I’ve been a Bobcats fan since day one the team joined the NBA.
Unfortunately, what seemed promising proved to be a blah.
The MJ effect
Michael Jordan is a legend, but when it comes to drafting rooks, he is a journeyman. If you remembered Kwame Brown, you will remembered MJ’s bad #1 pick overall. But if you remembered Adam Morrison, drafted #3 by MJ’s recommendation, you will remembered MJ’s worst basketball decision of his entire basketball-related career!
Sorry Adam-fans, but I think Adam is no more than a player who could shoot the ball to the hoop on offense – nothing more. What worse, even this skill that should put him into Rip Hamilton’s type of career as a shooter, did disappoint him.
Since then, I forget the Bobcats. But I, again, fav and respect Bobcats this season. Why?
Because they (finally) have the tenacity to go into the Playoffs.
Bobcats’ NBA Playoffs chances
As I write this article, the Bobcats rank #12 in the Eastern Conference, with a 25-35 record. Not a good one, but only with 3 game-behind from the #8 Milwaukee Bucks, the Bobcats have their shot to the Playoffs berth.
The Bobcats are (finally) making good decisions
The highlights are the trade with the Suns, the Bobcats’ team chemistry and the latest 3 winning-streak on the road.
Charlotte Bobcats – Phoenix Suns trade: Good for the Bobcats
First off, the trade with the Phoenix Suns. It seems like the Bobcats are the losing team in the transaction here – J Rich is cool, and he will join Shaq-town with his high-altitude game. But I personally think this is the best more the Bobcats is taking this season (the second best was the trade that send Adam Morrison to the Lakers and bring Radmanovic in to Charlotte).
Losing Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and a conditional 2010 second-round draft pick, and gaining Raja Bell, Sean Singletary and Boris Diaw – I saw this trade as an excellent one for the Bobcats.
Raja Bell means defense. Boris Diaw means versatility (the guy can play Center, too!) And Sean Singletary means top prospect, despite his disappointing rookie season.
Bobcats’ team chemistry
All three new team members mean one thing: team-oriented, instead of J Rich-oriented. Plus, they have just sign Juwan Howard, a veteran NBA baller who can bring leadership and experience to the young team.
And, oh, don’t forget the win-oriented coach, Larry Brown (I remembered him as the guy who can tame Allen Iverson – and of course, bring the Pistons to NBA Titles.) With no bad boy on sight, Larry’s number one job with the Bobcats is to infuse the winning attitude into the ballers.
The last 3 wins prove something
Beating the Kings 98-91, the Warriors 112-109 and the Clippers 100-95 – all as a road team – put enthusiasm back to the Bobcats.
The new Bobcats ballers – Boris Diaw explodes with 20.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game in the 3 last games, while Raja Bell excels with 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
The original Bobcats, Emeka Okafor, is having a great string of performances – but unfortunately, he is injured and the Bobcats have to play without him for a while. Another original Bobcats, Raymond Felton, plays good basketball lately, averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game this season.
All in all, the Bobcats are doing a great job on and off the court, both the players and the management.
I’d like to see them to play in Playoffs. How ’bout you?
Image created from photo on NBA.com.