#BringBacktheBiz - The Bismack Biyombo Thread

Post #1601 » by **Diop** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 11:52 am

Spurs might have grabbed him with a 2nd rounder and stashed him

LamarMatic7 · Post #1602 » by **LamarMatic7** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 2:17 pm

The Spurs are so much more likely to draft a skilled European who lacks certain athleticism than a specimen of an athlete of African descent.

Actually, I don't really re-call them ever drafting one.

Eoghan · Post #1603 » by **Eoghan** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 6:52 pm

yosemiteben wrote:
BrotherDave wrote:I'm a bit dubious that back-to-back playoff appearances will make much of a difference. Before the Hornets left, the team had made the playoffs 4 out of the last 5 years, getting past the 1st round three times. Fan support for that team fell apart quickly b/c the writing was on the wall that they had a good but not great team. Sure, Shinn pissed off a lot of people but there were a lot of diehard basketball fans that would have kept coming if the team looked like it had any semblance of contending for a championship.

I don't think eking into the playoffs (and probably getting destroyed again) is gonna be the jolt to this franchise that you imagine.

What happens if we don't make the playoffs? Is the approach wrong in your evaluation then or do they get another year?

Totally disagree that Shinn was not the reason that Hornets support fell off or that it was primarily due to post season success, but that's not really important because (a) we aren't looking at a team that has had consistent playoff success to get bored with and (b) you raise some good questions.

If we get a healthy Al and can't make the playoffs this year then I think I can safely say that I would believe signing him was a mistake. I just don't think the team we saw the second half of last season was a mirage because no one else wanted to win, so I'm convinced that this team can turn it around if everyone can get healthy.

I do think multiple playoff appearances would go a long way towards legitimizing what we have going on in our franchise. We were the laughing stock of the league for multiple years. I think if we didn't sign Al when we did, then this summer we still would have had to overpay to bring a potentially overrated top scoring option in because no one on our roster could play that role even if we got another top 10 pick last season. I think Al can net us consecutive playoff appearances while showing FAs that we have a solid coach and a place where you can win, and I think that goes a long way with potential FAs, especially for a franchise that has to deal with FAs that want to go elsewhere for less money just so they can win more.

Didn't say Shinn wasn't the reason support fell off, but that he wasn't the only reason. Basketball fans that are spoiled with the constant success of UNC and Duke make up the majority of the casual fan base in NC, not southern baptists mad at Shinn. Since you said "in light of the franchise's history" I brought up that chapter since it is our franchise's history now. We've had good basketball teams in Charlotte before, but never great ones.

Post #1604 » by **yosemiteben** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 7:03 pm

BrotherDave wrote:Didn't say Shinn wasn't the reason support fell off, but that he wasn't the only reason. Basketball fans that are spoiled with the constant success of UNC and Duke make up the majority of the casual fan base in NC, not southern baptists mad at Shinn. Since you said "in light of the franchise's history" I brought up that chapter since it is our franchise's history now. We've had good basketball teams in Charlotte before, but never great ones.

That's fair, I guess I was referring to post-2004. I think Charlotte is very willing to support a non-great franchise, but not a total **** franchise (performance-wise) like they've been asked to support since the Bobcats came to town.

mrknowitall215 · Post #1605 » by **mrknowitall215** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 8:02 pm

If Jefferson is about to sit a few games to rest his injured groin, does that assure us that Biyombo receive starter minutes or even start at PF? Sidebar, does Vonleh get called back up from the D-League to be a part of our active roster with less depth considering that Jefferson is out of the lineup

Post #1606 » by **yosemiteben** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 8:12 pm

mrknowitall215 wrote:If Jefferson is about to sit a few games to rest his injured groin, does that assure us that Biyombo receive starter minutes or even start at PF? Sidebar, does Vonleh get called back up from the D-League to be a part of our active roster with less depth considering that Jefferson is out of the lineup

Catch up MKIA

Yes to all of the above.

mrknowitall215 · Post #1607 » by **mrknowitall215** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 8:28 pm

yosemiteben wrote:
mrknowitall215 wrote:If Jefferson is about to sit a few games to rest his injured groin, does that assure us that Biyombo receive starter minutes or even start at PF? Sidebar, does Vonleh get called back up from the D-League to be a part of our active roster with less depth considering that Jefferson is out of the lineup

Catch up MKIA

Yes to all of the above.

I made a typo. I asked if Biyombo would start at PF instead of C for some reason...but thanks. I know I'm a little bit behind. I haven't been able to lurk and post on the board as much as in the past, but I try to pay attention to what's going on as much as possible

Liver_Pooty · Post #1608 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 3:44 am

Your time to shine big fella. 4th year in the league, and you're going to be our starter for the next month or more. Time to show us you're capable of being our future starting center.

Liver_Pooty · Post #1609 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 4:29 am

Biyombo is praying for Lance to come back immediately. The only good thing that I saw from Lance was his ability to hit Biyombo off a pick and roll for an easy dunk. He could easily give Biyombo 3 of those a game.

BobsBuddy · Post #1610 » by **BobsBuddy** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 3:41 pm

This is going to be real interesting...Right now is Biz's chance to make $$$ for himself and win back the confidence of Hornets fans everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing less than 10/10/3 next 13 games or he's going BYE BYE after season is over.

HornetJail · Post #1611 » by **HornetJail** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 8:07 pm

Liver_Pooty wrote:Biyombo is praying for Lance to come back immediately. The only good thing that I saw from Lance was his ability to hit Biyombo off a pick and roll for an easy dunk. He could easily give Biyombo 3 of those a game.

I see a Gorgui Dieng-like breakout stretch for Biz. Biz isn't quite as skilled offensively but I wouldn't be surprised if Biz averaged at least 9 points and 10 rebounds in Al's absence.

W_HAMILTON · Post #1612 » by **W_HAMILTON** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 8:37 pm

Liver_Pooty wrote:Your time to shine big fella. 4th year in the league, and you're going to be our starter for the next month or more. Time to show us you're capable of being our future starting center.

Ehh, I wouldn't be surprised if he's not a starter that entire time. I think the only way he remains a starter is if he plays out of his mind, e.g., close to a double-double every night along with several blocks and game-changing defense. Hell, if he follows that up with one or two bad games, even that might not be good enough to keep him from being benched.

To be honest, if we weren't playing against Dwight Howard next, I wouldn't have been surprised if Biyombo remained on the bench. As much as Clifford seems to dislike playing Biyombo, I'm sure even he realizes the potential disaster in the making if he started Zeller against Howard.

Post #1613 » by **BigSlam** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 11:11 pm

My fantasy keeper team is desperate for blocks so when this news broke I went straight to my league waiver wire and picked up Biz (dropped Iguodala - who has been AWFUL this season).

I'm hoping with all hopes (probably foolishly) that Biz averages 30-35mpg and 3 blocks per game over the next month and really bolsters my blocks cat.

Come on young fella. I needs ya!!!

thruthefire · Post #1614 » by **thruthefire** » Thu Jan 1, 2015 1:07 am

I want 30 minutes, 12 rebounds and three blocks.

catch20two · Post #1615 » by **catch20two** » Thu Jan 1, 2015 1:14 am

thruthefire wrote:I want 30 minutes, 12 rebounds and three blocks.

You probably could see that but Cliff is determined to play Maxiell just as many minutes regardless of foul trouble.

Post #1616 » by **yosemiteben** » Thu Jan 1, 2015 1:17 am

catch20two wrote:
thruthefire wrote:I want 30 minutes, 12 rebounds and three blocks.

You probably could see that but Cliff is determined to play Maxiell just as many minutes regardless of foul trouble.

Yeah he's clearly only starting Biz because *rabble* *rabble* *rabble*.

MasterIchiro · Post #1617 » by **MasterIchiro** » Thu Jan 1, 2015 2:57 am

Biz got 26 minutes. I thought he did OK.

TheKingofSting · Post #1618 » by **TheKingofSting** » Thu Jan 1, 2015 3:20 am

I liked what I saw from him of course we can't expect him to hit 7 free throws many times. He needs more minutes!

Liver_Pooty · Post #1619 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Thu Jan 1, 2015 3:35 am

I think its pretty safe to say that hes not a starting center in this league.

KembaWalker · Post #1620 » by **KembaWalker** » Thu Jan 1, 2015 3:39 am

he played fine. Certainly didn't particularly miss Als mediocre scoring production. Henderson stepped in and filled that void perfectly.