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March 13, 2010
On Wallace injury, Larry Hughes signing
Two updates from practice:
-- Gerald Wallace's sprained left ankle was quite sore this morning, so the team sent him for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging. They haven't heard anything on the results of that test yet. However, I'd be surprised if Wallace plays against the Magic in Orlando, if he was that sore today.
Coach Larry Brown indicated that if Wallace can't play, he'd likely move Stephen Jackson to small forward in the starting lineup. He'd then likely start either Stephen Graham or Gerald Henderson at shooting guard. Wallace currently leads the NBA in minutes (42 per game), so there's a lot of fill-in in his absence. Look for Boris Diaw to play more small forward (Brown wants to leave Tyrus Thomas at 4) and for Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin to play together in the backcourt.
-- New Bobcat Larry Hughes was at practice Saturday, doing shooting drills. He has a fractured left hand (approximately at the base of the finger next to his left pinky). He's five weeks into a six-week recovery period for that injury. He's cleared to work out but not yet for contact drills.
The Bobcats don't expect he'd be cleared to play before the second half of next week. Right now he can catch passes, shoot and dribble without discomfort, but that's not the same as playing defense.
Brown said that when Hughes is activated, he'd play primarily shooting guard, though he can be the Bobcats' third point guard in a pinch. Obviously he's here to pick up some of the scoring off the bench -- a void that was left by Flip Murray's trade to Chicago.
Posted by Observer Sports on March 13, 2010 at 12:49 PM | Permalink
Comments
I think this will be a great signing for the Cats. Larry Hughes can fill a much needed role off the bench offensively. Although he's not a great defensive presence, he's capable of more defense than Flip was because of his height. I liked Flip, and I hope we can get him back next year, but Larry will do for now...and I really hope Crash is okay. It's a good sign he was at practice and stuff...but we need every game we can get! GO CATS!
Posted by: bobcatfan4life | Mar 13, 2010 1:10:07 PM
YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Randomguy | Mar 13, 2010 1:32:04 PM
Gradually with Brown as coach and Jordan as owner, this team is headed some where. Good decisions are now being made and we can see progress from recent trades and acquisitions. Charlotte and the Carolina, let's support this team....it is our state and city pride. Jordan and Brown will turn this franchise around to be a premier team in the NBA.
Posted by: nunu | Mar 13, 2010 1:35:38 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4992142
Looks like MRI was clean on GW's ankle, so maybe only miss the Orlando Game. Orlando plays tonight in Washington so maybe they will be tired.
Posted by: BlockParty | Mar 13, 2010 3:02:34 PM
I like the Hughes signing. It gives our bench even more flexibility now - provided that his hand heals completely and that he doesn't re-injure the finger or become tentative on either side of the floor trying to protect it. When Hughes becomes a part of the rotation, it will allow the Bobcats to move S. Graham to small forward, a more natural fit for his skill set, and give our reserve back court another scoring threat (along with DJ). Provided that all get (and remain) healthy, the playoff depth chart looks solid for the Bobcats. Of course, that's assuming that the team survives the stretch run and the logjam at the bottom of the East's playoff race.
Posted by: The A-Train | Mar 13, 2010 3:18:26 PM
Why don't they keep Stephen Jackson as the SG and start Derrick Brown at SF. Matt Barnes will have his hands full running after a younger, athletic lefty, that can actually play and score.
I like the signing of Larry Hughes, however, some sources close to him say he doesn't like DJ too much. Hope this is just rumors and that this move doesn't change the chemistry of the team. We definetlt need a tall, athletic combo guard that can actually score.
Posted by: Rob C | Mar 13, 2010 3:27:33 PM
Good game against the Clippers. However, I waited so long for my $8 12 oz beer from the surly concession worker that I missed 10 points of the game and the beer was warm before I got back to my seat. If MJ would fire all the Cable Box workers and hire them back based on merit (friendliness, efficiency, fan friendly) I would be more than pleased. Rick, honestly, would you pay $30-50 a Bobcats game and $8 for a beer if you weren't reporting and getting in free?
Posted by: Richard Strong | Mar 13, 2010 3:33:09 PM
Yes -- Bobcats the MRI showed on fracture or tear. However, realistically you should plan on Wallace missing the next two games.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Mar 13, 2010 3:42:10 PM
Richard Strong:
This just in, you don't have to drink beers when you go to a game! I will agree with you that the concession people are worthless and rude, but I just pay for my ticket and that's it. I can go two and 1/2 hours without food or beer. Also, I buy $10 seats from scalpers outside for every single game. The tickets are usually center court up top, or pretty close to it.
Posted by: Bobcat Matt | Mar 13, 2010 6:04:38 PM
rob c: what a stupid thing to say. what proof do you have that hughes has any beef with augustine? some sources close to him? your an idiot. some sources close to me say that you are a fool and should right letters with a pen and paper rather than use the internet to post on message boards.
Posted by: the voice | Mar 13, 2010 6:43:05 PM
Larry Hughes is a very good replacement for Murray - if he'll be healthy. Although I appreciate Tyrus Thomas and his contribution to the Bobcats, I thought the price paid to get him was too high (especially since there was an alternative to that trade). Now however, signing Hughes can make up for losing what Flip brought to the team (scoring from the bench, and also depth at point guard when needed) ; the only concern is his health. I'm very hopeful that he'll be OK, and able to contribute.
I also hope that, as Rick wrote above, Gerald will actually let his ankle have some rest, for a couple of games.
When these players will be healthy - and also with Chandler and Augustin continuing the improved playing they showed lately - the Bobcats will be in really good shape towards the playoffs.
Posted by: Sandy | Mar 13, 2010 9:50:14 PM
haven't we already replaced flip's bench scoring?
anybody handy with a before and after bench ppg stat? fg%'s? come on rick....void? what void? the 29% 3 point shooting void?
Posted by: charlottean | Mar 13, 2010 10:34:42 PM
I like signing Hughes, but I have to ask . . . Does this mean DJ will fall back into his 0 for 27 slump again? He has been playing with attitude and making things happen. I'm also loving Theo's minutes. It is like the media doesn't notice him, but he can score and plays solid defense. Keep the rotation at center the same, and I welcome back Naz when healthy.
On a side note since I haven't read much about it. The Bulls will keep falling out of playoff contention without two of their starters this month. We play .500 and we are in easily. Plus we have games against the Bucks, Bulls, Raptors at home still.
Posted by: boomer7 | Mar 13, 2010 11:12:38 PM
just don't mess up dj augustine right now he is playing great.
Posted by: shots956 | Mar 13, 2010 11:20:55 PM
Charlottean on it... Yes!
Tyrus has been nothing but(what the *&^%! are people eating these days!!!),, Defensive and Offensive..... Beyond PRODUCTIVE and Efficient, How much defense and size down low, did Flip provide? Are you serious right now! The only thing Flip could contribute is missed OPP.. 1 or(maybe) 3 or 4 shots made. Without T.T.'s massive help, we could be lost right now!!!!!! Or we might have Flip's 30%!!!!!!
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Mar 14, 2010 12:06:14 AM
Just an Estimate!
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Mar 14, 2010 12:08:17 AM
boomer7,
Don't do that..........................
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Mar 14, 2010 12:18:05 AM
Sorry for being an A@#! in an above post. Just I feel, Thomas is well worth Flip and Acie. Been a Huge addition(my opinion).
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Mar 14, 2010 12:53:48 PM
Hey Rick, how's Muhammad's back spasms doing? And when is he expected back?
Posted by: jah p | Mar 14, 2010 1:40:36 PM
CAROLINA HAS HAD A REALLY BAD YEAR IN SPORTS AND CHARLOTTE BOBCATS, ARE THE TOAST OF THE TOWN RIGHT NOW AND EVERY BODY IS PULLIING FOR THEM TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS,LARRY HUGHS,TYSON CHANDLER,STEPHAN JACKSON,THEO RALIEFF,AND NAZA MOMOMAND ALL HAVE PLAY-OFF EXPERIECNCE AND WITH YOUNG TALENTS, LIKE GERALD WALLACE,RAYMOND FELTON,DJ AUSGUSTINE,TYRUS THOMAS THIS IS NOW ONLY A TEAM THAT CAN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS IS TRUE CONTENDER AND A TEAM THAT COMPETE; I FEEL THAT LARRY BROWN WON A FINAL WITH LESS TALENT THAN THIS, IN DET SO LARRY KNOWS HOW TO COACH AND GET THE MOST OUT OF ALL HIS PLAYERS;
Posted by: RAHSHON GAMBLE | Mar 14, 2010 2:29:34 PM
NEXT YEARL; ALL THE CATS WILL NEED IS A FULL SUMMER WORK-OUTS; YOU KNOW A GOOD TIME TO JELL- RESIGN FELTON AND SHIP NAZA ,RALIEFF,AND FIND A WAY TO LOWER IN CHRIS BOSH, OR JERMAINE O'HEAL WILL NEED A GOOD BIG MAN TO GO ALONG WITH CHANDER TO HELP OUR CENTER POSITION; OTHER THAN THAT WILL GOT A BUILT TEAM
Posted by: RAHSHON GAMBLE | Mar 14, 2010 2:35:08 PM
MAYBE WE WILL GO AND GET DEWAYE WADE; WE'VE GOT THE ROLL PLAYERS HE NEEDS TO COMPETE FOR A FINALS CHAMPIONSHIP; WITH LARRY COACHING AND JORDAN OWNING YOU CANT MISS IF YOUR DEWAYE WADE, MIAMI HAS A YOUNG AND INEXPERICE COACH, THIER NOT VERY GOOD ROLE PLAYERS IN MIAMI TO HELP WADE;
PROJECTED STARTING LINE-UP FOR 2010
1ST
PG-RAYMOND FELTON
SG-DEWAYE WADE
SF-GERALD WALLACE
PF-TYRUS THOMAS
C-TYSON CHANDLER
PG-DJ AUSUGTINE
SG-STEPHAN JACKSON
SF-DERRICK BROWN
PF-BORIS DIAW
C-NAZA MOMMAMAD
BENCH
LARRY HUGHS
GERALD HENDERSON
STEPHAN GHRAMAN
DESAGA DIOP
Posted by: RAHSHON GAMBLE | Mar 14, 2010 2:44:56 PM
Rahshon,
You can go back to the Bobcats concession stand now. Thanks for contributing!
Chippy
Posted by: Chippy Von Breck | Mar 14, 2010 9:00:54 PM
fox h.t.g., it's kind of late to answer your comment, and I don't know if you'll be back here to see the answer. Anyway, I had no time for this earlier.
I never compared directly Tyrus and Flip - they fill different needs.
My comparison, right after the trade, was between accepting the Wizards' offer - Blatche for Augustin, while D.J. was in full slump - and the actual trade - Flip + Acie + a 1st round pick for Tyrus. In my opinion, accepting the Wizards' offer (which was part of their dismantling their roster) was preferable, looking at the overall impact on the roster of each alternative.
What I wrote above is that this became NOW totally irrelevant, through the addition of Larry Hughes - as long as he'll be healthy. Then, our roster becomes better than ever before.
Posted by: Sandy | Mar 15, 2010 12:19:36 AM
Sandy point taken,sorry.
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Mar 15, 2010 9:55:19 AM
I just looked up Larry Hughes on Wikipedia, and it says he was a childhood friend of Nelly. Since Nelly is part owner of the Bobcats, I wonder if that played any role in signing him?
Posted by: redhotdave | Mar 16, 2010 12:23:43 PM
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