We've made a coaching change, do we need player changes now?

by Mr Goodlove on Jan 23, 2011 8:41 AM EST

This is my first fanpost so if this is done incorrectly, my apologies.

The Bobcats are right on the edge of making the playoffs this season and contrary to what most think, I feel that this team could actually advance into the second round if healthy and they finished the season well enough to matchup with any team other than Boston and maybe Miami. However Tyrus being hurt really hurts the teams chances of even getting into the playoffs, especially since Jack and Gerald aren't playing like the players we thought them to be.

I think something that should seriously be considered, is trading away some of our players. When we talk about trades we all mention the aforementioned players first, but one player who I think is at the top of his game and would be perfect to deal would be DJ, and the player I'm thinking of trading him for is Stephen Curry. Why would Golden State do it, to be honest I don't know why they'd trade him at all, but if they're looking to send him away (according to what the guys on ESPN's PTI claim) why not take a player in DJ that would have no issues with letting Monta Ellis be the ball dominate player he is. DJ may have elevated his stock enough for Golden State to want to do the deal, we'd get a hometown guy guy that can shoot lights out and has a high basketball IQ.

Another trade I was considering is Jackson and Diaw for JR Smith and Nene in Denver, the only thing is Smith is in the final year of his contract and may not want to sign an extension in Charlotte, but he would be a 6 million dollar expiring at the end of the year and Nene could move in as the starting PF while Kwame or Nazr play center or vice versa. JR Smith is a hot head, but I think players have a respect for Silas and Smith who'd be playing ofr a future contract would most likely be on his best behavior and want to show everybody what he can do, which is shoot the ball, something Jackson has really been struggling with as of late. Smith makes sense to me because he's a good sized athletic SG who can compensate for DJ's (or Stephen Curry's) lack of height and Livingston's lack of explosiveness and outside shooting.

I'm less inclined to want to trade Wallace because the things Wallace can bring to the court like hustle, rebounding, team defense and shot blocking ability are tough intangibles to replace, Wallace isn't a half court scorer, he isn't a true first or even second scoring option for good teams, but he's the type of player that can help you win games if he's used effectively, I think we put too much on the guy forcing him to try and do things beyond his capabilities. Keeping Wallace still makes us a decent defensive team, we'd still be athletic, and if he gets out of his slump offensively that would only make the team that much better.

I think these are deals that could really help improve this team this year, we'd get quality scorers, and a physical post presence with Nene who would be a good fit to play alongside Tyrus Thomas when he returns. What do you all think?

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I dont wana trade DJ

Plus Golden State is only considering getting eid of Curry because with him and Ellis there is such a big defensive risk with both of them on the coyrt so idk what they have to gain from DJ. The JR Smith trade isnt that bad but I dont know if anyone wants him right now.

by TS BOBCAT on Jan 23, 2011 9:03 AM EST reply actions

Sorry for all the mis-spellings i was trying to hurry

and when i say nobody wants him i meant Stephen Jackson

by TS BOBCAT on Jan 23, 2011 9:04 AM EST up reply actions

You know, I was trying to figure why they wanted to trade Curry

If Golden State wants to trade anyone it should be Ellis because he’s the one undersized at the position he plays. Unless they get a Livingston type or Rodney Stuckey they’re still gonna have matchup problems if they get another prototypical PG, so why not take DJ.

by Mr Goodlove on Jan 23, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

We dont

ESPN misquoted the owner, to paraphrase he said no one is untouchable but he later said he loves our back court. Curry would only be traded for a big star

‎"There is nothing like a wise phrase or quote to help convince others that your decision makes sense." - Anon

"If you're ever in a fair fight, then your tactics suck." ಠ_ಠ

by dubzfan on Jan 25, 2011 2:20 AM EST up reply actions

Is Jax a big enough star for them?? Lol!

by paison on Jan 25, 2011 10:54 AM EST up reply actions

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!

On most nights, he’s the best player we have, and right now he’s one of the better PGs in the league. Unless you’re getting Chris Paul, DJ IMO is going to be better than anyone you could get in a trade.

by jkp1516 on Jan 23, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I have come to believe that DJ Augustin is the cornerstone that we will build our future around.

In light of that, I think Jordan should be trying to bring in some refrigerator boxes – thick, solid players that can work a screen or flatten the guy covering Deej with a nice pick. If we bring in one or two players like that – and if we’re lucky one with a decent mid-range jumpshot – not only would DJ be joining CP3 at the top of the point guard listings, the team would be fighting for a top 4 seeding.

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jan 23, 2011 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

i absolutely agree

and i believe we are already starting to build a young foundation in Hendo, and Tyrus,

JVG 2011

by unccatfan on Jan 24, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

+1

by Warmec on Jan 25, 2011 6:56 AM EST up reply actions

I disagree about Wallace.....

Slumps don’t make you miss open layups. Slumps don’t mean being invisible on offense.
When players are in slumps, they don’t quit doing what has made them successful in the past. Just because your in a slump, that doesnt mean you are non-existent in every aspect of the game. He hasn’t looked himself at all. Now that we made the playoffs, and he made the all-star team, it’s like he doesn’t care anymore. He didn’t even look himself in the USA scrimmage. He needs to be traded, and the way I see it, the sooner, the better

Out with the bad Old, in with the good Old
- Rufus on Fire, where even the signatures hold significance

by T-TIME, I MEAN DUNK TIME on Jan 23, 2011 10:16 AM EST reply actions

I believe Wallace problems started with the USA scrimmage

I read some reports that Wallace didn’t play his hardest and some of us were ok with it because we didn’t want him to get injured or burn himself out. Then if you remember in the preseason we had the first scrimmage game that was really a open house training game for fans to see and Wallace made a statement that he only played hard early so that he wouldn’t have to play the full game. Then we’d hear about the second team outplaying the first team in practice, especially Tyrus and D. Brown playing very well. You see a pattern here and that pattern is Wallace not showing up from the beginning with that hunger to get better, it’s like he became a diva and he felt he could coast through the offseason instead of working his tail off to get better and his struggles are the result of that.
Jackson too, he came into camp overweight if you remember, now if you look at who are the main guys struggling, it’s Jackson and Wallace. For what they both bring to the table though, I just think Wallace can still be better for the team overall, especially if you can get a scorer to replace Jackson. If we send Wallace away I understand why they’d do it, and he may be easier to trade away at this point.

by Mr Goodlove on Jan 23, 2011 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

Crash is definitely mailing it in now.

Once he realized the rest of the league had noticed him enough to develop defensive sets and shifts against him, he stubbornly tried to defeat them instead of altering his own approach and surprising them. After a month or so of picking up multiple offensive fouls, he set the ride on cruise control instead of working out a solution. Basketball is definitely a physical game, but there is an underlying mental toughness that is also crucial if a player wants to succeed. It was all grand fun when Gerald could let his body do the talking, but now that he has to apply some savvy – or listen to a coach that’s willing to think it through FOR him, he’s playing like a man that has forgotten how to have fun.

While he was injured, he saw the team come back to life. He saw the spark back in everyone’s eyes and he couldn’t wait to have fun again. When he finally was able to get back on the court he quickly learned that opposing teams hadn’t forgotten what they needed to do to shut him down. So for him, the new system was just as frustrating as the old system.
Since then, it seems that Crash would rather complain to everyone about the cold and darkness than figure out how to start a fire.

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jan 23, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

I think it's pretty simple...

If we continue to struggle during the next 8-10 games, this team will be blown up. I honestly think that the loss of TT is something we as a team cannot overcome. I think it will signal the begining of the end…It’s sad, but necessary i think.

by kittylover on Jan 23, 2011 10:49 AM EST reply actions

I don't think it's necessary - or at least it doesn't have to be.

If the two men that led our team so well last season were playing anywhere CLOSE to the levels they displayed in our playoff run, we’d easily be at or just over.500 right now instead of playing we’ll be one of the teams that squeak into the postseason with a losing record.

Bottom line. Whether anyone believes me or not anymore, I do know for a certainty that Jordan already has Higgins working the phones for a fire sale that doesn’t “look” like a fire sale. He may be able to find ways to explain the first move or two that gets made, but the end result will be a team with a miniscule payroll and all the skills of the current Cleveland roster. The upside is that the rebuild will quite possibly result in the Bobcats coming back in a couple of seasons better than ever.
Jordan isn’t sweating the temporary loss of ticket revenues. From his perspective, the healthy bump in season ticket holders this season is money in the bank. Stay with the current squad or blow it all to hell, the revenue won’t change all that much. He has enough confidence in himself to believe that the players he starts to bring in next season will bring back a lot of the single game attendance that will be lost in the process.

Many bring up the fact that Jordan promised the city a playoff team for this season. But take a look around. How many of the 30 owners hold press conferences during training camp to say, “Hi, just wanted to let y’all know we really suck and we’re looking at finishing no better than 13th out of the 15 teams in our conference. After what happened in Miami in the off season, the rest of us realized we didn’t have a chance, so we’re just trying to convince enough people we’re viable so that we don’t have to lay off the beer vendors. Enjoy the season!”

THE ONLY hope of this roster remaining largely unchanged is multiple road wins between now and the All-Star Weekend. The first half of this season was supposed to be the springboard that would allow this team to have a large enough stockpile of wins that when things turned ugly (the next 3 weeks) we could weather the storm and come out healthy enough to put on a strong finishing kick. We all know how that’s worked out for us. So now this is it. If we bring the fire in the next 10 games, we will remain Crash N Jack Show. If we don’t, we’ll all be able to spend the All-Star Break learning as much as we can about all the new faces and speculating how well they’ll fit in with DJ when the flag drops on the “second half” of the NBA battle for the 8 seed.

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jan 23, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

I have a feeling Jack will do what he can to get traded if we struggle

but what about Wallace, do you think he’d actually mail it in or be a problem behind closed doors so he could get sent away? I agree, these upcoming games are gonna be very important, if we get back to getting blown out or having poor efforts I could see us moving players around. Something that is a little troublesome is Jordan’s confidence in being able to bring in free agents. He’s taking a big gamble similar to what New York and Cleveland did over Lebron. If he breaks up the team for cap relief, it could really set Charlotte basketball back if he doesn’t bring a\in any talented players, and I’m not sure Jordan’s brand is enough to attract players.

by Mr Goodlove on Jan 23, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions

Let me assist you in your "unsurety."

Jordan’s name, idolization, and his brand all added together are NOT enough to attract players. Any player good enough in the modern NBA to be on Jordan’s short list of must-haves is only interested in either a ring, or a chance to play with their buds and work with THEM towards a ring. It’s a nasty Catch-22. In order to bring in star free agents, we have to have enough power on our existing squad that the free agent will be just enough to take us to the Finals. How are we supposed to reach that point without star players?

Also, not one player in this league wants to play in front of a sea of empty seats in an arena where the refs whistle echoes for 10 seconds after the free throws are shot.

I believe that Jordan (and at least 16 other owners) is praying that the new CBA will level the playing field in some miraculous way that will allow smaller markets to compete with the big-city franchises that can afford to just laugh in derision at the “luxury cap.” It may make his anemic balance sheet a little less full of red ink, but it isn’t going to lure an “A-list” player into Charlotte, or Memphis, or Toronto, or….

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jan 23, 2011 7:53 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks OurDay. Here's my question..

When the nukes begin to ignite, I’m cool with getting an expiring, some young players, hopefully one or two with real potential downstream. I just don’t like hearing some of the chatter that has us giving up any draft picks. That is our future, and if we blow it up we’ll NEED picks back, not give anymore up.

by Bassnote on Jan 23, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

I couldn't agree more.

We’re obligated already to coughing up enough picks that if we put many more on the table Andrew’s boy Conner will be declaring himself eligible for the draft before we pick 2 drafts in a row again.

Top 15 picks are the singular way this team gets to the point I spoke of in my reply to Mr. Goodlove. Not only that, they have to come frequently enough that we have enough fresh blood on the team that we can handle the occasional bad draft decision. Plus, we have to have enough young talent that we don’t produce a steady stream of skilled rookies that are planning to bolt out of town the moment their first 2+ an option contract expires. Right now I can already see that if we don’t overpay DJ on any contract offer we make, he’s going to pull a Felton as soon as he can manage it. Who could blame him? There are at least a dozen clubs right now with players that can create offense of the sort that a guard like Deej will reach even greater heights than he can dishing to Jack the Bricklayer, Crash (and burn) Wallace, and Boris “I don’t want zis orange ting, take it back” Diaw.

Oh, and to those who still believe that Jordan’s “cachette” will lure players into Charlotte, keep this in mind…

Jordan is an OWNER. To the current crop of players he’s just another old guy with a fancy highlight reel that has spent enough time sleeping with the enemy that he’s forgotten what it was like to be a part of the player’s union. Jordan, in their minds, has gone over to the other side.

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jan 23, 2011 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

I read today

It was us wanting a pick which I theorized to begin with and it got lost in translation. Here’s the article

http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/114461264.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

It’s about halfway down the page after the initial article.

by JDuaneHipps on Jan 24, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

Finally makes sense.

I thought Jordan had lost his damn mind.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 24, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly. Wallace is worth AT LEAST an unprotected 1st rounder.

Thanks JDuane. I feel a good bit better and once again believe that it’s 100% tobacco in those cigars Jordan smokes. I wonder why he hasn’t adopted the old Red Auerbach habit of lighting a victory cigar when a win is a lock. Is it because the Cats are so seldom in that position? Up in the old Boston Garden Red always got a big cheer (along with the team) when he fired up the victory dance.

It’s not like staff are going to throw him out for violating the no smoking policy.

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jan 24, 2011 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

Lol.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 25, 2011 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

DJ is the last person I'd consider trading right now.

Hopelessly scouring the internet for a free copy of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "Brujo." and "Hurricane Coming" by CCS.

by Newsinz on Jan 23, 2011 1:02 PM EST reply actions

Thus proving that you are much wiser than anyone thinking Deej is good trade fodder.

Giving up on DJ now, while he’s still relatively cheap, still relatively young, and STILL adding to his list of skills, will put the idea of a Charlotte Bobcats CONFERENCE finals off for at least 5 seasons, let alone an NBA championship. Keeping him on our roster should be Jordan’s absolute top priority. Right now Jordan is more expendable to Charlotte basketball’s future than DJ Augustin.

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jan 23, 2011 8:09 PM EST up reply actions

Here's what I think about DJ

He’s having a very good season to this point, but he has limitations and flaws to his game that I fear are going to really be exploited in the next few weeks. I hope we can hold it together and continue winning, but we lost our best shot blocker and help defender inside, how is this gonna affect DJ knowing he isn’t a strong defender.
I like DJ, I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s an elite guard after having a solid half of a season, but he’s played well. Curry is a guy who may be willing to resign here if we did trade for him, he’s a guy that will bring probably more fans to the games, he’s a guy that can do everything DJ can do and more, I also think he’s more equipped to actually lead a team than DJ is.

by Mr Goodlove on Jan 23, 2011 10:51 PM EST up reply actions

Curry really plays more like a SG than a PG.

His size is a flaw for his position as well.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 24, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

That was my thought...you play DJ and Curry together...

Like that would EVER happen

Bobcats Basketball is my only pro sports passion...

by andrewlail76 on Jan 24, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

Lol, I just know if whoever on the opposing team is more taller than 6'4,

they’d probably score 80 that game.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 25, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

Both Curry and Deej can play the 2.

With that backcourt, who could touch us? I’m all for a deal to bring Dell’s “young fella” to town.

Are you referring to Tyrus as our best shot blocker? Whle that may well be true, he was only averaging 21 minutes a game before he got hurt while DJ is averaging 35.5 minutes. If Tyrus played every single one of his seconds with DJ on the court, it’s less than 2/3 of Augustin’s night. It doesn’t seem as if Tyrusaurus’ absence has had a negative impact on DJ thus far either.

I would go so far as saying that he’ll be an elite guard by this time next season (assuming they’re actually playing of course)

His limitations and flaws are diminishing every game and why, barring injury, would his game suddenly abandon him between now and the Break? Has LB put out a contract on him or something? Check out the awesome fanshot posted about DJ yesterday. He has climbed a whopping 33 places amongst point guards this season based on an average of 5 key aspects of the job. He’s presently ranked 13th in the NBA. That’s a damned sight better than our previous point guard. Felton is currently ranked 26th. How is it that by this time last season RayRay was a hero and Augustin – playing for a team with a much worse record – is still getting the hairy eyeball from so many people? (and no Mr. G, I’m not singling you out. You are one of the least critical of DJ’s contributions compared to a lot of the other naysayers I see around the blogosphere.)

Our record would be every bit as painful to look at as Cleveland’s had Deej not blossomed this season. With the level of play Wallace and Jackson have given us since Predator’s return from his ankle injury, a new injury to either of them (God forbid) would hurt this team a hell of a lot less than losing DJ for more than a game or so.

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jan 24, 2011 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

I don't understand all the doubts in D.J.

Anybody else on the trade block, I understand. D.J.? No. He’s young, doesn’t have a bloated contract, is already our best scorer, not a headcase, and is looking like he can turn into an elite PG. Why is he still in trade chatter amongst fans? People are worried too much about his size and defense. He’s learning to play with what he has better. I always compared D.J. to Iverson and I think what I seen in him is now starting to come out on a constant basis. I mean, I know they don’t play the game the same, but little men can dominate the game as well.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 25, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Charlotte Bobcats state of mind?

Get rid of the positives

Bobcats Basketball is my only pro sports passion...

by andrewlail76 on Jan 25, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

That's how it goes in the QC

by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 25, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 24, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

Ourday...

What are the Cats looking to acquire in a trade involving our core guys? Would J-Rich be one player we would want because of the expiring contract and the fact he can play? Or Troy Murphy?

I mean…Is MJ looking for young guys like Mayo/Curry or expirings? And with the players we could acquire(If you know any potential names…) could we still have a legit shot at the Playoffs???

by ammofan7 on Jan 23, 2011 8:29 PM EST reply actions

I'd love to see MJ pull off a Curry deal...

Relatively cheap contract and would easily put some butts in the seats. Not quite CP3-like, but it would be huge for the organization and this city

by paison on Jan 23, 2011 9:45 PM EST up reply actions

I'd want it to be DJ and Curry together...

Bobcats Basketball is my only pro sports passion...

by andrewlail76 on Jan 23, 2011 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

DJ, Murphy, and Curry

sounds like Run DMC to me.

by mikael matthews on Jan 24, 2011 6:13 AM EST up reply actions

+1

We won’t have DJ and Curry together on the same squad…just won’t happen

by JDuaneHipps on Jan 24, 2011 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

Richardson's name has been mentioned a LOT by my "people."

Jordan is primarily looking for picks. Johnson gave too many of ours away and MJ wants them back.
Second priority is shedding dollars. There is a growing consensus amongst the owners that payroll and cap(s) are going to be completely altered in the next CBA and teams that are topheavy in salaries may have to scramble to bring their numbers down. Jordan is trying to prepare for that in advance. He does NOT want to cement his legacy as the first former player to be a majority owner by becoming known as the man who bankrupted a team (or got it contracted) in a town where the NBA was once the hottest ticket in the state. Most close to him feel he would rather die than see that happen.

The CBA could possibly just fizzle into the biggest non-story of the year, but it’s more likely that the final agreement is going to change the face of the entire sport for years. The old CBA won’t expire for month, but the rampant speculation (fueled constantly by Stern’s threats) is already having a major impact on how this league conducts business.

The finagling that created the Miami juggernaut this season may have gotten the players excited, but it enraged the owners sufficiently that they are going to stop at nothing to ensure that players never again have enough control to pull something like it off again. Lebron and company figured out how to work the system and taught the other players how to do it too. Now the owners are hell-bent and determined to change that system. Throughout the entire time they’ve been avoiding meeting with player reps, the owners have had small armies of lawyers and consultants constructing scenarios so that when push comes to shove they will come out on top. They literally have volumes of data preparing them for any possible contingency.

P.S. - Is it an interim fling or a permanent bromance?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jan 24, 2011 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

Will a deal happen before Feb 24th?

Oh yea tell your people to tell their people to mention to MJ about Jason Thompson. He would be great here!

by Zack Bowring on Jan 24, 2011 11:58 PM EST up reply actions

If we do get Richardson whjat would the lineup look like?

assuming it Boris for Jason where would we move Gerald?

by TS BOBCAT on Jan 25, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

My guess

DJ
J Rich
Jax
Crash
Kwame

Bobcats Basketball is my only pro sports passion...

by andrewlail76 on Jan 25, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

I'd bet we'd move Gerald..outta town

He would likely be part of another trade to obtain a player and a pick, or combination of those. It might also include another player of ours. OurDay says MJ’s priorities when blowing up the team are reduced salary and draft picks. Clearly Cleveland balked at sending us a pick with the TPE for Wallace. So who’s got expirings and a pick to give? Houston and Jersey. They are looking to craft the best deal, so it’s hard to say if we’re the team to do it. Dallas still seems to be the best possible landing spot for Jax (if we make that deal). I doubt there’s any set strategy relative to who we keep other than our young guns (DJ, Hendo) and value contributors (Kwame, McGuire maybe).

by Bassnote on Jan 25, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions