Two players that make Cats' a contender

[ball teacher]

I know when I inform you guys who I think these two players are, I may get alot of disagreements. But when you look at what we need, the roles these guys could play and for a relatively low price, I think it could very well be worth the gamble. Jax is getting up there in age, so is Crash, this may be the year to just go all out, at least these guys are ticket sellers and most importantly players that make the Bobcats better.
I think a lineup that looks like this....
PG Iverson
SG Jackson
SF Crash
PF Thomas
C Shaq
....is a lineup that can compete and do well against any team right now. Shaq can give you 15-20 minutes a game, and you still get solid defense out of him, you get scoring inside, and you get a big body next to Tyrus to teach mentor him. Iverson said he'll play any role a team has for him, well this team needs a little guard to orchestrate the offense. Iverson won't be needed to score, but even still I don't see any reason why he can't get at least 13 pts a game, and we know he can go off occasionally. I don't believe for one second Iverson can't score anymore, and again even if for some reason he can't score, that's not what we have him for, we just want him to get the offense started. Iverson is desperate right now, and would very likely play for cheap, and LB knows him well. I think Iverson wold be much more humble in his dealing with him and his role as a player. Imagine Iverson getting the news that he could play for Charlotte AND START (since he's excpecting to be benched) as the point guard for the team and being told his role is a simple one, run the offense, play defense, make plays for others, and we'll sometimes need you to occasionally take the open shot or make a play for yourself. Iverson would love that role and I think excell at it. Just my opinion fellas. I think it would work. Remember, this isn't a team of full of young impressionable, wet behind the ears rookie's with squeeky clean backgrounds. Dang near all of the starting 5 have attitudes and a little baggage. This is a team of talented rejects so to say, and I think the two players I mentioned can make this team a contender. OK now, let me have it.

[Rich4114]

Trust me, Iverson running the point would make us look worse than DJ running it at this point.

Shaq as C actually would fit though. He wouldn't slow us down, we already are the slowest team in the NBA and we need a new addition to Frankencenter.

[GoBobs]

I actually like the idea of getting Shaq. Depends on the price though as we are near the tax. We would also have to do something with Nazr as I don't think there are room for all these centers on the roster. Tyson could play PF sometimes if we needed him to based on matchups.

If we got Shaq, the way to use him is like Alvin Gentry used him on the suns. Make him the focal point of your offense when he is in the game. It would be a great piece when playing Miami because they seem weakest at the C and PG. If we could get consistent play from Shaq I think we could beat them with our Defense.

With AI, I wouldn't mind at this point either. I would want to make sure his troubles last year are behind him which is a big If. Don't want to see him handed the starting Job over DJ though unless he gets in shape comes to camp and earns it.

[SWedd523]

I don't want a big man who couldn't guard the Pick and Roll if his life depended on it. He's a good fit for a zone defense, not a hedge and switch like ours

[ball teacher]

Trust me, Iverson running the point would make us look worse than DJ running it at this point.

Shaq as C actually would fit though. He wouldn't slow us down, we already are the slowest team in the NBA and we need a new addition to Frankencenter.

Why do you think Iverson would be worse than DJ? Iverson coming in to get the offense started is alot easier than coming in attempting to score 20 plus points a game. All we need him to do is get the ball into Jackson, or Crash's hands, or even make posts passes to the big man in the middle. If the play breaks down, let Iverson go for it if the ball ends up in his hands. Iverson wouldn't be the first, second, or even the third option in the offense. I think he'd be so happy to just be in the league, let alone to start that he'd gladly accept this role. Remember many teams don't want him, and the ones that do want him to be a bench player, this would be highly motivating, and being it's a new position and role it would be highly motivating for him.Jordan may not like him because of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR_ILgmR3HI
but I think this would be a really good thing.

[Tupik]

I never wanted Shaq here, and I still don't. By that I mean that I'd really totally extremely definitely hate it.

Iverson I'm not so sure, given our PG problems it could be an interesting solution, depends on his physical condition and whether or not he is ready to accept a reduced role.

[ball teacher]

I never wanted Shaq here, and I still don't. By that I mean that I'd really totally extremely definitely hate it.

LOL, why do I feel worried for Shaq's safety if he did actually come here?

[W_HAMILTON]

I'd take them both. Gambles like this are probably the only thing that is going to get this team to the next level. It might not work, but so be it.

[hotrod]

I don't want Shaq here and don't think he would come anyway. He wants another ring to keep pace with Kobe. Iverson I don't know. LB could talk him into being a role player which I have read AI is ready for anyway. Might be worth it to give him a try.

[Jaruff]

Shaq wouldn't come even if I wanted him here. I would be ecstatic if AI came, and would want him to start.

[ball teacher]

I don't want Shaq here and don't think he would come anyway. He wants another ring to keep pace with Kobe. Iverson I don't know. LB could talk him into being a role player which I have read AI is ready for anyway. Might be worth it to give him a try.

I would sell Shaq on this team being able to win the championship. We'd have Tyson on the bench, bring back Flip for bench scoring, at least if we can't trade Diaw for someone we can still have him to pace the second group. We could pump Shaq's head up and tell him he'd be the guy to get the Bobcats over the hump. Remember Jax is coming back probably 15-20 pounds lighter, we have a whole summer to develop Tyrus, Crash is coming into his own as a all star player, and we could VERY EASILLY have a rejuvenated A.I to run the show! The Spurs and Celtics don't want Shaq, the Hawks don't really seem sold on him either, what options does he have?

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Iverson was never a great PG. He’s also a player well past his prime that simply can’t play like he used to. Further the rules changes over the past few years really have hurt his game. He can’t defend nor score like he once did.

Shaq is slower than ever. This team already has a slow pace. Having him here would force the Cats to be the slowed pace team ever. Watching games would be painful.

Risks I’m OK with. Washed up players with big egos who still think that they can play like the used to, not so much.

[debo23]

We need iverson, arenas, or mcgrady at PG (paul being the best pick but I don't think NO is letting him go). Any of them would work fine. Give AI more credit, he has experience, no problem handling or deferring the ball, and can get on streaks. He also is good at feeding the 'oop at range, which would be an effective weapon with TT, Crash, and TC flying high. Arenas would give us a deadly outside scorer. WIth the bobcats slow style of play, McGrady could even start PG giving us a big lineup that could hold good D against Miami next season. MJ knows that we need a star in charlotte and I wouldn't be surprised to see him pickup a big name at PG. If they decide to start DJ this year, then it will be a sure sign Paul is coming home to Charlotte in '11.

[SWedd523]

Give AI more credit, he has experience, no problem deferring the ball

Michael Jordan has dished out more assists in his career than Allen Iverson has.

[debo23]

If MJ starts at PG i'll pickup some season tickets immediately.