RealGM

The Bobcats won with defense and by controlling the pace to start the season. Brendan Haywood is the defensive anchor of the Bobcats. Charlotte can play him, still play the young guys, and win with the following lineup:

Best lineup: Kemba Walker, Jeffrey Taylor, Michael Kidd Gilchrist, Bismack Biyombo, Brendan Haywood

http://www.82games.com/1213/12CHA15.HTM
That lineup only played 10 minutes, (see Top-Five Man Unit 12). There is another lineup for offense that has 4 of the same players. This could be the best lineup of the Bobcats.

Another good lineup: Walker, Gordon, Taylor, MKG, Haywood

I think the Bobcats will win games simply but committing to playing Brendan Haywood at least 30 minutes.

It is also feasible to have Biyombo and Haywood playing in tandem. There is NO WAY the Bobcats should have a bad defense without that being by design. Sessions with Walker and no Haywood leads to bad defense.

Thanks "Chocolate City Jordanaire", but you're not saying anything that I haven't been saying along. I knew things would go downhill after the game where Dunlap decided to bench Haywood in favor for Biyombo because it would begin to destroy team morale. As raw as Biyombo is, he hasn't done enough of anything to supplant Haywood in the starting lineup as at least a veteran presence if nothing else.

The other thing that I questioned from Dunlap was the decreased minutes in Ben Gordon after the 7-5 start. Yes, sure Gordon almost single-handedly ruined the 'Cats chances of beating the Knicks last month, but he's the best scorer on this team (based on per 36 *points per minute*), not to mention allows the team to stretch the floor when he's on the court.

With these statements made, I believe the morale of the veterans on this team like Haywood and Gordon is becoming very low. Now when I see them in the game for sporadic minutes they look so disinterested because they see the ploy is not to win, but to develop players. I understand that Cho & Co. may want to tank, but making it so obvious without making the young players have to earn their minutes will not produce any kind of growth.

the main problem with a kemba, taylor, mkg, biz haywood lineup is of course offense. there is only one reliable scorer in that lineup. teams will aggressive trap kemba and force the other 4 to do something, which they wont. defense improves, offense gets worse.

but hey, after 17 straight defeats, dunlap should keep trying. frankly i will be disappointed if we dont see a lineup change for tonight.