting, but not surprising, that the Boston Globe and Boston Herald – newspapers markedly different in tone – both used the word "lowly" to describe the Bobcats in headlines Wednesday.
Translation: "Celtics, how could you lose to these guys?"
Posted by rbonnell on January 10, 2008 at 05:35 PM | Permalink
Comments
If you have to play 82 games you get lucky every now and again.
Don't worry it won't last.
Does this mean we are in the playoffs?
Posted by: jason | Jan 10, 2008 6:20:11 PM
Good win by the Cats. It seems we match up quite well with this team and it certainly helps that we had Nazr shooting so well from the field and Wallace play - fortunate too the Ray missed but even he would not have been able to make up the difference between the two teams.
I still maintain that our best team involves everyone playing where they're designed to play - Felton 1, Rich 2, etc. and Nazr starting at the C.
Good to see Carroll getting time off the bench even though he is yet to get his shot going (a bit hard when J-Rich was on fire like he was) and Dudley actually see some playing time.
Vincent seems to be coming around slowly.
MAYBE he's been reading the postings on this website....well, keep reading Vincent because you're still giving 30mpg to McInnis and your fans aren't happy about it!!! Can someone please TRY and justify why McInness is starting and getting all these minutes...I just can't find any logic behind it.
Cheers
Foxy
Melbourne, Aust
Posted by: Foxy | Jan 10, 2008 7:10:14 PM
The inside play the other night was great for the team.
J-Rich has proven to be the scorer for this team we needed when he's hot.
I think the most important part of the win was the defense that Charlotte played. Luck had nothing to do with it. The Celtics missed shots but if we were so "lowly" then pulling out a win would of been no problem. Which team had all the potential "Hall of Famers" at this point?
I also think this shows that Charlotte matches up well against the Celtics considering the previous game as well.
Last thought, I wonder if this will be the only sports upset of the week?
Posted by: CEREBRUM | Jan 10, 2008 7:46:59 PM
Rick,
Loved your observations column....But lets talk about the stats that are hurting us!
I know I am going to get bashed by saying this...BUT who is # 8 and who is #22 in the league in turnovers???
Before I reveal the answer...Has anyone noticed the past 2 games who has been on the bench more than usual? The 2 players at those 2 spots....
#8- Gerald Wallace... Sorry to burst anyones bubble..BUT this guy is far from the superstar we treat him like!! If anything J-Rich should be the guy we should be trying to send to the All-Star game!
#22- Raymond Felton... Granted he did well in the Boston game...Look back at the numbers of games we lost by a couple points then look at Raymond's turnovers!
Just SAD that out of all the players in the league...The BOBCATS have 2 in the TOP 25 in the turnover category!
Keep the turnovers down....The WINS will rise!
Posted by: Bobcats | Jan 10, 2008 8:21:39 PM
I agree with you, Foxy, in the notion that McInnis does not deserve to have a starter's role OR minutes at this point in his career (or, frankly, at ANY point), but among the top 20 five-man units the Bobcats have put on the floor in terms of minutes together, four of the top six in terms of winning percentage have been with McInnis running the point. Felton's quest for "development as a point guard" notwithstanding, the offense looks crisper and better-executed when Felton does not have to make the split-second decisions with the ball in his hands which often lead to bad shots or careless turnovers.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 10, 2008 9:35:58 PM
That should be two victories for us this season against the Celtics, which would be really interesting... it shows that we play to our competetion, and we have the ability to play with the best in the NBA. If it wasn't for that bizarre ending to the game in Charlotte, this would be the case. I really don't appreciate all the media (ESPN, Boston Globe, whatever) trashing the Bobcats like we're nothing. There are much worse teams in the NBA, even though we are pretty much the youngest, most inexperienced group with a rookie coach in the league.
Posted by: appgrad08 | Jan 10, 2008 10:50:53 PM
The last 3 games Raymond has had 25 assists and 4 turnovers.
Even when McInnis is at the point, Felton is the primary playmaker. The biggest difference is a philosophical one and it doesn't matter if Felton is at the 1 or the 2. It has to do with approach.
The Bobcats seem to have the notion of the pg bringing the ball up pitching it to the wing, being passive, and only doing something if they have to at the end of the clock. Playing that way, yes, brings out the worst in Felton as he is not suited to do this. He plays his best when he can be aggressive INCLUDING making plays for others while ALSO deferring when necessary. His aggression is not so much about his shots as it is about his approach.
When the Bobcats put him at the 2, they give him license to be aggressive (driving, dishing, and shooting). And for those who have mistakenly thought that he was a gunner in the past, you should see that he is not just trying to hoist up shots even when moving to shooting guard. He will make plays for his teammates, especially when they finish them (see Nazi Mohammed).
Often when the Bobcats have had him at the one, they/he have expected him to do as Touche and pitch the ball and get out the way unless someone gives it back to him with 3-5 secs on the clock. That is not his game and not where he excels and does result in more bad shots/TOs. If you listen to the coaching staff's rationale for the time of using him at the "2" (1.5), it has been that it gives him the chance to be aggressive. So it is not about hiding him as much as it is about letting him use his instincts.
Well, the reality is that it CAN be done from the 1 as well. Does it need to be harnessed? Sure. At this point, his play at the 2 with McInnis often is simply semantics, as McInnis is the one to bring the ball up, but Felton is the playmaker of the 2 of them. I'm fine with the use of the arrangement in spurts, but not as the primary set up for the team (we seem to shift away from it in crunch time).
In the end, I think the real issue is a matter of defense. The Bobcats have been going small and could put out an offensive lineup of Felton (McInnis), Carroll, Richardson, Wallace, and Okafor/Mohammed, but McInnis is a better defender than Carroll. However, with the use of the zone, it would be interesting to see if this lineup is used when we go small more.
It would give us transition opportunities, a lane for the drives of Felton and Wallace, space for the big guys down low and wings who can shoot in Carroll and J-Rich. As I said, I think it's a matter of defense more than offense, however. I don't think they want J-Rich or Wallace focusing their defense on top wings anymore than they have to and McInnis is a better option defensively than Carroll here.
Posted by: jperry | Jan 10, 2008 10:54:58 PM
I'm talking.... very nice win 'cats! Beat the cavs tomorrow night.
Posted by: Dan | Jan 10, 2008 11:36:02 PM
I'm also wondering why is McInnis starting. Felton should be running the point, pushing the ball up the floor. And last but not least can we get a coach who knows how to COACH. This guy is terrible. Go coach a middle school league.
Posted by: Ryan | Jan 11, 2008 12:55:26 AM
I don't think Felton has eased my "gunner" concerns. He still shoots at a higher percentage when he plays off the ball and doesn't get to decide to pull up anytime he wants (since the ball isn't in his hands.) Furthermore, when he doesn't have to run the offense and handle the ball, he does remain a playmaker for his teammates, but his A:TO is more than 25% better (2.7+ vs. 2.22.) Make him any excuse you want, but I'm all for any option that makes Felton shoot better and take better care of the ball, two HUGE deficiencies for a guy who shoots a lot and is supposed to be our "franchise" point guard.
Posted by: Michael Aaron Procton | Jan 11, 2008 2:46:25 AM
If Vincent is not going to play Okafor and Nazr together then why did he get Nazr? He could have kept Okafor at center and let Fabio play the 4. Vincent, you got what you wanted now do something with it that works.
Posted by: LeeL | Jan 11, 2008 8:18:29 AM
yo is better axe somebody! eye be runnin dis her team fo show! recognize beatches
Posted by: sam vincent | Jan 11, 2008 9:12:09 AM
Although I don't like the fact that Vincent is playing Felton at 2 and giving Jeff all those minutes, I believe his reasoning is 2fold. Felton gets the ball in a better position on the floor (and shot clock) to score when playing the 2. Secondly, and more importantly, it protects Mek from having to chase perimeter power forwards. Mek's feet are slow (not Primo slow, but slow nonetheless) and he needs to be near the basket at all times. Running Felton at 2 allows the team to guard jump shooters better. Depending on the team, that may not be necessary, but many have 4s that have 18 - 20ft range, or better. Mek is out of position more than 10 ft away from the basket. As personnel and situations change on the floor (ie poor outside shooting by opposition), I'm sure we will see more of Mek and Nazr on the floor at the same time.
Posted by: FuriousStyles | Jan 11, 2008 9:14:29 AM
Although I don't like the fact that Vincent is playing Felton at 2 and giving Jeff all those minutes, I believe his reasoning is 2fold. Felton gets the ball in a better position on the floor (and shot clock) to score when playing the 2. Secondly, and more importantly, it protects Mek from having to chase perimeter power forwards. Mek's feet are slow (not Primo slow, but slow nonetheless) and he needs to be near the basket at all times. Running Felton at 2 allows the team to guard jump shooters better. Depending on the team, that may not be necessary, but many have 4s that have 18 - 20ft range, or better. Mek is out of position more than 10 ft away from the basket. As personnel and situations change on the floor (ie poor outside shooting by opposition), I'm sure we will see more of Mek and Nazr on the floor at the same time.
Posted by: FuriousStyles | Jan 11, 2008 9:16:28 AM
Have you noticed that Nazr is getting most of the playing time in the 4th quarter while Okafor is on the pine? If this is going to be the case the remainder of the season; I don't think the Bobcats will seek a trade for a big man with better offensive skills. Would management consider trading Okafor and a few other players like May or Morrison for a Jermaine O'Neal? What is the likelihood of this occuring?
Posted by: curetong | Jan 11, 2008 10:39:41 AM
I keep reading and hearing about Jermaine Oneal. What is it about this guy that has some of you guys drooling. I don't know his numbers but I have watched at least 10 Pacer games this year (DirecTV) and he is definitely not the player he was 3 years ago and defensively would be a tremendous dropoff from Okafor.
Posted by: northcliq | Jan 11, 2008 11:36:19 AM
I think Vincent is starting to learn to adjust his lineup. He is starting to limit McIniss's minutes and is playing Nazr more. How long will it take for him to bench McInnis and start Nazr?
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Posted by: watchitsucka | Jan 11, 2008 2:08:09 PM
Guys don't worry. While I may have not turned the ball over against Boston, I still took some careless shots but fortunately and accidentally, they went in.
I will return to my turnover machine/bad shot selection self shortly.
Just remember, I am a Tarheel, so I have no real reason to improve unless another Tarheel PG enters the draft.
Now I have to get back to not watching game tape and passing my home boy, Sean Love Handles May, his cheesecake.
Ray F.
Posted by: RayFelton | Jan 11, 2008 2:21:58 PM
Does anyone else get a chubby when they hear the name Primoz? Man I sure do. Love that guy.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 11, 2008 7:17:23 PM
Felton had 11 assists (and many more set ups) and 2 TOs tonight MOST of which came at the pg slot. That's 35 assists to 6 TOs over the last 4 games. As I continue to say, Nazr Mohammed illuminates Felton's pg skills in a way that Okafor does not. He continually found the open spot, made himself available, caught the pass, and finished. Okafor, when catching it on his sweet spot went straight up over the left shoulder, but otherwise had some adventurous times offensively.
Felton's success playmaking has NOTHING to do with playing 1 or 2, but the APPROACH taken by Felton. "Running the offense" by pitching the ball to the wing, watching them hold the ball and everyone stand around until it comes back to you with 3 seconds is not good for Felton, I will agree. Aggressively making plays for his teammates and himself is.
Felton and Mohammed had the pick and roll going great tonight and Vincent inexpicably starting going to Richardson/Wallace clearouts when we had an 8 pt lead in regulation. The lead was largely built through the use of the pick and roll and we just phased it out for no reason. Let Felton be a playmaker for his teammates as he was doing and ice the game away making Cleveland chase. We shut things down, stagnating the offense and gave Lebron the chance to take over and win that game.
Posted by: jperry | Jan 11, 2008 11:25:54 PM
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