Tired doesn't explain this trend

   Questions to ponder:

      

  1.    What happens at halftime these days? In their past two third quarters, (versus the less than imposing Memphis Grizzlies and Indiana Pacers), the Bobcats were outscored 59-32 and shot a combined 13-of-35. I don't dismiss they're tired from all this travel, but that doesn't explain all this away.

       

2.     Emeka Okafor still plays for this team, right? In those losses to Memphis and Indiana he TOTALED 10 points and nine rebounds and took all of seven shots.

       Coach Sam Vincent on Okafor: "We're trying to get the ball to Emeka and for some reason, the harder we try, the less we do it."

Okafor needs to be more active and assertive in demanding the ball, particularly on the pick-and-roll. That was the Bobcats' best offensive option earlier this season. Now teams overplay point guard Raymond Felton, because they're clearly more concerned with Felton driving or passing to Jason Richardson or Matt Carroll than with Okafor rolling to the basket.

       

3. Will we see more of Ryan Hollins? He played significant minutes (21 1/2 against Indiana) for the first time in weeks. He performed, with 11 points, three rebounds and a block. I sure hope, with the playoffs no longer realistic, this team uses the remaining games to explore what youngsters Hollins and Jermareo Davidson can be. To do anything else would be irresponsible.