The "I Can't Wait for the Season to Start" Thread

spectre_ · Post #1 » by **spectre_** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:05 pm

Bobcats getting after it at Time Warner Cable Arena

-- Bobcats.com's Matt Rochinski | 4:11 pm 9/10/09

Iron Workers
Before the workout I thought I’d check out the weight room to see who might be in there putting in some extra work before hitting the court and came across Ajinca, Henderson, Brown and Dontell Jefferson getting pushed by Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Irr. The first thing that struck me was how it looks as if Alexis has bulked up a little here in the offseason.

Extra Work
After hitting the weights, these four headed to the court to shoot around a bit while waiting for the others to arrive. You can tell that Derrick Brown and Gerald Henderson have been working out together and have a bit of a rookie bond going here, because as soon as they hit the court they began working on taking outside shots – just inside or outside of the 3-point line with the other one up in their face.

There’s Raymond
While the rookies and younger guys were shooting around, the vets started to show up – first was Bell, followed by Wallace, who also arrived at the court with Raymond Felton. For all of you Bobcats fans who keep hitting up our Twitter and Facebook pages asking about Raymond – he’s still in great shape, upbeat and has been working out off and on over here for the past month or so.

Feeling It
Once the pickup games started, it appeared that Henderson’s extra work had paid off, as he seemingly couldn’t miss from anywhere on the court. Jumper over Bell from the free throw line extended – got it. A 3-pointer from the left corner – money. Another one, this time over Wallace – count it again.

But it wasn’t just Henderson’s shooting that was impressive. He also has a knack for finding the open man, something that fits nicely into the Bobcats team mentality of sharing the ball. If Henderson continues to play like this heading into training camp, preseason and into the regular season, the Bobcats might have gotten a steal in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Playing Hard
While their shots might not have been falling, they did make the youngsters earn everything they got on both ends of the floor. Mohammed continuously pounded away at Ajinca in the paint, getting Alexis to showcase some new offensive moves just to get around Nazr. Wallace was flying around all over the floor and getting in everybody’s way while closing every passing lane and challenging Brown to defend him on the break on the defensive end. Felton pestered Jefferson wherever he went on the court, forcing him to make quick decisions with the ball. Bell challenged Henderson on every shot, but as I said before, Henderson hit almost everyone.

Play of the Day
Alexis Ajinca – enjoy your moment. I’m not sure when you’ll get another one of these again. Ajinca posterized Gerald Wallace midway through the fourth game, rising up and throwing a one-handed dunk down over The Force, leaving everybody in the gym shaking their heads in disbelief.

spectre_ · Post #2 » by **spectre_** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:06 pm

Dave Hanners Interview

spectre_ · Post #3 » by **spectre_** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:10 pm

Tyson Chandler - Everything Feels Good

Now healthy from head to toe, Bobcats' Chandler thinks big

In Charlotte, his athleticism will be coveted, his four trips to the postseason with the Bulls and Hornets will be appreciated and his versatility will be used, with Brown planning to play Chandler at center and power forward. Funny, it doesn't feel like going backward.

More like moving on, from the constant swirl of 2008-09, from having to keep his bags packed, from the disappointing numbers in an attempt to reclaim the form of averaging double-figure rebounds the two previous seasons. Everything feels good again.

Fred Williamson · Post #4 » by **Fred Williamson** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:51 pm

GoBobs · Post #5 » by **GoBobs** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:12 pm

Great stuff!! Go Lexy

Felton for Pres · Post #6 » by **Felton for Pres** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:12 pm

A month and a half from the first game. It'll be here before we know it.

amcoolio · Post #7 » by **amcoolio** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:17 pm

That'd be great if Henderson turned into Kobe Bryant.

Post #8 » by **Paydro70** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:27 pm

That would indeed be pretty sweet.

Post #9 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:41 pm

Maybe Tyson can turn into Wilt and Ajinca could become a version of Karl Malone.

CHAMPIONSHIP!!

amcoolio · Post #10 » by **amcoolio** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:53 pm

In all seriousness, if Henderson has found his shooting stroke, he could become a very, very, very good player for us and an excellent draft pick.

Maybe the Bobcats knew this and this was the reason they didn't go after Iverson?

Post #11 » by **fatlever** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:57 pm

go jinx go.

man, if hendo can add a jumper, watch out.

Bassman · Post #12 » by **Bassman** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 4:24 pm

amcoolio wrote:In all seriousness, if Henderson has found his shooting stroke, he could become a very, very, very good player for us and an excellent draft pick.

Maybe the Bobcats knew this and this was the reason they didn't go after Iverson?

Agree that this is the key to Henderson's development and success. IF he get's a consistent jump shot, and improves the other nuances of his game to an NBA level, he becomes the starter we need starting next year.

Hope is all I have for Lexy. It's a long way from a pick-up game to being a force in the league.

chabber · Post #13 » by **chabber** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:14 pm

Every year this happens to me. Football training camp starts and I'm as amped about it as the next guy but by the time the first week rolls around I'm tired of 24/7 over analysis of everything that is the NFL. While I still love football all that's on my mind right now is that I wish it was basketball season instead.

Post #14 » by **fatlever** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:33 pm

i fell asleep in the 3rd quarter of the steelers titans game.. ho hum.

but i am stoked about my fantasy football teams this sunday.

nbatv has been showing some cool "classic" games this summer. finally they are showing something other than the typical 80s lakers v celtics games. recently i watched the 28 assists game by stockton, the game where stockton broke magics assist record and garnett's first nba game. none were awesome game, but it was still fun to see something new.

and it reminded me how damn good stockton was. i miss him. stockton prime >>>>> nash prime.

walt walt williams was awesome in the first half of the garnett game i watched. i loved walt.

hotrod · Post #15 » by **hotrod** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:22 pm

fatlever wrote:go jinx go.

man, if hendo can add a jumper, watch out.

Raja wasn't much of a shooter when LB discovered him. I think Hendo has a bright future!

chabber · Post #16 » by **chabber** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:30 pm

NBATV has definitely stepped it up over the summer with the classic games they are showing. I have about 13 different games recorded on my dvr right now. I've had more than that but I've been working my way through them.

Post #17 » by **fatlever** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:33 pm

i'm just waiting for the day i see them show a late 80s nuggest game with the headline

"fat lever records massive triple double 20pts 15ast 15rebs."

chabber · Post #18 » by **chabber** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:09 pm

I saw him in the 90 All-Star game recently when they had that whole week of Magic games. Probably as close as you'll get to your wish.
I want them to focus on great random games from All-Star caliber players more often. I'd love to see an old Spur/Bucks game with Alvin Robertson again.

Post #19 » by **fatlever** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:15 pm

fluffernutter · Post #20 » by **fluffernutter** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:25 pm

I'm glad the season is starting soon if only to end this disastrous off-season.

We would have to win only 15 games during the season to match the despair generated by the Bobcats this off-season.

It's one way to inspire the fans to celebrate game #1. Not the best way. But a way.