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May 08, 2008
Integrity, and a laudable body of work
I plan to write more extensively about this in tomorrow's Observer, but here's a quick impression of Bernie Bickerstaff's tenure with the Bobcats:
He's a man of exceptional integrity and candor. And the Bobcats will be worse for his absence from the decision-making process.
Bickerstaff is leaving -- the story broke on charlotte.com earlier today -- and I think it's sad the organization is losing his wisdom. Bickerstaff was patient and sensible; he understood that rushing the expansion process would never lead to lasting success.
(The Carolina Panthers missed that point; they reached the NFC Championship Game their second season, but it was a mirage. The hangover from that party strung up the Panthers' salary cap with a bunch of aging, expensive veterans too close to retirement.)
Bernie left Michael Jordan with the cap room to make that Jason Richardson trade. The Golden State Warriors weren't looking for Brandan Wright so much as they were determined to fix their bloated payroll. Absorbing Richardson's salary, without sending much salary obligation to the Warriors, made the Bobcats an ideal trade partner.
I hope the restraint Bernie exercised -- not wasting big money on mediocre veterans -- is a lesson learned by Jordan and general manager Rod Higgins.
Sure, Bernie made mistakes -- he should have given up the 5th and 13th picks in 2005 to draft Chris Paul -- but his body of work as general manager and coach here was laudable.
Some other franchise should gobble him up, because he has plenty left to offer, either in a front office or mentoring a young head coach.
Posted by Observer Sports on May 8, 2008 at 02:26 PM | Permalink
Comments
It's nice that you applaud Bernie for being financially responsible after years of calling him and his organization cheap.
You can't be fired quick enough, Bonnell.
Posted by: Will | May 8, 2008 2:42:16 PM
It's nice to know that Bonnell can unite us, Will. He is that terrible of a writer. While I don't agree with your summation of Felton as a flop, atleast your dialogue actually sparks some conversation and you stick by your guns.
Bonnell is simply terrible with no ability to analyze the team he is paid to cover. I'd rather have you writing about the bcats than Bonnell. And I'd almost prefer Procton...
Posted by: Bonnell = Procton | May 8, 2008 4:13:54 PM
Actually I think Observer readers would love Procton's haterade.
Posted by: apauldds | May 8, 2008 4:35:56 PM
Bernie was the man. He had a plan and stuck to it. He may not have been the best X's and O's coach ever, but his players respected him and played hard for him. The same couldn't be said for Vincent, and that's why he is out the door. Thanks Bernie!
Posted by: Bobcat Matt | May 8, 2008 5:08:20 PM
Bernie is leaving because he really had no role. Bernie was instrumental in building this team looking specifically for long athletic basketball players that could defend. I guarantee that in 2006 when the Bobcats had the 3rd pick in the Draft Bickerstaff was looking too add Rudy Gay, Jordan and his cronies came onto the scene right before that draft and changed everything selecting Adam Morrison. (No offense, but Morrison is a college scorer, not the long, quick, athletic player that can play tight defense.) From that moment Bernie's fate was sealed. He had no voice, no true role, and his vision of this team was changed. The Bobcats may not realize this but losing Bernie is a BIG loss.
Posted by: mdizzy5 | May 8, 2008 5:14:43 PM
Ooooooa what a sin! This here's Seans momma back from the islands. I been hearin' ole Bernie he but ready to run. Gunna be a shame too. He a fine man. Make the players feel all good about themselves. Say alot for a man when he be'in praised by the congregation long before he ready to go into the ground. Now who gunna do all Bernie's hard work for Mr Michael? Lordy, poor Mr Higgins. He gunna be burnin' some oil to fill them shoes while ole Mr Michael out playin golf and filmin' all them commercials. Gunna light me a candle for Mr Rod for sure tonight.
Now I gumma tell ya. Read some them bloggers while I gone. Some you boys need to do somethin' 'bout you dirty mouths. Talkin 'bout man love with Michael Proctonater and all. And especially Will, you little weisel. I swear Will, yo momma didnt suckle you long enough or somethin'. Will, and a few of you boys (and you know who you are), you need to go out to yo garage and grab you a pair of plyers. Latch on to that evil tongue of yo's and pull it straight out!. And while you whale'n and cryin', run out yo back yard and throw it far out into the grass so some ole nasty racoon can eat it. That about all that tongue is good for. Clean it up boys and talk sports and keep yo evil mind out of the gutter.
Now finally, wanna tell y'all I was at that Wachovia golf thing this Sunday. Settin' all pretty in one of them tents on the 19th green. Woooo what a fine event watchin' that little chinese boy hit that ball, smilin. Shakin' folks hands and all. Now heres momma's lesson: you know a man proud when he do what he dont need to do to say thank you. You listenin' out there Mister Johnson. Sayin thank you aint no hard thing. Only hard when you dont mean it. So listen here Mister Johnson, ole momma better be hearin' some big thank you's the next few days about ole Bernie. You owe him a big one. And if I dare see you squintin' or strainin' like you been all clogged up, I'll be callin you up for a piece of my mind.
Y'all be good. It's momma's day this Sunday. You know what that means? NO EXCUSES you hoodlums. Kiss yo momma. Give her a big hug...and most of all...say thank you. She'll know what you mean.
Posted by: seansmomma | May 8, 2008 6:02:51 PM
A very sad day for the organization. Bickerstaff is easily the best front office member the Bobcats have ever had. He built this team right, and until Michael Jordan got his own greasy hands (along with those of his cronies...SAM VINCENT) involved, this team was upwardly trending towards being one of the best expansion teams out of the box that has ever existed. Bickerstaff more than likely would have had the team in the playoffs this year. At least htey would have played hard.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 8, 2008 10:09:03 PM
A very sad day for the organization. Bickerstaff is easily the best front office member the Bobcats have ever had. He built this team right, and until Michael Jordan got his own greasy hands (along with those of his cronies...SAM VINCENT) involved, this team was upwardly trending towards being one of the best expansion teams out of the box that has ever existed. Bickerstaff more than likely would have had the team in the playoffs this year. At least they would have played hard.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 8, 2008 10:09:57 PM
I agree with all those saddened to see Bernie leaving. He did a great job building up a hard playing, competitive, NBA team from scratch. One of the things I liked about Bernie is that he cared about the players' character as much as he cared about their athleticism, or skills; he wouldn't pick undisciplined guys, trouble makers. (If Isiah Thomas had learned this lesson, he would've been in better shape now probably!). Rick is perfectly right to say that Bernie's wisdom will be greatly missed in the Bobcats' future decision making. Bernie has a cautious, patient, balanced kind of judgment, while Michael Jordan's calls tend to be much more adventurous, risk-taking. I used to think that reaching some kind of happy middle between MJ's always high aspirations, and Bernie's more patient approach will be best for managing this team. It looks like this is not how MJ saw it, it looks like he didn't appreciate Bernie enough and he didn't make him feel still wanted as part of the Bobcats' management (or maybe, he made him feel just the opposite, I don't know). Too bad for the Bobcats...
Posted by: Sandy | May 8, 2008 10:56:28 PM
Procton,
How did he build this team right when it was Bernie who turned down the trade up to #3 in the draft that would have gotten us Paul? Bernie said Paul was his #1 choice but felt that Felton was a close second. he also drafted May. You always contradict yourself.
Posted by: Mason | May 9, 2008 12:13:27 AM
No executive can hit on every move they make. On the whole, though, I'd much rather have Felton and May (their reasonable contracts will expire eventually) than Nazr "23 MPG" Mohammed.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 9, 2008 11:11:17 AM
I think Bernie was a great guy and motivated players to perform at a higher level than many expected possible. Jason Richardson is the best thing that has happened to this franchise though and I find it idiotic that Bonnell is trashing that trade. J-Rich will be an all star next year and he is the building block for the franchise with his durability. Larry Brown is a good coach when surrounded with talent but terrible at making due with average players. I believe the Bobcats have a lot of talent that Larry could guide to a "possible" playoff berth in a weak Eastern Conference.
Posted by: Matt | May 9, 2008 12:51:31 PM
I think Bernie was a great guy and motivated players to perform at a higher level than many expected possible. Jason Richardson is the best thing that has happened to this franchise though and I find it idiotic that Bonnell is trashing that trade. J-Rich will be an all star next year and he is the building block for the franchise with his durability. Larry Brown is a good coach when surrounded with talent but terrible at making due with average players. I believe the Bobcats have a lot of talent that Larry could guide to a "possible" playoff berth in a weak Eastern Conference.
Posted by: Matt | May 9, 2008 12:52:43 PM
Hell, man, Felton and May combined are barely getting paid more than Mohammed combined. At least we can get rid of those perpetual disappointments after this year.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 10, 2008 12:34:50 PM
Oh, and Will, I'll remind you, as usual, that three playoff appearances, three conference finals, and one league final are all more than zero, and as for your final point, 23% is better than 0%. Oh, and the Panthers' overall AVERAGE of 46.6% also happens to be about 20% better than the Bobcat's ALL-TIME best of 40.2%. You got a long ways to catch up.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 10, 2008 12:41:35 PM
I'm looking at the Hornets and Bobcats entire body of work in Charlotte, not just the Bobcats (obviously). Even though to the Bobcats' credit, if they win more than they lose 3 times in the next 9 years, they'll be just as successful as the Panthers' first 13 seasons.
The Hornets left town with a decade-long streak of finishing .500 or better, whereas the Panthers have had only five seasons where they've finished .500 or better. And needless to say, Shinn's Hornets are doing pretty well at the moment.
Procton, what do you think of Barry Bonds holding the home run title?
Posted by: Will | May 10, 2008 12:57:37 PM
Will you may as well become a panther fan, because you are fighting a fight you will never win with your BobJohnson Cats.
PANTHERS AND HORNETS = PRICLESS
GO HORNETS
GO PANTHERS
MAYBE THE IGNORANT ORGANIZATION CATS WILL DO BETTER IN SEATTLE.
Posted by: BobJohnsonIsAnIgnorantBlackMan | May 10, 2008 2:16:37 PM
They probably will, maybe our two former NBA teams can fight for the chance to go to the Finals, all the while the "winning organization" that is the Carolina Panthers do what they do best...
...no, not steroids silly...
...lose!
Posted by: Will | May 10, 2008 2:30:14 PM
If you're really asking, I'm a huge supporter of Barry Bonds. He's done nothing proven as either illegal or against the rules of baseball. He's played against the competition his era has to offer, and he's excelled. In my opinion, he's a first ballot Hall of Famer, unlike that disgraced loser Roger Clemens.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 10, 2008 3:04:39 PM
I remember one time being at the Palm's with my wife in their first year at the Arena (our first year with season tickets). Bernie was an assistant were having a drink and my wife went up and introduced herself. Bernie invited us to sit down and we watched the Panthers lost to the Falcons in OT. Never before have I seen a person in the public spot light so polite and kind to two random people. Bernie will be missed - not just for the foundation he left us with.
Posted by: hal | May 14, 2008 5:07:24 PM
I remember one time being at the Palm's with my wife in their first year at the Arena (our first year with season tickets). Bernie was with an assistant having a drink (only one drink, btw)and my wife went up and introduced herself. Bernie invited us to sit down and we watched the Panthers lost to the Falcons in OT. Never before have I seen a person in the public spot light so polite and kind to two random people. Bernie will be missed - not just for the foundation he left us with.
Posted by: hal | May 14, 2008 5:08:55 PM
I remember one time being at the Palm's with my wife in their first year at the Arena (our first year with season tickets). Bernie was with an assistant having a drink (only one drink, btw)and my wife went up and introduced herself. Bernie invited us to sit down and we watched the Panthers lost to the Falcons in OT. Never before have I seen a person in the public spot light so polite and kind to two random people. Bernie will be missed - not just for the foundation he left us with.
Posted by: hal | May 14, 2008 5:09:34 PM
I remember one time being at the Palm's with my wife in their first year at the Arena (our first year with season tickets). Bernie was with an assistant having a drink (only one drink, btw)and my wife went up and introduced herself. Bernie invited us to sit down and we watched the Panthers lost to the Falcons in OT. Never before have I seen a person in the public spot light so polite and kind to two random people. Bernie will be missed - not just for the foundation he left us with.
Posted by: hal | May 15, 2008 5:07:25 PM
Eric,
Actually, in that last 25 games (30% of the season) that we dreaded before the year after cutting McInnis, they showed solid chemistry in the 12 (8-4) games without Wallace while going 5-8 with him. As I said, the players mentioned this.
BTW, I think Gerald COULD be good in the halfcourt as well. I am telling you however, that if we don't find another shooter to put on that floor at the 4 or 5 to give us a floor spreader and pick and pop option, you will see more stalled out possessions. Another alternative is for Gerald to continue perfecting that corner three to make himself a legit threat out there to provide space in the lane for Okafor and Felton while making teams pay if they play off him there.
The reason the offense worked in those games without him is because pairing Richardson with Carroll, spreading the floor and putting legit shooting on the floor. It also created easier buckets for Okafor as well while giving Nazr more pick and pop opportunities out to 14 feet as Felton got in the lane averaging 9.8 assists per game with a 3.2/1 a/t ratio while the TEAM averaged nearly 107 pts in these 12 (8-4) games in comparison to the 97 they averaged in the 13 (5-8) games with him.
That's +10 on the scoreboard and +.282 on the win percentage.
My point is this. The Bobcats have a flawed set of skillsets for the current NBA with the conventional lineup that folks propose. You need shooting on the floor and versatility in the frontcourt. That is a PERSONNEL issue. And it's one Bobcats fans need to look around the league and better understand. If Gerald comes back and is a knock down shooter, it becomes a moot point. But until then, if he is at the 3 with Okafor on the floor, the other frontcourt player needs to be able to extend the floor.
Posted by: jperry | Jun 12, 2008 2:56:05 PM
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