Bobcats Pound Wizards 90-78; Four Game Winning Streak
by David A. Arnott on Nov 28, 2009 9:30 PM EST
84 comments
The Charlotte Bobcats won their fourth game in a row and their first on the road this season, crushing the Washington Wizards, 90-78. Again, Gerald Wallace led the way, and for the second night in a row, the Cats jumped out to a big double digit lead in the third quarter.
The Wizards' bench showed signs of life and briefly threatened to make a fourth quarter charge and cut the lead, but the Cats' starters came back in and put a stop to it. As explosive and, for lack of a better term, as Name Brand as Arenas and Jamison are, when they were on the floor, Washington's offense sputtered, but when guys like Dominic McGuire and Fabricio Oberto came on, the offense just seemed to flow a little better. It was a testament to efficiency over volume.
Even that lineup, though, wasn't enough to blunt the Cats' attack, as they're at full throttle now, combining great defense and adequate offense. That's a winner.
Highlights and lowlights after the jump.
BAD
-- Boris Diaw's struggles continued. It was awesome that Antawn Jamison ended up with only 6 points on 2-9 shooting, but Diaw was only 3-12 from the field, himself. Without a dominant scorer, everyone has to contribute, and Diaw hasn't been carrying his weight. Whether that's due to a simple slump or due to injury, it'd be best if the Cats didn't have to overcome his offensive deficiency every night.
GOOD
-- Wallace's play is All Star caliber at the moment. Should he continue this production for the next twenty games or so, he'll be a strong candidate to be a reserve forward on the East team. Usually, I don't think players have to "give up" their concentration on scoring in order to emphasize rebounding, but it certainly seems that way with Crash. Given that he wasn't the most efficient scorer to begin with, that seems like a great tradeoff. 14 points and 14 rebounds from the small forward spot, with top-notch defense, is a line we'll take any night.
-- In the last four games, Raymond Felton has attempted 7, 10, 11, and 8 field goals. He's never averaged fewer than 12 per game in any season of his career, and he's led the Cats in field goal attempts in three of his four seasons. However, recently, Felton finally seems to have accepted that he improves the team's chances of winning when he facilitates rather than finishes. I've deliberately chosen the word facilitate instead of create because the ethos is more about cutting down on mistakes than on conjuring effective offense himself. In these four games, he's turned the ball over only 1 time. This is a welcome change, and I'm glad someone convinced Felton he should be more like Chris Paul and Steve Nash, both excellent scorers, yet rarely their teams' leaders in attempts. I'll be ecstatic if he reinvents himself, mid-season, as a defense-first facilitator, because he's absolutely capable of it, and it's what probably works best with this roster: Felton and Diaw facilitating and scoring a little, Wallace, Jackson, and Murray finishing, and Wallace and Chandler cleaning up.
-- Stephen Jackson finished with 11 points on only 4-12 shooting, but, again, he had the kind of all-around game from the off guard position that makes it okay for us to have a luxury like Diaw in the front court. 6 boards and very good defense on Caron Butler.
-- Tyson Chandler actually contributed some scoring to go with his usual solid defense and rebounding. 12 points on 4-6 shooting, including a twelve foot jumper.
-- Man, I love Derrick Brown. 10 points on 4-7 shooting in more than 15 minutes.
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A few things:
Jamison had 0 rebounds. Not sure if this was due to aggressiveness from the ‘Cats or a lack of aggressiveness by Jamison, but it’s pretty impressive considering Jamison has averaged over 11 rebounds game this year. I tend to think it was due more to the Bobcats being aggressive and doing a fantastic job of boxing out. A 6’9" player can usually get a couple of boards, even if they’re not trying very hard.
Wallace was 2-2 from three. It’s good that he made both of the threes and he has gone 5-9 the last two games but I still don’t want him taking threes. He’s a slasher and I’m afraid that he could fall in love with the three now that he has made a few.
I don’t think Diaw is hurt. I just think that coming into the season, he wasn’t conditioned how he should have been and he’s still not quite where he needs to be. Honestly, to me, he looks kind of “fluffy” and he seems to get winded faster than the other players. Also, I think he’s still trying to adjust to Jackson. Diaw was more of a point-forward and now that Jackson has gotten here, he has taken away a lot of the distribution responsibilities that Diaw had. He needs to be more aggressive with the ball and not be hesitant to shoot wide open shots as long as they come within the flow of the offense. I believe in making the extra pass to the open man but I have seen plenty of times when Diaw was the open man and he passed it off to someone else.
I'm gonna say it...
I told you so about Brown…Instant contributor…and if Henderson could get more PT…I think you’d see the similar from him
Agreed...
good drafting this year.
Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.
Sure beats the production from last years 2nd round pick
Wee
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Nov 29, 2009 5:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
What were the other options at PF?
Brown’s contributing by default.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
Didn't get to see the game
but looking at the box score, we need to acknowledge Chandler’s 2 personal fouls. A great improvement. Let’s hope it continues.
Felton’s been playing great in terms of assist, turnovers, and shot selection. Regardless of whether you attribute it to him changing his personal style of play or the needs of the team changing, it’s great to see. I was expecting D.J. to come along this season and make Felton expendable. That hasn’t happened yet.
ESPN NBA Fastbreak
Jalen Rose says the Cats are the number FIVE seed in the East right now because the top teams (cavs, magic, hawks,celts) are playing as expected but the rest of the expected contenders are not, so the bobcats fit the bill at this point in time. Now I don’t know if I agree with him yet, but I think the Bobcats look strong as of late and are a team no one should take lightly. At the least, I definitely believe they are a playoff caliber team looking at how they are playing right now.
LET’S GO CATS LET’S GO CATS
Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is.
by WhatAboutBob_cats on Nov 29, 2009 12:01 AM EST reply actions
We'll have to see how they play now that teams DO take them seriously
I’m sure Cleveland and Toronto didn’t see this coming
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Nov 29, 2009 5:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
A few observations
Yep, it’s finally time.
Congratulations to Tyson Chandler for one HELL of a night. He kept the fouls down and his production steady earning his reputation as a strong defender by holding some of the best the Wizards put on the court to next to nothing. A steller performance without a single negative. Way to go!
I really think it’s time to stop acting as if the new offensive flow achieved while maintaining the same defensive toughness is going to be a fluke. We now have a 4 game win streak that includes beating two teams that are allegedly a skill level above us as well as trouncing a team that is an NBA Conference Final contender. Tuesday we face another strong title hopeful as we host the Boston Celtics. I’ve studied the Celtics for roughly 30 years longer than I have the Bobcats and a week ago I wouldn’t have taken the Bobcats with a 10 point bump. Not with real money anyway. Now I really believe this game could go either way – the Cats are that strong and the Celtics are that erratic in their game flow of late. If the Greenies stumble even a little the Felines are going to pounce on them.
It’s time to believe that Rufus’ Posse is the real deal.
Another stellar night from Wallace and another dramatically improved and professional performance from Felton. His complete reversal of turnover-itis is nothing short of amazing.
As I mentioned earlier, Diaw needs a couple of nights to rest his obviously spasming back. His extension is stiff, he lateral movement is non-existent, and he is running out of breath ahead of everyone else. This isn’t always an indicator of being out of shape. If your back is spasming, your diaphragm cannot contract correctly and you don’t take normal breaths. I’m telling you, the dude is hurting and needs some time on an inversion table or it is only going to get worse.
Jackson produced tonight in all the intangible ways that mean so much. He opened the floor and passing lanes magically appeared out of nowhere.
We’re going to keep this up for quite a while unless injuries derail us.
Here come the Cats!
by Ourdaywillcome on Nov 29, 2009 12:07 AM EST reply actions
+1
That pretty much sums up everything I’m thinking.
Still don’t understand why we’re seeing so little of Gerald Henderson though.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 29, 2009 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
++1
Can’t Gerald Henderson gets some minutes LB?
Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.
we have derrick brown showing us he can produce
so why can’t he take on at least some of Diaws minutes until he recovers. He may decrease the assists and fancy passes but definitely increases the excitement.
Gerald Wallace is the best player the Bobcats will have..... EVER
I agree
100%
And as Derrick gets more quality minutes he’ll start seeing the court and the positioning of his teammates better as well and the assists will organically increase.
by Ourdaywillcome on Nov 29, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
Forget the assists
We have plenty of unselfish guys passing the ball. But Sneaky Long is a finisher… we need points!
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
"We’re going to keep this up for quite a while unless injuries derail us."
…or not keep it up at all. (See 12/1 vs. BOS.)
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
Gerald Wallace.. your the man..
Wallace deserves to be an All star player for this season..
Felton and Chandler atlast found their game.. good shot selection..
Everyone played great… Congratulations..
Go Bobcats.. Go for playoffs..
He has to prove he can do it for more than 2 straight games
With Jackson preventing him from being doubled, he just might be able to keep it up!
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Nov 29, 2009 5:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
The Celtics will provide the setting for that.
I know the Celtics like the back of my hand. They will take at least a couple of hours studying the game films of the recent Bobcat games – especially the game against Cleveland. They’re going to notice that Jackson is the catalyst and that the way teams are defending us right now involves pursuing Jackson and leaving Wallace open much of the time. I’m willing to bet that they will maintain coverage on Wallace and bottle him up. Jacks has a reputation and a career stat sheet that indicates he will take unnecesary shots when he’s left open – he’s a quantity over quality shooter. I’m betting they reverse coverage and try to keep Jackson out on the wing where he’ll take multiple jumpers that he traditionally has a poor percentage.
by Ourdaywillcome on Nov 29, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
Keeping anybody on this team on the wing...
Seems like a good game plan. No one has a consistent jump shot
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
wow
4 in a row against quality teams (Including the Cavs baby!!!!)
Wallace with another double double
I hope this little streak will make some other websites, commentators and teams give us a little more respect. I don’t know if Iagree with Jalen Rose quite yet, but this time is certainly on pace to make it to the playoffs and to be a REAL pain in the neck for whoever has the trouble of playing us!
LETS GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!
hopefully they will get the attention of the city
with some quality wins hopefully ticket sales will go up and with christmas around the corner, sell some new pinstripes . keep doin work bobs
I just hope the next sellout is a sellout because of the Bobcats, not because of Lebron and Shaq being in Charlotte.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 29, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
Give it up for Nazr!
Dude is killing it! 12 points 5 rebs in 12 minutes. I picked him in one of my fantasy leagues and his FT and FG percentages were awesome.
Is Nazr better than Chandler?
This has to come up eventually
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Nov 29, 2009 5:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yes
I think he always was better.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 29, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
The natural next question is... Was the Okafor trade a mistake?
Chandler definitely brings more energy and enthusiasm… But we never saw Okafor on a team playing this well.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
southtunnel was talking about Okafor never having the opportunity to play on a Bobcats team with this much talent.
Also saying “Okafor has the worst stats of his life” has a good deal of hyperbole.
He’s getting less minutes with the Hornets and still averaging 10.1 ppg and 9.9 rpg.
Per 36 adjusted:
with Bobcats (career): 14.7 ppg, 11.2 rpg
with Hornets: 12.3 ppg, 12.1 rpg
He’s scoring less, but rebounding better. Seems to come out in the wash to me.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 30, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
I made a subjective statement, but far from hyperbole
He is performing worse in several statistical categories either way. Not much worse though. He can still turn it around of course.
Whatever happened to the promises (not necessarily you James) that Okafor would become an all star who took the Hornets to title contention?
I’d love to see people answer to that claim.
I was one who said Okafor had the potential to be an all-star in the West, especially with Yao out.
The wheels have fallen off the Hornets season, which definitely doesn’t help his cause.
I never said he was a lock though, and I personally never said the Hornets were title contenders.
Despite everything though, Okafor is still 7th in scoring in the West among centers and 4th in rebounding. The season is early, and I still believe Okafor has all-star potential provided the Hornets can put their season back on track.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 30, 2009 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
7th in scoring among centers is middle of the pack in the West
I wasn’t specifically referring to you though James. I’m calling out the others who predicted Okafor would transform in Patrick Ewing as soon as he left Charlotte.
...WHOOPS!
Just did a search on the site for “Ewing,” and you’re the only person to ever associate the two.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
He's not getting a chance.
His shots are as low as they’ve ever been, but when he does get the chance to be a major cog in their offense, he produces.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
He's also much more efficient on offense (better FG% and fewer TOs) and blocking more shots than Chandler.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
Not a question.
Just go ahead and make the statement. It was an awful trade from day one.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:12 AM EST up reply actions
Certainly not.
But neither sets the bar very high.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
I still believe the Okafor trade was inevitable
Johnson wanted to keep Okafor and build the franchise around him but the new contract resulted in OKafor making more money than the team could afford to pay if they wanted to have enough cash left under the cap to be able to pay other strong players. Someone else recently said it was buyer’s remorse that caused the trade and that’s as good a name for it as any. The problem wasn’t that we unloaded Okafor, it’s that Johnson and Jordan failed to get a better player than Chandler in the deal. We lost a player with Allstar potential and a 5 year contract and received a solid but defensive oriented center with paper for 3 years in his place. It saves us lots of cash in the long run, but leaves us weak in the paint for 3 seasons. Fortunately, with the way Nazr is producing, he and Chandler are like a Voltron robot. The two of them combined cover for one another’s weaknesses and make for one mighty good center.
fall out from the Okafor trade...
Just like Everyone (or most people) expected, Okafor is putting up better numbers than Chandler. Though the margin of the difference is less than what most people expected. Both players’ numbers are down from their career averages. Perhaps and adjustment period, perhaps not. Since Okafor’s first game (which inspired ridiculous remorse and since abandoned statistical comparisons) he just hasn’t been the game changer that I think he should be. Hell, his mythical double double is even in doubt for this season. You have to round up to get him to 10 and 10 right now.
About Nazr, let’s not forget that he was brought in to play alongside Meka. It turned out to be a disaster as they essentially duplicated each other. We had 2 centers and no PF.
Now I completely believe that Nazr’s impressive season is due largely to his desire for playing time and wanting to prove himself, but for the first time in Charlotte, he’s getting solid minutes in a solid system (i.e. not Sam Vincent’s) and has a well defined role. A Chandler/Nazr rotation at center is much more dynamic than Okafor/Nazr. Their skills complicate each other rather than reproduce each other. I think for that fact alone, the roster makes much more sense with Chandler. Now Chandler does need to show some consistent play before I’ll be sold on him. He has put on some really shitty performances this season, but I seem some improvements in his game recently.
I guess the important question isn’t “are either of these players better than Okafor?” I see that the roster works better, at least on paper. And the financial freedom doesn’t hurt us either. Okafor is technically worth his contract. There’s no question there, but I just didn’t see this team getting to the next level with his presence at that price.
Good point
Larry Brown never seemed to like Okafor much anyways. And for the LB experiment to work, he needs to get most of what he wants.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
My problem wasn't dealing Okafor per se, it's what we got for him.
Last season the Clippers seemed hot to trade Chris Kaman. If we’d sent Okafor to LA for Kaman this team is complete right now rather than still being a reliable big man away.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 29, 2009 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
Well Chandler was traded as much for his contract as anything else
There’s no delusions about that. I think Kaman actually gets a 15% raise in his salary if he is traded, further incentive for Bob Johnson to stay away.
Yea in an ideal world Kaman would have been better, but didn’t the Clip turn down Richardson for Kaman straight up? Is Kaman for Okafor realistic? All things considered, I’m not sure we could have done much better than Chandler. It’s sad to say, but the rest of the league didn’t seem to be as enamored with Meka’s double double as we were.
You could say we should have gotten a first round pick. I’d agree with that. But who was a realistic better option for the trade? Eddie Curry? :)
My point about Nazr
Is that trading Okafor seems to have allowed him the opportunity to play as great as he has lately. Not that anyone did that on purpose, just a happy little accident.
You mean it wasn't him actually caring to get in good enough shape to be an NBA player?
Something that’s been noted by his coaches and the writers covering the team?
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions
Just did a little per 36 minutes comparisons
For this season, Okafor is averaging 2.8 more rebounds and 2.5 more points than Chandler is (per 36 minutes).
Now take Nazr’s production increase from this season to last: +3.1 rebounds and +8.2 in points.
Some of this has nothing to due with the Okafor trade, but I’m contending that Nazr gets nowhere near the opportunity that he would have if Okafor was on the roster. So the Chandler/Nazr tandem is actually working much better than the Okafor/Nazr would have. Again, I don’t think any genius planned this, but I’m glad that it seems to be working out this way.
Problem with that comparison though is...
Chandler can’t stay on the floor 30 minutes without fouling out, let alone 36.
I agree the tandem is working well… now. But what makes me nervous is that we are relying on the team having a horseshoe lodged up their * all season to keep Nazr being the man that time forgot.
Love Okafor, hate Okafor, detest Okafor he was reliable and he was always there. I still think we’re walking a tightrope with Chandler and Nazr and that makes me uneasy, regardless of their current production.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 29, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
Chandler's foul trouble is a problem
But it’s also part of what’s giving Nazr the opportunity to shine this season. So that really just furthers my point.
The point is that we’re getting pretty equal production from the center position (starter and reserves) that we were getting last year. That should be considered before people continue to bemoan the Okafor trade.
We didn’t walk any tight ropes w/ Okafor. I like him (not love or hate). With Okafor we walked a slow steady road without much to show for it. Chandler doesn’t give us the emotionally fulfilling double double (those double doubles never really made a difference in the win column). But the Chandler/Nazr tandem is working. I like it so much I may even start calling it the ROCK AND SOCK CONNECTION!
I think you hit on the central issue
In regard to the Okafor trade, no statistic matters at all save one. It doesn’t matter how many points are scored, rebounds boarded, or fouls called.
All that truly matters is whether the team fares better with the addition of a player or whether the team fares worse with the loss of said player.
The loss of Okafor impacted us fairly hard. That means he was valuable. The team recovered from the loss fairly quickly through adjustments and one very notable trade. That means he was neither essential nor the “franchise” he’s being made out to be. That can easily be discovered by looking at the bottom line statistic – the win loss record.
by Ourdaywillcome on Nov 30, 2009 8:14 AM EST up reply actions
Right.
And we’re on pace to do worse than we did with him on the roster last year, despite the addition of Jackson. Pre-Jackson, the team was on pace for 25 wins! 25!!!
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions
Pretty equal≠the same.
We’re paying more and getting less scoring, less rebounding, more turnovers, and less blocks.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
So it's better to have a shitty #1 player at a position because it lets the backup shine?
Sorry, but that’s not how you build a team.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, he hated how much Okafor stretched to make sure he could suit up every night.
That’s not a concern of Chandler’s, who’s already missed nearly 15% of the games this season due to injury.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:31 AM EST up reply actions
I'm not sure which statistical comparisons have been abandoned.
Despite the fact that the offense in NO never goes through him (lowest shots/gm and /48 in his career), he’s scoring nearly 70% more than Chandler while putting up almost 60% better numbers in rebounding, 40% better in blocks, and 20% better in turnovers. And again, what financial freedom are you talking about? We’re paying more for an inferior player in Chandler.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
So how does acquiring a player who's paid MORE solve the problem of upgrading the roster?
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
Could AI wind up being a Bobcat afterall?
Larry Browns been encouraging him not to retire lately. And we still need another scorer… Especially if he’ll accept a role coming off the bench???
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
God I hope not.
I don’t know if Iverson would even accept a role off the bench but the Bobcats are gelling now, why add a ticking timebomb who’s bound to be a distraction.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 29, 2009 8:06 PM EST up reply actions
I know a guy who swears AI is coming to Charlotte
I don’t see it happening w/out Felton being traded. I think Felton is expendable, but how do you work AI into the rotation? Do we bench Felton until we can trade him? D.J. and Acie wouldn’t see game time again until Feb. if that happened. He’s not taking minutes away from Jackson either. AI’s a better scorer and more than capable passer, but does he add or detract from the ball movement that is making the team so successful? Felton has played great these last 4 games because he’s had great team play around him. AI seems like he’d want to take over no matter what his team mates are doing.
Before the season, I would have liked to see AI come in and then trade Raja for a PF. Our back court seems pretty set though and I’m worried about what he does for our chemistry
How is Felton expendable?
He is the only guy we have that is able to control the game, and make smart decisions when we are struggling. And his 22.0 Assist/TO ratio over the past 4 games is tops in the league. Moving him without getting serious compensation at PG for the foreseeable future would be a huge mistake. No way you do it for a guy at the end of his career. AI can only be a backup role player… And that’s for probably any team that he goes to.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Well I'm agreeing with you that AI is best suited for the bench
But he’s shown that that ain’t happening. Thus my question about how we would fit AI into the rotation?
My comment on Felton being expendable is based on his play historically, and my waning hope that D.J. starts to grow until a real player by midseason.
Based on Felton’s last 4 games he is not expendable, I agree. But I’m not basing my opinion on the last 4 games. If Felts keeps this up, the less I’ll be saying that he’s expendable, but that’s yet to be seen. If you’ll read a lot of my previous posts you’ll see that I’m always trying to take a fair view of Felton and give him credit when it’s due. I like him as a player, just not being sentimental about his flaws.
Feltons definitely been up and down
But until LB came along, he’s had little direction, leadership or teaching… And has constantly been put in a position to carry the team, even as a scorer, which he is not built for. I believe now that we clearly have “go-to” guys on the team, he will really excel under LB. Play defense, run the ball, manage the game… That’s exactly what he’s built for.
As for DJ, I’ve never seen him show that he can do much more than hit an occasional wide open 3. And there seems to be a major drop off when he replaces Raymond.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Nov 29, 2009 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
I agree that Felton can play that way
Like I said, it remains to be seen. I hope he does. I hope he continues to get 6 assist a night w/ few turnovers, takes smart shots and plays great D. He’d be worth a new contract if he did that.
Let’s not forget that I’m using the word HOPE.
D.J.‘s shown that he can score from anywhere. He just hasn’t been scoring lately. He shown that he can be a solid distributor too, he just hasn’t been doing it lately. If he doesn’t turn it around, you’re right, D.J. is not our starter. But I hope he fulfills some of that promise that he showed last season.
Even last year he seemed better suited as an outside shooter
I just don’t seem him being able to create plays the way Raymond does… especially during “crunch time”. And he seems to have trouble every time he’s doubled… Maybe because of his size?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
WHAT?
You’re complaining about a player during crunch time and lauding Felton’s play in the same post? Sorry, but running down the court and jacking up a shot in an endgame situation≠"creating." In that situation last year, felton shot 7-24, and got to the line just five times with only ONE assist. When you shoot .292, you should probably think about passing a little more often.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
Is he worth $10 mil a year?
$9+ wasn’t enough for him over the summer, and it’s my contention you don’t pay a 13-6 PG who gets a ton of minutes and makes plenty of turnovers that much unless you want to be destined for 30 wins a year.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
Please.
Bernie Bickerstaff is a fine coach, and Felton had Brevin Knight on the roster for two years to show him to be a quality playmaking NBA guard. Hell, even Jeff McInnis (awful as he was) ran the team better than Felton did. Felton’s had plenty of teaching, he’s just chosen to ignore it.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:38 AM EST up reply actions
Haha!
Tops in the league over four games! And I led a pickup game in scoring over four possessions recently. WOO!
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
Stephen Jackson
is the man that’s making it happen.
How can he be left off the list of facilitators on the team. The ball is being run through him more often than not. Did you miss the sequence when the Bobcats ran the same play with him 5 straight times, and got something out of it all 5 times?
This team now has THREE facilitators on the floor, and that is what is making them suddenly so potent.
And you can’t forget the defense. Nick Young averaged 20 points the previous two games. Jackson got him an early seat on the bench with two fouls in the first quarter (by posting him up), and held him to 10 points in the game.
Do you realize how important it is in this league to have a defender capable of holding down the other teams best scorer, every single game? That is Stephen Jackson.
OK
… but then why am I the only one talking about him, and the only one who seems to know who he was actually guarding?
We've all talked about Jackson's contribution ad naseum in other posts.
He’s been great. No need to beat a dead horse though.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 29, 2009 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
James is right, you're clearly a long time Jax fan
We’ve enjoyed him on the team thus far. He really has helped turn the team around. But we’re not ready to talk all Jax all the time yet.
Welcome
to Stephen on Fire, because everything stops when the Jaxcats play.
You’re right. It just doesn’t have the same ring.
by Ourdaywillcome on Nov 30, 2009 8:15 AM EST up reply actions
Let's address his scoring!
His mere appearance has obviously elevated the team. And he looks like a great defender. But I have yet to see him “take over quarters” offensively, the way he has been advertised. He doesn’t look like a great jump shooter, and he appears slow in the paint. Definitely doesn’t have the hops that Wallace does.
This concerns me because eventually teams are going to shift their focus to Wallace. Is there a side to him we’ve yet to see? If so, what’s the hold up?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
I believe that will start soon
As soon as the Celtics game. I expect the attention to shift to Wallace.
The book on Jackson is that if you leave him alone and take away his passing options he’s prone to "Jack"ing up poorly selected jumpers. He’s a quantity shooter, not quality shot selector. When this happens (and if it doesn’t happen with Boston, it’s going to be attempted by some other team sooner rather than later) we’ve got a situation.
If Jackson sinks a couple of quick jumpers and shows signs of getting hot it’s likely the opposing coach will readjust. This will take the pressure off for a game or two until someone else tries it.
If he plays according to the book on him and misses some low percentage shots (and the rest of the team doesn’t hustle off the picks and screens to get open for him) you can expect every other team in the league to quickly adapt to the same defensive style.
You could actually see the Raptors and Cavs tinkering with playing a partial zone against us in an effort to contain the cutters and when that failed they simply ran out of time to adapt.
The key to our continued success with an offensive flow sits squarely on the forwards. If they fall into Diaw’s early season habit of standing around instead of cutting into the lanes or sweeping the baseline cut from the corners, we’re going to quickly see the downside of the Jackson trade all the dubs fans have been warning about. The red flag warning that this is beginning to happen will be seen when you see Jackson start to pass and instead hold the ball and do an imitation of Raymond Felton with less than 5 on the clock. He’ll take a quick step toward the lane as if he’s about to charge for a layup, and then shoot a fadeaway jumper that will clank off the front of the rim.
My hope in this is that Wallace is far too savvy a player and Brown is too experienced as a coach to allow this to happen. I’m hoping that when this starts to go down Brown will call a quick timeout and Stephanie will tell us that in the huddle LB warned his forwards to keep frontcourt motion going. Either that or he’ll quickly sit Jackson or shift him into the “small” lineup in the hope that speed will prevent the defense from settling too comfortably into a “Jackson shift.”
by Ourdaywillcome on Nov 30, 2009 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
Its all about the D
This potential circumstance you warn about does not really concern me. There are a number of other players on the team that can be effective with the ball in their hands (Felton, Diaw, Wallace, Murray, Augustin) other than Jackson. If his shot isn’t going one night then you have to hope that one of the others can make a play and let Jackson help keep spacing and go after the boards hard.
The real benefit of the Jackson trade is on defense and in the transition game. Jax plays as good defense as Bell, but has the court vision and ball handling skills to help get the ’Cats off and running. Plus, it has gotten D Brown in the line up and his defense and court running ability make the Bobcats a better team than the one that had VladRad seeing significant minutes.
You're kidding, right?
Felton, effective with the ball in his hands? The guy who struggles to shoot 40% every season? And Murray, who’s never been much better?
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 1:04 AM EST up reply actions
Jack is a different offensive player
for the Bobcats than he was for the Warriors, because he played small forward for the Warriors, and the Cats are playing him at the 2-guard. Jax has a big size advantage over 2 guards, and Larry Brown is exploiting that with isos and post-ups. Did you notice how he got Nick Young off the floor with two quick fouls last game?
Jack can take over a game when he gets hot, but that’s not his real game. With Larry Brown posting him up, he won’t get into extended scoring droughts jacking threes.
this is why he'll be traded before the deadline?
by crab dribble cocktail on Nov 30, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
If this team remains in 7th he's not going anywhere.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Nov 30, 2009 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
Jackson ain't a jumpshooter.
The only way he’s usually taken over quarters is by jacking up shots. He’s a volume shooter, and not a very efficient one, at that.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:48 AM EST up reply actions
Young also got those points against Philly, one of the worst defensive teams in the league.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 12:47 AM EST up reply actions
AI won't wind up in Charlotte
He’ll be signed with the 76ers by the end of this week and it’ll be for around 1.9 million or so.
If that's the prorated minimum, sure.
But they’re not even gonna guarantee it, so they can cut him when Lou Williams comes back and he bitches about losing his starting spot.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Dec 1, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
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