What have we learned about the Bobcats after three games?

by David A. Arnott on Nov 1, 2010 1:50 PM EDT

When will the Bobcats get their first win? They're good enough to beat any team in the league on any given night, but the way I see their upcoming schedule, they might not actually be favored until Monday, November 15, at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Before that, their best chances to win will probably be when they play the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors, two lottery-bound teams, on the road.

I bring this up as an entree to the larger issue of how confident you feel in the Bobcats, now that we're three games in to the season. I'm like everyone else: I react to recent events far more strongly than I should. D.J. Augustin is (likely) not an All-Star. Boris Diaw is (likely) not a rebounding specialist.

So, have we learned anything in these first three games that changes what we thought we knew about the Bobcats before those games? Kwame Brown has yet to play, and he probably will play ahead of DeSagana Diop in Larry Brown's rotation. Dominic McGuire has yet to be available, and there's no telling if LB will keep Derrick Brown and Gerald Henderson in the rotation ahead of him. Matt Carroll hasn't gotten into a game, yet, even though he seems like a reasonable choice to get a few minutes when Augustin is off the floor, even if only to stretch the defense a little bit.

I purposely avoided sticking to a single prediction for the Bobcats' final win total, because things change and the emotion of the moment will often overwhelm rational analysis. Right now, after flailing at the Mavericks and Bucks, and sinking below the Pacers' level, it's feeling way too much like 30 wins is in our future, and I'm searching for solid reasons why 40 wins is within reach.

===

Side note: Saw this in uptown today, at the Atrium...

They were pretending to be static, and then surprised unsuspecting passersby.

Tweet Comment 44 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I've learned that I still want Boris the hell out of Charlotte.

I’ve learned that Jax will be Jax. You gotta take the good with the bad.
I’ve learned that Crash will be up and down throughout his whole career on the stat sheet. Never in effort though.
And I’ve learned that the technical foul rule is fully in place and the players are aware.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Nov 1, 2010 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

I learned that this is the first time we've ever started a season 0-3.

I’m not sure what that means, or if it means anything at all.

I also learned that I am much more concerned about our center position than I am about our point guard.

I’ve learned that Captain Jack is a human bottleneck when it comes to fluid ball movement (unless he sees a wide open teammate). This isn’t a bad thing per se, because I have no issue with him taking shots…but sh!t or get off the pot already.

I learned that I get genuinely excited whenever UPS, Henderson, or Thomas enter the game. Why Thomas is not starting over Diaw is well beyond my comprehension.

I would love to see a video of that Atrium prank.

Meet the new quarterback. Same as the old quarterback. Go get 'em, Matty Twice!

by Newsinz on Nov 1, 2010 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

Big man

The Bobcats need to make a trade for a center? They ’ve got two centers and neither can out rebound anyone. Why they got rid of Tyson Chandler is a Mystery but as Long as LB Is Coach this team is not Going Far.

by jayball on Nov 1, 2010 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

Why we got rid of Tyson Chandler?

Because he’s absolute garbage. But, he is better than any of the crap we have on our roster right now.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Nov 1, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, he couldn't stay on the court

whether it was due to fouling or being injured, the guy was just frustrating.

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr

by Ben Swanson on Nov 1, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Should me or u bring up his 13 million dollar

Contract as another reason? I was gonna leave it at he is garbage.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Nov 1, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Completely unrelated........

but has anyone seen Joakim Noah’s stats through the first two games? Absolutley amazing.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Nov 1, 2010 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, lol

another completely unrelated note. But Rufus was up here at my job this morning at the Wachovia CIC building. Didn’t get a chance to “speak” with him, but, thought it was pretty cool that he was up here.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Nov 1, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Indeed.

Those numbers are insane. If we had a center that did even half of his numbers, I’d be satisfied.

Meet the new quarterback. Same as the old quarterback. Go get 'em, Matty Twice!

by Newsinz on Nov 1, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I've learned that DJ deserves more time

He’s got his confidence back, obviously. Now let’s see what and how quickly he can learn. It’s funny to me how he gets criticized all year least year, then does what we want him to do (hit open shots) and now it’s a whole new complaint. Give the kid a break. He’s got his chance and has looked solid to start the season. If this is his ceiling, maybe we should talk about other options. But I think he’ll continue to get better.

People understand Crash’s game now. How many of his turnovers have been charge calls? Time to adjust.

Hendo can be solid off the bench. I like the progress. Let’s see it continue.

This team is not cohesive yet, but it will happen. Everyone is still feeling things out with all the changes.

Nazr has reverted back to every season other than last year. He’s missing lots of shots (particularly worrisome are all the layups and dunks attempted from way too far away).

Diop is not a complete disaster (except when he tried to shoot an 18 foot jumper…. yikes). 15 minutes of the bench sounds about right.

The pace of the team is up quite a bit. They’re running a lot more and getting shots off before the shot clock goes off. This explains part of the dip in defensive statistics. We’re giving up a lot more points, but also scoring more. Time to find a balance.

The beginning of the season is just as bad a predictor of the future as the preseason. I expect the Jazz to be good, the Hornets to be average, the Cavs to not beat the Celtics, and the Magic to never lose a game by 25 the rest of the season. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m very interested to see what the team does against an inferior opponent (the Nets) after a couple days of practice working out the kinks of the 3 games in 4 days (2 away) schedule.

by drapht00 on Nov 1, 2010 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I've learned why the drinking age should be lowered

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr

by Ben Swanson on Nov 1, 2010 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

I have got to give these guys 10 games

by kittylover on Nov 1, 2010 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I’ve learned that the Bobcats are still making the same mistakes from three years ago(turning the ball over and getting out rebounded) as they are today, Harris would’ve been the answer at PG, and I really hate “Melo”.

"It's a bad day to have a bad day" - Coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers

by D.W.G. on Nov 1, 2010 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Oh no! We suck again!

Okay, it’s a little premature but I think the bottom line is this team has very little margin for error, just like last year. Unfortunately, we’re making too many mistakes right now.

In fairness, had they won the Indiana game (and they should have), we would all feel differently sitting at 1-2. So I’ll try to be patient. But if they come home 0-5 this weekend with Orlando and San Antonio coming to town, I’ll start to get depressed.

by Bring Back Primoz on Nov 1, 2010 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

I'm still optimistic

Come on, you know you want to join the club….

by drapht00 on Nov 1, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm in

Wait for it™

by andrewlail76 on Nov 1, 2010 6:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Me 3

Thank you, San Francisco!

by Newsinz on Nov 1, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm an optimist

And I’ve seen a lot of Bobcats basketball so I’ve seen far worse teams than this one is right now. Just saying we gotta get a game this week. 0-3 isn’t a big deal but we can’t let it creep to 0-7 or we’re in serious trouble.

And this team does have a small margin of error. There are very few teams we line up against that are overwhelmed by our talent so we must rely on teamwork, hard work, and execution. It’s not sharp right now. And a sloppy Cats team is a bad team.

Still have time to get it fixed. But sooner rather than later ……. Please!

by Bring Back Primoz on Nov 1, 2010 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by drapht00 on Nov 2, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Hold up. Why are we talking about Augustin's ceiling?

If I have a PG that averages 17 pts, 5.3 assists, and 3.00 rpg with a +/- of 17 then I’m pretty happy. Sure two turnovers a game stinks but we let Jax get by with that kinda crap all the time. Why set DJ to a different standard? All I’m saying that if these numbers are DJ’s ceiling then why complain? If Deej averages 17 and 5 all season and slightly improves defensively, I don’t see a lot of merit in the argument that we’re hurting at PG. If that was the case we’ve been hurting at PG since Ray was here.

Welcome to Charlotte, North Carolina. Biting the hand of the sports gods that have fed us since 1988. If you're not UNC or Duke, prepare for an on-again off-again fleeting romance.

by maverick24 on Nov 1, 2010 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

and 1

Wait for it™

by andrewlail76 on Nov 1, 2010 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

No question

The main reason I’m so much more concerned about our center right now is because of Augustin.

Thank you, San Francisco!

by Newsinz on Nov 1, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

He's far more efficient than Jax for sure

By the way, did any see that sick no look pass he (DJ) whipped to Tyrus in the lane (I think in the Pacers game) and T-Time just couldn’t handle it? I really think DJ has the potential to be an excellent distributor, the team just needs to start to jell.

by drapht00 on Nov 2, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Laser precision

There were also a handful of missed shots that would’ve bossted his assist total as well. He’s finding the open man. I don’t think we’ve seen his offensive ceiling just yet…

Thank you, San Francisco!

by Newsinz on Nov 2, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I was actually in the perfect seat to see that.

Me and my friend who always goes to the games with me both looked at each other and almost cried over the play that could have been. It would have been a slam, an assist, and a possible foul.

The fact is, as I stated earlier, IF this is still a weakness at the point guard position then we have been a weak team at that position since Ray was here. Many people would say that but I will take a guess that many more wouldn’t. Ray worked hard, and DJ is working just as much. If this is the beginning, I can’t WAIT for the end.

Welcome to Charlotte, North Carolina. Biting the hand of the sports gods that have fed us since 1988. If you're not UNC or Duke, prepare for an on-again off-again fleeting romance.

by maverick24 on Nov 2, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

I can’t wait to see him grow. I rewound that play 3 times just to show my wife. All last year we needed scoring. Well, we’ve got scoring now. Sure the D needs to be tweaked, but how many 100% complete players are there in the NBA? You play to the strengths of your roster and balance things out. Derrick Rose can’t play D. Jameer Nelson can’t play D. Aaron Brooks, Mo Williams, Jonny Flynn, Steve Nash, Brandon Jennings… None of them D up all that well. While DJ isn’t on the level of some of those guys, it doesn’t mean we can’t make it work. Especially when you can shoot 5-6 on 3’s and only hit the rim once on those shots. DJ is no joke.

by drapht00 on Nov 2, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

DJ got his Balls back Hoooooooooorrrrrrrrraaayyyyy
all joking aside Dj is playing great I hope he keeps his swagger
Diaw still Sucks hes still French hes still smelly and he still cant hit an open 3
Nazr looks like Father time out there No D no rebounding missed dunks Old legs
Felton and Ratliff were very good deffenders and their Hustle on D is missed.

by Bcat2.0 on Nov 1, 2010 9:07 PM EDT reply actions

I've learned at least we're not the Grizzlies who just gave Mike Conley a 5 yr, $45 million contract extension

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5754722

Christ, that’s dumb! This move will most likely preclude them from being able to keep OJ Mayo and Marc Gasol in the future. Good move: $120 million for Rudy Gay and Mike Conley.

You cannot make an argument for this team not to be contracted or moved. Just too stupid.

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr

by Ben Swanson on Nov 2, 2010 1:00 AM EDT reply actions

mabey we can take Marc Gasol off of their hands

by Bcat2.0 on Nov 2, 2010 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

+1 million

He immediately makes us legit. Do not sleep on the dirty Spaniard.

by drapht00 on Nov 2, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Let's come off it already

There’s no way in hell they give him up for anything

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr

by Ben Swanson on Nov 2, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

And there is no way you would trade Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown either.

by Supercam on Nov 2, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Look, the Grizzlies are trying to get to the playoffs. They know what it can do to their franchise as far as season ticket sales, jersey sales, yada yada yada. Why they would trade their number 1 or 2 player for anything we have is beyond me. Unless we take on Mike Conley’s turd (ie. his contract).

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr

by Ben Swanson on Nov 2, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, no way we get him

But it would be pretty awesome.

by drapht00 on Nov 2, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

ATL might have to shop Josh Smith....

I’d love to get him! We’d have such an athletic team…maybe a smaller lineup, but extremely athletic!!
Sounds like ATL won’t have enough to resign him after giving Horford a contract extension.

by paison on Nov 2, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Neither will we

by drapht00 on Nov 2, 2010 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

We all knew DJ can't play defense.

To me him putting up 17 and 5 is what we were all hoping for, but we knew he wasn’t gonna suddenly be a defensive stud. So no, I don’t blame him, I blame Larry Brown for not being able to game plan around that fact. I say yeah, you gotta work with him on D, but at some point you gotta say, “I just gotta find another way.” I say keep DJ, work with him, but lets explore some new routes to help get this team on the right track.

by Supercam on Nov 2, 2010 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

DJ's defense is Shaun Livingston.

Honestly, that’s our option right now and it’s not a terrible one. Liv is a matchup nightmare. If someone looks like they’re heating up at the PG position and it would benefit us to have a defensive boost, we put Liv in. At least that’s what I would do. Unless we get a defensive dynamo in return, I can’t justify a trade that brings in someone over DJ.

Welcome to Charlotte, North Carolina. Biting the hand of the sports gods that have fed us since 1988. If you're not UNC or Duke, prepare for an on-again off-again fleeting romance.

by maverick24 on Nov 2, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Liv is playing too cautiously so far

Hopefully he will step up his game

by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Nov 2, 2010 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I would expect cautious

for now

Remember…NO PRESEASON

Wait for it™

by andrewlail76 on Nov 2, 2010 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

John Hollinger picked DJ for his All-Breakout Team

Also, Derrick Brown got an honorable mention. So should we start to hate them and look to trade them now?

by drapht00 on Nov 2, 2010 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I'll stick with looking to get rid of Hollinger.

Honestly, I would seriously consider shopping Jax before I’d look to get rid of Derrick or Deej.
Henderson – I couldn’t care one way or the other. He isn’t living up to his potential on any level I can see. The few flashes he’s shown in his extended minutes role this season aren’t enough to make me believe he’s going to be a starter quality player any time soon. I’ve not given up on him mind you, not completely anyway, but if I picked up the paper tomorrow morning and read he was part of a trade to bring in a solid center I wouldn’t shed a tear.

My sources can beat up your sources

by Ourdaywillcome on Nov 2, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

An interesting point

If DJ can start providing a large part of the scoring punch, does that make Jax less valuable to us than he was last year? Not that he’s not a major asset to our team, but if we could get younger and a little more efficient… Interesting….

by drapht00 on Nov 2, 2010 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions