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February 05, 2008
Struggling Carroll sits one out
Stray thoughts at the end of a 1-4 road trip:
-- Matt Carroll is in a deep slump, and I guess Sam Vincent no longer has the luxury of letting Carroll play out of it.
Carroll was DNP-CD Monday (NBA jargon for did not play – coach’s decision). That’s the first time Carroll sat this season, either by injury or Vincent’s choice.
In the five games previous to Monday, Carroll never reached double-figure scoring. In that span, he shot 7-of-29, averaging four points per game.
Given a choice in the second half of using Carroll or Jeff McInnis, Vincent went with McInnis (who was DNP-CD in the Nuggets game Saturday.)
-- Vincent was adamant in the pregame media availability that McInnis’ reduced minutes are not a demotion. Vincent said making McInnis the third of three point guards is entirely about finding minutes for Earl Boykins, to get him assimilated and in game shape.
I don’t doubt that working Boykins into the mix is Vincent’s priority. But based on recent comments, Vincent has been more conscious lately of McInnis’ flaws. Recall, for instance, his pointing out that McInnis seemed a reluctant shooter, allowing defenders to sag off of him to help elsewhere.
-- Vincent says he’s committed to starting center Nazr Mohammed the rest of the season, which implies Mohammed and Okafor playing together extensively.
Two cautions: First, Vincent already knows the downside of that strategy (the need to zone up, since neither big man is particularly comfortable guarding a jump-shooting forward.) Second, Vincent changes his mind a lot when it comes to rotations, so don’t be surprised if all this changes again by the end of the month.
Posted by Observer Sports on February 5, 2008 at 01:13 AM | Permalink
Comments
Sam Vincent has NO idea what he's doing. Send him back to the female players, dirt courts, and peach baskets of Africa.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 5, 2008 2:19:30 AM
One thing is certain, we need a more versatile PF in the future for when Nazr and Mek aren't playing together to allow us to guard versatile 4s without zoning. A strong guy who could pick and pop in the David West/Carlos Boozer mode would definitely fit the bill. While we can make it work offensively to have both of our big guys on the floor together, defensively we are susceptible to teams with good perimeter games and face up shooters.
As to Carroll, we really NEED him to come out of his slump. Hopefully, he can get the chance with some home cooking against NJ. I kept waiting to see him come in last night until the 4th quarter when I realized it was not going to happen. Nonetheless, with Morrison out, we really need Matt to be the 2nd floor spreader along with J-Rich. Here's to hoping he shoots himself out of this funk.
Posted by: jperry | Feb 5, 2008 3:46:12 AM
It should have been obvious when the team struggled so much during the first half of the season that maybe this would not be the year(playoffs). They have some good pieces, but there are some holes that need to be filled (I know, I am the master of the obvious).
The point I am trying to make is, the Bobcats need to concentrate on working with what they have and investing in the lottery. Notice I said lottery not draft. Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce. What do they all have in common besides playing on truly contending teams?
True lottery caliber picks! The Bobcats picked players in the lottery that could have gone in the second round: Felton, Okafor, MAY, and Morrison.
What do you guys think?
Posted by: northcliq | Feb 5, 2008 8:23:42 AM
As big as an MJ fan as I was I never thought I would say this but he kind of sucks as a GM. I don't say that as it relates to trade decisions but simply on his decision to hire a rookie coach to coach a team that was on the verge of getting over the expansion team hump and make it to the playoffs. When you are on the verge of getting over the hump you dont hire someone who is still trying to learn about coaching you hire someone with experience! MJ could have hired Rick Carlisle, SVG, Paul Silas, Rick Adelman, Mike Fratello, hell even Doug Collins or Larry Brown. Instead he chose to hire a coach w/ no NBA experience. What a dumb decision, he could have kept Bernie. Sam Vincent needs to be fired....IMMEDIATELY! He doesn't know what hes doing, a team needs a consistent lineup, not a new one every five games. He is in over his head. MJ, the experiment didn't work let's just cut our losses right now. This guy should not be back next season.
Oh and by the way, for all of you who think Felton is a pure point guard I just wanted to let you know he's not. Back when played high school ball back here in SC. He was simply a scoring machine, rarely ever passed the ball. He was the listed as the PG but he was actually the PG, SG, SF, & PF (to short to be the C). He was basically Stephon Marbury (scoring PG). Once he got to UNC they tried to make him a true point guard but that never really worked and played a part in Doherty being fired and replaced by Roy. Once Roy got there he played it smart and simply let Felton bring the ball down the court and dump the ball inside or pass it to McCants and let him do something crazy w/ the ball. Felton is too short to be what he was in high school & b/c he was trained to primarily be a scorer and not a playmaker he struggles at being a true PG. So in the long run he is not the Bobcats answer at PG.
Posted by: joshuavbarr | Feb 5, 2008 8:25:38 AM
Joshuavbarr,
The very point I am trying to make about Felton. He was drafted in the lottery and is not a true lottery (franchise) player, ie. Chris Pual.
In order to consistently contend in this league, you have to have top tier talent.
I like Felton, and the book is not completely written on him, but he is going to have to find his niche in order to be sucessful. Remeber Joe Dumars was undersized @ the 2 but is a hall of famer because of his defense, scoring and leadership.
Posted by: northcliq | Feb 5, 2008 8:48:27 AM
J Perry,
That 4 your talking about, Atlanta has like 7 of them, perhaps a trade?
Posted by: northcliq | Feb 5, 2008 8:51:37 AM
yall back up off me, oh eye get up in yo grill piece fa show, ya hurd. recognize beatch
Posted by: sam vincent | Feb 5, 2008 9:59:09 AM
we need Nazr as a starting center!!!!
Posted by: jack off | Feb 5, 2008 10:40:56 AM
i like the moves theyve done this year aquiring a rebounding big man(nazr) and a scoring point guard off the bench(boykins) to add to their core of former college greats (morrison, okafor, felton). not to mention the two highflying superstars. 2008-2009 season WILL be a much better season. maybe even win a playoff series.
Posted by: kyler durden | Feb 5, 2008 11:08:04 AM
how bout you look at feltons stats and compare them to other point guards in the league. when you do so you'll realize he is one of the top 10 pg in the nba, halfway thru his third season. thats impressive. and was worth the lottery pick.
look at the 05 draft and tell me who we should have taken instead of him with the 5th pick. you'll be hard pressed to find one, that isnt based on HINDSIGHT.
or maybe you should all act like bobcats fans and be happy with who we have. as a huge duke fan, i still love raymond felton. find a little love in your hearts fellas.
Posted by: kyler durden | Feb 5, 2008 11:27:33 AM
i def. agree JOSEPH. i was hoping this would be the year, and i realize we're only like 2.5 games behind NJ for the 8th spot, but we really want to get swept by Boston or Detroit and end up with the 15th pick?? If we don't go on some sort of run here in Feb., then I say we play Hollins, Dudley, and Davidson a lot more and try to get a top 5 pick.
Posted by: tomP | Feb 5, 2008 12:31:04 PM
The combination of a couple season ending injuries to a couple young players with POTENTIAL, combined with a first year head coach, and of course the fact that Jeff McInnis was brought back after last season (wtf were they smoking) doesn't bode well for postseason chances unfortunately.
The next few months should be interesting though, because many season ticket holders signed 3 year deals in the new arena and this is the 3rd season. I'd have to think if we don't make the postseason, old Bob Johnson will lose quite a few season ticket holders.
I would like to see us ship off McInnis and Harrington for a decent player. And while I don't think any team in the league would want McInnis or Harrington, we somehow suckered the Pistons into taking Brezec!
Posted by: Big Hurt | Feb 5, 2008 12:33:55 PM
The schedule for the rest of the month is brutal. I really hope the Cats can at least go .500. It's possible, but not probable. They are still 2.5 games out of the playoffs and they have played more games than the Hawks.
It is still too early to give up on these guys. The Bobcats still have a chance to get beat in 5 games in the first round.
Posted by: Token | Feb 5, 2008 12:34:22 PM
I would love to get the 8 seed and play Boston in the first round. I think we've clearly shown this year that we can match up with them pretty well.
Posted by: Tommy | Feb 5, 2008 12:44:11 PM
I think McInnis has some incriminating photo's of Vincent to get the PT he's had this year.
Posted by: firesamvincent | Feb 5, 2008 12:51:46 PM
Hey guys, google "fire sam vincent" and watch how many sites/forums pop up. It seems like a lot of people want him gone. It feels good to know that I'm not alone.
Posted by: joshuavbarr | Feb 5, 2008 3:32:08 PM
I think alot of the negative comments about the Bobcats stem from the realization that this team has regressed. I am not big on numbers other than W/L. I feel that it was an legitimate expectation for the Bobcats to contend for a playoff spot in the East, at the beginning of the season. If they have any chance of doing that this year, they will have to go on an incredible run on the road, no less. I don't see that happening, do you?
Posted by: northcliq | Feb 5, 2008 3:52:07 PM
I wonder if they say Kobe's in a "deep slump" when he goes 7-29 in a single game?
Do a little digging into Carroll's minutes during his "deep slump" and you might find something worth reporting about:
During his "deep slump" of the past 5 games, Carroll's averaged about 20 minutes a game and the average is skewered upward by one 34 minute game. Given those minutes, and the way Vincent uses him, he's probably going in for 4-5 minute stretches, hardly enough time to warm up.
During the nine games before that, Carroll averaged almost 29 minutes a game and was shooting 49% from the floor.
One might reasonably conclude that Vincent's the problem with his inability to make the most of his players, rather than saying Carroll's in a deep slump.
Posted by: bayne | Feb 5, 2008 4:18:29 PM
The biggest problem with this team is the head coach and his uncertainty about rotations. Bernie would have this team in the playoffs. The guys may like Vincent and I know he is a very good man, but they loved and respected Bernie. JB Biggerstaff might have been a better choice if you're going with a rookie coach.
Posted by: D-Cat | Feb 5, 2008 8:37:13 PM
How dare you fans question my genius. Haven't you seen my Hanes commercials. I am the man. Bob and I have been watching the Bobcats games from Hawaii and Las Vegas and I think my buddy Vincent is doing a decent job. We don't want to win too many too fast. We don't want to set expectations too high....this is a business don't ya know. I am the best that ever lived in all things basketball, so don't question me. All we need is a few more Tarheels to make the playoffs.
Posted by: Michael | Feb 5, 2008 9:32:13 PM
Can MJ get fired? Can he fire himself? There is no question that Vincent is in the wrong league. He should have been sent down to the D league just like J. Davidson and not returned until he learns enough to compete. I think Matt Carroll is a symtom of the main problem. Vincent was not smart enough at the beginning of the season to commit core offensive and defensive systems that would give the Bobcats consistent opportunities to win. I know two things: all shooters go through slumps and not playing Matt Carroll led to a HUGE loss.
Posted by: RoyFan | Feb 6, 2008 8:51:35 AM
Looking at the Bobcat's outside game we see
Dudley at 6%, McInnis 18%, It's easy to see why the Jazz dropped off doubled our inside game and got an easy win. Anderson is at 33% 13/41, Wallace 32%. Carroll is second only to Richardson league leader in 3's Carroll is second in number of 3's 54 and % at 40%. Our newcomer to the team needs playing time but does 4/20 shooting merit playing time.
Think Carroll on the floor would spread the defense more than the shooting listed.
Posted by: Puzzled | Feb 6, 2008 10:52:30 AM
SV's biggest mistake is on the bench...Sean " A box of Krispy Cremes a day keeps the Doctor away" May...from where I sit in the lower bowl, they have had to spend big bucks for the engineers to come in and figure out how to link 2 chairs together so he can sit down....if SV wants to show his leadership, send May to a Weight loss clinic for the rest of the season...then trade him for a real NBA caliber player who adds vakue...this boy isnt coming back to the NBA...he makes Dan Morgan look like he was working overtime...
Posted by: mike | Feb 6, 2008 11:10:41 AM
do the right thing go back to africa.
Posted by: a mad fan | Feb 6, 2008 1:10:05 PM
i know who can coach the bobcats. shaq
Posted by: deezilla | Feb 6, 2008 1:32:48 PM
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