« Coach's claims befuddle Bobcats | Main | Vincent realizes thin line of strategic success »
January 06, 2008
Tough stretch looms for Bobcats
When Gerald Wallace warned Sunday that the hump they must get over could turn into a hill and the hill becomes a mountain, it got me thinking:
They’re in real danger of a nine-game losing streak, and 13 losses over 14 games.
They’ve already lost seven of their past eight. Next they play six playoff contenders in rapid succession, with three of those games – Boston, Cleveland and New Orleans – on the road.
Three things these Bobcats have established about themselves the first third of the season: They don’t deal well with the road, they don’t deal well with back-to-back games and they seldom beat good teams.
So how do they handle a seven games-in-12 nights stretch of the following: New Jersey, at Boston, at Cleveland, Detroit, Denver, Orlando, at New Orleans?
Not well, I suspect.
Boston, Detroit and Orlando are the class of the Eastern Conference. The Bobcats are 0-11 this season against East teams with winning records, as of Sunday’s standings.
Now consider those two Western Conference teams: Hornets point guard Chris Paul abused the Bobcats recently and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony has been as hard on the Bobcats as any player in the league.
It’s reached a point very quickly where the playoff talk is a joke. Start counting Ping-Pong balls. The draft lottery looms.
Posted by rbonnell on January 6, 2008 at 11:52 PM | Permalink
Comments
Rick: I've got no problems with the ping pong ball counting. After our first game against Orlando, preceding the Boston debacle, I saw the writing on the wall on how the season was going to unfold. I'm realistic and patient, so I hope we get quite a few balls in the lottery (and some luck for a change) because this season isn't going anywhere with the personnel and coaches we have. What worries me is that management is still holding onto the playoff pipe dream, and will barter our future for a chance to get close to making the playoffs this season. Here's hoping we ride out the rest of the season and learn some things about resiliency from both players and coach, and don't make anymore idiotic trades (Gasol, for example) and giving up a potentially good pick, for a potentially deep, talented draft.
Posted by: TheBeagle | Jan 7, 2008 12:40:50 AM
We have a team that needs more quality bench players as well as starters. I have seen some games where we get torched by the guys coming off the bench when it is close. How many of our guys off the bench other than Carrol can do that? Why do we have Harrington if he is unable to give us good minutes every night? Dudley, Davidson, Hollins, Carrol, & whoever should be given the chance to play as a second unit. The argument could be made that they are not "experienced enough" but are the other options working right now for this team. We are only a quality combo guard away along with a "true" center from competing in the division for a top spot. I'm a UNC fan but choosing McInnis over Knight was one of the worse front office decisions yet. Morrison & May might be points we're missing now but the true problem with this team is defense at times. Who on this squad is a lock down player other than Okafor at times? If we are not scoring at least we could keep the other team from scoring as well. Based upon the players on this team how many wins would the top coaches get out of this squad?
Vincent might as well lock in consistent playing time for the rookies. He needs to make the right decisions and stick to them. I'm not saying he hasn't made mistakes but he is a rookie HC in the NBA. I'm trying to give him a chance to prove himself - I know it may not be the most popular opinion but everybody deserves a chance to fix their mistakes before the hammer drops.
Posted by: CEREBRUM | Jan 7, 2008 1:39:38 AM
This organization is bad...really bad. It starts with the people in charge. How in the world can you look at Michael Jordan's track record as an executive in the NBA, and think it would be a good idea to bring him in? It's pretty obvious the guy doesn't know what he's doing. People want to get behind this team, but they're making it really, really hard. The ownership is horrible. Probably just as bad as the Hornets, and they actually put a winning product on the court.
Posted by: G.M. | Jan 7, 2008 2:23:27 AM
5 Step plan to recovery:
1) Vincent needs to go. The Bobcats need to install a hard nosed coach who can teach this extraordinarily talented team how to play tough - they need more grit. I'm not talking about heart, they have loads of it. Grit defines digging in when another team is making a run, making key defensive stops and changing the pace of the game for a minute or two.
2) Nazr needs to start and play at the C. You trade for the guy, so play him. His starters numbers are fantastic in a Bobcats guersey and provides the rebounding and inside scoring the team desperately needs. Case in point against the Bucks today. Have a look at his +/-...that was representative of the teams rebounding while he was on/off the court. Bucks had 5 offensive rebs in 1st Q to Bobcats 5 rebs total before Nazr came on.
3) Felton needs to play at the 1 and LEARN how to play at the 1 or leave the league and play in Europe where its not beyond his skills. There is only one reason why this kid is on the roster and why Brevin was moved on - Felton was/is to be the team's PG and grow. This is not happening under the disjointed management of Vincent.
4) Play Carroll first off the bench and give him solid time on the court to find his stroke. We all saw what he is capable of last year and I believe he is capable of recapturing that if given 25-30mpg.
5) Play Dudley. The kid has a wealth of talent and to be sitting on the pine night after night is ridiculous. He is hard, tough and very active - exactly what the team needs when Wallace/J-Rich take a seat. Where does this playing time come from I hear you ask? Have a look at all those quality minutes being chewed up by one of the most unproductive players in the league - Jeff McInnis. It is embarrasing to the organisation that he is on the Bobcats starting lineup. I challenge readers to find a more unproductive starter in the league.
Posted by: Foxy | Jan 7, 2008 2:31:29 AM
6) Bring back Primoz Brezec, the greatest statistical center for his height in the history of the NBA. Check the stats. I'm getting a chubby just thinking about him.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 7, 2008 7:41:18 AM
Check out charlottesportsreport.com for some insightful Bobcats commentary
Posted by: S | Jan 7, 2008 9:03:08 AM
4) Play Carroll first off the bench and give him solid time on the court to find his stroke. We all saw what he is capable of last year and I believe he is capable of recapturing that if given 25-30mpg.
-------------------
How the heck are you going to find Carroll 25-30mpg with Felts at the point, Crash and JRich at the wings, EO50 at the 4 and Nazr at the 5????
Posted by: Slam | Jan 7, 2008 9:32:10 AM
Uh Rick your math is off, the Bobcats are in danger of a 10-game losing streak
Posted by: Jay | Jan 7, 2008 10:14:43 AM
Foxy, we are in agreement on most points you made. About Felton, I would add that he needs to be playing consistent minutes at point guard only (the switching between the one and two spots should end) in order to perform consistently as a good point guard should. However, it's not like Felton didn't learn anything by now, all this time he's been playing for the Bobcats (including at the one spot). Just last night, although he played again most of his minutes as shooting guard, he actually had a good game, playing the way is expected of him: he didn't take too many shots, he had 13 points shooting 55% from the field, and especially, he dished 10 assists and had just 2 turnovers. Things can only get better both for the team and for Raymond's development as a point guard if he won't be put at the shooting guard spot anymore.
Posted by: Sandy | Jan 7, 2008 11:53:05 AM
Foxy –
Excellent analysis. Not sure Vincent should go just yet, but if he doesn’t go for any of your remaining recommendations over the rest of the season, or at least reduce the role of McGinnis and increase the role of Mohammed/Carroll, then I'll definitely change my mind.
Slam –
It would be easy to play Carroll 25 - 30 mpg. The 6th man for most teams, typically a wing, gets similar minutes. Basically, if we play the starters reasonable amounts of time (35-40 mpg) and J-Rich/Crash perform spot duty at SF/PF (around 10 mpg), this shouldn’t be a problem.
Posted by: Cats_Fan | Jan 7, 2008 12:19:06 PM
Okafor's offensive production needs to pick up. He is doing a good job on the boards, but the Bobcats need him to score at least 16-20 a night. The team doesn't really need another scorer. It needs people to step up and act like they want to be in the NBA. Although the Bobcats do have weaknesses, these extended losing streaks are unacceptable.
Posted by: Token | Jan 7, 2008 1:29:59 PM
You know, I think it's fairly impossible to ask Okafor to "pick up his offensive production" given that this team and all of its point guards (particularly the "Franchise" Raymond Felton) are incapable of feeding the post. He's shooting 51%, which is even an improvement over his career number. If somebody could get him the ball, he could probably get more than 10 shots a game and become a "better offensive" producer. He could certainly stand to improve his free throw shooting, but, frankly, who on this team outside of Carroll couldn't?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 7, 2008 2:47:49 PM
I have been the BIGGEST supporter of this team from day 1....but even I have to now admit that Sam Vincent is not a good coach, his rotations are inconsistent & confusing. Why is Nazr not starting & why is Carroll & Dudley getting so few mins.? If you can play Gerald at the 4 you can find time for Dudley there as well, Carroll is a shooter he has to get mins to get some kind of rhythym. The one thing I would like to see and I may be alone but trade Okafor for a big man w/ offensive skills.... people keep saying we dont get him the ball but have you watched him in the post?! Actually single him out & pay attention to just him when we have the ball he doesnt command position & he has 2 left feet w/ no go to move down low. This guy is a bum offensively when he scores it is usually off of put backs and easy buckets we need a big that can post up & get us a score when the other team is on a run. I would love to keep him if we can add an offense oriented big since he is more than adaquate defensively but since Nazr has got here he has outplayed him and if he wants more $$ than what we offered try & trade him....there were rumors Jermaine O'Neal was on the block see what you can do or add to Emeka to try and get him....Im not that big of a J O'Neal fan but he is a big that plays pretty good defense but we can go to down low and expect him to score thats what we are lacking. Wallace & JRich are good at scoring and slashing but you can see them tiring out at times thats when they rely strictly on jumpers, I see them holding the ball and telling Okafor to post up but he just doesnt get good position so they shoot a jumper w/ 2 secs on the shot clock. We werent gonna make much noise in the playoffs this year anyway and when we get Morrison back and finally get to see May next year thats scoring load off of Wallace, Jrich & Felton. But it still does nothing for us in the paint as May is more of a jump shooting big............
But if Vincent cant find mins for Carroll or Dudley now what the hell is he gonna do when he adds Morrison, another wing to the rotation and has to take away Gerald's time at the 4 to find mins for May?!
Posted by: toriano | Jan 7, 2008 3:30:35 PM
Looks as if the Bobcats will be getting a top 5 pick, unless the lottery doesnt go our way. We need to draft an impact player. Not a guy that gets injured often (May, though he is decent when he plays) or a total bust like Adam Morrison, which is what he is looking like so far. And yeah, make sure you play the future rookie, unlike what we are doing with Jared Dudley right now. How can Dudley not get some minutes for us? Dont tell me we have so deep of a bench that he cant get in...
How is that we are playing worse with perhaps better talent...Sam Vincent and his garbage assistant coaches.
Posted by: Elliott | Jan 7, 2008 3:48:08 PM
Anyone....Bueller? Anyone, tell me who wins the award for the best "blocking out so we might get a rebound" award on the Bobcats? Okafor? Right.........Hollins, Jemareo and Jared do a better job of this than any other Bobcat. But they get very little playing time. Against the Bucks, if Nazi had played most of the second half, McInnis was planted on the bench, Felton was instructed not to shoot and Dudley and Hollins had both gotten some minutes, we probably would have won. In the future, try benching Okafor and McInnis for an entire game and telling Felton he can only dribble, drive and pass the ball and see if we don't win.
Posted by: Malichae Neese | Jan 7, 2008 6:35:58 PM
I agree with just just about all the comments above. The main point I want to emphasize is that this current team HAS NO CHANCE of making the playoffs. Here are my suggestions:
1. Make Okafor shoot - either he can learn to make a 5 foot shot or he can't. If he can't trade him. If he can keep him.
2. Stop playing McInniss so much - He is old, can't shoot, and gets almost no assists. He is the past not the future.
3. Bring back Bernie - Vincent is a FAILURE! Let Bernie continue the player development he has done the last three years.
4. Stop thinking Gerald is Lebron - Gerald is NOT READY to win games all by himself in the last 30 seconds. Wait for him to develop more skills before asking him to dribble through 5 guys for the winning layup.
5. Get MJ out of management - He was responsible for the Morisson pick. Rudy Gay or Brandon Roy would be on the Bobcats today if it wasn't for MJ.
Posted by: RoyFan | Jan 7, 2008 8:43:08 PM
Please shut up. All the websites reported that mj wanted roy or rudy but the bobcats had already made their choice. He was here for less than a month before the morrison pick.
Posted by: afan | Jan 7, 2008 9:41:45 PM
Okafor CAN make a five-footer if Felton could ever get him the ball...51% shooting this year, 48% career.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 7, 2008 10:32:39 PM
Simple fix. Start felt at the 1. Play Matt more. Give rookies Jeff M. undeserving minutes. Start Nazi, we traded for him now play him. Allow J-Rich and G-force to be go to guys down the strectch.
Posted by: corey | Jan 8, 2008 12:11:36 AM
The Bobcats need to fire Sam Vincent for 3 big reasons.
1) The organization should show the fans that they are committed to improvement.
2) The team should make Vincent responsible for his mistakes.
3) The players should see that the organization doesn't want to waste their talent, youth, and hard work on a scrambling head coach.
Do the Trailblazers really have a roster that much more talented that the 'Cats this season? They've put on a great string of wins in the Western Conference with a solid strategy and great use of their strengths. Vincent has done nothing with this squad's talent or obvious strengths (Richardson + Wallace).
If we write off the playoffs and turn to develop/evaluate players, we should have an experienced coach to do so. Emeka doesn't deserve $12 million per season the way he plays offense. The evaluation of he and Felton should be one of the major goals as the team struggles to win.
Still, overall I think the team needs some sense of identity. That's not going to happen with ever-changing line ups and rotations. A list of excuses from Scam Vincent aren't going to help much, either.
Posted by: Sec226 | Jan 8, 2008 1:03:01 AM
Felton averages more assists than Tony Parker, Jameer Nelson and Andre Miller. Okafor had Brevin Knight who was top five in assists and he never cracked more than 13 points per game. Dude is not feared by anyone and he can’t shoot free throws.
Posted by: Token | Jan 8, 2008 12:12:39 PM
Great point on the Blazers sec226. I say write the year off for ping pong balls, chalk it up to coaching inexperience. If Vincent continues to have no method for his madness early next year with a bench improved by the lottery than sack him. I think breaking up this core is a bit hasty as well as all the Morrison bashing. It's easy to say that he is a bust compared to Roy and Gay but those guys have not been injured continuously and have had great coaches. Valid points made by all here.
Posted by: Bro D. | Jan 8, 2008 2:26:06 PM
*Felton was also drafted higher than Parker, Nelson, or Miller.
*He is in his rookie contract, but he still costs three times as much as Nelson.
*Worst of all, however, Felton commits more turnovers than any of them (by at least 10%), and his A:TO is as bad or worse than all of them.
Almost 7 APG is fine for a journeyman like Miller (who was a great point guard...IN 2001!), a late 1st-round pick like Nelson (who was never supposed to be an impact NBA player), or a player like Tony Parker, who puts up 20 PPG while shooting significantly better than Felton. Unfortunately, Felton was drafted 5th as a FRANCHISE POINT GUARD, and doesn't contribute much else in the way of stats, on-court leadership, or direction for the offense. For no stretch longer than a handful of games has he EVER lived up to the billing he received by all the baby blue girls in their pique polos or RobertCat Johnson's ploy to sell tickets (how's that working out?).
P.S.: If you're going to try and defend Felton, free throws are not something you should bring up. A lotto guard whose best skill is slashing should be able to at least hit 80% when he gets to the line, which Felton has NEVER done in his career.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 8, 2008 4:45:19 PM
When those sissy bobbycats come to the big easy, we are going to KICK THEIR ASSES AGAIN.
Posted by: George Shinn | Jan 8, 2008 7:20:42 PM
Wow.
Just when I wanted to give up on the 'Cats, they put on a game like tonight.
Solid defense, structured offense, and discipline to build and maintain a big lead. This team is going to drive me crazy. Apathy almost sets in and they decide to play to their potential.
Tonight was the kind of night that makes me love the NBA.
Posted by: Sec226 | Jan 8, 2008 10:27:55 PM
Post a comment
Advertisements
