These notes have become the ultimate war of attrition for me. Of the 10 teams I've covered so far, besides the Pistons, I don't think the NBA would lose any value if all of them moved down to the Developmental League (refer to my 8 team league proposal for the better version of the NBA). Sometimes you think the NBA will downsize, for example, when the Grizzlies left Vancouver for Memphis or when the Hornets left Charlotte for New Orleans. Difference between Vancouver and Charlotte was Vancouver understood they didn't deserve an NBA team and went back to being Canadian while Charlotte somehow convinced themselves that the NBA couldn't possibly go on without a franchise in North Carolina. If, "Should Charlotte get a new franchise?" was an ESPN poll question there would be 49 states saying no and only 1 saying yes, i'll let you guess which one that is. The Bobcats coming to Charlotte was like a college graduate coming back to live at home, we thought we had gotten rid of the franchise only to see a new one come back, this time without a young Vlade Divac.
Last year the Bobcats were a 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Now don't let that deceive you. Their four game beating handed to them by the Magic was one of the most humiliating playoff performances I can recall in recent years. Behind them in the standings were the Nets, an all time terrible team, normally good franchises like the Pistons, Pacers, 76ers who all put together lousy years, the Knicks and Raptors who only had 1 player a piece, the Wizards whose star player sat out most the year after a gun prank, and the Chicago Bulls who somehow underachieved their way to an 8 seed. The off-season they lost point guard Raymond Felton and didn't sign anyone of notable name unless you count Kwame Brown. I think they finish 9th in the Eastern Conference and here's why:
Point Guard
Relatively up in the air. Losing Felton is not an end of the world situation, but it does mean they are going into the 82 game season with either DJ Augustine, Shaun Livingston, or Sherron Collins running the show. Now obviously my bias is going to say put Collins as the starter, but that's my Jayhawk vision sneaking in and will probably seep in later on with a claim for Cole Aldrich to start center for the Thunder or arguing Paul Pierce as an MVP candidate. Collins/Augustine/Livingston whatever option they choose, the Bobcats will be #30 in the league at the point guard position.
Shooting Guard
Stephen Jackson will continue to do fine on this team. He's always been a reliable scorer in the league and at 6'8 his length gets in the way of the average shooting guard. I think his prime, like Baron Davis, was probably on that Golden State team, but having Jackson as your 2 guard is not a bad position to be in.
Small Forward
Gerald Wallace is another one of those Fantasy basketball stat stuffers that apparently dominates every statistical category while still having most of the country never actually witnessed him playing a game. His stat line is ridiculous for a small forward with 18 ppg, 10 rpg, 2-3 assists, and nearly 2 steals a game. He's a freak athlete, exceptional defender, and always aggressive, making him a great franchise type of guy for this Bobcat team.
Power Forward
Boris Diaw is shorter than Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson, but yet is expected to play power forward on this team. I think this works out in the eastern conference where even a top tier team like the Orlando Magic starts Rashard Lewis at the 4, unlike the west that is usually dominated by power forwards, but I would like to see Tyrence Thomas move back into this role. Thomas chases after every loose rebound and can finish around the rim better. I think Larry Brown could coach him into a finer tuned offensive option and utilize his shot blocking abilities. Diaw will start the season at the power forward, but don't be surprised if Tyrence Thomas takes this role.
Center
Desagna Diop, Kwame Brown, and Nazr Mohammed are just three massive guys. I think their height and weight (all about 7'0 28) allows you to start a smaller guy at power forward like Diaw or Thomas. Problem is, none of these three are really offensive threats. The reason I think the Bobcats will struggle this year is because they do not have enough scoring power. Figure Jackson gives you 20 a night, Wallace 18, Augustine/Collins/Livingston gives you 17, Diaw/Thomas combine for 16, and the three headed center monster gives you 14, the Bobcats are at a tiny 85 ppg and that might be being generous. Either the Bobcats are going to have to play incredible, 2004 Larry Brown Pistons level defense, or embrace several 100-80 20 point blowouts throughout the year.
BUT HERES THE GOOD NEWS!
The Bobcats will beat the Miami Heat one time this year. Guaranteed. And here's the exact game it will happen:
February 4th in Charlotte the Bobcats will be celebrating as if they had won the NBA championship. Here's why it will occur, on Thursday February 3rd the Heat play in Orlando. The Magic vs. Heat rivalry is going to become one of the most intriguing matchups of this season and there is no way Wade, LeBron, and Bosh will overlook their battle in Orlando. But they might overlook the following night's game in Charlotte. Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson actually match up very well defensively against Wade and LeBron and for one night Bobcats fans will be able to scream at the top of their lungs, "That's why Charlotte deserves a franchise! We beat the Heat!"
Friday April 8 same two teams playing in Miami? Heat by 35.
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