Crashing the Party

plonden · Post #1 » by **plonden** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 4:06 pm

Hey fellas, I wrote a post at my blog about the Bobcats defense. I break down the Bobcats' D using some stats and Dean Oliver's Four Factors. Also, I make the case for Gerald Wallace as defensive player of the year this season. Thought you guys might enjoy it and I'd definitely love to hear any feedback true Charlotte fans have.

Ask any casual NBA fan (weekend warriors who get their basketball news from Gametime) to name the top three defenses in the League and you’ll usually get some combination of the Boston Celtics, the San Antonio Spurs, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers. How many people mention the Charlotte Bobcats? Well, only those with their finger on the pulse of the Association, as the Bobcats have clawed their way to the the top of the defensive food chain under the guidance of hall of fame head coach Larry Brown.

Last season, Charlotte finished the season as the seventh best defense overall and finished outside the playoffs after being very much in the hunt with a few weeks left in the season. They ended up 35-47 with the tenth best record in the Eastern Conference after losing seven of their last eight games of the season. If the playoffs were to start today, the Bobcats would be the sixth seed in the East after their victory over the Sacramento Kings on MLK Jr. Day.

Oh, and did I mention that it would mark the first time in franchise history that the Bobcats made the playoffs?

This season is shaping up to be a truly historic one for the Bobcats, who have undergone dramatic changes since joining the League in 2004 as an expansion team. Only Gerald Wallace remains from the original roster. As presently constructed, Crash is the heart and soul of the entire Bobcats franchise and will be representing the Bobcats at ASG weekend in Dallas. As of now, he is only participating in the Slam Dunk Contest but will most likely be a coach’s selection as a reserve (overdue). The co-leader of Charlotte is the newly-acquired Stephen Jackson, who plays the role of complementary star very well, playing physical defense in Coach Brown’s system alongside Gerald.

Link to full post "Crashing the Party" at Basketball Free For All

Post #2 » by **fatlever** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 4:13 pm

great article. thanks for the positive buzz.

plonden · Post #3 » by **plonden** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 4:37 pm

fatlever wrote:great article. thanks for the positive buzz.

No problem. Crash is by far my favorite player in the League so I'm just doing my part to try and get him (and the Bobcats) the respect they deserve.

spectre_ · Post #4 » by **spectre_** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 4:40 pm

plonden thanks...that's some awesome stuff and looked to have taken some footwork.

ccbballin · Post #5 » by **ccbballin** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:18 pm

Great post. If Crash isn't the defensive MVP he HAS to be 1st team all defense at this point. ESPN.com is having a redo of the all star voting and it has him at 7th or 8th in the east. That's not bad considering some of the talent in the east. It also shows alot of fans are paying attention. Now if more of them will start going to TWCA to watch the games would be even better. 22nd in attendance that's kind of sad.

plonden · Post #6 » by **plonden** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:14 pm

^ Thanks, fellas.

First team all defense seems like a lock to me for Gerald. I would like to see Wallace make an All-NBA team as well, but he'd probably be 2nd/3rd team at best based upon higher profile names.

But for me, the only two possibilities at this point in the season for DPOY are G-Wall and Dwight Howard, with my vote going to Crash. Really shouldn't be anyone else in the conversation IMHO.