I see your negativity, and raise you.

[arh1109]

Wow if your expectation is for a top 4 team next season you're gonna get let down. If you're expecting a championship you're gonna be let down. Playoffs better be on the mind of everyone on the roster this offseason. I know Felton considers everything to be his fault so hopefully he'll practice his shot in the offseason. Dj's only gonna get better passing wise and scoring wise and soon will be a great 6 man if he keeps on pace after this year. I trust Brown to choose the right guy that will make our team that much better. We're going in the right direction, we can't cut corners to try and improve though. I'm all for offseason deals but we really should keep our starters+DJ unless its an offer we can't resist. We need a good 2 because I'm so tired of seeing our midget backcourt and would like to see Felton and Augustine see less time on the court together via whoever our new stud sg is.

[W_HAMILTON]

My expectations for a team that isn't just fighting to make the playoffs. I want a legitimate playoff contender that is fighting for homecourt advantage. I want them to easily make the playoffs, so that would be somewhere between a 4th-6th seed most likely, and around 42-45 wins.

This team that I've watched the past few weeks is not capable of that. If they go back to playing like they were before, sure, it's possible. But again, if they just completely fall off like this, why should I think they will go back to playing like that?

[August Us Seazr]

I think the truth to this argument resides somewhere to the right of Ham's position and to the left of everyone else's.

We have some serious deficiencies:
1- Staying mentally tough when the game demands it. Felton forces too much at the wrong time. Still.
2- Scoring from the front line.- No the Diop trade didn't address it.
3- The second shooting guard vacancy. To be filled by ?????????????
4- Someone, ANYONE on our roster that in the fourth quarter of games takes it on himself to say-
"GIVE ME THE BALL"- and then kill the opponent when he gets it. To be filled by ?????????????

We also have a better roster right now than we had in November. The chemistry is better. The rotations are better. We now have assets that other teams would have more than passing interest in. We just need to use them appropriately. And with Larry Brown's tutelage, I think good things will continue to happen.

There are a couple of things that I would like to suggest. The Carolina Hurricanes did this in training camp the year they won the Stanley Cup. The coach at the time, Peter Laviolette, took a day or two out of the season preparation for some team building. Stuff outside of the game skills/strategy things like rappeling walls, zip lining... outdoor stuff that helps the guys to rely on each other to accomplish a goal. Now it needs to be safe stuff, because we don't need to injure anyone, but maybe an exercise kind of like what they used to do on "The Mole".

The other thing is to have a couple of weeks during the season where all of the players have their moms join the team for a couple of home games followed by a two game Eastern road trip. Then do the dads about a month later. Help make the team a family thing. Promote friendships between the moms on the team and the dads on the team.

I'd also like to see a return of the team to Charlotte during the summer. But instead of seeing so much pickup gaming, I'd like to see some of these guys pairing off and trying to develop new facets of their games. Just think, if Okafor hit FT's at a 79% clip instead of a 59% rate... or if Felton didn't feel like there was an option with the clock running down-other than a desperate heave.

This didn't turn into a mess in one year, and it will take an ongoing process to build a championship team. But Larry Brown is putting a good foundation of one together now. Let's enjoy the process.

[Bassman]

My expectations for a team that isn't just fighting to make the playoffs. I want a legitimate playoff contender that is fighting for homecourt advantage. I want them to easily make the playoffs, so that would be somewhere between a 4th-6th seed most likely, and around 42-45 wins.

This team that I've watched the past few weeks is not capable of that. If they go back to playing like they were before, sure, it's possible. But again, if they just completely fall off like this, why should I think they will go back to playing like that?

This is the essence of the argument, and concern. The team is better, as Augustus stated very well earlier, and yet it's not significantly better. A team of largely role players that is still lacking two difference makers to become that type of team Ham is talking about. Our frustration (or concern) is that without getting those crucial players via trade or draft or free agency, this team will marginally improve but be a playoff doormat over the next several seasons.

Our drafts have hurt, in that we weren't able to get a guy who is a top overall player at his position. Okafor does pretty well on D and rebounding but his offense is below average. Felts is a starter but needs a lot of work to be a top PG. We lucked out with Wallace, but his inconsistency is driving me crazy. I like Diaw and Bell , but Raja is getting old and Boris is a very skilled role player. DJ will improve but I don't see all-star or close in his future.

A team of quality role players cannot win playoff series in this league. To get to the level Ham is speaking of this squad needs 2 KEY starters: a shooting guard that scores when you need scoring (while still being a good defender) and a PF or C who can kick butt on both sides of the ball AND REBOUND.

My hope is for a lottery ball that gives us Griffin, plus a trade that gets us a big time SG.

[Dexmor]

My expectations for a team that isn't just fighting to make the playoffs. I want a legitimate playoff contender that is fighting for homecourt advantage. I want them to easily make the playoffs, so that would be somewhere between a 4th-6th seed most likely, and around 42-45 wins.

This team that I've watched the past few weeks is not capable of that. If they go back to playing like they were before, sure, it's possible. But again, if they just completely fall off like this, why should I think they will go back to playing like that?

This is the essence of the argument, and concern. The team is better, as Augustus stated very well earlier, and yet it's not significantly better. A team of largely role players that is still lacking two difference makers to become that type of team Ham is talking about. Our frustration (or concern) is that without getting those crucial players via trade or draft or free agency, this team will marginally improve but be a playoff doormat over the next several seasons.

Our drafts have hurt, in that we weren't able to get a guy who is a top overall player at his position. Okafor does pretty well on D and rebounding but his offense is below average. Felts is a starter but needs a lot of work to be a top PG. We lucked out with Wallace, but his inconsistency is driving me crazy. I like Diaw and Bell , but Raja is getting old and Boris is a very skilled role player. DJ will improve but I don't see all-star or close in his future.

A team of quality role players cannot win playoff series in this league. To get to the level Ham is speaking of this squad needs 2 KEY starters: a shooting guard that scores when you need scoring (while still being a good defender) and a PF or C who can kick butt on both sides of the ball AND REBOUND.

My hope is for a lottery ball that gives us Griffin, plus a trade that gets us a big time SG.

I couldn't agree more. We can't do anything with just role players and thats all we have.

[thruthefire]

Just bring in Richard Jefferson or Al Harrington, and we will have a star!

[Dexmor]

I think the RJ thing was a unprovocked stab at me but I don't get the Harrington thing. I hate AL. I said he is at least a 20 point a game guy at the time he was but if this is a stab at me why don't we stop making it personal.

[chrbal]

Of the two I think Harrington might fit slightly more, but I would rather neither player became A Bobcat. *this isn't an attack on anyone other then Richard Jefferson.. MR. Empty Stats.

[Dexmor]

I choose RJ between the 2 at play him at the 2. Harrington is weird and will get you 20 1 game and 4 the next.

[Rich4114]

I wouldn't bother with either one. It's easier to draft a future star SG in the late lottery than it is a big man... maybe we can land that guy this draft. Otherwise, we're probably not getting one unless we give up something big like Wallace or Okafor.

[thruthefire]

I choose RJ between the 2 at play him at the 2. Harrington is weird and will get you 20 1 game and 4 the next.

But you think he's a star!