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July 07, 2008
Observations from Las Vegas
* You’re probably as surprised as I am that Emeka Okafor turned down that $12 million-plus-per-year offer last summer. The way I hear it, Okafor was so close to accepting it he indicated to at least one teammate he would, just before the deadline for an extension. I hear the Bobcats and Okafor’s representatives have had some discussions since free-agency started, but no heavy negotiations. When you’re a restricted free agent, coming to an agreement often is a deliberate process.
* The Bobcats don’t have to sign first-round picks D.J. Augustin and Alexis Ajinca before they start playing summer-league games Saturday in Las Vegas, but they’d like that behind them. The team will take more of a wait-and-see approach to second-round pick Kyle Weaver. They’ll likely evaluate his play in Las Vegas before finalizing a deal. Weaver’s versatility and defense should give him a decent shot at making the team.
* The Bobcats made it official that Larry Brown hired his brother, Herb, as an assistant coach. Reminds me of the nepotism fuss a few years back concerning Bernie Bickerstaff hiring son John-Blair. As it played out, J.B. Bickerstaff was the best assistant on that staff because he outworked just about everyone else in the organization. He was determined to prove he earned his paycheck, and now he’s with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Posted by Observer Sports on July 7, 2008 at 03:49 PM | Permalink
Comments
What's the observation Rick? Is Sean working out with the team? How does Raymond look in practice? Has he improved on his jumper? How does DJ and Ajinca look? How is LB doing with the team? This article has nothing to do with you being Las Vegas. Are you really in Vegas? Is something coming in a few days? The title has nothing to do with the information you provided.
Posted by: BobcatsFan | Jul 7, 2008 4:14:47 PM
Nice post...I thought we would actually find something out about the team...guess I was stupid to assume that!
Posted by: Bobcat Terry | Jul 7, 2008 5:22:37 PM
Since they don't start practicing until tomorrow (after originally planning to start yesterday), it's pretty hard to observe the team at this point.
There will be plenty on the team in the coming 8-10 days.
Posted by: Mike Persinger | Jul 7, 2008 5:29:40 PM
That is true that the league hasn't started, however, he still shouldn't have chose the title "Observation from Las Vegas."
Posted by: Yeah? | Jul 7, 2008 5:51:33 PM
You guys would have read it no matter what the title was. I would have at least. I just like talking ball.
Posted by: Jared | Jul 7, 2008 6:08:22 PM
How the hell can you screw up signing first-rounders? The league dictates the terms of the contract.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jul 7, 2008 6:25:30 PM
The blog did not say the Bobcats screwed up signing the first rounders. We are not the only team that hasn't signed their first rounders yet. I'm sure Augustin will be signed soon. They probably have to handle Ajinca's buyout before they can sign him so it's nothing to worry about.
Posted by: DS | Jul 7, 2008 8:28:43 PM
Beasley looked pretty good in his first game tonight. I know we didn't really have much that Miami wanted but it sure would have been nice to somehow move up and see him in a Bobcats jersey. I wonder if Miami plays Marion at the 3 or if they will try and trade him and his expiring contract?
Posted by: Mason | Jul 7, 2008 10:31:46 PM
Bonnell people rag on you a lot but man you deserve it this time. As others have said what the hell are the observations from Vegas? Those were 3 worthless "tidbits" you gave us.....man that sucked.
Posted by: WTF Bonnell? | Jul 7, 2008 11:02:25 PM
I read this daily and never comment, but I'm really tired of you guys ragging on Bonnell. Seriously, you should be glad you're getting observations in the middle of summer from summer league games. Who cares if the title is misleading, like someone else said you're going to read it anyways, so who cares, like you could do a better job.
Posted by: Matt | Jul 7, 2008 11:36:36 PM
I had to look like hell for this, needless to say I didn't get it from Bonnell.
Bobcats 2008 Summer League Roster
ALEXIS AJINCA C 7-0 220 FRANCE
DJ AUGUSTIN G 6-0 180 TEXAS
JACKIE BUTLER C 6-10 260 COASTAL CHRISTIAN HS
JERMAREO DAVIDSON F 6-10 230 CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
CHUCK DAVIS F 6-7 230 ALABAMA
GUILLERMO DIAZ G 6-2 185 MIAMI
JARED DUDLEY F 6-7 225 CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
ORIEN GREENE G 6-4 210 LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
DONNELL HARVEY F 6-8 225 FLORIDA
KYLE HINES F 6-6 230 UNC-GREENSBORO
RYAN HOLLINS C 7-0 230 CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
OTHELLO HUNTER F 6-8 225 OHIO STATE
DAVID LOGAN G 6-1 170 INDIANAPOLIS
JAMES MAYS F 6-9 230 CLEMSON
MUSTAFA SHAKUR G 6-3 190 ARIZONA
KYLE VISSER C 6-11 255 WAKE FOREST
BRANDON WALLACE F 6-9 205 SOUTH CAROLINA
KYLE WEAVER G 6-6 200 WASHINGTON STATE
I love Kyle Hines. Sleeper pick...
Posted by: BustaCat | Jul 8, 2008 2:30:40 AM
I wrote the headline, not Rick, so if it's the headline you take issue with rag me. In fact, Rick doesn't write any of the headlines (although sometimes he makes suggestions), the copy editors and editors do. Rick is in Las Vegas, there is opinion in the blog, so technically they are observations from Las Vegas. Of course, if your only intention is to anonymously rip an Observer writer, you don't care about that. Truth: We're spending a lot of money for summer league in Las Vegas, and not more than a couple of these guys (other than the regulars who are playing) will be Bobcats.
On charlotte.com today at http://www.charlotte.com/bobcats/
* A story on Adam Morrison, who will work out with the team in Las Vegas but not play in the games as he recovers from his serious knee injury. A tidbit: To escape the monotony of nine hours a day in a machine that moved his knee constantly to break up scar tissue, he tried to do it while he slept.
* A comment on each player on the roster.
* A look at the Bobcats' key issues to be resolved this summer.
There will be significant coverage for the next 8-10 days, and you won't get it anywhere but here.
Mike Persinger
Executive Sports Editor
The Charlotte Observer
mpersinger@charlotteobserver.com
(704) 358-5132
Posted by: Mike Persinger | Jul 8, 2008 7:43:33 AM
Bustacat,
The roster info was posted on the bobcats homepage yesterday. I found it quite easily.
Also I read from a Cleveland News source that the Cavs are interested in trading for Felton. I can't imagine the Bobs getting better from a trade like that but I was wondering what other people thought. Anyone like the idea of trading Felton to Cleveland? Who would you want back?
Posted by: Jared | Jul 8, 2008 8:00:50 AM
Raymond Felton does not need to be traded. He is a good combo gaurd who is very capable of developing into a true point guard. I am sure Larry Brown will get Raymond to maximize his untapped potential.
I don't think Weaver is going to make the team. I know the team likes his defensive prowess, but I could see an unsigned free agent taking Weaver's roster spot.
Posted by: Token | Jul 8, 2008 8:33:35 AM
Raymond Felton does not need to be traded. He is a good combo gaurd who is very capable of developing into a true point guard. I am sure Larry Brown will get Raymond to maximize his untapped potential.
I don't think Weaver is going to make the team. I know the team likes his defensive prowess, but I could see an unsigned free agent taking Weaver's roster spot.
Posted by: Token | Jul 8, 2008 8:33:42 AM
You're the man Mike! Way to stand up for Rick since everyone bashes him too.
Posted by: True Fan | Jul 8, 2008 11:09:22 AM
I'm excited that we've invited an interesting group of rooks and journeymen to Vegas, but where is Jason Richards of Davidson? Does anyone know why we didn't invite the NCAA regular season assist leader, Bob Cousy award finalist, and local fan favorite to camp? Was the plane ticket too expensive? Hotel room a bit more than Johnson could stomach? Did Jordan think he was the fat friend from Seinfeld? Ridiculous.
How many NCAA superlative players will we continue to pass on this off-season. If we would've drafted Chris Douglas-Roberts in the 2nd round, Bonnell's headline could've read, "Cats Nab Two 1st Team All-American's in Strong Draft" instead of the headline that more appropriately explained our choices, "Pourquoi?"
Does anyone know if Jason Richards was invited to anyone's summer league team?
Posted by: The Doctor | Jul 8, 2008 11:42:45 AM
The Summer League roster really shows how much stock Brown puts in the Pre-Draft Camps in Portsmouth and Orlando. Most of these guys (Hunter, Hines, Wallace, Visser) have performed really well there in the last year or two.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jul 8, 2008 11:43:41 AM
As for Felton to the Cavs, they don't really have the pieces to make it worth our while. Joe Smith might fit as a tough-minded low post player with a decent midrange game, and Damon Jones could come over and provide a good veteran bench option at PG who could show Augustin a thing or two about running the show at this level. Finally, Daniel Gibson, while he's an unsigned RFA looks good for a young player and is actually IMPROVING, unlike our young PG. Regardless, though, the salaries don't really match up for anything to go down between the Bobbies and the LeBrons.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jul 8, 2008 11:47:38 AM
To the "The Doctor"- Too bad Richards was already signed w/ Miami. Maybe Bob needs to take all his money, and buy a new rule that says you can take other teams players! Get a life, idiot.
Posted by: Bobcat Matt | Jul 8, 2008 1:04:39 PM
Jason Richards signed with the Heat's summer league team.
http://www.charlotte.com/bobcats/story/689461.html
On another note, please don't post with another poster's name. I don't want to make a habit of banning people, but that's something that'll get you booted. quickly. So will profanity. Thanks.
Posted by: Mike Persinger | Jul 8, 2008 1:08:43 PM
Bobcat Matt,
If you read my post again, you will find I WAS asking who he signed with (Thanks for the information), and questioning why the Bobcats didn't make a play to sign him ourselves. I was using the phrase 'invite to summer league' to imply 'sign to summer league'. Of course I realize assembling a summer league squad isn't as simple as mailing out invitations like a elementary school birthday party. All unsigned rookie free agents are up for grabs to any team after the draft, I am just wondering why we didn't grab him.
Perhaps you, sir, should get a life. A life less marked by discourteousness and vitriol and more peaceful and fulfilled.
Posted by: The Doctor | Jul 8, 2008 1:47:13 PM
Mr. Persinger, you will find that unfortunately at lot of these blogs end up having harsh comments on Bonnell and racists remarks about the Bobcats. It is quite annoying for those of us that just want to talk basketball.
I've criticized Bonnell too, but only for things that I truely felt were warranted, such as a reporting or spelling error.
Anyways, if you could get the trash posters off of this blog, that would be great!
Posted by: Yeah? | Jul 8, 2008 3:41:43 PM
Mr. Persinger, you will find that unfortunately at lot of these blogs end up having harsh comments on Bonnell and racist remarks about the Bobcats. It is quite annoying for those of us that just want to talk basketball.
I've criticized Bonnell too, but only for things that I truely felt were warranted, such as a reporting or spelling error.
Anyways, if you could get the trash posters off of this blog, that would be great!
Posted by: Yeah? | Jul 8, 2008 3:42:54 PM
Stray thoughts from my office chair:
Kyle Visser should be able to fill the minutes once occupied by Jake Voskuhl.
Posted by: LeeL | Jul 8, 2008 4:55:35 PM
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