This team has a lot of heart. And not just that, they played hard - and most of all smart - despite having the odds stacked against them in the worst way. It would've been all too easy for guys to start pointing fingers, tuning out coaches, thinking about next year, and taking games off in this series but every single player on the roster showed how far the franchise has come by not just being professionals but having each others backs the whole time. If someone would've told me that the Charlotte Bobcats would be up 2 at half-time against the defending champs without Al Jefferson in an elimination game two months ago, I would've asked for them to pass me whatever they were smoking.
The team exceeded all of my expectations this year. By a lot. MKG showed immense patience and determination by working on limited minutes and playing through harsh, harsh criticisms all year long. Kemba did his absolute best to not fall back into old habits even when it would've been successful in the short term - his long term commitment to being a true point guard has to be respected. Al Jefferson had a career year on and off the court. Henderson did his best to fill shoes that he knows he'll never being able to wear. Jeff Taylor by all accounts has not let this injury keep him down and he's been working out nonstop AND sticking with the team on the road when he may not have done so if he were in his rookie mindstate. Biyombo again improves through the rough uphill climb that is being a young international big in the NBA. Zeller improved every month and the playoff experience against some of the grittiest bigs in the league will no doubt help him.
I know I'm forgetting guys, but I think everyone can look at someone on the roster and say something about how each player exceeded expectations in some shape or form.
Most of all, this coaching staff. I would've never imagined Steve Clifford pushing an up and down game in game 4 but his willingness to adapt on the spot blew my mind as it makes it clear that Clifford wasn't simply trying to enforce his system for the duration of the regular season, but a system that our guys could learn and create a foundation through. I was amazed when I saw Clifford's change ups in game 4. But he's been great all year and helped guys get better as players - not just get better for him.
And MJ. He wasn't even a dick this year!
This has been the best season I could've realistically hoped for this year as a Bobcats fan and I'm just truly thankful to all of the organization (Dell, Steve, and Steph are the best crew in the league for a local fan) for what they've done. We're in a great spot going forward and getting to that spot this season has been a blast.
