Charlotte Bobcats at Atlanta Hawks preview -- Game 11
by Ben Swanson on Jan 12, 2012 10:00 AM EST
Email
PrintToday's Tunes:
Two Against One - Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi (Feat. Jack White)
Game Overview: And so begins the great back-to-back-to-back. Luckily, this isn't the most difficult of B2B2Bs, with the other games coming against Detroit and Golden State at home. Plus, the Hawks are on the end of their own back-to-back, after getting rolled by the Pacers last night.
This Hawks group has changed little since the last time they played the Bobcats. Marvin Williams is day-to-day with ankle issues and Tracy McGrady may be out with back spasms. That leaves the Hawks with former-Bobcat Vladimir Radmanovic in the starting lineup, which is pretty hilarious. Radmanovic is a spacey, aging, slow-footed shooter, for those that have forgotten.
To reiterate the Hawks' situation, they're a slightly above-average team, with good talent but questionable decisions. Their best player is Al Horford, but they don't go to him enough. Josh Smith is also a really good player, but too often prefers to take the easy long twos over muscling into the paint, where he can force his way into for better scoring opportunities. And then there's Joe Johnson. Talented, but on the wrong side of 30, Johnson can still pour in the points, but it's clear that a dropoff is en route.
The Bobcats have been able to put a day of recovery between them and an utterly embarrassing performance against a Houston team that was giving up 54 percent on field goals to opponents on the road. Hopefully they come ready to play this time.
Edit: Byron Mullens to start, as noted in the comments originally from Bonnell; Horford out for next 3-4 seasons Whoops, LOL - I meant months. Haha.
Key Matchup: Tyrus Thomas vs. Josh Smith - By no means is this the decisive "WHOEVER WINS THIS MATCHUP, WINS THE GAME" grouping. Rather, Thomas has had poor outings since his return to the court, and I want to see him play Smith tough on defense and to play within control on offense. Hopefully these aren't unreasonable things, though they very well could be.
Around The NBA Links
Rubio passes Thibodeau Test | NBA Playbook
The Washington Wizards Win, And Their Locker Room Is A Fun Place
Rafe Bartholomew suffers a fate worse than death — watching Wizards-Raptors - Grantland
Grantland's series on unwatchable NBA games begins with a very special night in Washington.
82 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Funny you said that i was about to say watching Kobe drop 40+ back to back and signing him to the Bobcats on 2K when he hit 35 made me wonder…What would of become of my Hornets had we not traded away the best Basketball player since MJ. sigh
Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!
Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time
"I don't see no ceiling. I don't see no breaking point." - Cam Newton
by MMA_PITBULL on Jan 12, 2012 10:48 AM EST up reply actions
I never understood why people thought the Hornets ever *had* Kobe
The Hornets traded a draft pick for Divac. The pick that the Lakers wanted was Kobe Bryant. Sure, the Hornets could have not made the deal and they could have taken a chance on a rookie straight out of high school (don’t let hind sight fool you, it was a big risk), but where would we be if that had happened? Kobe would have bitched and moaned and bolted for L.A the first chance he got. Shaq did the same thing to Orlando.
The Hornets didn’t trade away the best player since MJ. They traded away a draft pick for an established starting center. It wasn’t a bad move.
by Basketball Rambler on Jan 12, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
because we did have him
spin it how you want, he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets.
I know the history Ram
yeah exactly either way you look at it and hind sight being what it is…im not saying anybody knew then that Kobe would become the player he is today but he WAS drafted by the Hornets and was a Hornet even if it was only for a matter of seconds.
Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!
Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time
"I don't see no ceiling. I don't see no breaking point." - Cam Newton
The Hornet's head scout at the time was Bill Branch. I'd like to share what he has said about the deal
“The deal was actually done a day ahead of time, and it was Vlade for a player to be named,” said Bill Branch, the Hornets’ head scout at the time who still operates out of Charlotte as a scout for the Seattle-now-Oklahoma City Sonics. “If I remember right, they didn’t even tell us who they wanted us to pick until about five minutes before the pick was made. So it was never a matter of us actually drafting Kobe.”
If anyone is “spinning” the story, it’s the people directly involved with the deal, not me. I’m only relaying the facts that have been presented.
by Basketball Rambler on Jan 12, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
I'll just go ahead and post a link to the whole story that I'm referencing
This story makes it sound like the Kobe trade was a happy accident and the Lakers’ primary motive was to clear cap room to sign Shaq. I don’t know that I believe that, but there’s no reason to believe that the Hornets actually had any interest in drafting Kobe Bryant. Saying they blew a chance at Kobe Bryant is just as useful as saying that every team who passed on a great player in the draft made a bad decision. Thanks.
by Basketball Rambler on Jan 12, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
That's fine...but at that point, Kobe wasn't KOBE.
And, to be fair, he might well have bolted as soon as his rookie deal was up. That personality is way too big to have been satisfied by Charlotte and the Epicenter.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
Not to mention Charlotte was smaller in 96.
"With the third pick of the 2006 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats select, Adam Morrison, Gonzaga."
It's still not anything special.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
Actually
I think that Vlad Rad was one of the better lowe level pickups this offseason. With the way Teague has been able to penatrate Vlad could cause alot of damage on the wings. We will have to play him close. He is dangerous. I also would like to see Diaw spend time at the SF. We wont be giving up too much defensively. I know a lineup of DJ, Hendo, Diaw White and Mullens would leave alot to be desired from the bench but its a risk Im willing to take at this point. This would just leave Kemba to do it alone on the second unit.
Hey, that's how DJ had to learn to survive as a rookie.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I'd rather have him than Corey Maggette.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
wow is there anything lady gaga won't do?
Boone Logan is a good boy. So is David Robertson. Team A.J.
Be attractive.
In which case, the woman in that gif is defiintetly not her.
"People are gonna respect the Panthers, and I want what I do as a quarterback to be scary. I want people to be in fear. I want it, and I’m gonna get it."
- Carolina Panthers Franchise Quarterback
by Newsinz on Jan 12, 2012 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
B.W. Smith (over at CSR) would be proud.
"People are gonna respect the Panthers, and I want what I do as a quarterback to be scary. I want people to be in fear. I want it, and I’m gonna get it."
- Carolina Panthers Franchise Quarterback
I don't know who that is,
but no hard feelings, I’m just kidding around with you. We all make grammatical and spelling mistakes.
Boone Logan is a good boy. So is David Robertson. Team A.J.
No hard feelings.
And honestly, I absolutely butchered that word. I was kinda embarrassed when I read it back.
"People are gonna respect the Panthers, and I want what I do as a quarterback to be scary. I want people to be in fear. I want it, and I’m gonna get it."
- Carolina Panthers Franchise Quarterback
I think this makes the 18th time we've played Atlanta this season.
by Aisander D on Jan 12, 2012 10:43 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Lol. Hell yeah.
I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 12, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
Let's go Cats!
I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 12, 2012 1:49 PM EST reply actions
Mullens Mafia
Byron Mullens starting at center tonight for #Bobcats and Tyrus Thomas (sore legs Tuesday) expected to play vs. Hawks.
Looks like Mullens gets his first start tonight…didn’t watch the last game…from what i have heard i didnt miss much
Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!
Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time
"I don't see no ceiling. I don't see no breaking point." - Cam Newton
I wish media would start using common terms to describe player injures...
“…and Tyrus Thomas (butthurt legs Tuesday) expected to do ADD things on the court, often described as playing, vs. Hawks”
by Aisander D on Jan 12, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Interested to see this...
Minutes for Kemba again too please!!! Thanks!
by mives36 on Jan 12, 2012 2:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
So Mullens on Horford??
Thats kinda scary. Who’s matching up with who, what yall think?
by mives36 on Jan 12, 2012 2:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Diaw will have to match up with Vlad Rad
Mullens on Horford. This will be a good test for Mullens. He needs to learn to bang on defense with some player with great footwork down low and a shot almost as good as his. Let TT match up with Smith. Lets showcase him so me and Cho can make this trade happen. Let White come off the bench with Higgins. Give Kemba something to help him out…
"so me and Cho can make this trade happen."
The mental image of Focus and Cho drinking Surge in the ’Cats war room is kinda scary. At 1am, while working the phones, Focus demands that they call out for Double XL Chalupas before the trade talks continue.
I see Mull having a good offensive display...
I just worry Horford sets a career high with 47 rebounds. Tyrus is gonna have to actively be a rebounder and block out tonight too.
I do NOT want to watch Matty C chasing Joe Johnson around the floor getting blazed on.
And sure, focus, let’s see some Hig-Dawg in action tonight. I’ll vote for a go.
by mives36 on Jan 12, 2012 2:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Ha...
Isn’t that how it usually goes?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
I hope Tyrus can prove he can be a good bench player
He will never be great but I hope even focus can admit he can be a good role player, if it was for less money of course. I mean if we are stuck with him for 4 years mine as well find the bright side.
This should be Tonight's Rotation...
Starters / Bench:
DJ A / Kemba
Hendo / Higgins
Brown / Diaw
Thomas / White
Mullens / Biyombo / Diop
I don’t like the DJ &Kemba on the floor at the same time experiment.
Higgins is a better player than Carroll.
Brown can draw fouls atleast
I don’t ever want to see Thomas at the SF position again.
Finally, benching Diaw’s A$$ might make him realize he can’t choose when he wants to have a good game (Man, I can’t wait for the trade deadline).
that knicks game with thomas at SF
he actually defended anthony well enough for a guy who has no business at SF.
side note: he looks WAY to skinny, much more then normally. is he ailing? flu or mono?
"..and we have scott may coming back this season.." bob johnson quote before the start of 07-08 season, when he didnt even know his own players name.
by bobcatsbrendan on Jan 12, 2012 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
and I only hope we use that 9mil expireing from diaw
for a 1st. please please please !!
"..and we have scott may coming back this season.." bob johnson quote before the start of 07-08 season, when he didnt even know his own players name.
by bobcatsbrendan on Jan 12, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
Lazy? Undedicated?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
Horford out 3 to 4 months for shoulder.
Mullens is about to have another career night.
I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 12, 2012 4:01 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7455860/al-horford-atlanta-hawks-3-4-months-shoulder-injury
I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 12, 2012 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
For future reference...
Links won’t post in titles. Better to put them in the body.
(What is the sincerity font?)
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah.
I usually do it that way.
I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 12, 2012 7:08 PM EST up reply actions
Kwame Brown is out for the same period of time for the same injury.
Just thought that was interesting…
"People are gonna respect the Panthers, and I want what I do as a quarterback to be scary. I want people to be in fear. I want it, and I’m gonna get it."
- Carolina Panthers Franchise Quarterback
Well considering what they paid for him…and what we got Mullens for id say Cho strikes again…i became a big fan of what Kwame was doing here last year but not for that price tag. Hate he got hurt.
Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!
Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time
"I don't see no ceiling. I don't see no breaking point." - Cam Newton
Haha...
So he now has predictive injury powers, too? When does Rich Cho go up for sainthood?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
that was more of a joke then anything…I think we had full intention of bringing back Kwame but Warriors offered him more then we would ever imagine. For good reason too
Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!
Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time
"I don't see no ceiling. I don't see no breaking point." - Cam Newton
The same guy crying about how Maggette got hurt.
I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 12, 2012 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
Crying? Hardly.
I’ve simply noted that it was utterly predictable.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 13, 2012 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
To be fair...
I would say that the bigger dropoff to Pachulia and Collins will be on the offensive end, by a long shot.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
LOL
Dan le Batard just compared Boris Diaw to a sumo wrestler
Boone Logan is a good boy. So is David Robertson. Team A.J.
Diaw has been getting killed this year haha…people have took notice how out of shape he is. Can’t help his trade value
Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!
Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time
"I don't see no ceiling. I don't see no breaking point." - Cam Newton
...so he's like a Baron Davis that rebounds?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
I'm surprised it took them this long to realize he's a fat bastard.
I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jan 12, 2012 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
Any time we play a big market team he trends and its always about how fat he is. Everybody has taken shots players analysts celebs. I find it funny because when he WANTS too…he can still take over a game
Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!
Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time
"I don't see no ceiling. I don't see no breaking point." - Cam Newton
yeah the bobcats should reserve a treadmill with his name on it
and also have him follow a strict diet plan. he looks terrible.
Boone Logan is a good boy. So is David Robertson. Team A.J.
here's a fun game:
try listening to the song below without:
a) laughing uncontrollably
b) slamming your head against the wall
c) turning it off before it is completely over
Boone Logan is a good boy. So is David Robertson. Team A.J.
He wants to take back the lice?
Eew. I see why she left.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
Hey Hendo, drive it to the hole !
No Horford !
by chris in union county on Jan 12, 2012 6:13 PM EST reply actions
he should do that ANYWAYS! I love Hendo but the dude needs to get back his moxy he played with at Duke. I know he was younger and hadn’t had hip surgery but he used to slam on people at will with no remorse. If he drove to the rim he could become so more consistent. Get fouled make the basket or dish it out to a teammate for the open look. Either way good things will happen…DO IT
Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!
Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time
"I don't see no ceiling. I don't see no breaking point." - Cam Newton
He also used to be a superior athlete to way more of the players he went up against.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
You can say the same for Kemba.
"If you haven't got anything good to say about anybody, come sit next to me."
-Alice Roosevelt Longworth
I feel like calling RadVlad a shooter at this point is an insult to shooters.
Follow me on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/#!/RoflConnor
by Panthers FTW on Jan 12, 2012 6:27 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Dude is hitting a three and a half a game at a 43% clip.
No slouch by any standard.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 12, 2012 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
I figured he was far worse than that.
Touche.
Follow me on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/#!/RoflConnor
by Panthers FTW on Jan 12, 2012 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Rufus on Fire
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
