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January 17, 2008
Van Gundy has praise for Wallace
Stray thoughts, while wondering who these guys are in the Charlotte Bobcats’ uniforms:
Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said some very nice things about Gerald Wallace before the game Wednesday. Essentially, he said Wallace is shooting so well from the outside that there’s no good way to guard him, since you certainly don’t want to give up the drive. That’s nice, and it’s also true, and I only hope Van Gundy remembers his own words when he casts his ballot for the East All-Star reserves. Van Gundy can’t vote for his own guy (Hedo Turkoglu), by league rules, and I suspect Wallace and Turkoglu will be two of the contenders for the last two spots on the East roster.
Wallace is absolutely deserving to go to New Orleans for the All-Star Game, but don’t be surprised if he’s overlooked. When choices are close, coaches typically give the nod to the players from winning teams (this season, think Turkoglu, Paul Pierce and Rasheed Wallace). I don’t have a big problem with that; it strikes me as a logical tiebreaker over time. But Wallace is absolutely doing everything a coach could expect of an All-Star right now.
There might be a Bobcat in New Orleans next month, regardless of Wallace’s fate. The team is lobbying, appropriately, for Jason Richardson to be included in the 3-point contest.
Posted by rbonnell on January 17, 2008 at 12:11 AM | Permalink
Comments
Enough said....good team. Has anyone seen how Sean May looks. Maybe Jordan needs to pull him aside and "suggest" that he layoff of the food. Seriously, he can't think he can come back from a knee injury overweight. Eat less gain less. Now you know he has enough money for a cheif!
See you around fat buddy
Posted by: Charlie White | Jan 17, 2008 7:37:34 AM
If I have to read the phrase "Stray Thoughts" one more time on Bonnell's blog, I think i'm going to puke.
This guy is a professional writer. Can't he think of at least one more phrase to open a blog entry?!?
Posted by: AD | Jan 17, 2008 7:57:07 AM
Gerald was a great find from the expansion draft. His level of play has been great lately. He is definitely playing proving he is worth the money. Imagine what a mess we would be in without him this year!
Also the team really needs to get rid of the large contracts that are not paying off. I'm a UNC fan but May is starting to look like the next Dan Morgan.
Posted by: CEREBRUM | Jan 17, 2008 8:55:15 AM
Be good if Crash did make the All Star game as a reserve, JSwish made the 3pt shoot out, Hollins was invited to the slam dunk contest and Dudley was a part of the Rookie Vs Sophmore game so that we had four guy's at the weekend activities.
Posted by: Slam | Jan 17, 2008 9:43:38 AM
I had a thought today and don't kill me for bringing it up. First off, I really like Emeka Okafor. I think he is first class, but he is not playing like the second pick in a draft. What are the chances we trade Emeka and either Sean May or Adam Morrison for a big-time power forward or center? Gasol has been on the block for a while and we need someone that can score in the post. Just a thought!
Posted by: JML | Jan 17, 2008 9:44:52 AM
everyone on here made true comments in my eyes, except the guy bashing the writer. please, for gods sake, keep it to yourself. its a given that somebody finds something wrong with the article whether it be how the writer begins the article or the improper punctuation. give it a rest.
i like okafor too, but JML was right, he isn't playing like he deserves a max contract, and it seems thats about what he wants. So why not get rid of him before we lose him. I just don't want to end up paying him Rashard Lewis money and watch his game not progress.
Posted by: tomP | Jan 17, 2008 10:20:48 AM
Maybe I read wrong, but isn't local boy Antawn Jameson available next year? Just a thought off of JML's post. Get Jameson and if Emeka resigns he does, we hope he does, if not then we still have a star F/C. Be nice to have Jameson/Emeka/Muhammed and the youngins in the front court next year.
Posted by: shonuff | Jan 17, 2008 10:23:31 AM
Okafor is a restricted free agent who the Bobcatsneed to make a qualifying(one year) offer to and allow other teams to submit offer sheets to him to set the market ala the Anderson Varejao situation in Cleveland. The Bobcats can use him, but should not overpay to retain.
Posted by: adcoop | Jan 17, 2008 10:41:54 AM
This team is finally playing up to its potential. All these guys are talented individually, they just needed some time to jel and get talented as a team. Getting rid of Primo and bringing in Nazr helped alot, MJ and staff should be praised for that move. The loss of Herrman was an unfortunate, but necessary casualty.
This season seems to be playing out in reverse polish notation. The teams we should beat, we don't, and the teams that should beat us, we play very well and seem to pull some upsets. Although I think it unlikely, this team still has a chance to make the playoffs. 40 wins, and it is possible you'll be 7th or 8th seed in the East. A record of 25 and 19 in the next 44 gets us there. Given the way these guys have been playing, that's not that far fetched.
The M&M crew are an intersting subject. I still see minutes for May next year if he can get in shape. He is a good low post scorer, which is an area of need on this team. Morrison however, will have trouble getting on the floor with JRich, MC and GForce playing solidly and all with BIG contracts. There are only 240 minutes per game to spread around. Although I like the kid and think he will eventually be good, he'll either ride the pine as insurance or get traded for another low post scoring option.
Posted by: FuriousStyles | Jan 17, 2008 10:51:26 AM
This team can be very explosive but they must stop playing down to the level of their opponent. Gerald Wallace and J Rich can lead this team to the playoffs if they get the killer instinct and put away games to teams we should beat easily i.e. Milwaukee Bucks.
Posted by: Big Stint | Jan 17, 2008 12:06:16 PM
The Dan Morgan-Sean May comparison is ridiculous. Morgan has obviously struggled with injuries (most of the contact variety), but has played in more than 50% of his possible games (and started every one.) Furthermore, he's been named to his league's all-star team and led his team to the league championship game. Sean May will have only played in 24% of his possible games after this season (starting in only 4% of possible games), with his injuries caused by a lack of conditioning and desire. There has never been an injury that Morgan did not try to come back from with all his heart, but Sean May just continues to sit on the bench, getting fatter and fatter, refusing to put the work in to get his body weight low enough that his joints can actually sustain him.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 17, 2008 12:59:26 PM
I wholeheartedly agree with the people who say that Okafor should be traded. He is a quality role player, but there is no way he deserves a max contract. He seems to lack passion and assertiveness on the court. He does have stints where he dominates defensively, but those are few and far between. I really hope Jordan and Co. are silently shopping him. If Morrison has to go to, I would be okay with that.
Posted by: Token | Jan 17, 2008 1:43:45 PM
To make our good team great, we need a blockbuster trade that will help to propel us into the playoffs.
After doing the math, I think we should trade Okafor, Carroll, May, and Harrington to Memphis for Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro. Gasol will give us a go-to scorer and a legitimate scoring PF to replace Okafor. With Mohammad panning out as decent backup PF/C, I think this will give us a very solid front court and allow us more freedom to play Dudley, Hollins, and Davidson in short spells. Juan Carlos Navarro will take Carroll's spot on the roster for pennies on the dollar, and Harrington and May are cap fodder to be cut for cap considerations at the end of the season (unless Memphis wants to gamble on May, it's their funeral).
With a starting five of Felton, Richardson, Wallace, Gasol, and Mohammad, we could be a contender by the All-Star break.
Posted by: BobcatsGM | Jan 17, 2008 1:52:31 PM
I feel so sorry for Emeka. His contract is bothering him! Emeka used to be a force in the paint, but Nazr is getting the PT in crunch time. Gilbert Arenas told those guys in his Blog! You don't turn down 10-12 million when your not a Max player. Emeka wants Dwight Howard money, but he should be lucky if he gets 8 million now.
Raymond almost threw the game away b/c the ball was in his hands too long. He's not a playmaker, so he just needs to pass the ball once he gets across halfcourt. Gerald is going to make the All-Star game this year!
Posted by: Bobcats Fan | Jan 17, 2008 2:03:35 PM
@ Furious Styles:
I don't know if the Bobcats will be able to maintain with so many away games in March! Have you seen their schedule? They have a stretch there were they are playing 10 of 11 away and they will have to go to the West and back to the East. If they can get to the halfway point with 17 or 18 wins then they will have to win at least 23 games.
Realistically, the Bobcats will have to win 10 out of 15 at home and go around .500 on the road (12 to 13 road wins).
Posted by: northcliq | Jan 17, 2008 2:53:36 PM
Fellow commenters; Sean May and Adam Morrison aren't going anywhere. First, May and Morrison must recover from injury and be somewhat productive, before they have any real trade value. Second, the Bobcats aren't about to give up on either until they have a chance to evaluate them after recovery. I personally think both will come back and be real contributors to next year's team. Okafor is a great defender and shot blocker, although his offensive game is down and he has no medium range jumper. Point production is down because of shared playing time. The two pronged center position is producing great results. He could be traded, but probably not before next summer. Harrington, and Anderson have no real trade value. I see this team standing pat through the season.
That is a good thing for now. This team may yet make the playoffs. Go 'Cats
Posted by: D-Cat | Jan 17, 2008 4:34:32 PM
It's easy to throw some names together and say "We should trade X" but the other team must actually want the players offered. Trading a guy coming off surgery won't get the Cats much in return.
I don't see the rush to trade Okafor. Let him play the season out and evaluate afterward.
I'd like to see them do something with the extra roster spot they have after the Nazr trade. Maybe there's something in the works, but I'm really surprised they haven't picked anyone else up yet.
Posted by: firesamvincent | Jan 17, 2008 4:41:51 PM
Yeah...the Bobcats already had their chance to trade May for the #17 pick in this year's draft, but I guess they still believe his fat ass sells tickets on the bench. Harrington and Anderson actually do have some measure of trade value simply in that they have expiring contracts. Anderson, in particular, could go to a contender as a veteran presence and insurance policy much like we did with Steve Smith did a few years ago. Granted, Malik Allen wasn't really a lot, but it could be something like a second-rounder this year.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 17, 2008 5:31:17 PM
I stand by my May to Morgan comparison. May has not played a whole season and neither has Dan. Keep in mind that I said "starting" because both are good players that due to injuries cannot play for their teams at this time.
Now if you want to look at some similarities then consider this:
1) Both played for colleges that fielded good teams every year. These schools have National Championships I might add.
2) Both were 1st Rd draft picks, May 13th & Morgan 11th.
3) Bothe started for their teams while in college.
4) Both suffered injuries while in college.
Seeing as how my "interest" in the subject was peaked today I decided to look at some differences as well.
1) May was a McDonald's HS All-American while Dan had no such recognition out of HS.
2) May won a National Championship in 2005 while Morgan did not win one while at Miami.
3) May was the MOP of the 2005 NCAA tournament.
4) Morgan has made it to the post season but May has not.
5) Morgan won Defensive Player of the year honors in 2000, 3 Awards nationally, and left as an All-American.
I know the college stats have nothing to do with their Pro careers right now but I felt like promoting UNC today.
Like I said "starting".
Posted by: CEREBRUM | Jan 17, 2008 5:35:41 PM
Anyone notice the improvement in the team since McInnis started spending more time on the pine...?
Not to take anything away from the brilliant play of Wallace and Richardson.
Posted by: Foxy | Jan 17, 2008 5:59:54 PM
Foxy, I remember posting that a lineup of Felton, Carroll, J-Rich, Wallace, and Okafor/Mohammed (Mohammed when you need more offense, Mek if you need shotblocking) gave us our best players on the floor with our greatest offensive balance. It spreads the floor with shooters in Carroll and J-Rich, drivers in Felton and Wallace who can make plays for others and a big guy in Nazr who can make himself available, catch, finish, and pass. Again, they got good shots and had good floor balance when they ran the high pick and roll with Felton/Mohammed in the 2nd half yesterday.
The biggest key for the finishing group on the floor is defense and rebounding. With that, they can make runs like they did yesterday in the 3rd and 4th quarter against Orlando. I would be interested to see if they continue to let the use of transition offense progress, as those lineups have a good combination of speed (Felton/Wallace/J-Rich), shooting (Carroll/J-Rich), and finishing (J-Rich, Wallace). If they defend and rebound well, it would be interesting to see a little more push there.
Posted by: jperry | Jan 17, 2008 7:11:21 PM
And for the record, I think think that has anything to do with taking a shot at Jeff. I think that his role has had as much to do with defense as anything else. If we can find a way to continue effectively mixing in the zone with man defense, we can continue to have Felton, Carroll, and Richardson on the floor for extended periods.
Posted by: jperry | Jan 17, 2008 7:13:24 PM
Can someone tell me why Jeff McGinnis is still starting over Matt Carroll? Matt Carroll has proved he is way better than McGinnis and will dive for a loose ball, while McGinnis is still trying to find the ball!
JUST SENSELESS!!! GOD FORBID we have a white man in our starting roster!!!
As far as the trade talks....Remember that Jermaine O'Neal's contract is up at the end of the year....And word has it...He would like to be closer to home! I see Emeka & Morrison traded to Indiana for him! ((SINCE Indiana has respect for the white guy)
Posted by: bobcatsplayhard | Jan 17, 2008 7:24:03 PM
Morgan NEVER had an injury of any sort in college. He started 43 consecutive games from his freshman to his senior year.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 17, 2008 7:28:03 PM
I hope MJ has learned by now that just because a player comes from UNC, he may NOT be a good pick...May was a cry baby faggot who got his coach fired and well...his play( when healthy ) was not good at all. Let him go along with Adam the stache and we could afford to pick up a good freee throw shooter and maybe a body to score 10 a gm in the post....
GO Cats!
Posted by: goldsboro | Jan 17, 2008 7:34:57 PM
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