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November 20, 2008
Enough hand-wringing about roster moves
Let me suggest something to all of you who read and respond to this blog:
Chill.
There’s such an impatience among some of you about how the Bobcats are trying to get better. Every move they make – cutting Andre Brown and Linton Johnson, looking to sign Dwayne Jones – is being treated like a make-or-break decision.
Everything is important, but not THAT important.
Andre Brown and Johnson were not key parts and they were never portrayed to be. They were worthy experiments, just like Jones will be, but you keep trying different things until something clicks.
Not much is clicking right now, and in their fifth season, they should be making progress toward the playoffs. If they weren’t contacting Antonio McDyess’s agent, they’d be screwing up their jobs. But considering how much money McDyess has already banked, it’s likely he'll sign with some legitimate title contender.
And in the meantime, what to make of Larry Brown? Because he’s a great coach with a record of fixing messes, some of you expected instant improvement. I never did. Mike Gminski, one of the smartest basketball players I’ll ever cover, warned me that Brown’s cerebral, challenging approach means his teams often get worse temporarily before they get better.
That doesn’t mean 3-7 is acceptable or that roster moves aren’t warranted. But things just aren’t as urgent as some of you think.
Rash decisions could really make things worse, not better. Change, exclusively for the sake of change, seldom helps.
Posted by Observer Sports on November 20, 2008 at 08:26 AM | Permalink
Comments
Why does Coach Brown not start Hollins or Ajinca and move Okafor back to the 4. Both of those players could chase perimeter big men and let Okafor remain in the post. Maybe they can even bring Primoz back
Posted by: Eric | Nov 20, 2008 9:30:04 AM
I agree with you there Rick, it's too much of a microwave reaction to wonder why something big isn't happening right now. And why so and so isn't being brought in for contract talks, or why isn't LB starting this player or doing that.
Not to justify any failures the front office might have, but it's pretty silly to assume (we all know what that does)that they can just shanghai players into playing for a club that they're not interested in. We also cannot assume that Rick knows about players being brought in before they're brought in, he's just human people, not something from the terminator films.
And lastly, that anyone on this board would ever ASSUME to know more about who to play in a lineup or how anything in basketball might work better than Larry Brown is the epitome of ignorance. I'm sorry, there is just no way anyone here, and probably in the state right now, has any better idea than Larry Brown (or any proven coach)on how to run a basketball team. Frustration is understood with a losing record, but don't go thinking LB should be starting a certain player because of what you saw on some BLOGspot fan page...
Posted by: Daniel | Nov 20, 2008 9:40:26 AM
I can't imagine that McDyess will sign with the Bcats, but isn't it a little surprising that he hasn't just resigned with pistons?
I guess it could just mean he's looking at the celtics and Lakers, etc, but I still like the connection with Brown. If he's in it for the ring that's one thing, if he's in it to be a mentor or bc he likes the environment, the bcats have a chance.
Posted by: A Fan | Nov 20, 2008 10:00:39 AM
McDyess can't resign with the Pistons for 30 days, so Dec 10th ish is when he can resign with them. And Cleveland wants him bad and they are a contender this year. Really depends on what McDyess wants, a ring or minutes.
Posted by: BlockParty | Nov 20, 2008 10:12:02 AM
Oh, boo hoo. We're fans; we question, we comment, we critique, it's what we do. If we didn't then it would mean we didn't care. Oh and Daniel, are saying that Larry Brown is infallible? Because I'm pretty sure there is evidence that he is not the Second Coming.
Posted by: Bro. D. | Nov 20, 2008 10:33:17 AM
Who is this Dwayne Jones guy? Why can't I find him on youtube?!?!
Posted by: Pruf | Nov 20, 2008 10:34:44 AM
Raymond Felton should be the first Bobcats starter to go. He has made no noticable progress since he arrived at UNC. He still makes the same exact out of control decisions and bone headed turn overs that he made as a freshman in college.
Posted by: bobcatbilly | Nov 20, 2008 10:58:18 AM
How cool would it have been if Bonnell dropped an EPMD reference and said you gots to chill?
Posted by: Bro. D. | Nov 20, 2008 11:03:11 AM
I think people are going nuts because the moves that have been made the previous years have not made the team better. The frustration is just boiling over and this is an easy place to vent.
I mean from my own point of view I wonder... when all these players were picked or traded for, what was the vision behind that? What kind of team have the bobcats management been trying to create? What kind of locker environment are they trying to cultivate? And as a fan it's hard to see that right now, so you end up with rants and tirades on the internet and a lot of angst about the W-L column.
Posted by: David | Nov 20, 2008 11:06:26 AM
Either the NBA and The Bobcats are going to be a serious competitor and people would come to watch them win or it is just pure entertainment. If they are just a novelty entertainment organization, they've run through most of the curious people who pulled the curtain back to see the six legged lamb and two headed dog. Unfortunately, the entertainment "circus" fun level is low and the team is not even competitive. Either you go for music, beer and t-shirts or the pure love of basketball. Either way, people are voting....by not showing up.
Posted by: Rick Brunwinner | Nov 20, 2008 11:35:00 AM
Right on, Bro D.!
I have a lot of respect for Larry Brown as a high caliber basketball professional. He sure knows a lot more about the game of basketball than anyone posting here - me, you or anyone else. But, infallible, or beyond criticism, he is not. Beyond expertise (in any field), there are judgment calls and choices, and these can be challenged, Daniel. For instance, the Bobcats' 2008 draft picks; they reflect Larry Brown's preferences, but that doesn't necessarily make these choices the best available to our team at that time. Or, rotations; LB was heavily criticized during his Knicks' tenure for rotation patterns that were causing a lot of confusion in the team (never mind the fans).
Having said this, I totally agree with Rick's main point: fans shouldn't rush to judgment! It's early in the season, and there is still plenty of time to achieve improvements with this team. No need for sweeping, Doomsday conclusions at this time. In the meantime, fans definitely have a right to post their opinions, including critical ones.
Posted by: Sandy | Nov 20, 2008 11:49:44 AM
Dwayne Jones is the guy who got his nose broken by the Temple player who was brought in to deliver a cheap foul against St. Joe's years ago. He can also rebound and block shots, something we haven't had this year. Also if anyone has seen Alexis in pregame warm ups. He is a serious problem. He is quick and he has a good jump shot from 15. I see why he was drafted. If were gonna cut players at least experiment with players on the roster than haven't been given any type of significant playing time in these first ten games.
Posted by: Jay | Nov 20, 2008 12:37:38 PM
Felton should be the first to go? He may not be an All-Star, but look at some of the starting point guards out there. Jameer Nelson? Mike Conley? Mario Chalmers? Antonio Daniels? Raefer Alston? Luke Ridnour? Steve Blake? Earl Watson? Then there's Golden State, which starts like three shooting guards and no true PG. Hate to break it to you, but when you look around the league, Felton is no worse than average. We can win with Felton and Augustin as our point guards. They just need talent around them.
Most notably, this team has a huge, gaping, obvious hole at power forward. Okafor needs to play center because he can't defend the four, and God bless Dudley for his effort, but that kid should be the 11th or 12th man on an NBA roster. THAT is our problem, and until we get better talent in the front court, we'd still struggle even if our point guard was Chris Paul or whoever.
And, you know, this is a fifth-year expansion team. People act like it's some kind of outrage that they're struggling. Show me a fifth-year franchise that dominated in any sport.
Posted by: E@rl Cureton | Nov 20, 2008 12:48:03 PM
Ok E@rl, how about the Jaguars and Panthers both making the conference championship in their 3rd year. The Minnesota Wild of the NHL made the conference championship in their third year.
The fact is due to inept management this team stinks and will continue to stink until MJ and his cronies are kicked to the curb.
Posted by: I sit near Buzz | Nov 20, 2008 1:08:10 PM
Rick...seems that there is alot of talk in Newark right now about a trade w/ the Nets (see hoops hype). The article mentions Wallace, Carrol and AMMO. It mentions we are open to trading Wallace for a "player of consequence" any ideas here?
Posted by: eleaf14 | Nov 20, 2008 1:14:02 PM
http://www.nj.com/nets/index.ssf/2008/11/new_jersey_nets_lopez_works_on.html
Rick,
NJ trade talks seem to be open. They mention Wallace, Carroll, and Morrison. However Wallace is mentioned for a player "Of Consequence"? Thoughts...
Posted by: eleaf14 | Nov 20, 2008 1:23:54 PM
Guys; The guy who wrote that story in the Newark Star-Ledger is one of my best friends. That was a one-paragraph note at the end of a story about something else, and actually resulted from a convesation he and I had Wednesday. He asked me what I thought the Bobcats were willing to give up, potentially. What you read was my answer including that Wallace could only be had for a "player of consequence.''
Certainly, the Nets are a logical trade partner, particularly since Jordan and Rod Thorn talk a lot (Thorn drafted Jordan in Chicago). But that's really all that note in the Newark paper was about.
Posted by: rick bonnell | Nov 20, 2008 3:30:24 PM
Why would Felton be the first to go? I don't see how that helps anything. I think we need to trade one of our big contracts. We aren't going to get a low post scorer for Felton, and until we get that we are going to be garbage. It doesn't matter who is playing PG, not even Chris Paul could get it done with the pieces we have. I would suggest we try to move Okafor's contract. That could wind up being a real burden in the future.
Posted by: Eddie | Nov 20, 2008 3:41:16 PM
hey, bonnell,
can you hear me. steal superstar from BAD BAD TEAM!!!!!TELL TO YOUR LAZY LOW IQ FO. ONLY VINCER CARTER IS SUPERSTAR ON THAT TEAM. USELESS!!!!
Posted by: lancer | Nov 20, 2008 8:38:00 PM
Wish TW had the NFL Network then I would not be posting a comment on the Bobcat Johnson/Jordans.
Basically folks, they suck. They have made horrible decisions in each and every draft and free agency has mostly been something the rest of the league does.
It is really hard to take a free arena and screw it up but Bobcat Johnson has done exactly that. Can you imagine the opportunity that he had to be incredibly successful if he could have just been interested in Charlotte.
Bottom line, arrogance. In a great big way. So he looks for help from someone who is humble and able to reconnect with the commoners of Charlotte.
MJ?
Geesh.
And now someone wants to say that Felton is as good as the list of mediocre point guards? First, not all on that list are mediocre. Second, Felton pretty much sucks. Was a reach in the top 10, no wait, 100. He sucks!
May sucks.
Ammo sucks. Troubles me that I know his nickname.
Won't be too long til the Checkers have larger crowds.
Sell it Bobcat Johnson, not to the arrogant underwear salesman but to an ownership group that gets it.
Posted by: cmo | Nov 20, 2008 9:25:05 PM
I had a feeling Larry Brown's style would require the team to get worse before it got better, especially since the roster is ill-suited for him and he went out to get two players he could mold as projects...But the Bobcats have seemed close to making the leap to the playoffs for a couple years now, and with all the bad shakes (injuries, Sam Vincent) it seemed we were finally in a position to step it up. Its just disappointing for us to grit and bear through some more bad ball. Inferior talent, superior effort, we can support. Total confusion is just discouraging.
We hear ya Rick, but we're trying to find some rays of sunshine to keep us committed, so we can get through the hard times.
Posted by: Jon | Nov 20, 2008 10:01:43 PM
I never said Larry Brown was infallible. I didn't even imply it. But if you compared his experience to coaching a NBA team to anyone posting on this board, he might as well be. I do agree though, paying fans have every right to gripe. Now, if it's February and we're playoffs bound, and people are still crying, then it will just appear ungrateful.
Posted by: Daniel | Nov 21, 2008 12:20:47 PM
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