Cavs Defeat Bobcats 92-87
by David A. Arnott on Oct 6, 2009 9:46 PM EDT
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Preseason games don't mean much in the macro sense. Going 0-9 last year wasn't a good sign, but it wasn't particularly bad, either. Thus, hanging with the Cavs' scrubs and losing only 92-87 isn't anything to write home about. As for the keys I stated before the game:
1 - Gerald Henderson played 20 minutes and shot 3-10 from the field. Um... Uh... Be better, Gerald.
2 - Alexis Ajinca was totally fine. He didn't set the world on fire, but I'll take 9 points and 7 boards in 19 minutes from our backup PF. He had fouling problems in the NBA and D-League last year, so we'll see how that plays out, but this was certainly encouraging. I'm not holding out hope for stardom, by any means, but if he's a contributor, then he beat the odds implied by his rookie year. Derrick Brown didn't rebound, but if he can be a contributor, then, again, he'll have beaten the odds implied by his draft position.
3 -- D.J. Augustin had the best unadjusted +/- for the Cats. He had too many fouls, but 12 points and 6 assists on 5-8 shooting is a good thing. Raymond Felton started, which I hope changes as the season goes on, but we'll see.
The next game is in Greensboro, against the New Orleans Hornets, Thursday at 7:30pm. It'll be televised, so we'll have a lot more to chew over. If anyone is going to be at the game and wants to file an in-person report, you know where to reach me.
Also: Minnesota Twins!!!
Sad face: Detroit Tigers
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Good Start
Although it wasn’t a win, there was way more positives than negatives here. One of the worries going into this season was the bench. I think this game showed that our bench can hang with another very talented bench. I can’t wait to see the chemistry amongst the REAL starting line up once Boris Diaw and Tyson Chandler get back to 100%. However, there is no denying how well Nazr Mohammed and Alexis Ajinca filled in in their absence! I can’t wait to see it in person on Thursday here in Greensboro!
B-Luke — If you’re up for it, I’d love to get a first-person account of the game from someone who’s there. I’ll be watching on TV, but feel free to email me if you’re interested.
by David A. Arnott on Oct 6, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
bobcats much better than last year
I’m happy for Nazr and Ajinca and a lot of bench players showed up.. Gerald Henderson should work hard on his offense.. GO BOBCATS!!..
Ajinca wasn't able to stay in the game during the first half when there were actual NBA players on the other team.
Brown gave him a shot, putting him in second off the bench behind Murray, but he picked up two fouls in his first 5+ minutes of play.
Also, while you noted Augustin’s team-best +/-, you neglected to mention Felton’s team-worst.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
It's also interesting to note, Procto
1) Your boy Augustin had more personal fouls and shot a lower fg% than did Ajinca.
2) Felton had 1 turnover. Augustin had 4.
Augustin was able to stay in the game; Ajinca was not.
Further, a post player would be expected to have a better FG% than a guard 100% of the time.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Oct 7, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
what about the TO's procto?
how can you spin that one?
Felton assist:to ratio 3
Augustin assist:to ratio 1.5
Spin away!
What do you mean Ajinca was not able to stay in the game?
He logged 19 minutes and had 3 fouls called on him. Augustin played 25 minutes and had 4 fouls. That means that for every 6min15secs that DJ played he committed a foul. Lex committed 1foul for every 6min20secs he played. What is your point? Ajinca can’t stay in the game? DJ can? Idiotic.
Great way to take a balanced view of the numbers dude
We need more of that and less spinning.
He was pulled after 5:25 of play in the first half, not to return until after halftime.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Oct 8, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Back up post players are supposed to come in and be physical.
They are expendable through the course of a game, so Ajinca coming in and picking up 3 fouls in 19 minutes of play is not a problem.
You don’t want him to succeed do you, Procto? Is being right more important to you than the ’Cats improving?
It's a problem when he can't stay on the court.
He couldn’t in the first half when Cleveland’s starters were still playing.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Oct 7, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Is Arnott suppose to be tracking the positive stats of your approved players?
And the negative stats of the players you disapprove of? Because I thought the article was from his perspective.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Young players made young mistakes.
No real reason to send the Cavs to the line to shoot 41 free throws in the game. That’s what cost us.
Nobody’s mentioning it… but I have to give a shout to Nazr Mohammad. He started the game, against Shaq and quietly had 10-8 in eighteen minutes.
It’s too early to jump on anyone. Clearly Gerald Wallace had the worst game last night, but like I said… early days, nothing to worry about.
I’m optimistic that we only lost by 5 withour two of our starters in.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
+1
Shaq and LeBron both played, while we lacked Diaw and Chandler. When the starters went out the game was still in hand… that’s a plus!
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Give it a rest procto, Henderthug shot 30% btw
Lets see…..no mention of Nazr great play, no mention of Diops dominance on the boards, no mention of Graham stepping in being a solid contributor. Just a bunch of Felton hate as usual.
"it's a bad day to have a bad day"
Why “Henderthug”? Please think carefully about what you mean by that.
by David A. Arnott on Oct 7, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
He means he's a racist, clearly.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Oct 8, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's examine this situation...
D.W.G., a guy who has a UNC logo as his icon makes a critical reference about a former Duke player (Big surprise). So the logical conclusion is that he’s a racist? What about the praise of Nazr, Diop, Graham, and D.W.G’s clear support of Felton (all black men)? Does that make him a racist too Procton? You really want to stir that pot you moron?
There are real racist in the world who demean and oppress others. That’s something to take very serious. Frivolously calling a man a racist, instead of what he really is (a Duke hater) just because you don’t agree with his opinion is insulting to everyone. After this stupid shit can anyone who’s ever taken Procton seriously continue to do so?
On a side note, Dean Smith (who I’m sure D.W.G. has a great deal of respect for) is widely viewed as one of the most socially progressive coaches of his time.
There's usually a bunch of Felton hate because...
He is only a slightly above average player and he has been a slightly above average player since his rookie season. He had a solid rookie season but has not improved dramatically in any category over the duration of his career. He has shot under 40% from the floor for his career and the last two years he has shot about 28% from three-point land. Unfair or not, he will always be compared to Deron Williams and Chris Paul just becasue they were all in the same draft class and he has simply just not improved at the same rate that they have. However, he was still trying to get a contract closer to what they make rather than the one year contract. It has nothing to do with UNC vs Duke, it has to do with Felton wanting a star’s contract but playing at the level of a good backup PG.
They were all in the same draft class...
And drafted very close to each other. It’s not like Felton was a late-1st round pickup, or even a late-lotto guy.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Oct 8, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Is Felton the Jake Delhomme of the Bobcats?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
I’m intrigued by this notion way more than I should be. Not to steal Cat Scratch Reader’s thunder, but I’d argue Delhomme was at one time better in the NFL universe than Felton has ever been in the NBA universe. Emotionally, though, there’s something to it.
by David A. Arnott on Oct 8, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
We all know...
what Wallace, Felton, Augustin, and Bell are capable of. They come to play on game day and preseason does not matter for them. It’s interesting to see Augustin and Felton’s stats for argument’s sake of who should start but I really dont see LB benching Felton unless they fall out of playoff contention. He, along with Wallace, are the leaders of the team and thats the way its gonna be until Felton leaves.
The rookies contributed nicely. With time, shot selection will get better. Their first pro game and they are sure to have some nervous energy.
I was most impressed with Mohammad, Ajinca, and Graham.
Mohammad is earning playing time with his work ethic and positive attitude. Last year Ajinca looked like he learned how to dribble in training camp. He did good in the second half last night and it looked like he is learning to use his length for some easy post buckets. Graham looks like one of LB’s signature sneaky steals. Last years, Cartier Martin.
The jury’s still out on Diop and Radman but there were good signs for the both of them.
Am I reading a UNC-Duke thread?
Because it sure feels like it. I’m a UNC student so by default a UNC fan but that should be irrelevant here because this is the pros. I want Henderson to succeed because he’s on MY NBA team. I think he has potential to be great. Can’t judge him on one performance.
Personally, I also want to see DJ get some more time.
To Nazr: Decent job. To Ajinca: Seems like he can be a decent back up, a little improvement is needed.
And of course, this is the preseason. Which matters absolutely nothing.
+ 1 million
I understand that the college game is the primary concern of most basketball fans in North Carolina, but can we please let it go when they become pros.
When March rolls around I’ll be pulling for the tar hells like usual, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be underwhelmed by Felton as a pro and downright disgused by Sean May.
When we selected Henderson I didn’t say “Why did we draft that Dookie?”, rather, I said “He’s an athletic player who fills a need… I like the pick”
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
Now that we have Henderson on the team
it’ll be that much worse.
After Last nights game...
I’m ready to trade Felton for NC State’s JJ Hickson.
Any takers on that one?
Or trade somebody for JJ Hickson!
how nice would having a PF like that coming off the bench be? He could almost play the 5 too along with Diaw for an even more up and down the court team.
Cavs are not gonna get rid of hickson
it would be a nice pick up though.. although I do think bell will be traded before December if no one on our current roster works out at backup pf
I'd do it in a half second.
There’s something to be said for players who actually show the capacity to, you know, improve.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Oct 8, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
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