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March 23, 2008
Okafor, Felton in midst of fade
Just wondering …
-- Is Emeka Okafor worn out? Is he tuning out the coach?
Over the past three games, he has totaled 16 points, 17 rebounds and 13 shots. He’s proven in the past he can do more than that in a single game. And it’s not like the competition in those three games – Memphis, Indiana and Miami – is particularly impressive.
Coach Sam Vincent said before Saturday’s Miami game that a premium would be placed on effort the rest of this season and anyone "not giving that kind of effort, or not playing well" would see reductions in his minutes.
Okafor has played under 24 minutes each of the past three games, after playing 28 or more in 12 straight. Think that’s a coincidence? I don’t.
-- If Raymond Felton continues to shoot the way he has the past five games, he’ll finish the season below 40 percent from the field. Felton is 18-of-63, or 28.5 percent, in that span.
More telling, still, is Felton’s 3-point shooting in those games: 1-of-11.
I don’t think Felton has been coached well this season; he’s been jerked around between the point and shooting guard positions, and no one performs his best with a murky job description. However, he has to do better than he’s done of late, and that should start with more drives and fewer long jump shots.
-- It would be hard to assemble a more obscure bench than the Heat fielded Saturday versus the Bobcats.
Miami has signed seven guys out of the developmental league this season. The most recent 10-day contract went to some guy named Kasib Powell. He arrived so close to tip-off that he played three minutes in a jersey without his named stitched along the back.
So of course the Bobcats’ bench would destroy these guys, right? Wrong. Reserves Jared Dudley, Ryan Hollins, Matt Carroll, Earl Boykins and Jermareo Davidson shot a combined 5-of-23 versus Miami’s no-names.
The Bobcats were lucky to play the Heat. I’m not sure how many other NBA teams they could have beaten Saturday.
Posted by Observer Sports on March 23, 2008 at 01:54 PM | Permalink
Comments
I think having a 5 game losing streak after winning 5 in a row deflated the players. With the playoffs out of site, I think they are just going through the motions. Plus having a coach who is in way over his head doesn't help the situation either. This team is not far off but they still need some pieces. Going into next season our biggest need is probably a offensive PF once again. Emeka is not a PF! He can't do anything past 2 feet from the basket. He needs to be around the basket on both ends. So does anyone think he deserves that max contract he was looking for? I sure as hell don't. The Cats need to look at a vet PG also because Raymond Felton is too inconsistent. No more of that combo guard BS.
Posted by: DS | Mar 23, 2008 2:33:33 PM
I think that the Bobcats problem is coach Vincent. He has no idea what he is doing and obviously has no passion, all he does is sit on the bench holding his head up with his hand. The Bobcats need to fire this guy on day 1 of the offseason and start searching for a new head coach and then draft a big man such as Roy Hibbert who can take over at center and let Okafor play his real position of power forward. It is really disapointing to see the talant that we have on this team go to waste because we don't have anyone to lead this team in the 4th quarter every night which seems like the time we always let the game slip away. I think it would be nice to see MJ come down from his nice pressbox and take over as head coach so we would have someone that the players will listen too and respect enough to play their hearts out every night and make the playoffs next year!
Posted by: BigE | Mar 23, 2008 5:17:47 PM
It's obvious that Sam Vincent is the only one responsible for the collapse of the Bobcats. He's the only rookie that hasn't performed. He's assistant coach material at best. Surely he will be gone the day after this season is over.
Posted by: DanCat | Mar 23, 2008 5:17:54 PM
Damn. When I first glanced at the title of this blog I thought it said "Okafor, Felton in midst of TRADE." What a disappointment that's not the case.
I wonder if after this season Choke-afor will still think he deserves Dwight Howard money. I hope not, if on top of his other problems he's turning into a lazy player. Maybe we should just start calling him Lil' Sean May.
Posted by: black bush | Mar 23, 2008 5:23:30 PM
Roy Hibbert is a big slug. The Thabeet kid from Connecicut or the Jordan from Texas A&M have NBA potential. Okafor is a center. He is a defensive force and very good rebounder. He needs to play center. Mohammed should be at power forward for now. With all the rotatation mismanagement by Vincent, it's a wonder anyone isn't confused. They have all tuned him out. Paul Silas would be a good fit here. I hope MJ is big enough to realize Vincent was a mistake and moves to correct this catastrophe immediately after the season is over. Maybe Buzz Peterson would be a better fit. Larry Brown?
Posted by: DanCat | Mar 23, 2008 5:27:46 PM
To compare Okafor to Sean May is total crap. May, when healthy, has much more of an offensive game then Okafor and shouldn't be dissed like that.
And the man will out eat, out dance, and out drink, and out party any of you any day.
Posted by: mugsy tripucka | Mar 23, 2008 6:33:55 PM
Looking forward to nice 1st round draft pick. Hope we get lucky with a top 3 pick.
Posted by: FtMill49er | Mar 23, 2008 7:53:15 PM
Can we lay down the rest of the games and get a lottery pick? It would make next season bearable, I can tell you that.
Also, news flash: Dr. J, Patrick Ewing and Kareem Abdul Jabbar are also going to become part owners of the Bobcats. They aren't going to show up at games and shake anybody's hand either.
Anybody seen the co-ghost, Fred Whitfield? Has he done that Time Warner naming rights deal to get them out of that dreadful TV contract yet?
Finally, how much more energy will there be in the Arena Saturday night when UNC beats the crap out of anybody they play...Tennessee? In other words, want to see a fired up crowd at Bobcats Arena? Go Sat. night.
Posted by: Bobby Brown | Mar 24, 2008 10:30:29 AM
Bobby Brown - Actually I see Fred Whitfield at every single game I go to. No matter if I sit up top or down low, I see him walk by atleast twice. But you've probably been to a about 2 games all year, so you must've just missed him.
Posted by: Bobcat Matt | Mar 24, 2008 11:30:41 AM
Although i would love to see sam vincent fired i doubt he will because MJ is horrible. I am pretty sure as i type this he is working to trade wallace, j-rich, and carroll for kwame brown and a second round pick!
Posted by: adam | Mar 24, 2008 11:46:24 AM
To the bloggers on Sean "What a waste of a roster spot" May...only thing "L'il" about our boy Sean is how "L'il" he has contributed in the past 3 years. Regarding how "offensive" he is comaprded to Omeka...why dont we just leave it at that.
Sean needs to be sent to the Dleague at the end of the season...or sooner if they can get a kid to come up and play 10 games or so. Sean has wasted our money, time and committment and needs to start looking for another career.
Posted by: Mike | Mar 24, 2008 12:11:38 PM
I was at the game on Saturday and it was sad! i go to SEVERAL Cats game every year and love to see the boys play hard...except this past game against the Miami "Least"..Crash and J-Rich were the only ones who wanted to win (Nazr too)..
Felton couldnt get off against Chris Quinn?? and Okafor looked average against dudes I NEVER heard of and I watch plenty college hoops (Barron, Powell, Lasme) WHO???
Lets get Beasley in here next year to play PF or Derrick Rose to play PG bc we need those two positions bad! Maybe AdMo will get his stuff together and play the backup 3 but Ray Ray is too small to play SG at a consistent level..do we really think he can guard the likes of Ray Allen, Kobe, Wade, etc...?? Mr. Jordan...you got some 'splainin to do!!!
Posted by: Bobcat Terry | Mar 24, 2008 2:09:22 PM
So, you disrespected Memphis, "And it’s not like the competition in those three games – Memphis, Indiana and Miami – is particularly impressive." Who won the game? You guys stink to lose to a very young, rebuilding (alas, with many years left to do this with any success)team. Give it up.
Posted by: ScottK | Mar 24, 2008 4:14:31 PM
Mr Proton...I send you note blog last week and you says nothing back. Do you also watch the all Bangalor Competition for India Basketballs? MEG is a very fine team dont you say? Also tell me how you know so much National Basketablls in Americia? Did you play on such a team or did you just learn from your man-boy Preloz? Tell me back, whats you say? Also I ask what you know on All Asia basketballs league? I think they might could compete with your National Basketballs. What do you think?
Posted by: paresh | Mar 24, 2008 5:37:23 PM
the dleague is there whats the problem darryl watkins played against some of these players now he a very athletic center who can help out now at power forward or center
Posted by: cindy | Mar 24, 2008 6:05:11 PM
Bob Johnson and his organization can go straight to HELL. You racist loser.
Posted by: kevin | Mar 24, 2008 10:32:48 PM
Okay already the team is not great...But, first of all you should be glad the city of Charlotte even has a professional basketball team...It is an honor and a privilege for a franchise to want to set up in your city...Be patient support your team and enjoy the games and the beautiful arena. Sure I want to win now...But the difference between me and you guys is I'm a loyal fan...And when you are a loyal fan you stick by your team through thick and thin...If the Bobcats leave, you guys would be hurt and dismayed and wondering why...It's because of lack of support and appreciation...I think your wife or husband would leave for the same reason...Stand by your team...Stop complaining.
Posted by: MoveMe | Mar 25, 2008 5:17:40 PM
You can forget about me trying hard anymore until I gets hooked up with Dwight Howard money. Cha ching suckas.
Posted by: Emeka Okafor | Mar 25, 2008 6:53:32 PM
This team and ownership group can't leave soon enough. Good bye and Good Ridance you racist BJ. You wife cheat. You liar. Don't let the door hit you in your black ass.
Posted by: insider | Mar 25, 2008 9:18:24 PM
Can't wait till the football season!
Do I hear 6-10!
Gooooo Panthers, at least we have one winning organization in town!
Posted by: Will | Mar 26, 2008 1:00:52 AM
I hear ya Will! I'm looking forward to seeing how much the Panthers can improve this season too. Looking like it will be much better than what Bob's Cats have done this year (nothing).
Just checking in to give everyone the latest Emeka Choke-afor update from last night:
26 minutes, 4 pts, 2 rebounds, 1 solid night of NBDL worthy contribution!!
Let's hope the Bobs can pull off a sign and trade this offseason. It's very obvious Okafor has quit on this team. I would compare him to Derrick Coleman, who quit on the Hornets when they were here.
Posted by: black bush | Mar 26, 2008 7:46:44 AM
The Panthers are only getting older and worse, so I expect them to continue their "winning ways" and have a fourth straight season where they finish with a worse record than the previous season.
Goooooo Panthers!
Posted by: Will | Mar 26, 2008 1:03:47 PM
Has anybody read the comment from "Emeka Okafor" himself? If that was him, he should be shamed for stinking it up as he has. Play for the love of the game and the money will come. Play like you have since 2007 and you will make some more posters, as the guy that got dunked on, if you even get in the game. some of these guys just not playing hard, forget the coaching. They not robots are they?
Posted by: Super J | Mar 26, 2008 1:57:48 PM
Interesting conclusion, Will...unlike the Bobcats, though, the panthers haven't been as bad as a .375 winning percentage in 6 years, a number the Bobbies have been above a grand total of once in four years. I'm sure you wouldn't put money down on the Panthers being in the playoffs after the Bobcats do.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 26, 2008 7:16:28 PM
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