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March 07, 2008
Not a formula for making up ground
A reader asked me why, if the Bobcats are on a 3-game winning streak and four games out of eighth place in the East, I wasn’t more excited about their playoff prospects.
That sounds promising in a vacuum, and if the Bobcats play tonight at home the way they have lately, they’ll beat a struggling Atlanta team. But keep two factors in mind:
First, it’s not like they’re in ninth place. There are four teams - Milwaukee, Atlanta, Indiana and Chicago - between the Bobcats and eighth-place New Jersey. That’s a lot of traffic to pass between where you are and where you want to be.
The Nets are vulnerable, but I think the Bulls would be the team that passes them.
Second, have you looked at the schedule? After tonight, the Bobcats play 10 of the next 11 on the road, including trips to Dallas, Houston, Cleveland, Utah and the Los Angeles Lakers. Since the Bobcats win one out of every five road games this season, that’s hardly a formula for making up ground.
Posted by Observer Sports on March 7, 2008 at 09:47 AM | Permalink
Comments
Straight from Bobcats.com:
Felton has helped lead the Bobcats on this win streak from his play at the point guard position. He has done exactly what he the position requires, setting up the offense, distributing the ball to his teammates and scoring when needed. In the last three games, Felton has averaged 8.0 assists to just 1.7 turnovers. He also has contributed 17.6 points.
“I’m a basketball player,” he said. “Whatever my role needs to be, that’s what I need to do. Of course I feel comfortable now because I’m playing the point, but whatever the team needs me to do for us to get a win, that’s what I’ll do.”
Posted by: Q? | Mar 7, 2008 11:27:13 AM
The negativity published in these blogs is amazing. I know this blog is a response to a question posted by a reader, but there is no need to make an entire blog about it. When the Bobcats win, there are people saying the wins are anomalies. When they lose, people call for Vincent's head and proclaim that Felton can't play PG.
The negativity and the backhanded compliments are out of control. I am all about putting the truth out there, but most of the naysayers make unwarranted commentary.
Posted by: Token | Mar 7, 2008 11:51:31 AM
The Bobcats not just wanted me to care they spent a lot of time and money encouraging me to care. Much of that marketing effort promised a serious run at the playoffs. As a season ticket holder I got a real clear look at MJ and Vincent flushing that promise down the toilet. I don't have enough space here to list all the rookie coaching and management mistakes that have led this team to its lopsided losing record...a record that will be much worse after this upcoming road trip. The last 3 games have been a welcome respite from the dismal performances I have witnessed. However, my eyes tell me that the major weaknesses still remain and for the Bobcats to win the other team has to have a miserable shooting game. My season tickets may be history. There will be plenty of excellent seats available next year.
Posted by: RoyFan | Mar 7, 2008 1:30:16 PM
Does anyone realistically think we're gonna make a push for the playoffs? Most fans came to terms with a losing season last month. Can't change the past. It's time to look ahead and if we go on a nice little winning streak, well so much the better for our entertainment. Nice to see Felton playing well in the role he's supposed to be playing. At least we can look back on a few positives from this season.
Posted by: apauldds | Mar 7, 2008 2:25:57 PM
Its clear that the Bobcats are mismanaged from the inside out. It is unfortunate that the fans and the players have had to pay the price. Now they are asking season ticket holders to pay even more.
For what? I don't even feel like I got a great value for what I paid for tickets this year.
From a LAME and UNINSPIRING pre-game ("Elevate", seriously. . .someone thought the montage and song would get everyone excited for the game?) to even worse half-time shows to pathetic "time-out" fillers, all interwoven into a game where the players are rotated as if there is a revolving door on the court, only to blow our leads and lose in the last minutes.
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR? Riiight.
Additionally, the sales & marketing team have been slapping season ticket holders in the face by offering deeply discounted tickets to the general public for nearly every single game since January.
What is the incentive to renew my package at a higher price, when I could get individual tickets for much less? "Same great seat for every game", you mean the one with the broken arm rest? The one with the dirty pane of glass in front of it? Yeah, great!
The Bobcats organization holds itself out to be a "Fancentric" organization. In their dreams. As a season ticket holder I can honestly say the only time I have felt appreciated is around this time of year, when they are looking to sell the next season's tickets.
Gotta go, there's my "account rep (ha!)" now . . .
Posted by: CatNoMore | Mar 7, 2008 2:52:19 PM
who the hell are the charlotte bobcats?
Posted by: Charles Yount | Mar 7, 2008 7:02:30 PM
Some people believe the Bobcats can still make a playoff push - Bobcats.com has a blog that says that.
Posted by: Some believe | Mar 7, 2008 7:11:16 PM
Hey jperry, just wanted to say I saw your response to Procton saying the following:
"You obviously didn't watch the Celtics game, as neither a) nor b) apply there. There are plenty more, but keep putting needles in that Felton voodoo doll. Anyway, I just wanted to briefly intervene, as folks like Sandy12 do a good enough job of keeping you and your criteria adjusting manipulation in check.
In the meantime, it might serve you well to take a break from Stats class and go learn remedial basketball. Anybody can put together doctored stats and/or SELECTIVELY determine what stats are important to "support" a point. But that doesn't mean they actually understand the game of basketball. You seem to be quite versed at the former, but have demonstrated little evidence of the latter."
You're right on the money.
Posted by: Q? | Mar 7, 2008 9:23:19 PM
Thanks Q. In the end, I hope that we continue to play strong and that guys like Carroll, Felton, and Dudley contine to excel in their current roles. Boykins has also done a good job of bringing a spark of the bench. I hate that we waited as long as we did to make the lineup moves that we have, but hopefully we will learn from it and continue to progress.
Posted by: jperry | Mar 7, 2008 11:33:01 PM
Thanks Q. In the end, I hope that we continue to play strong and that guys like Carroll, Felton, and Dudley contine to excel in their current roles. Boykins has also done a good job of bringing a spark of the bench. I hate that we waited as long as we did to make the lineup moves that we have, but hopefully we will learn from it and continue to progress.
Posted by: jperry | Mar 7, 2008 11:36:34 PM
Once again I agree with you. I'd love to see Procton attempt to criticize Felton at this point - he's been pretty good & Procton thinks he is garbage. That guy has no credibility when it comes to basketball though - he thought Primoz & McInnis were good and still knocks Felton too. He also never would answer my question about this basketball experience.... leading me to believe he doesn't play and/or had only played crap competition.
By the way, it's Q? not Q lol.
Posted by: Q? | Mar 8, 2008 1:40:12 AM
My bad Q?. I'm not going to attempt to bait Michael, as I am simply happy with the way the Cats are playing right now. They have a good flow and when they play the lineup of Felton, Carroll, Richardson, Dudley, and Okafor/Mohammed they have excellent spacing and floor balance (something I clamored for earlier in the year when folks simply summed it up to pg play).
The challenge is when G-Force returns. What happens with Dudley's minutes? Furthermore, if we play him at the 3 as mentioned by Sam, we go back to a mediocre perimeter shooting lineup decreasing the spacing that has helped us excel lately.
Gerald's situation is a tough one. He is essentially our version of Sean Marion when he was with the Suns. He excels offensively when he is at the 4, as it gives him a quickness advantage and more time and space to get off his perimeter shot. He is solid perimeter shooter for a 4, much like Marion. However, as a 3, he is not the same threat and does not have the same quickness advantage. He's a tweener, but b/c of his health we cannot continue to play him at the 4.
The option we have is to play Dudley at the 3 offensively and the 4 defensively. Dudley is a more fluid shooter, although I would argue that he excels as a defense stretching 4 that gives us a legitimate pick and pop option. Furthermore, he is so smooth and cerebral that he makes positive plays all over the floor and helps the team in many ways on both sides of the floor.
Either way, let's hope these guys can keep fighting and believing in each other and themselves. It sucks that it took this long to fix the lineup, but let's make the most of it now.
Posted by: jperry | Mar 8, 2008 3:17:12 AM
One more point. The same way Dudley is affected by Gerald's return, so is Carroll. One or both of them face a reduction in minutes, but I hope we figure out how to maximize their minutes as they are providing a lot of good things for the team right now.
Posted by: jperry | Mar 8, 2008 3:20:57 AM
Yeah I hear your concerns. I have them too. I'm not as worried about GW at the 3 though. I don't think of him as a shooter, but a slasher and he can be effective doing that at the 3. The way that they are playing, maybe they will consider bringing Wallace off of the bench when he first comes back? Who knows, I just want to keep winning, and I couldn't be happier that McInnis is gone and I don't have to see that Felton - McInnis starting backcourt because Vincent couldn't decide on how to play Felton.
Posted by: Q? | Mar 8, 2008 4:52:46 AM
I like Wallace as a slasher too, from the 4 where he is more of a mismatch who helps keep the floor open. While conventionally, people will say a lineup of Felton, Richardson, Wallace, Okafor, and Mohammed sounds great, this is true in the old NBA. This lineup is a lane clogger and one that limits effective penetration from Gerald and Raymond.
If Wallace is going to play the 3 offensively, I hope to see more Dudley at the 4 to offset the shooting we lose with Caroll coming out.
Posted by: jperry | Mar 8, 2008 6:57:14 AM
Dudley was the steal of last year's draft. The FO finally did something right.
Posted by: apauldds | Mar 8, 2008 1:05:43 PM
Mike and I promise to step out in to public view if you suckers will buy another year of our product. I have been real busy making fun of the colords in my videos.
I also spent some time writing a check for 1 billion dollars to my black wife for chasing white ass. Mike has had similiar problems. I have to go now I am getting ready for church tomorrow. I plan to campaign for Hillary clinton.
Posted by: BJ&MJ | Mar 8, 2008 5:09:12 PM
I think it's funny that people complain about Felton's shooting. When he has a good shooting night, those same people don't say anything. When he has a bad shooting night, you definitely hear about it.
But you never hear those same people complain about Richardson's poor shooting nights... or Carroll's... or Okafor's.
Posted by: Zool | Mar 9, 2008 1:12:47 AM
Raymond Felton: FG%-41.5% (season), 39.5% (career); 3FG%-28.2%, 33.1%
Jason Richardson: 43.4%, 43.3%; 41.0%, 36.1%
Matt Carroll: 42.7%, 41.9%; 42.6%, 40.6%
Emeka Okafor: 51.7%, 48.3%; 0-1 career 3FGs
So, umm...maybe it's because he's more consistently terrible (28.2% from 3? Really?)
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 9, 2008 3:40:00 AM
The negativity is getting redicolous.
Posted by: B | Mar 9, 2008 11:49:52 AM
Yeah you can count on Procton for that... he usually is selective with stats so it favors his argument. Felton is playing great regardless though - 14pts and 12ast last night, Go Bobcats!
Posted by: Q? | Mar 9, 2008 2:52:16 PM
I'll concede, it was a good night aside from the again TERRIBLE shooting. Like I've said...if the kid can ever learn to hit a 3 at even a 35% clip, he might be a legit starting NBA player...but I still want to see him against a decent team. This next stretch will be much more indicative of what kind of player he really is.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 9, 2008 2:56:40 PM
And I'm confused about which is the ridiculous part, B...somebody posed a question, I answered it. It's hard to make stats seem more negative. This little stretch is nice, but we're still going nowhere, and it is that much more disappointing that they haven't approached this level this year before this.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 9, 2008 2:58:04 PM
I said: "he usually is selective with stats so it favors his argument." I did not think that your stats were manipulative this time. However, I do believe that Felton's poor 3% this year is a combination of playing the 2, the offense, and the size/length of player Felton had to face because of his position.
I also think that it is absurd that you think that "if the kid can ever learn to hit a 3 at even a 35% clip, he might be a legit starting NBA player." Do you seriously believe that a guy who doesn't shoot at least 35% from 3 isn't worthy of being an NBA starter?!?! There are tons of guys who don't. Even if Felton shot 20% from 3 his other abilities make him good enough to be an NBA staring pg. There are other teams that would love to have Felton as their starting pg. Did you mean starting NBA pg? If so, you should have said that. It makes a big difference in your statement. Also, do you not consider GS to be "a decent team"?
When will you admit that you are wrong about Felton. I'm guessing that even if he plays well against Dal and Hou, you will say "well he played well because he was facing an aging Kidd and overrated Alston."
Posted by: Q? | Mar 10, 2008 12:36:27 AM
Right on cue Procton. Maybe if they would have used the lineups they've been using they might have approached it. Furthermore, with the Felton followed by Boykins combo we don't slow down as much and have legitimate penetration possibilities.
Nonetheless, I'm glad that it is ALL about his 3 pt shooting percentage now. It has nothing to do with orchestrating wins and running the offense as you and your partner claimed he couldn't. Besides, please don't come on here with a lame statement like he needs to hit the 3 at a 35% clip to be a legit starter when the 2 guys you've advocated to play in front of him (BK and McInnis) aren't even threats from there. One can be a legit starter as a pg without shooting 35% from 3 (even though I would like Ray to get back up there).
Besides, comparing Felton's shooting with Carroll and Richardson's is silly considering what else Felton brings in playmaking that they don't. They are paid to shoot. He is paid to generate offense for the team by scoring and setting up others. All 3 are doing their jobs. I'm not going to compare Matt and J-Rich's playmaking with Felton's. That's not their job. Besides, players have better night than others. So what. It's the constant harping on ONE player's negative stat of the day that is tired.
They are better shooters than he is. Duh. That's why you play them on the wings and play him at the point where he can help set them up while also making plays for himself that keep the defense honest and provide better opportunities for everyone else.
Part of why "we aren't going anywhere" is b/c of this notion that we should "stick with McInnis at the 1 and Felton at the 2." I'm sure you're familiar with that as you were one of the ones spouting it (cue you pulling out some random stat that still fails to acknowledge that playing Felton at the point with 2 shooters on the wing makes the most sense for the offense). You claimed that McInnis was the better pg, despite the fact that Felton even at the 2, he was the one making plays for everyone else. I'm sure you still think Derek Anderson is a better pg too.
You keep on waiting for those games to show that you know what you're talking about. Just like your decisions on what stats matter the most, you will pick the games that matter the most based on where Felton and the team perform the worst. Same ol', same ol'. The shock value is gone. Everyone knows your M.O. No matter how much you do this, it doesn't show that you understand THE GAME of basketball. Whether you want to see the kid as a legit starter or not, he is and has the clear potential to be a good young pg.
As for your prowess in basketball analysis, as of right now it remains in question. There are some strengths that have been highlighted, however. Strong stat manipulator? Check. Keen eye for the negative with a flare for accentuating it? Check. King of the backhanded compliment? Check. Top notch basketball analyst? In the words of Cornbread Maxwell, "that would be uh...no."
Posted by: jperry | Mar 10, 2008 9:17:04 AM
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