Gameday Preview Charlotte Bobcats at Minnesota Timberwolves

by David A. Arnott on Feb 10, 2010 9:19 AM EST

Pump Up Music: The White Stripes -- "My Doorbell"

The Big Picture: The Timberwolves are pretty terrible, even though they've got a couple big men most other teams in the league would kill for in Al Jefferson and Kevin Love. They also have seven footer Oleksiy Pecherov getting spare minutes with the NBA club, and when he has played, there's enough offensive production there to possibly justify more minutes. And all that's before noting Jonny Flynn's quietly excellent season and Corey Brewer's emergence as a worthwhile starter.

What we have in Minnesota is roughly what the Bobcats had a couple years ago: two guys who could start for most other clubs in the league, and a bunch of other ingredients that, individually, show promise, but simply don't fit the formula.

Key to Victory: This game could hinge on the power forward battle. I'm pretty certain Love will get the better of Boris Diaw on the boards, and the Cats will have to make that up elsewhere. But in most other facets of the game, Boris can go toe to toe with the young fella. If he can minimize the Wolves' one main matchup advantage, it'll go a long way to winning.

Detail That May Interest .08% of You: Wolves coach Kurt Rambis was traded by the Hornets in December 1989 in the deal that brought Armen Gilliam to Charlotte. The next year, Gilliam was traded for Mike Gminski. Several years later, Gminski was traded for the immortal Frank Brickowski. The Hornets simply let his contract expire after 28 games.

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More Tarheels!

Get to watch ol’ Wayne Ellington in action tonight. Has had a pretty impressive last month or so. Looking like he might have actually been a nice player.

Am I the only one losing some sleep over the thought of Sheed Wallace joining the crew?!? I love it!! Please bring in sheed! Ship DJ off to them to back up rondo. I would love to see sheed in the lineup. Plays the 4 or 5. Opens up the floor with shooting. Is a vet. Has championship experience. Has fire. I would love to see him and Jax feeding off each other. With Crash in the mix and Ray Ray feeding these guys (ps. amazing clutch shot by Ray last night), and a mix of Diaw, Nazr, Chandler, and D-Brown rounding out the 4-5 rotation. Very nice. Through in Acie Law and get Eddie House with the deal?? Let him be a bench squad shooter while the bench guys offense runs through Diaw? Sounds alright to me.

by mives36 on Feb 10, 2010 12:07 PM EST reply actions

The T-Wolves are an inferior ball club

They show heart from time to time and they have a little talent, but there is no way Charlotte should lose this game. The Cats should dismantle the Wolves the same way Philly did last night. It feels good knowing that the Cats will be above .500 going into the All-Star break. Lets hope the rookies get to play tonight.

"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice

by Julius Coxswain on Feb 10, 2010 1:04 PM EST reply actions

Holy Schnikeys

I thought that last nights game was our last before allstars. Awesome night for bball. I wish the game wouldnt conflict with Duke/Carolina but I can switch back in forth for a while.

Go Bobcats!!!
Go Blue Devils!!!!!

Gerald Henderson…you shouldve stayed one more year. Duke wouldve been so sick, and you wouldve gotten better at shooting. oh well, you make millions anyways.

by MR. MANN on Feb 10, 2010 1:29 PM EST reply actions

Last game before the AllStar break.

I have some bad news. First, Raymond Felton is hurt. Immediately after the game last night he had his ankle back in a walking boot and was telling the media that he was in a LOT of pain. One reporter noted that Raymond Felton is known for never EVER complaining about pain so if he’s vocalizing his soreness it must be hellish. When asked if he’d be playing tonight he basically said that if it still felt like it did when he was asked, he’d not play. He then, in typical Felton fashion said that he didn’t even feel it that bad during the Wizards game so he knew that once he got started tonight he’d be able to play on it well and deal with the pain over the All Star break. So even if he plays, he’s going to be hobbled – potentially VERY hobbled.

Secondly, and this is just subjective on my part so take it with a grain of salt, the Cats have played 2 in a row without any spirit or energy. They’ve been lethargic and just going through the motions. The first time it cost us a win. Last night we barely got the victory against a team we should have easily torn apart. The Timberwolves shouldn’t even come close to presenting a challenge to our squad and we should win by 15 or more with our starters on the bench for most of the 4th quarter. But it is my opinion that if the same team shows up tonight that has waltzed through the past couple of games like they were lost in a fog the Timberwolves will head into the AllStar break with two things they don’t deserve – a victory and momentum.

by Ourdaywillcome on Feb 10, 2010 2:51 PM EST reply actions

Augustin appears to be on the trading block

If you believe the published reports. It will be interesting to see how he responds. Ray Ray’s injury may mean more minutes for DJ and Murray.

"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice

by Julius Coxswain on Feb 10, 2010 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Well the Bobs have been banged up

Ray and Crash have well publicized injuries. LB also indicated that several guys on the team have been under the weather. Add to that the fact that several of our key players have been playing heavy minutes all season and Nazr’s been playing out of his mind. There’s bound to be a let down. I say the allstar break can’t come soon enough.

Let’s pull out a win and then get some rest!

by and1droid on Feb 10, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions