Charlotte Bobcats at Cleveland Cavaliers preview -- Game 5

by Ben Swanson on Jan 3, 2012 2:15 PM EST

Today's Tunes:

King of Pain - The Police

Game Overview: The Bobcats are a ~~hot~~ cold mess. Their interior defense has been shredded by Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh. In the past two games combined, the team is shooting 37.1% from the field. Once the focal point of the Bobcats' offense in nearly all facets, Boris Diaw has shrunk in effectiveness, recording five points on four FGA to go with two rebounds, three assists and two turnovers. Kemba Walker's shot has been hot and (mostly) cold, but he's picking his shots well. Biyombo has shown bright spots, but has been better offensively than I expected. He's strong, gets good rebounding position but has had some foul trouble. He's a project, which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. He can contribute rebounds and blocks in limited minutes easily, but it will take a while before he's a 20-30 minute player. D.J. White has also been good, to the point that Paul Silas called out Tyrus Thomas to step it up when he returns or the starting spot may be taken by White, who is, overall, an efficient scorer.

The Cavs' outlook is not too different. Kyrie Irving is more in the mold of a prototypical point guard than Walker, distributing the ball well, but also shooting inconsistently. Tristan Thompson is quite talented and surprised a good many people in his draft position, but he definitely can fulfill his potential. He's long, athletic, pretty versatile and can rebound, but still has a little ways to go as a scorer in the post. Gee whiz, that kinda sounds familiar. The Cavs also have "Razor" Ramon Sessions who has become a better shooter to go with his skills as a scorer. Then there's Omri Casspi and Anderson Varejao and some other dudes, I guess.

Key Matchup(s): Let's not beat around the bush. This is all about the rookies. We have the 1st, 4th, 7th and 9th overall picks all in this one game, each probably matching up against each other, at least at some point tonight. Kemba and Kyrie, and Bismack and Tristan. Should be the most fun thing to watch in this game!

Fun Fact: Derrick Brown loves magic.

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As exciting as the rookie match ups can be, I’m afraid we might not see Kemba or Biyombo a lot tonight. It’s up to Silas to make this game entertaining.

"You ain't supposed to be smiling and giggling after we lose. I've never had the mentality of losing in my whole life and for a person to tell me you can't win them all, that's a loser's mentality." - Cam Newton

by D.W.G. on Jan 3, 2012 2:36 PM EST reply actions

I sincerely hope Maggette received a similar "step it up" message from Silas.

Otherwise, why not let Derrick Brown get more burn?

Newton for '11 ROY! (Update: Etch it in stone)
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for DPOY!

by Newsinz on Jan 3, 2012 2:37 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

I wrote something similar in another post (can’t remember which one).
Brown has to play more now because when Reggie Williams gets back he is going to get some of Browns minutes as back up SF (as well as all of Matt C’s minutes)

Geelong Cats for Premiers 2011 (Completed)
Rich Cho - lead us to the promised land (In Process)

by Warmec on Jan 3, 2012 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

This is going to be an instant classic.

by Aisander D on Jan 3, 2012 2:42 PM EST reply actions

Game will probably be played like this

by Aisander D on Jan 3, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

I see some serious upside!

I say waive Carroll RIGHT NOW!!

And sign this gal. She has handles, quickness.

by mives36 on Jan 3, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Also, she's already wearing a pink backpack....rookie hazing complete!

by Aisander D on Jan 3, 2012 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

Hahaha

Yep! From the looks of it, and a quick peek at her scouting profile…

She might even have an inch or two on Walker an Augustin. Much needed height at the PG position!!

by mives36 on Jan 3, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

You are the funniest person on here. Haahaha

"With the third pick of the 2006 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats select, Adam Morrison, Gonzaga."

by FirstCat on Jan 3, 2012 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

I'm really hoping to see Kemba get serious burn...

in tonight’s game. With DJ being cold, I would just like to see what K-Dub does with minutes. And I think The Biz actually matches up pretty favorably with the Cavs bigs. Thompson vs Biz = raw on raw. Biz could make life hard on Varejao. If Mullens is hitting the J tonight, he could make a nice impact against these guys too.

Hendo needs to shake his slump…..tonight.

Bobcats win. Come on boys, make it happen.

by mives36 on Jan 3, 2012 2:46 PM EST reply actions

Kemba will be motivated tonight..

Motivated Kemba= worth seeing if he goes off!!

by mives36 on Jan 3, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

both teams runs 2 PGS

in this game both teams will have 2 pgs on the court at same time. This will help Kemba receive more playing time based on matchups. Will be good to see how he matches up with Sessions/Irving, Crazy how alot of people have picked Kemba as ROY before season but yet Kyrie was #1 pick and plays same position. I was never high on Kyrie. Hopefully our lower draft picks prove that the Cavs should have drafted them. I am sure our Rooks will have a chip on their shoulder.

by mrfrontpage on Jan 3, 2012 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Its -43 degrees here in Fairbanks today....

so I’m stuck in the house with only this ‘Cats game to be excited about today! Aren’t ya’ll jealous as hell?

by mives36 on Jan 3, 2012 2:57 PM EST reply actions

Sounds fun......... not.

by Aisander D on Jan 3, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

-43 below is no joke

I didnt know there was another Fairbanksan on this website. i havent commented much on here but follow the bobcats vividly. I have lived in fairbanks for about 15 years.

by mrfrontpage on Jan 3, 2012 4:18 PM EST up reply actions

Fairbanksan has to be the best name for people living in a certain town of any I've heard.

One in NC that’s good is Rutherfordtonians. I kid you not.

by Aisander D on Jan 3, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

lol, yeah, that's a good one

by Roger, Roger on Jan 3, 2012 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

Bankstowners...

Is the “urban” Alaskan slang.

by mives36 on Jan 3, 2012 4:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Lived in Asheville for a while...

What are they?

Ashevillians?

by mives36 on Jan 3, 2012 4:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ashvillites

by Aisander D on Jan 3, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

I'm a former Boonie

Beat that.

by Basketball Rambler on Jan 3, 2012 6:47 PM EST up reply actions

Really!! Outstanding!!

I’m a Carolina raised University of AK-Fairbanks broadcast journalism student raising a family in this “Last Frontier”. Great to hear a fellow Bobcats fan is all they way up here! It’s a small world.

I do a sports talk radio show called “Overtime” on KSUA 91.5 FM every Monday and Friday from Noon-1pm. I talk Bobcats and NC sports on the show all the time. Check it out! Call in. Let’s talk bball!! 474-5782. 474-KSUA.

by mives36 on Jan 3, 2012 4:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

cool

ill have to check it out. i have seen a sign around the campus, i am in last year of undergrad school at UAF.

by mrfrontpage on Jan 3, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

any girls there? haha

"What up? We're three cool guys looking for other cool guys who wanna hang out in our party mansion. Nothing sexual. Dudes in good shape encouraged. If you're fat, you should be able to find humor in the little things." Again, NOTHING SEXUAL

"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.

you guys are like a bunch of pirahnas
by chop goes da weazel on Mar 31, 2011 12:32 PM PDT

by MikeTrain on Jan 3, 2012 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

Cant wait for tonight. I think the best thing about this lockout shortened season is that (you hope anyway) you can see how quickly a young team can mature over the course of a season. How quick they can shake off a bad night.

These gifs are hilarous!

by Rvdbbw on Jan 3, 2012 3:12 PM EST reply actions 3 recs