Some of us are leaving, and that is sad, but this isn't the end. No way. We're gonna show this world a thing or two. We're going to show...

The Charlotte Bobcats lost to the Washington Wizard tonight by three points. The Bobcats had a chance to tie the game on the last possession but Matt Carroll's three-pointer fell short, as too many of his have this year. Coming into tonight's game Carroll had made two three-pointers. Three-pointers are, in general, Carroll's strong suit making 38% for his career. He's struggled to find the mark so far this season hitting just 11%.

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Who ya got in the Pro Bowl? Hahahahahaha

Today's Tunes:

"Wailin'" - Outkast

Game Overview: Oh god, them again.

Luckily, the Bobcats will have Gerald Henderson healthy this time around, who will undoubtedly do a better job guarding Nick Young than Matt Carroll did the other night. Still the problem remains that Kemba Walker has not yet proven to be an apt facilitator while Augustin is out with a super-stubbed toe. Walker's been heaving shots like it's going out of style and seems to be struggling as he adapts from the move from the off-ball shooting guard in the starting lineup to the court general point guard.

The Bobcats will need to stiffen up their interior defense if they want a chance to beat this lowly Wizards team, which scored 60 points in the paint against Charlotte the last time around. DeSagana Diop starting and Henderson gradually recovering from his tailbone injury will curtail that a bit. I just hope this is a closer game than last time with something to see from the rookies.

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Dear Mitch, if you're holding this letter, you already know. The house has been boarded up; the windows, the doors, everything. We're at the Comfort Inn room 112. I love you, Frank.

You know it by now. You and I both now what this is. This Bobcats season has quickly and forcefully turned into a nightmarish goulash of injuries, lack of talent, too many games in too few nights and plain old bad basketball that is quite frankly hard to watch. I'm not trying to sugar coat things, it's bad. But we knew this was coming. I didn't expect it to come this fast and with the dead thud of a Cory Higgins three-pointer (I kid), but it's here. You better believe it, and it might be here to stay this season. I would still like to see this team at "full strength," but how much better is that going to be for this franchise? The Bobcats do have a plan, and we knew going into the season they wanted no part of the middle. Michael Jordan and Rich Cho want to be at the top or at the bottom. The top is pretty occupied right now, soooooooo...

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Man, never have I been more glad to be scheduled to work during a Bobcats game. Please send your condolences and prayers to David, who's covering the game for us tonight.

I've decided to implement a new rule in the Rufus on Fire community.

There is to be no more profanity.

If I see three comments that include profanity, you're gone. The first two will beget warnings.

Obviously, in the gamethreads, emotions will run high during frustrating or exciting games and it may just slip out. I can understand that and won't hold it against anyone. I will also judge somewhat on usage as to whether I would count it towards the three strikes (eg. "Oh hell, Gana Diop is starting tonight. Ugh" would be OK).

Profanity is inflammatory and evokes the worst in people, especially over the internet.

Play nice, dadburnit.

Today's Tunes:

"Oh God, Where Are You Now?" - Sufjan Stevens

Game Overview: You thought last game's starting lineup was bad? Well, I've got some bad news for you. DeSagana Diop is packing up his Waterpik and Croc-Pot and moving to his new residence as starting center. Also, starting point guard D.J. Augustin, starting shooting guard Gerald Henderson and starting small forward Corey Maggette are still out with toe/back/hamstring injuries.

This means the Bobcats will trot out Kemba Walker, Matt Carroll, Derrick Brown, Tyrus Thomas and Gana Diop into Philadelphia against a monster of a defensive squad.

Starting Gana Diop may add a little defensive bonus, but how much? He's slow-footed and overweight and he'll just be guarding Tony Battie tonight with Spencer Hawes' achilles bothering him. I'd still advocate for Biyombo to start, as wet behind the ears as he is. If he can't defend Tony Battie, that's a serious issue.

I haven't watched the 76ers much this year, but I do know this: you will not beat them without ball movement in isolation. Their defensive philosophy is to give less attention to midrange jump shots, the most ineffecient shooting location, focusing on defending the three ball and the paint. Andre Iguodala is one of the top three or four perimeter defenders in the league, helping force opponents into taking the most long twos (via Hoopdata) and having the worst 3P%. But though they are pretty effective at keeping opponents out of the paint, it is also where they are most vulnerable. This poses a problem to the Bobcats, who can't get into the paint to begin with.

More on the 76ers soon from Michael Levin over at Liberty Ballers after the jump.

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