Season Preview I Wrote A Few Nights Ago. Thoughts?
Posted: 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
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