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February 19, 2010
Centers feeling better
-- Charlotte Bobcats centers Nazr Mohammed and Tyson Chandler both said at shootaround this morning that they're more hopeful of playing tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers than they were at practice Thursday.
Mohammed (back spasms) is the more likely of the two to play, but Chandler (sprained ankle) seemed significantly more optimistic about his chances. With Shaquille O'Neal and a deep frontcourt suiting up for Cleveland, the Bobcats need every big body available.
-- I think the Bobcats are really going to miss Flip Murray, but someone close to the team made an interesting point Friday: That Murray leaving might help pull D.J. Augustin out of his funk this season.
The way it was described -- and this makes some sense -- is Murray is such a big personality, both on the court and off it, that Augustin might have been intimidated by his presence. There have been plenty of times this season when Augustin looks self-conscious. Getting him back to the confident, attacking way he played as a rookie could make a big difference going forward.
Posted by Observer Sports on February 19, 2010 at 11:03 AM | Permalink
Comments
I really hope you're right about DJ. Everyone bashes him as of late, but he definitely has some skill sets and something, many many small things, has negatively affected his play this season. I really hope he gets back to his old ways and starts kicking some butt again!
Looking forward to going to tonight's game! Wonder if Jameson is going to suit up for Cleveland?
Chandler's sprained ankle is not related to his foot problems this year is it?
Posted by: redhotdave | Feb 19, 2010 11:13:15 AM
redhotdave:
Jamison is expected to play and it's hard to say what is and isn't related, as far as Chandler's foot and leg injuries.
Also, that wasn't my theory on D.J., I was passing it on from a team insider. But I think it makes some sense, what I heard.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Feb 19, 2010 11:22:28 AM
How many years does Chandler have remaining on his contract?
I was never a huge Okafor fan, but if its one thing I appreciated about him, it was his durability. But with Tyson, it seems like every single week its one thing after another. His foot, his ankle, his back. Pretty much the same thing we went through with Dan Morgan when he was with the Panthers.
Posted by: Smitty | Feb 19, 2010 11:33:13 AM
hey rick was TT and theo at practice this morning.
Posted by: truthbtold4 | Feb 19, 2010 11:34:06 AM
Murray was a little too hot and cold for my liking, plus his free throw shooting irritated me a bit. Would have liked to have kept him, but you have to give to get. Anyway, if the Cats can pick up Mike James for depth, he's not that big of a downgrade from Murray in my opinion. They both can hit the occasional 3.
Posted by: Ari | Feb 19, 2010 12:13:30 PM
By the way, I think Chandler has 2 more years on his deal.
Posted by: Ari | Feb 19, 2010 12:14:18 PM
Chandler expires next year. He has a player option for 2010-2011 that only an act of god will prevent him from exercising.
Posted by: Zed | Feb 19, 2010 12:49:07 PM
More simply, his contract only keeps him on the team for 1 more season (after this one).
Posted by: Zed | Feb 19, 2010 12:53:11 PM
Our nightmare contract is Diop :(
Posted by: Zed | Feb 19, 2010 12:59:56 PM
Hey who knows, maybe Diop will be inspired by Nazr and work his butt off this summer, come back and be worth every penny. Or not...
Posted by: MJC | Feb 19, 2010 1:07:32 PM
Thomas and Ratliff showed up at the end of shootaround. They had not yet completed their physicals, so they could not participate. Brown is bringing them in mid-afternoon to talk over some principles, like how they defend the pick-and-roll here. That, so they have some understanding of what's expected when they play tonight.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Feb 19, 2010 1:45:33 PM
I doubt Diop will play any better than he has shown in the past. Nazr is showing flashes of what he gave the Spurs during their title run. Nazr has skills, but for whatever reason he wasn't motivated enough last year to show them. Diop is just a big tall guy who occasionally blocks and alters shots. I don't think he will ever he more than that.
Posted by: Token | Feb 19, 2010 1:52:40 PM
Hopefully the possible trade with the Pacers is a wakeup call to Augustin and Henderson. Augustin showed he can play last year, so he just needs to get in that comfort zone. Henderson needs to use that athleticism he has and pull his head out of his butt. He needs to show why the bobcats shouldn't trade their rookies and young players, and show them that giving up Flip was the right move.
Posted by: Junnoe | Feb 19, 2010 3:22:48 PM
any word on the mike james buyout, hes listed as coming to charlotte if bought out?
Posted by: brendan | Feb 19, 2010 4:56:51 PM
These trades sure looked good tonight. Thomas was terrific, Ratliff did well enough and DJ showed us what he can do. Hopefully we can build on this.
Posted by: The Icelandic Bobcats Fan | Feb 19, 2010 9:48:08 PM
I am BEYOND BLOWING UP about it(EXCITED)!!!!!!!!!!
Jack stop being "A",, all right I'll stop since he was good...
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Feb 19, 2010 11:28:47 PM
Sorry negative!!!! Jack 4:4 or 3 blah blah in the 4th,,, no 3's needed... nor a three Diaw, little later!!! ALL NEEDED IS TO RUN THE CLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run the clock out or put it down INSIDE,, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Feb 19, 2010 11:37:00 PM
OR NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Feb 19, 2010 11:38:12 PM
I am seriously,, SORRY!! .(lakebt)...
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Feb 19, 2010 11:49:25 PM
Please forgive me,... I thought I was Telecasting to a friend of mine,,,, Sorry!
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Feb 20, 2010 12:05:50 AM
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