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December 07, 2008
Bobcats may have to fill both forward spots Monday
The Charlotte Bobcats could be without both their starting forwards for Monday's road game against the Miami Heat.
Small forward Gerald Wallace was home in Alabama Sunday, following the death of his grandmother. It was unclear at Sunday practice whether Wallace would miss any or all of the three games on this road trip to Miami, New Orleans and Dallas.
And coach Larry Brown told the Observer Sunday he might shut down power forward Sean May for one or more games, to address a case of tendonitis in May's right knee. That's the same knee that required micro-fracture surgery to repair a deep bone bruise last October.
May told the Observer he's had tendonitis for about two weeks, and while there's no swelling in the joint he's getting daily ice and electric stimulation treatments to keep the condition from worsening.
May sat out Sunday practice, except for some weight training and stationary-bike exercise.
Brown said he wasn't sure who he'd start if both forwards are out, but Jared Dudley likely would fill one of the spots.
Posted by Observer Sports on December 7, 2008 at 01:44 PM | Permalink
Comments
Rick,
I was searching the web today and saw a rumor of Gerald Wallace to Minnesota for Mccants and Collins. Any word on this? Also, Where were you sitting for the Cavs game? I didn't see you at the scorers' table.
Posted by: 12 minutes of Bobcat Energy | Dec 7, 2008 2:11:24 PM
Media doesn't typically sit at the scorer's table at Bobcats home games. We're generally at the top of the lower bowl, sitting at tables on the bench side of the arena.
I asked a source about that Minnesota stuff. He didn't totally dismiss the idea of some trade with the Timberwolves, but he sounded like Wallace for McCants and Collins would be pretty hard to justify.
In my mind, that would be nothing but a salary dump. What does this team need with another shooting guard and another $6 million center of limited ability? The only incentive for such a deal would be acquiring short-term contracts in exchange for Gerald's long-term deal.
But what a terrible message you'd be sending to the fans; Gerald plays as hard as anyone in this league, and you'd exchange him for some future cap room?
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Dec 7, 2008 2:30:25 PM
That is probably why I don't see you. I sit on the bench side as well. I wouldn't put it past the Bobcats to acquire another Tarheel for the best player on the team. It would be right up there alley. I wonder if Rod Higgins thinks McCants will get us to the Playoffs.
Posted by: 12 minutes of Bobcat Energy | Dec 7, 2008 2:41:29 PM
If we were dumping salary, Why wouldn't we get rid of Nazr, Carrol, or Morrison? They don't play a combined 12 minutes a game and make more money than they are worth.
Posted by: 12 minutes of Bobcat Energy | Dec 7, 2008 2:44:47 PM
Well for one, no one would want to take on any of their salaries. Gerald at least has some value versus the 'scrubs' you mentioned.
Posted by: I sit near Buzz | Dec 7, 2008 2:52:43 PM
12 minutes:
Your last comment presumes they COULD trade Mohammed or Carroll without taking back a similarly unappealing contract.
If they were to trade Wallace for Collins and McCants, it would have nothing to do with where McCants went to school. It would be about both of their contracts expiring at the end of this season.
To me, that's not a good enough reason to do it. But it would undo some of the mistake of trading expiring contracts for Mohammed last season.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Dec 7, 2008 3:06:41 PM
Cats need another big man to help out okafor down low immediately..any ideas Bonnell on what they could try to do? Possibly try to get something worth their while instead of a random, unnecessary trade..
Posted by: Brett Johnson | Dec 7, 2008 3:24:45 PM
I would do that trade. Mccants is a more accurate shooter, hes just as fast as Wallace & is a better finisher. Collins adds another big body to back up May & Dudley. Wallace has been a great player but hes still more of a role guy, better suited for coming off the bench. I bet Mccants could put up 15-20 points, the same as Wallace, plus Collins could add rebounding & defense.
Posted by: marvel | Dec 7, 2008 3:35:53 PM
Brett:
What they should HAVE done was get Marcus Camby when the Nuggets were in salary-dump mode. They couldn't get into that because they gave up cap room last winter in the Mohammed trade.
An idea what they could do? I wonder if they could make a trade with Sacramento for Brad Miller. That would be risky -- you'd be acquiring an older big man with a big salary -- but Brad has offensive skills, both as a scorer and a passer -- that none of the Bobcats big men currently possess.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Dec 7, 2008 3:43:28 PM
I think they should dump the entire team and sign walk ons from the YMCA.
Please declare bankruptcy Bob and leave. You shut the WNBA down. Do it again.
We only go to games when we want to see stars from the other team.
Posted by: jay | Dec 7, 2008 3:52:26 PM
jay, if you dont like the team, and want them to move, why would you waste any valuable time to read about them and post messages regarding them? Oh, I forgot, you must not have anything else better to do. How Pathetic!! I dont understand why anybody would want an NBA team to move out of their city. There are only 30 of these teams in the entire world and we are lucky enough to have a team. This city cant gain anything by the Bobcats leaving.
Posted by: Jeff | Dec 7, 2008 4:17:29 PM
thanks jeff. your statement was on time!
Posted by: mdizzy5 | Dec 7, 2008 6:38:19 PM
Did marvel just say that McCants is a better finisher than wallace?....just making sure.....
W O W ! ! !
Posted by: James | Dec 7, 2008 6:57:06 PM
Anyone who approves a Wallace-mcCAN'Ts/Collins deal obviously hasn't seen many Minnesota games. McCants is a one-dimensional player with a bad attitude, Collins is about as stiff as they come in the NBA. Simply ask yourself this: Why would the bobcats want two ROLE players from one of the few teams with a worse record than their own?
Posted by: David | Dec 7, 2008 7:00:26 PM
Jeff,
The city of Charlotte COULD benefit from the Bobcats moving out. Sean May would move, which would cause the average obesity level to go down.
Posted by: 12 minutes of Bobcat Energy | Dec 7, 2008 7:06:11 PM
I think the Bobcat front office need to do serious soul searching because time and again, they let good players go for some dum mistakes that's taking this team no where. Gerald Wallace is one of the best players Bobcat present has and trading him for salary cap is a big mistake. Why don't they trade Matt Carroll, Nazr Mohammed, Sean May, who will never improve beyond his present status and three other players on that roaster (Shannon Brown,Adam Morrison & Ajinca)for some good players. Afterall, you can do some salary caps with these players instead of given up one of your best player for salary caps. As far as I know, Gerald Wallace is under rated on this team and if he was to play for teams like the Lakers, Celtics, Spurs or even Cleveland, he's a very good player. Let the front office start doing some soul searching because their decisions are taken this team no where, but loosing all the time.
Posted by: aaron.siafa | Dec 7, 2008 7:11:52 PM
Yes James I typed that. How many times has Wallace tried to drive only to get his shot blocked or fall on the ground & miss the lay up? Alot, I think Wallace is a good six man at best, definitely not starting material. His shot has always been suspect, something he still hasnt improved on, yes, he gives you heart & effort but talent has to come into play too. Wallace is also about a concussion away from not playing, not to mention hes wildly inconsistant. This team will never get to the playoffs trying to make superstars out of guys like Wallace & Okafor. They would be role players at best on other teams.
Posted by: marvel | Dec 7, 2008 9:03:43 PM
I'm thinking this trade, is not for charlotte. Mccants will be packaged with someone else and traded. Collins stays here as charlotte is still looking for someone more productive than Sean May.
Posted by: chknwing | Dec 7, 2008 9:41:59 PM
Dude marvel, I don't think you could be more wrong, except for the Okafor statement. Wallace is a beast who shot a career low .450 last season. He's not a bad shooter as long as Sam Vincent doesn't have him taking 25 foot jumpers and his driving is amongst the best in the league. There are very few teams he would come off the bench for... maybe Boston. I don't know where else. You've also got to keep in mind he's doing more than he should for the Bobcats since his secondary position should be SG instead of PF.
As for Okafor, I honestly think if you put any big body on the Bobcats with his minutes since they've been in the league they would get the same numbers or better. He's not that talented, he's just got size and the face of the franchise going for him.
Posted by: Nick | Dec 7, 2008 10:06:50 PM
Marvel you are way off dude, except for the Okafor thing. Wallace is a beast. As long as Sam Vincent doesn't have him shooting 25 foot jumpers like he did last season, and he still shot a career low 45% last year. He's a decent outside shooter who drives among the best in the league. He also does more than he should, since his ideal secondary position should be SG instead of PF. Plus his man defense is great, he locks down Kobe (as much as anyone can) whenever they play the Lakers. There isn't a team other than the Celtics where he would come off the bench.
And Okafor is kind of the problem. If you plugged any big body in his role with the team for the years he has been a Bobcat they would get the same numbers or better. Somebody's got to get the rebounds and interior buckets (which he barely even seems capable of getting).
Posted by: Nick | Dec 7, 2008 10:18:39 PM
And I feel like a jackass for typing the same entire thing twice...
Posted by: Nick | Dec 7, 2008 10:20:07 PM
Not to worry "Nick" sometimes you have to rewrite things to get your point across correctly... But there is a point and Wallace is one of the best slashers in the game, he is the definition of slasher. And with his inept ability to get steals and blocks he is a fantasy players dream... And if he is not forced to take 25 footers his percentage can be amongst the better in this league... That is the whole reason they brought JRich here to add the 3 point shooting to stretch the D so wallace can make his drives...
If that trade with Minnesota is true, then I will feel like some of the bloggers on here. They will have 3 of the 2005 UNC National Championship starters on the team... Might as well call Atlanta and Cleveland and make a trade for Marvin Williams and Jawad Williams... And if they think that is a way to sell tickets this team wont be around long... I hope that is not the case and they are looking to be involved with a multi-team-player trade...
Back to this title, Jared Dudley is a great all-around player who is also basketball smart... he will only help when out there, and can guard multiple positions... He needs more minutes 4 sho...
Holla!!!
Posted by: T-Dub | Dec 8, 2008 2:30:09 AM
Sorry to nitpick, but I think you confused inept and adept.
Okafor may be limited offensively, but he is a solid defender and the best rebounder on the team if not one of the best rebounders in the league. That's not just my opinion, that's numbers. If you really think you can just throw any "big body" out there and get the same type of production, then you're crazy.
Posted by: David | Dec 8, 2008 2:36:19 AM
Maybe under these circumstances Nazr Mohammed will get more minutes. It's beyond my understanding why Larry Brown isn't giving him more playing time. Last time he played, against the Bucks, he looked very tentative, not poised at all. In my opinion, only getting consistently significant minutes can restore his confidence and ability to bring a solid contribution to the team (how about 23-24 minutes per game, similar to last season?). Otherwise, even the few minutes on the floor he's getting start looking like a waste of time... It's about confidence, as much as about getting in a rhythm.
Posted by: Sandy | Dec 8, 2008 11:08:50 AM
MN fan here, just following some Wallace rumors. Maybe I'm missing something, but you guys don't seem too high on him - I've been a fan of his since catching glimpses of him with the Kings. Is it the concussions? Too many long jumpers? General inconsistency? Haven't seen much of his play this season, so any info would be appreciated.
Anyway, the scoop on Rashad is that he's on a ridiculously short leash over here - if he makes one or two bonehead decisions, he's riding pine. This may change now that Wittman is gone and we lost Corey Brewer for the season. Rashad still really gets down on himself when he misses shots.
Wolves fans were a little excited at Collins, as it would allow Al Jefferson to move over to his natural PF position, but it's been mostly a failed experiment so far. Rashad and Collins for Wallace seems unfair from a talent perspective, but maybe better from a salary one. I've also heard things about the Wolves trying to get Raymond Felton (we're desperate for a PG at the moment).
Posted by: anton | Dec 8, 2008 12:49:50 PM
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