Season Preview I Wrote A Few Nights Ago. Thoughts?

Liver_Pooty · Post #1 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 12:18 am

Charlotte Bobcats 2011-12 Team Preview

The Charlotte Bobcats ended last season with a rather mediocre 34-48 record. With the in season trades of Gerald Wallace, and Nazr Mohammed for basically 1st round picks, and cap relief, and the draft day trade of Stephen Jackson to Milwaukee for the rights to Bismack Biyombo, and Corey Maggette the Bobcats are in all-out rebuilding mode.

Offseason Moves:

The obvious offseason move the Bobcats made was the trade involving Stephen Jackson to Milwaukee. The trade also sent Charlottes 19th pick, and in return the Bobcats received the 7th pick which were the rights to Bismack Biyombo, and Corey Maggette. Also, owner Michael Jordan hired Rich Cho as his new GM. Now although the Cho move doesn’t really seem like a big deal it may in fact pay more dividends down the road than either the Jackson, or Wallace trade. Cho worked under Sam Presti in OKC, and learned to build a franchise thru the draft, which would explain why Charlotte traded fan favorite and the franchises only All-Star in Wallace, and top scorer Jackson.

Players to Watch: Bismack Biyombo: The biggest question for Charlotte is if Biyombo, the freakishly athletic 6'9 240 pound man from the Congo is the next Dwight Howard? The next Mouhamed Saer Sene? Or someone in between like a Serge Ibaka, or Ben Wallace. The positives to Biyombo are obvious. A long, athletic big man, phenomenal rebounder, shotblocker, and an insane wingspan. Unfortunately the negatives are about as obvious as the positives. He is as raw as they come, and needs way more experience. As phenomenal as he is on the end he can look utterly pathetic on the offensive end at times. Then there are the questions about his age which mainly stem from him being from Congo. Hopefully he will be able to suit up for Charlotte this coming year as his contract in Spain is a rather tricky one.

Kemba Walker: Jordan, and Cho seemed to play it rather safe with this pick after swinging for the fences with Biyombo. The interesting thing will be how Charlotte uses Walker. Their have been some grumblings inside the organization that Paul Silas may plan on using a two PG backcourt together (if you’re an older Bobcat fan you cringe at the thought of another Brevin Knight/Raymond Felton duo), which may make sense offensively, but defensively would be horrid. Walkers shot selection can be downright scary at times, but he can get to the rim whenever he wants. Walker also possesses the clutch gene, and loves to take the big shot. That being said I expect him to begin the season as the backup to DJ Augustin, and win the starting job by midseason.

Tyrus Thomas: Thomas is one of those players where year in and year out you wait for him to just "get it", and explode, but thus far in his career he seems to continuously get the "a fantastic athlete, but a below average basketball player" label. For a player as athletically gifted as Thomas there is really no reason why he cant be a great defender on a consistent basis instead of giving the fans a jaw dropping dunk/block once every four games.

Corey Maggette: Maggette figures to take Jacksons place at SF on opening night. With Maggette you basically already know what your going to get. He keeps himself in phenomenal shape, and can get to the foul line as good as anyone in the league. He is average at best from behind the arc shooting 32% from his career there, and can be completely lost on the defensive end on a nightly basis. He will help makeup for Jacksons departure on the offensive end, though.

Gerald Henderson: Henderson is recovering from offseason hip surgery. and is close to 100% healthy. Henderson is a great athlete, defender, and has a fairly good midrange jumper that he worked hard to develop over the course of last season. If Henderson is going to reach his full potential he must improve on his outside shot as 19% from behind the arc just wont cut it for a starting SG in this league.

Boris Diaw: Diaw had well, another Diaw type season for Charlotte. Diaw has always been one of the best passing big men in the league, and is extremely versatile, but he has always been afraid to impose his will on the game. He recently exercised the last year of his deal, and Jordan will be more than happy to rid the team of his 9 million dollar deal, especially with Biyombo, and Thomas waiting in the wings.

DJ Augustin: Augustin had a nice, solid season for Paul Silas last year, but with the arrival of Walker it could very well shake his confidence a little. Augustin is a great outside shooter, but his lack of athleticism, and small frame doesn’t allow him to get to the rim and finish like a team would like their starting PGs to go.

Bobcat Free Agents:

Restricted - Dante Cunningham Unrestricted - Kwame Brown, Dominic Mcguire, Joel Przybilla, Garrett Temple

This is where things can get a little tricky for Charlotte. After trading away Nazr Mohammed last year to OKC Kwame Brown became the only effective big man (other than Boris Diaw, but I don’t call a PF that averages 6 rebounds or less a big man) on the roster. He played pretty well for Silas, who infused confidence in him. It is very important that Charlotte resign Brown without overpaying him, as there will be plenty of suitors. As for any free agents Charlotte may covet I don’t see them even attempting to sign any. Nene, and David West seem to be the best free agents available, and although Nene would fill a hole at center the chances of him coming to Charlotte to play for a rebuilding team are remote, same for David West.

Outlook:

Sometimes in order to get better you have to get worse, or way worse in Charlottes case. Trading Wallace for two 1st rounders and change was a start as well as trading Jackson for the rights to Biyombo, and Maggette. Having Rich Cho who worked under Sam Presti in OKC can only help as Presti built a powerhouse in OKC thru the draft. Charlotte fans can only hope Jordan, and Cho can do the same

Liver_Pooty · Post #2 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 12:19 am

Prediction: 20-62. 5th in Southeast. 15th in East.

Elden Payton · Post #3 » by **Elden Payton** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 4:09 am

Cheers for the effort, It's a good read.

Also we all viewed Cho as a major acquisition, we know how good he is.

Also do you think we are going to have a season???

Post #4 » by **BigSlam** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:36 pm

Great stuff Liver_Pooty. I'm interested to hear if you think that Tyrus is the long term solution at the PF position, if Biz is a PF or a C and how those two fit with each other.

Also interested to hear who you think our draft targets in 2012 should be.

Felton for Pres · Post #5 » by **Felton for Pres** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:14 pm

Is Bis' contract situation with his old club figured out yet? I don't think so but I admit to not paying a lot of attention.

SWedd523 · Post #6 » by **SWedd523** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:21 pm

No word yet. Last update had him with a new agent trying to get it figured out.

Liver_Pooty · Post #7 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 5:07 am

I can't help but salivate thinking about an Andre Drummond, Bismack Biyombo combo up front. That would athletically be just plain insane. Barnes of course would fill a glaring need at SF since Margette is obviously not a long term solution. Im also somewhat enamored with Jeremy Lamb, and Austin Rivers. I really don't think Biyombo, and Thomas should play together for long stretches. Defensively together could be something special, but offensively? Eh not so much. Thomas has shown flashes of a decent post game, but still needs one good go to move. Biyombo didn't look bad at all in Jimmers exhibition, but still a ways to go.

Liver_Pooty · Post #8 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 5:13 am

I think there will be a season. Probably 50-60 games. I think its pathetic they aren't meeting more often. The NFL met 16 days in a row for Christ sake. Also makes me ill as to why talks were broken off. Met for 30the hours over 3 days, and the owners went up from 47 to 50% BRI while players went from 53 to 52.5%. So why break off talks when your making progress? Once the players start missing checks they will compromise. I think the players will go.down to 51% and the owners will agree.

Kembastockton · Post #9 » by **Kembastockton** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 5:52 pm

During an nbatv interview after the talks broke down Billy seemed to claim that the owners were just trying to make it look good. He seemed to think that they are not bargining in good faith, and want to miss the season.

Elden Payton · Post #10 » by **Elden Payton** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:09 pm

Liver_Pooty wrote:I think there will be a season. Probably 50-60 games. I think its pathetic they aren't meeting more often. The NFL met 16 days in a row for Christ sake. Also makes me ill as to why talks were broken off. Met for 30the hours over 3 days, and the owners went up from 47 to 50% BRI while players went from 53 to 52.5%. So why break off talks when your making progress? Once the players start missing checks they will compromise. I think the players will go.down to 51% and the owners will agree.

I agree with your post & I hope we get at least 50 games for Kemba & Biyombo to get used to the league.

Elden Payton · Post #11 » by **Elden Payton** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:12 pm

DJQuick wrote:During an nbatv interview after the talks broke down Billy seemed to claim that the owners were just trying to make it look good. He seemed to think that they are not bargining in good faith, and want to miss the season.

Don't believe anything Billy Hunter says.

Kembastockton · Post #12 » by **Kembastockton** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:42 pm

Sik Infant wrote:
DJQuick wrote:During an nbatv interview after the talks broke down Billy seemed to claim that the owners were just trying to make it look good. He seemed to think that they are not bargining in good faith, and want to miss the season.

Don't believe anything Billy Hunter says.

Agreed. Is it just me or does this guy seem to be down right toxic?

captaincrunk · Post #13 » by **captaincrunk** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:19 pm

DJQuick wrote:
Sik Infant wrote:
DJQuick wrote:During an nbatv interview after the talks broke down Billy seemed to claim that the owners were just trying to make it look good. He seemed to think that they are not bargining in good faith, and want to miss the season.

Don't believe anything Billy Hunter says.

Agreed. Is it just me or does this guy seem to be down right toxic?

He seems alright to me.

Liver_Pooty · Post #14 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:00 pm

I think Adam Silver is the toxic one. Watching his press conference with Spurs owner Peter Holt the day Stern couldn't attend because he was sick gave me a bad vibe about Silver. Truth be told both sides will lie, rape, and pillage to get their way at this point.

Elden Payton · Post #15 » by **Elden Payton** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:22 am

DJQuick wrote:
Sik Infant wrote:
DJQuick wrote:During an nbatv interview after the talks broke down Billy seemed to claim that the owners were just trying to make it look good. He seemed to think that they are not bargining in good faith, and want to miss the season.

Don't believe anything Billy Hunter says.

Agreed. Is it just me or does this guy seem to be down right toxic?

He's the only one getting paid on the Player's union....He doesn't care how quick the lockout ends....

In fact the harder it is to sign a new CBA in many ways seems to validate his 2m dollar salary & show he's needed...I wouldn't be surprised if he was giving the union bad advice to keep his job.

captaincrunk · Post #16 » by **captaincrunk** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:23 pm

Sik Infant wrote:
DJQuick wrote:
Sik Infant wrote:Don't believe anything Billy Hunter says.

Agreed. Is it just me or does this guy seem to be down right toxic?

He's the only one getting paid on the Player's union....He doesn't care how quick the lockout ends....

In fact the harder it is to sign a new CBA in many ways seems to validate his 2m dollar salary & show he's needed...I wouldn't be surprised if he was giving the union bad advice to keep his job.

That's pathetic reasoning. I don't get paid to do a lot of things I keep doing. You're assuming a lot here, and it's disgusting. I'd love to see what you do for a living. I'm sure I could insert a load of bull to make you look like a jackass too.

All about the post, not about the poster. All that stuff.

Elden Payton · Post #17 » by **Elden Payton** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 1:53 am

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Cheers Crunk....I think....lol

I stand by what I said though, I view Billy Hunter like a cancer for the league, the players need a new rep for the union.

Chrystos · Post #18 » by **Chrystos** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 4:33 am

Predict we compete with Cavs and Raptors for worst team. Hopefully we get Anthony Davis in the draft.

Kembastockton · Post #19 » by **Kembastockton** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 4:52 pm

Chrystos wrote:Predict we compete with Cavs and Raptors for worst team. Hopefully we get Anthony Davis in the draft.

I don't know watching the Kentucky Blue/ white game the other night I am starting to think that he may be a little overrated. However the kid that I wanted to draft last year, but chose to return Terrence Jones looked freakin awesome! 52 and 16 ! If he can score anything close to that during the season the whole landscape of the draft may change.

SWedd523 · Post #20 » by **SWedd523** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:06 pm

I don't want anything to do with Davis, Perry Jones, or any of those other similar guys