Pinch me: We are Improving?

[fluffernutter]

Work with me here. I know we played some crappy teams lately. But this goes back about 8 games.

I think we are slowly improving.

Our defense is now better than average. I think that's safe to say. And I think it should keep getting better. I think our players are willing to work on the defensive side; they just never were very good at it. Now with LB they are getting a clue.

I think we are slowly working Okafor into the offense. He seems to be a target for us after halftime, after (presumably) wearing down the defense a little bit.

(I think a lot).

May is definitely improving, but until he drops 10 double-double's in a row I don't think that's too much of a factor. But it helps.

The point guard play seems to be stabilizing. Felton has been up-and-down with his shooting, DJ as well to some extent. But they are both running the offense reasonably well, passing well, and getting decent assist numbers. Felton has been playing excellent defense. DJ has had some nice shooting games from 3 point distance.

We are starting to "break" a little bit; run now and then, more than in the first few weeks.

I just feel like there is a little movement now. The undifferentiated clot that was our offense has been given an oleaginous injection. A small one. But noticeable.

I think at least.

[Felton for Pres]

I am not disagreeing with anything, but I am reserving comment until Sunday.

[BigSlam]

No doubt.

We were all looking to share the ball a lot - which is great, although sometimes we were being a little too cute trying to make the extra pass. Sometimes it's better just to score the ball when you get it and not make the extra pass.

One thing did stick out last night though - guys aren't thinking as much, they are just "doing" which is great. It means LB's system is becoming more natural to them and they are more comfortable with it.

For me it's all about Jan 1st. I think that by then, so long as we can stay fairly healthy, we'll have a pretty good idea of where we are at.

[countryboi]

i think they really are getting better...but have too many holes on the team to see a major improvement this season but i think we have the makings of a pretty good team

[ohara]

I have to agree that it does look like we are improving. I had some doubts recently, but the last several games lead me to believe LB has them buying into his system. We win when we are not at our best (like the OKC game), win the games we should win, and we are not getting blown out by the better opposition. We gave Boston a great run, which is admirable. I actually think that barring injury, a 7-8 seed is possible. Just have to stay focused on the Court. Friday night will be huge. If we can take out the Bucks on the road, we leap frog them in the East. Especially important as the Cavs come up after that, and that game will be very tough. The Cavs are playing terrific ball right now, and King James is loving it and playing like an MVP.

[amcoolio]

We've won 4 out of the past 6, with those 2 losses being close losses to the Celtics and Raptors. The Raptors game we should have won but we couldn't contain Bosh down the stretch.

[ohara]

On today's Chat with John Hollinger on ESPN, he was asked about the Bobcats. He said LB's teams have a history of starting slow and then gaining traction thru the season. He said do not be surprised if the Cats make a late push for the 8th seed.

It is always a nice surprise when ESPN folks say something nice about the Bobcats. We must be improving.

[Paydro70]

Hollinger is perhaps our only fan in the national media. Though even he says he occasionally forgets we're in the league.