« Bobcats Diaw knows hostility | Main | Redd injury may help Bobcats' playoff chances »
January 23, 2009
Augustin may return Friday in Denver
Well as the Bobcats have played of late, they still miss rookie point guard D.J. Augustin plenty. Friday's victory over the Phoenix Suns was a blowout, so they didn't particularly need a bench. However the bench has been a real concern lately, particularly in generating points.
Augustin has missed five games with an abdominal strain. He told me the plan is to test his recovery Thursday, with a full practice in Denver. If Augustin can get through that practice without a setback, he'll be cleared to play Friday in Denver and next Monday in Salt Lake City.
Posted by Observer Interactive on January 23, 2009 at 11:56 PM | Permalink
Comments
Rick Bonnell,
Time Warner is crap, they broadcast the game in Columbia, South Carolina..on sports south...so they say,
what comes on? Freakin' australia freakin' poker. This is bullcrap. If I could swear I would because Time Warner Arena ruins the team they sponsor in that arena. This is crap because why is a team that is potentially going to be great, do big things, not get shone on TV when they are supposed to be televised, to show Austrialia Poker?!?! Absolulute shananagans..what is the picture here? Fans in SC are not being accumulated because Time Warner will not BROADCAST THE TEAM THEY SPONSOR. This is rediculous..absolute trash. Get rid of time warner, trash. Team looks great, best in all of the 5 years they've been a team. Any larry brown critics that say he is too old, doesn't know what he's doing, go to screw yourself. He's transformed a team with no hope to a team 1.5 games out of playoff contention. In the hardest month they've had they've done more than anyone could have imagined, and did anyone imagine what they've done, b/c I didnt..i'll admit that immediately..let me know, Bonnell, what you think, becuase time warner is trash, larrry brown is doing everything right, and I raise my glass of beer to the charlotte bobcats for improvement, hope, and fun..because they are the team to root for int he underdog bracket
Posted by: Brett Johnson | Jan 24, 2009 12:17:16 AM
Rick Bonnell,
Time Warner is crap, they broadcast the game in Columbia, South Carolina..on sports south...so they say,
what comes on? Freakin' australia freakin' poker. This is bullcrap. If I could swear I would because Time Warner Arena ruins the team they sponsor in that arena. This is crap because why is a team that is potentially going to be great, do big things, not get shone on TV when they are supposed to be televised, to show Austrialia Poker?!?! Absolulute shananagans..what is the picture here? Fans in SC are not being accumulated because Time Warner will not BROADCAST THE TEAM THEY SPONSOR. This is rediculous..absolute trash. Get rid of time warner, trash. Team looks great, best in all of the 5 years they've been a team. Any larry brown critics that say he is too old, doesn't know what he's doing, go to screw yourself. He's transformed a team with no hope to a team 1.5 games out of playoff contention. In the hardest month they've had they've done more than anyone could have imagined, and did anyone imagine what they've done, b/c I didnt..i'll admit that immediately..let me know, Bonnell, what you think, becuase time warner is trash, larrry brown is doing everything right, and I raise my glass of beer to the charlotte bobcats for improvement, hope, and fun..because they are the team to root for int he underdog bracket
Posted by: Brett Johnson | Jan 24, 2009 12:17:17 AM
also, playoffs = fanship, the cats need to make the playoffs no matter how they contend in them because it is for the good of the franchise and every person who has believed in thier success..so its not lets sh*t on the bobcats today, or the next few days in the post, its lets raise the glass to the bobcats and what they've done given their talent..its about time everyone joins and supports the team they have
Posted by: Brett Johnson | Jan 24, 2009 12:17:39 AM
They really exorcised some demons against the Suns. Two teams moving in opposite directions, yes, but it's hard to ignore how well they played. That was probably the best game they've played all year. When Wallace and Diaw step out and make threes, you know things are going your way.
Looking forward to DJ getting back out there, although I'm guessing he won't play again until after the cats get back from their road trip.
Posted by: David | Jan 24, 2009 12:35:14 AM
Can you comment on the following information. It seems like Brown was talking very positive about the team at the beginning when he took the job, but didn't actually believe any of it & was just lying to the media......
"Brown said he was so worried about the group that originally showed up for training camp that he feared breaking the Philadelphia 76ers' record for fewest wins ever (nine in the '72-73 season).
“I didn't have a clue how to coach that team in training camp. Nothing we had tried in the past worked,'' Brown said.
“Maybe I was asking them to do things they couldn't do. We're 1,000 percent better now.''"
Posted by: Checkmate | Jan 24, 2009 2:56:24 AM
Why aren't the games still on WJZY or MY TV12? No body talks much about that. When they were, everyone could see them whether you had cable or satelite or an old fashioned antenae.
Posted by: fan | Jan 24, 2009 7:58:31 AM
We look like we are finally there. This is what us dedicated season ticket holders have been waiting for. The cats playing like they did last night, It's a lovely sight to see...
Posted by: T-Bro | Jan 24, 2009 9:48:31 AM
Can we re-run the fan comments from the article that immediately followed the Bell/Diaw trade?
I'd really love to see more people on here man up and admit that they were 100% wrong about the team's "demise" and continued "failures" comments that were awash on this very website two months ago.
Posted by: T Money | Jan 24, 2009 10:07:21 AM
Checkmate:
Larry frets A LOT. You said he spoke "very positively'' when he took the job. True. First, what coach doesn't do that when he takes a new job? Second, he was quite honest -- some would say too honest -- about this team's weaknesses in training camp. He tried to make that group better. Then he advocated changing that group. And it worked.
I don't know that you should fault Brown for his candor.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Jan 24, 2009 10:48:54 AM
I want to state for the record i loved the trade and posted as such. Defense wins.
Posted by: HJ | Jan 24, 2009 11:10:08 AM
I didn't get to see the game. Can someone please explain how Nash was held to 4 points?
20 games later, the Phoenix trade looks like easily the best in Bobcats history, and also the most lopsided trade this year in the entire league. Now, if Diop can just contribute something...
Posted by: Deuce | Jan 24, 2009 11:35:20 AM
Nash got locked down, just like everyone else not named shaq
Posted by: Eddie | Jan 24, 2009 12:42:36 PM
I think that with the success of the last trade, we can give some latitude on the Diop trade.
He's bound to give more than Nazr, may and the frenchie, plus his only like 24, right?
At the least, I think it narrows down the bcats list of needed positions unless we can get blake griffin...
I think this success will probably stop any trades until the offseason/draft. I also think that until DJ shows more D and assist ability, I think he's more suited for 6th man, instant O.
Probably not a popular sentiment on here, but I'd like to see a reasonable argument against this position.
Posted by: A Fan | Jan 24, 2009 12:49:01 PM
With the way this team is playing currently, how much does it diminish the likelihood of a major trade by the deadline? I understand the financial reasons they may want to move Felton and eliminate the risk of getting nothing for him this summer. But considering how the team's playing and what they would likely receive in return for a package of Felton and any of our bench guys, would it realistically be considered an upgrade on the court? Even if (a big if) a month from now, Brown decided to make Augustin the starter, and move Felton to the bench, would not Felton still be more valuable than anyone else we'd likely get in a trade?
Posted by: Rome1960 | Jan 24, 2009 1:26:55 PM
I made it to last nights game and will have to agree that it was beautiful basketball (by the Cats). My previous game was the Celtics game, so I have been getting my money's worth for sure.
I agree with the others that it would be tough to swallow a trade with the guys playing like they are. I can't wait to see the team after DJ gets back. Since Felton and DJ play well together, why not try to sign Felton to a mid-level deal? He seems to really want to be here. The only risk is that some team offers him ridiculous $$$ and we have to let him walk. This is a tough decision that management knew they would have to make by drafting DJ. I hope they make the right decision.
As for Nash, he was injured (his back, I think) and teammates said after the game that he should have sat it out. And the Suns are just looking awful, it seemed like the Cats were playing a D-league team.
Posted by: Cats_Fan | Jan 24, 2009 2:40:37 PM
You won't get an argument from me A Fan. I really like what I see from D.J. I just don't understand why so many people think we should trade Felton away for some back up forward (or something equally stupid) and let D.J. start. He's a freakin' rookie, and as good as he is, he's not Chris Paul.
As the team is now we have two solid PG's, and decent depth up front. If we trade Felton for another front court player (like some people are suggesting) there's no chance we get someone who'll start in front of Diaw or Meka. We'd likely end up without a starting PG and another mediocre forward/center to add to the list (May, Howard, Diop).
Posted by: Bobby | Jan 24, 2009 2:52:33 PM
i need a drug test. I could swear that charlotte has a nba team, and that dj will make them better and adam morrison scoring off the bench. ohh I'am on drugs i'm thinking adam can play
Posted by: geofre shinns ghost | Jan 24, 2009 6:47:54 PM
I agree with the people who say that trading Felton now will hurt the Bobcats' chemistry. I still think trading him is a good idea if the player(s) they get in return will help the team in the long run. As a Felton fan, I would like to see him stay.
This team is playing well and I wouldn't be surprised to see them win a few of the road games coming up. Playing the Lakers and the Blazers back to back will be tough. I hope they can get at least one of those.
Posted by: Token | Jan 24, 2009 9:07:31 PM
Steve Nash was slowed by back spasms.
A Fan...Augustin is currently averaging 6.9 ast/48. Felton is averaging 7.9. One assist isn't much difference over 48 minutes, particularly given that Felton's usual SG is Raja Bell, who is a much better shooter than Augustin's typical 2-guard, Felton. As for the defense, this may have to do with the fact that Augustin is more often guarding a backup as opposed to Felton, but Augustin has done a better job than Felton at limiting the scoring and eFG% than Felton against opposing PGs, and he's done a better job of keeping opponents shooting long-range jumper rather than driving. Only 26% of Augustin's allowed FGs have been from close range. 40% of Felton's have been.
As for the trading of Felton, it's again worth looking at the box score to see how much he's "improved." He had more shots than anybody but Diaw, and had less assists than Bell. If Brown can't do it, I don't know who can ever tell him that point guards are supposed to set up teammates rather than only themselves.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 24, 2009 10:39:21 PM
blah, blah blah. I should have specified and asked if anyone besides Procton has any compelling arguments. If felton personally saved your life, you'd still complain that he took too long to do it, and that DJ could have done it better.
I've watched plenty of games this season and at least for right now, can't see DJ as the starter at PG over felton.
Posted by: A Fan | Jan 24, 2009 11:32:56 PM
DJ's return will help the team, especially with scoring off the bench, and also with helping Felton run the offense.
When DJ will be back, for the minutes when he and Raymond will be playing together it will make sense to play him at SG while Raymond will continue playing point guard. On the one hand, DJ is the better shooter, and I'd like much more to see Felton passing to Augustin for an open three than the opposite. On the other hand, the team is playing its best basketball this season so far with Felton running the show, he is showing maturity and an improvement of his game at a level that Augustin hasn't reached yet. All this is about the offense; for defense they can, and should switch roles, with DJ guarding the opposite team's PG.
Posted by: Sandy | Jan 25, 2009 12:39:16 AM
Michael, sometimes I argue with you, sometimes I let your endless, and often absurd, anti-Felton rants go unanswered...
Anyway, the actual numbers are: Felton - 6.3 APG this season, Augustin - 4.1 APG. Even when you conveniently forget these, and expand to 48 minutes (why? DJ got as many minutes as he was ready for), the result is still advantage Felton. All this, in spite of the fact that, when they share the back court, Augustin is usually playing point guard, while Raymond is at SG, having the indequate (for him) task of being one of the team's main scoring options.
And let's remember another "inconvenient truth": in his rookie season, Felton averaged 5.6 APG in just 30 mpg, although he played a lot off the ball, with Brevin Knight running the team (and doing a great job at it).
Your hateful comments look even more ridiculous than usually now, after Larry Brown made it clear that he sees a big improvement in Felton's game. What carries more weight, Michael, Larry Brown's vision and understanding of the game, or your stubborn hostility in playing with stats?!
All fans can see that when the 'Cats are successful you have nothing good to say, while your negativity on Felton reaches the peaks of absurdity that A Fan noted above.
Posted by: Sandy | Jan 25, 2009 1:46:40 AM
T Money is so right... I'd say at least 2/3 of the "fans" here sounded so mad about the Diaw trade they wanted to crucify everyone associated with the Bobcats. How does it feel to be completely wrong?
Posted by: Nick | Jan 25, 2009 1:54:05 AM
DJ why would felton want to save Procton? If he is gone who would post such inspiring and inaccurate post's?
Posted by: Ht | Jan 25, 2009 11:44:28 AM
The ironic thing is that Procton is such a meticulous stat-whore that he likely provides the most accurate information on this blog. His understanding of how to interpret statistics, however, is exceptionally poor.
Let's understand one thing people, basketball is a TEAM game. There are 10 different players at any given time that can influence any one person's individual stats. Individual Stats can be very helpful but will never give us the full picture of a player's worth.
Posted by: Bobby | Jan 25, 2009 1:59:55 PM
Just for fun I went back and looked at Friday's win over the Suns. The stats suggest we should be happy with the performance of all of the starters more or less (I love the fact that Diaw and Bell combined for 16 rebounds and 12 assists). But less play with the stats the way Procton seems to do and see what we can come up with. Felton had 14 shots as opposed to 13 by Wallace, 16 by Diaw, and 11 by Bell. Okafor is a bit of an outlier at 6 shot attempts but let's not count him since he only played 18 minutes(roughly half of the rest of the starters). If you ask Procton, Felton probably asked for Meka to be pulled so he could take more shots. Now 14, 11, 13, and 16 seems like a pretty even distribution of shot attempts across 4 starters. This is somehow a problem? Felton took 3 more shots then Bell but also played 2 more minutes. Does anyone else other than Procton have a problem with this?
Also not that according to season production (rather than looking at a single game) Bell averages 1.6 assists. Felton averages nearly 4 times that number.
I can go on and on with Procton's poor understanding of statistical analysis, but since many people on here already recognize it I'll let it go.
Thanks for the laugh Proc
Posted by: Bobby | Jan 25, 2009 2:41:21 PM
I will not tolerate this Procton bashing. The man is a dedicated poster who provides the important Devil's Advocate side of every argument. Sure he's wrong sometimes (or most of the time, I don't know, I'm not a "stat checker") but he's human. I agree with Brett Johnson in that we should raise a beer towards these 'Cats, let bygones be bygones, and learn some humility.
Go 'Cats.
Posted by: Bro. D. | Jan 25, 2009 3:01:33 PM
"Playing with stats?" Only when it makes sense.
Felton goes 13-6-3. TJ Ford goes 14-5-4. Looks pretty close. But Felton plays SEVEN more minutes a night. That's more than half a quarter. Again, I'll contend that Augustin in Felton's slot with the normal starters would do a better job and lead a more efficient offense.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jan 25, 2009 7:49:18 PM
Post a comment
Advertisements
