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December 10, 2008
Trade makes Bobcats more of a Larry Brown team
An executive from another NBA team called my cell phone around nine tonight, to make this quite unsolicited comment on the Bobcats trade:
Huh?!?!
The guy couldn’t imagine how, empirically, the Bobcats have more talent now than they did before dealing Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley to the Phoenix Suns for Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and Sean Singletary.
More to the point, the executive explained, he can’t understand why the Bobcats traded away Richardson – the player Michael Jordan touted as the much-needed go-to guy 17 months ago – without getting another go-to guy in return.
Understand, this executive is not convinced Richardson is the centerpiece of a great team. But Richardson was closer than any other Bobcat to filling that role, and now, more than ever, they’re a team full of helper bees with no star to orbit.
I told this executive that I don’t know whether this deal works, but I know why it was made. Stylistically, Diaw and Bell represent change in the direction Larry Brown wants: They add defense, passing, versatility and athleticism.
Then I mentioned what Brown said pre-game: That the Bobcats aren’t done searching for ways to change the roster before the trade deadline.
Good, the exec replied, because no matter how well Brown coaches them, this team is still not a playoff roster.
Posted by Observer Sports on December 10, 2008 at 11:32 PM | Permalink
Comments
Great article. It brings up that the deal worked w/o Dudley. So why did the Bobcats decide to include him?
Also what is the word on signing Howard now?
Posted by: Yeah? | Dec 10, 2008 11:47:18 PM
Great article. It brings up that the deal worked w/o Dudley. So why did the Bobcats decide to include him?
Also what is the word on signing Howard now?
Posted by: Yeah? | Dec 10, 2008 11:50:14 PM
Q&A with J-Rich on the deal:
http://www.nba.com/2008/news/features/12/10/qandarichardson/index.html
Posted by: QA | Dec 10, 2008 11:50:53 PM
The trade will definatley make the team better... even if just a little bit. It gives Gerald more time at his natural position, and the only one he should be playing, gives DJ a few more MPG, while giving Okafor his direct complement.
And if they make another trade, it better not be Wallace. They should get rid of Felton before he demands a big deal in the off-season and ends up walking anyway.
And anybody who says the trade makes them worse, the Bobcats were on pace for 28 wins with JRich playing 2/3 games at home, so the end of the season will tell whether they got any worse.
Posted by: Nick | Dec 10, 2008 11:52:17 PM
david aldridge just said in an nbatv interview that gerald wallace will be gone within a week, maybe sooner...
Rick, Where is he going? Kaman, Camby, Eddy Curry...?
Posted by: dougie | Dec 10, 2008 11:54:48 PM
Yeah!:
Maybe the Suns demanded Dudley before they would make it. And, yes, Howard is coming. Looks like Dwayne Jones might not be here for long.
Posted by: Rick bonnell | Dec 11, 2008 12:03:14 AM
Aldridge also said that Boris Diaw "has kind of been out of shape for the first part of the season and has been working his way back"..... that sounds great!
PS Bonnell, we lost Dudley in this deal... that seems to make us slightly less of a Brown team who wants the little things to be done.
Posted by: Yeah? | Dec 11, 2008 12:06:50 AM
Mr. Bonnell, Thanks for answering that!
Posted by: Yeah? | Dec 11, 2008 12:07:33 AM
Is it just me or does this seem like a big "F You" to the fans? I know that the team wasn't very good before, but this sure seems to have made us worse...
Patiently awaiting more moves to be made. Being a realist, I'm guessing this is just another move to further run us into the ground, but hey... ugh this leaves a sour taste in my mouth, I can't find a single positive. If they win 30 games I'd say Larry Brown deserves coach of the year consideration.
Posted by: David | Dec 11, 2008 12:16:17 AM
If Sean Singletary is kept on the roster, will Raymond Felton be hitting the road?
It would really hurt to see Gerald Wallace traded. . .
Rick, any rumblings from the Higgins or the office about Felton or Wallace?
Chris Kaman really can't be considered equal compensation for the talent that Wallace brings. Yet, these rumors persist. Any validity?
Posted by: baseline | Dec 11, 2008 12:18:17 AM
David Aldridge in an NBA.com video on the trade: "You know Larry, I mean five minutes in he wants to trade everybody on his team and this is no different. You know he wants to bring in a defensive guy. I can tell you Gerald Wallace is probably going to be dealt within the next week if not sooner."
"So thy're going to shake it up and try to get some more defensive-minded guys on that team."
Mr. Bonnell, what is the word on this?
Posted by: Yeah? | Dec 11, 2008 12:19:52 AM
David Aldridge in an NBA.com video on the trade: "You know Larry, I mean five minutes in he wants to trade everybody on his team and this is no different. You know he wants to bring in a defensive guy. I can tell you Gerald Wallace is probably going to be dealt within the next week if not sooner."
"So thy're going to shake it up and try to get some more defensive-minded guys on that team."
Mr. Bonnell, what is the word on this?
Posted by: Yeah? | Dec 11, 2008 12:21:02 AM
I am still puzzled by this trade and all the comments I have read so far has even left me more perplexed tonite. Why gave up your best player for non starters of Diaw, Bell and Singletary. This make no sense, and if anyone the Bobcats could trade, it should have been G. Wallace. I mean Richardson was the perfect STAR for this team, and acquiring defenders without any shooter make no sense at all. Let's see how this team progress from this trade. This team needed to be built around Richardson, and you imagine when Richardson was out the other time how much the team struggles. Jordan, Jordan! Front Office! Front Office!!
Posted by: aaron.siafa | Dec 11, 2008 12:22:43 AM
If Sean Singletary is kept on the roster, will Raymond Felton be hitting the road?
It would really hurt to see Gerald Wallace traded. . .
Rick, any rumblings from the Higgins or the office about Felton or Wallace?
Chris Kaman really can't be considered equal compensation for the talent that Wallace brings. Yet, these rumors persist. Any validity?
Posted by: baseline | Dec 11, 2008 12:23:22 AM
I am still puzzled by this trade and all the comments I have read so far has even left me more perplexed tonite. Why gave up your best player for non starters of Diaw, Bell and Singletary. This make no sense, and if anyone the Bobcats could traded, it should have been G. Wallace. I mean Richardson was the perfect STAR for this team, and acquiring defenders without any shooter make no sense at all. Let's see how this team progress from this trade. This team needed to be built around Richardson, and you imagine when Richardson was out the other time how much the team struggles. Jordan, Jordan! Front Office! Front Office!!
Posted by: aaron.siafa | Dec 11, 2008 12:25:45 AM
Watch this video with Larry. His comments really make me wonder why we did this deal. It is almost as if he thinks the Suns got the better players:
http://www.nba.com/video/games/hornets/2008/12/10/nba_20081210_brown_trade.nba/index.html
Posted by: Yeah? | Dec 11, 2008 12:29:42 AM
I've been keeping up with baseball offseason blogging instead of the 'Cats blog, and this is what brings me back...great (sigh). Wallace is next, huh? So are we relying on the creativity and scoring of Felton and Augustine now? It doesn't even help out that much with the salary cap (Diaw gets $9 million per for like 20 more years). Phoenix looks pretty good. Oh, I get it, Raja Bell will continue his rise from D-League obscurity, learning how to do something other than stand at the 3point line on offense. We'll win championship after championship. I can see it now, Disney will make a movie about his life and call it "Rise of the Phoenix" (was that comedic irony?) I don't have anything constructive to say about this trade, just needed to type something so I didn't put my hand through the monitor...
Posted by: BustaCat | Dec 11, 2008 12:42:23 AM
Guys:
Read my trade story (or ANYTHING I've written the past month) and ask yourself, "Is this over?''
Of course not. They were going to trade a starter (Wallace-Richardson-or-Felton in that order) and it happened tonight. Larry offered -- quite unsolicited -- that they're looking to change more. And there's no doubt they would have dealt Wallace's contract before Richardson's.
They're overpaying Gerald -- good, because he's a great guy -- but they're looking to change the team's look and to unload questionable long-term obligations.
It's very hard to move Mohammed's or Carroll's contract right now. But Gerald could be dealt.
Still a caution: David Aldridge (a friend and a good reporter) makes it sound like Gerald will be traded just because he's available. Doesn't work that way. You must have a trade partner who both wants the guy enough to give you something of value and WANTS HIS CONTRACT. If that were available, J-Rich would still be a Bobcat.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Dec 11, 2008 12:47:31 AM
NBA.com: "The Bobcats are playing much better this season under Brown, in his first year with his latest team. But Brown, as ever, has been unhappy with his team's defense and is looking to add a true center up front so current center Emeka Okafor can move to power forward.
Charlotte, a source said, will be addressing that in the next few days, using forward Gerald Wallace as bait in order to secure a starting center.
Richardson, who will turn 28 next month, had started 14 games for the Bobcats this season, averaging 18.7 points on 44 percent shooting -- including 45.8 percent from three-point range, 14th-best in the league.
Richardson said last month that while Brown was demanding, he enjoyed playing for him."
Posted by: NBA.com | Dec 11, 2008 12:48:10 AM
Bonnell: "Still a caution: David Aldridge (a friend and a good reporter) makes it sound like Gerald will be traded just because he's available. Doesn't work that way. You must have a trade partner who both wants the guy enough to give you something of value and WANTS HIS CONTRACT. If that were available, J-Rich would still be a Bobcat."
Mr. Bonnell, your words make it sound like we traded J-Rich because we couldn't trade Gerald & his contract. Basically, making a trade for the sake of change, but I say that was dumb in this particular case.
Second, I didn't know if DA maybe knew something???? I don't think he would report that GW would be gone just because he is available... that would be irresponsible & false reporting on his part.
Any word on who might be a target outside of Kaman or Camby?
Posted by: Yeah? | Dec 11, 2008 1:02:17 AM
With Diaw and Bell we get something that has been lacking in this franchise and thats experience in winning ballgames. Asides from major improvements we will see on D, I think having more bigs will give Larry the start up kit he originally wanted upon taking the job. I personally think the best thing about all of this is we have more options with this new roster. With the current landscape of the NBA...and the big 4 holding everyone hostage for 2010...I like that we suddenly have more options for movement. I liked J. Rich and what he brought this franchise in his brief stay, but that contract was obviously a big one looking ahead 2 years. Really looking forward to the new look Cats!
Posted by: eleaf14 | Dec 11, 2008 1:06:21 AM
It will also be interesting to see Diaw mentor Ajinca. It could be an important part in the Rookie's development. Looks like he had decent numbers tonight.
Posted by: eleaf14 | Dec 11, 2008 1:18:57 AM
Yeah?:
You should realize by now that Bonnell thinks he's the greatest reporter ever, and that in his mind David Aldridge can't even carry his pocket protector. If you don't believe that just ask him.
Come on Bonnell tell us about how great you are and how many cool awards you've won. Regardless you missed this story because you're too busy chasing around washed up Juwan Howard stories. Silly.
Posted by: rbiscocky | Dec 11, 2008 1:25:11 AM
Great, now we have not one but two gay Frenchies on this team. I can't wait to see them hooking up with each other on the bench all game, that will be just great. Bobcats games weren't very kid friendly before but they really aren't now.
Posted by: oohnasty | Dec 11, 2008 1:28:00 AM
This blog is a big joke right? Why would any "nba executive" waste their time calling a small town reporter to say "huh?"
bonnell your need to feel accepted and important is terrible. to the point that you make up obviously fake stories to fill space to make up for the fact that you are out of the loop on this trade. the national media knows more about our team than you do. keep up the good work!
Posted by: ridonk | Dec 11, 2008 1:38:35 AM
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