2012 Bobcats Media Day

[BigSlam]

Post pics/quotes etc when you find them.

[fatlever]

Rick Bonnell @rick_bonnell 4 minutes ago

Dunlap on #bobcats newcomer Ben Gordon: "He's an absolute killer as far as getting that last shot to win."

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/tag/charlo ... z284CyBS3g

[fatlever]

Rick Bonnell
Rick Bonnell @rick_bonnell about 6 minutes ago

Dunlap: "I'm not big on middle jumpers. They're the least valuable shot you can get." Translation: Lots of drives to rim or 3-pointers.

Rick Bonnell
Rick Bonnell @rick_bonnell about 52 minutes ago

Dunlap says couple players need to improve fitness. Others at "high, high level."


Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/tag/charlo ... z284LTN4n4

[KembaWalker]

ive just got a feeling about this team man...were gonna surprise people

[SWedd523]

[KembaWalker]

everyone looks in midseason form physically, especially compared to last year. ready to run

[BigSlam]

Haywood seems to be in really good shape.

[Walt Cronkite]

Those are neat sneakers.

[fatlever]

Rick Bonnell @rick_bonnell 2 hours ago

Dunlap: "We will have an open competition for all (starting) spots. No one has a spot locked up.''

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/tag/charlo ... z284vgzDUY

[fatlever]

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_n ... -camp.html

On his intended style of play: “I hope that we pressure the heck out of the ball. And I hope that when we get deflections or steals, we run. But we have to run smart. We can’t turn over the ball after working that hard to get it.’’

On mid-range jump shots, which the Bobcats took so often last season, to limited success: “We really want to play off the rim, the paint and the open 3(-pointer). I’m not big on middle jumpers. The Bobcats took more of them last year than anybody in the NBA. They’re the least valuable shot you can get, where the most valuable is the free throw.’’

“You need to attack the rim in one manner or another. Getting to the free throw line says that you’re doing a lot right.’’

On Tyrus Thomas: “Defensively he’s a tremendous rotator. He knows how to put people in traps. Secondly, he gets a lot of deflections off the ball: He’s long and he’s athletic. Offensively, he has some wonderful 18-foot kill spots (i.e. optimum shots). You give him the ball in transition, and he finishes well around the rim because he’s so long.’’

“We have to go into the pick-and-roll game on the move – keep the defense moving. A lot of times older players in the NBA don’t like (guarding) a cutting offense. …Our talent is good enough to be competitive offensively and defensively. But we have to bring a different package to the NBA because we don’t have (such) talent that we can just sit them on their spots and allow our opponent to rest. We have to go after them in a fitness way.’’

[SWedd523]

[BigSlam]

[BigSlam]

[BigSlam]

[vorbis]

oh hi guys.

dunlap media day press conference in 3 parts on bobcats.com . goodness this guy is articulate and is, cliche as it may sound, all in on this team. work ethic sounds great, dunlap to my eyes has great, organized rapport with players. hopefully 12/13's team will be night and day different from last season's trainwreck, and i have a lot of confidence that it will.

[COURTSIDE 93]

Everyone is in shape, which is surprising. Knowing our luck, I thought Ben Gordon would come in with cheese burger arms and all slouched and indifferent, but he looks great.

[therebirth]

Rick Bonnell
Rick Bonnell @rick_bonnell about 6 minutes ago

Dunlap: "I'm not big on middle jumpers. They're the least valuable shot you can get." Translation: Lots of drives to rim or 3-pointers.

Rick Bonnell
Rick Bonnell @rick_bonnell about 52 minutes ago

Dunlap says couple players need to improve fitness. Others at "high, high level."


Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/tag/charlo ... z284LTN4n4

I don't know if I agree with this. The mid range jumper is on one of the most beautiful part of the game. Talk to mj.

[vorbis]

Rick Bonnell
Rick Bonnell @rick_bonnell about 6 minutes ago

Dunlap: "I'm not big on middle jumpers. They're the least valuable shot you can get." Translation: Lots of drives to rim or 3-pointers.

Rick Bonnell
Rick Bonnell @rick_bonnell about 52 minutes ago

Dunlap says couple players need to improve fitness. Others at "high, high level."


Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/tag/charlo ... z284LTN4n4

I don't know if I agree with this. The mid range jumper is on one of the most beautiful part of the game. Talk to mj.

it's not like dunlap is out on a limb with this. it is pretty standard basketball thought. seems to me that in answering that question (video is on bobcats.com) he is trying to draw contrasts between this season and last, more than anything else.

[Diop]

Dunlap also said this about TT, "Offensively, he has some wonderful 18-foot kill spots (i.e. optimum shots)."

So he isn't totally ruling out the mid range game

[fatlever]

GANA DIOP:
I just had to get back in shape. I was disappointed not being in shape last season but now I'm ready to play


henry:
hey Kemba thanks for staying with the cats through it all.... and what shooting range will benefit the most from coach dunlaps style and how wil it affect your range
Monday October 1, 2012 12:50

KEMBA WALKER:
It's going to effect my midrange - he definitely wants me to get in the paint more, so my money shot is definitely going to be in that midrange area

nick:
very impressive summer league play, kemba... how much do you think coach Dunlaps system will help you complete your game?
Monday October 1, 2012 12:52

KEMBA WALKER:
It's going to help me a lot because he has me being a lot more aggressive and getting to the paint and become a scorer as well as find my teammates

LaMichael:
What adjustments have you made this offseason and what can we expect from you in your second season with the Bobcats?
Monday October 1, 2012 12:57

REGGIE WILLIAMS:
I like it a lot - it reminds me of the style of play in college. Not as loose as at VMI but still getting it up the court and trying to get quick easy buckets

GMan:
This being your last season under contract, what are you looking forward to proving to the Bobcats management?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:01

REGGIE WILLIAMS:
Last year was rough with the surgery. This year I want to prove why they signed me - knocking down 3's, getting to the cup and scoring and finding my teammates - i want to get back to all that

henry:
cool n hows the chemitry from the team this yr compare to last in your opinion
Monday October 1, 2012 1:02

REGGIE WILLIAMS:
I think it's a lot better. We've spent a lot of time together and everyone knows each other. Last year the lockout ended and we had to get going really quick so the chemistry is definitely better

REGGIE WILLIAMS:
I think I might be playing some 1, 2 and 3 - honestly I feel most comfortable at all the positions - we have a lot of interchangeable pieces here and that's just going to benefit us

Levi5001:
Tyrus are you back 100% yet? Do you still have your legs?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:13

TYRUS THOMAS:
Yes I am back and I do have my legs

Bobcats 83:
I know last season didn't go your way last year. So what did you work on during the off season to improve your game?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:13

TYRUS THOMAS:
everything - i don't think that I needed to focus on one specific thing. i just wanted to improve all-around

Kenny:
What aspect of your game did you work most to improve this offseason?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:19

BYRON MULLENS:
defense and rebounding

Spain Cats:
What is your opion about playing in the PF?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:20

BYRON MULLENS:
I love it. I think it's my natural positions. Brendan is going to help me out with that a lot - open up my game and I want to help open him up as well

Bobcats 83:
It seemed like you was playing your best last season with you and Biz working the inside and out on the post, Have you developed more of a post game or are you better suited to be a permeter game?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:22

BYRON MULLENS:
I'm working on my post game but still working on my jump shot as well. playing with Biz helps out both of us, but playing with Brandon is going to be good as well

Bobcats 83:
Brendan, welcome back home. As being one of the more experienced players on team especially with a championship ring, what kind advice/help are you planning to give with the young bigs on the team like Biz, Mully.. etc?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:26

BRENDAN HAYWOOD:
The advice i have for the bigs is to be vocal and physical inside. as the last line of defense you have an obligation to tell your teammates what is going on on defense - if a screen's coming, if they're isolated, etc - so you always want to be vocal as a big

Daniel:
Welcome to Charlotte Brendan, how do you like Coach Dunlap so far?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:27

BRENDAN HAYWOOD:
he seems real cool - he's a no nonsense guy who is all about business and that will help this team

Spaceman Mike:
Gerald what have you improved upon most this off season?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:41

GERALD HENDERSON:
What I've improved upon most is my 3-pointer and my conditioning. I'm also working on my leadership skills. the position that i'm in on this team I have to be able to communicate with different guys. I have to get it done on the court too

Guest:
As captain of the Cats, how are you planning on keeping the players motivated to win games?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:45

GERALD HENDERSON:
i don't know if I need to do that as much - that's not something we're going to be lacking this year is the want to win. we have winners on our team and this year I don't think guys will accept losing

Milt:
Are you ready to turn the corner and become a super star?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:47

GERALD HENDERSON:
yes

MattCarrollFan13:
Ben, how did it feel the first time you put on that Bobcats jersey?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:52

BEN GORDON:
It felt good. I'm proud to be wearing this jersey. it looks good, feels good and hopefully this season we get off to a way better start than we did last year and have some fun doing it

Spaceman Mike:
Can you and Kemba play on the court at the same time? seems like yall play very similar games
Monday October 1, 2012 1:54

BEN GORDON:
I think we can. his abiility to get in the lane and make passes on the move are the same and our abilities to create our own shots with play well together

Kenny:
Ben, what do you think of Coach Dunlap so far, does he remind you of any of your past coaches?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:56

BEN GORDON:
So far Coach has been very intense, very focused on the style of play he wants us to use - he reminds me a little of Coach Calhoun and Coach Styles

Guest:
What do you see as this team's strength?
Monday October 1, 2012 1:57

BEN GORDON:
Our youth and athleticism. We want to get up and down the floor and play more uptempo. Our youth and athleticism gives us that advantage and we can work on the fly

Will:
Matt, what do you think is the biggest difference in the team this year?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:01

MATT CARROLL:
this year I think our shooting will be better - our depth off the bench will be better and I think you'll see a faster style of basketball

Will:
BIZ! What improvements have you made offensively?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:16

BISMACK BIYOMBO:
my post game - i've been working on my hook shot

Will:
What types of drills is Biz doing to help his hands and when he catches the ball?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:17

BISMACK BIYOMBO:
there are a lot of drills we're doing now with tennis balls to help with that

Bobcats 83:
Biz can you tell the PA announcer to play "nobody beats the biz" when you make a block shot? lol... Second question.. if you model your game after one player who would it be?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:21

BISMACK BIYOMBO:
i want to play like hakeem olajuwon - I'd love to be like him and hope to get the chance to work with him

Tijo:
MKG! How's the work on the jumper comin? We love you coming here to Charlotte!
Monday October 1, 2012 2:28

MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST:
It's coming real nice - every night I work on it with Coach Dunlap so its working great

Will:
What does MKG think is the most underrated part of his game?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:29

MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST:
I like to pass the basketball - not many people realize that

Daniel:
So glad to have you in the Bobcats family MKG. What do you think of this team so far?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:30

MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST:
I'm loving everything about this organization. I'm learning a lot from all my teammates - especially the vets and looking forward to camp

#1catsfan:
is there another nickn.ame you like better than mkg?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:31

MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST:
nope

Too bad, he will forever be "Boom" to me - Fats

Will:
Ramon, how's it feel being back in the Carolinas?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:39

RAMON SESSIONS:
Words can't explain how good it is to be home. It's the closest I can get to home

Kevin:
What intrigued you about Charlotte to sign with us in Free Agency?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:40

RAMON SESSIONS:
Coach Dunlaps style of play really fits my game. To play for my favorite player of MJ too is great, and I'm closer to home. Everything worked out at the right time

Josh:
What part of your game are you looking to improve on? Your shooting seemed to really improve last year % wise.
Monday October 1, 2012 2:41

RAMON SESSIONS:
I keep working on my 3-pt shot. Its something that helps my game out and makes the defense play honest.

Reggie:
Ramon, whats something you see in this team that sticks out to you from the othet teams youve played on?
Monday October 1, 2012 2:42

RAMON SESSIONS:
I think the chemistry is there. I also like the youth - when you're young you just go out and play basketball and not really think about things as much. That can be a big positive