(DA -- From the FanPosts)

Sure, it's early, but we've finally gotten a decent look at this team we were speculating so much about all summer.  So, who has surprised you by playing above your expectations and who would you have no problem simply cutting loose if there were no guaranteed contracts? I'll offer two of each.

Props

Gerald Henderson- As far as young guys go, I could easily put D.J. here, but honestly Hendo has surprised me more.  He looks confident and assertive on the offensive end, and is providing a great burst of energy off the bench that compliments Brown and Tyrus really well (see: the final minute against San Antonio).  He's improving with each game and I'm genuinely excited to see what he looks like in March.

DeSagana Diop- He's suddenly looking more like the defensive monster that somehow earned a big contract in Dallas.  A scorer he will never be (I nearly fell out of my chair when he sunk that pretty fadeaway jumper against the Spurs), but he's been a real presence inside and I actually enjoy seeing him on the court more than Nazr.  Still excited to see if Kwame can be the best of both poor-man worlds as far as our centers go, but for right now I'm pretty pleased with Diopkembe.

Drops

Matt Carroll- He made it in the game last night - and stood in the corner for two minutes.  I was hoping he could provide some shooting off the bench, stretching the D for our slashers to find their way to the rim, but it seems his skill set simply doesn't mesh with LB's style of ball.  I like the guy, and hope we ship him somewhere like Toronto where he'll be able to put his perimeter game to use.

Stephen Jackson- Obviously, 'drop' is too strong a word, and Najera would have been an easy choice here, but I wanted to highlight a rotation player who I've been disappointed with, and right now that's gotta be Jack.  He's provided bursts of scoring, but overall he's looked slow and sloppy, with too many bad turnovers.  The T's have gotta stop - heck, I'll settle for slow.  Bonnell pointed out today that he's on pace for 30 this year.  If the Bobcats are going to find that crispness and cohesion that has eluded them so far, it's gotta start with the Cap'n.

So...what say you?