Charlotte Bobcats Fanatics

There is a lot wrong with the Bobcats right now: overall lack of talent, no sure-fire star to build around, injuries, and an unexcited fan base - none of which are necessary to go into detail right now as the 3-16 record declares my point well enough.  However, one thing that isn't wrong with the 'Cats is Paul Silas.  I would hate for the city to turn on him because of the terrible record that shows up beside the letters CHA in the standings right now.  He did a terrific job last year bringing our team from the brink of disaster to running a show that was worth the price of admission as he coached D.J., Kwame, and Tyrus all to respectable seasons.  

Now I know there are reasons for concern that Silas must address by the end of the year: Tyrus' regression, giving consistent play to Biyombo in a lost year, and a better grasp on exactly what Kemba can offer an NBA team (Starting PG? SG? 6th man?).  But for now, let's continue to support the guy with a huge smile and the personality that says: "Hey, I'm fun but don't push me."  Let's give him a chance to mold this rebuilding project and I don't think we'll be disappointed.

Category: NBA

Here is how the breakdown would go if the 2 best teams in NC squared off, using the Bobcats' projected opening night lineup:

PG

DJ Augustin VS. Kendall Marshall
     This is probably a worse matchup than you think.  We are starting off with the strongest weapon the Bobcats have against the Heels: a lightning fast PG.  Marshall won't be able to keep up with DJ, and he will get to the paint at will.  Thankfully, the Heels have some trees down low to help hold Augustin to a reasonable night.  Marshall will get his assists, but with the size the Bobcats will bring to the table, he won't score. 

Augustin:  25pts, 7asts, 4 rebs, 3 turns
Marshall: 4 pts, 9 asts, 2 stls, 4 turns

SG

Gerald Henderson VS. Dexter Strickland

     I know, I know.  I wanted to put Kemba here too, but we are going with opening night lineups, and Gerald would be the starter.  This is a good matchup of athletic 2-guards.  Gerald is a much more physical presence, and could get to the hole on Strickland through sheer force, but Strickland is quick and would give him a fit getting down the floor. Strickland has no outside game, so the fast break would be his only vehicle for scoring.  Niether one of these guys are game-changers for their teams, but solid role players nonetheless.  Stats take into account that Kemba will get most of Henderson's minutes. 

Henderson: 6 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts
Strickland: 8 pts, 3 rebs, 1 ast

SF

Corey Maggette VS. Harrison Barnes

     Here is where it starts to get interesting.  Barnes is a physical presence with deceptive speed, and Maggette hates defense.  While Maggette will get his 10 FT's/game, Barnes will make him pay with his range and putting it on the floor and getting to the rack.  He is big enough to make it count once he gets there too.  We are looking at two volume shooters here, and this matchup will involve a lot of iron, but the Black Falcon could keep his team in it as long as he is (not) being guarded by Maggette. 

Maggette: 14 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts (9-11 FT)
Barnes: 34 pts, 8 rebs, 2 asts (13-26 FG)

PF

Tyrus Thomas VS. John Henson

Normally, when you picture a pro team lining up against a collegiate team, the first major advantage you give the old guys is inside.  Of course 28 yr old 7 ft'ers are going to manhandle 20 yr old 6'10" guys.  But this is where you would be wrong in the state of North Carolina.  Yeah Thomas is a little bigger, but put Henson on the back of Thomas down low and I guarantee Henson gets 3.5 blocks per game.  The kid is freaky long.  And yes, I know UNC has put out a slew of awful big men (as pros) recently - Sean May, Brandan Wright, Ed Davis, dare I say Hansbrough? - but Henson looks much more coordinated than Wright or Davis, who he compares most favorably with.  Tyrus is just to unpredictable for me to give him a big game here.  

Thomas: 9 pts, 9 rebs, 4 blks
Henson: 12 pts, 8 rebs, 3 blks

C

DeSagana Diop VS. Tyler Zeller

     So here is how this goes:  Strickland gets in the lane and goes up for a layup: foul on Diop.  Zeller makes a hook shot.  Next possession Zeller pump fakes a hook shot, fould #2 on Diop follows.  A few minutes later we have a stupid loose ball foul on none other than Diop and he has 3 fouls in the 1st quarter.  You see, this summary actually has nothing to do with our matchup...Diop does this against anyone.  But, for the sake of argument...
    Diop will push Zeller around for a bulk of the rebounds, however, Zeller runs like a gazelle and will beat Sagana down the floor multiple times.  Plus, how can we actually give the Bobcats an advantage for Diop when we all know he cannot possibly score more than 8 points in a single basketball game.  It's a law of physics. 

Diop:  2pts, 13 rebs, 3 blks (6 fouls)
Zeller:  14 pts, 7 rebs, 1 blk

Bench:

Bobcats -

Kemba - 20 pts, 4 asts, 2 stls
Biyombo - 4 pts, 6 rebs
Diaw - skipped the game because he didn't feel like playing
Carroll- 3 pts

Tar Heels -

Mcadoo - 6 pts, 5 rebs
Bullock - 5 pts, 1 ast
Hairston - 4 pts, 4 rebs


CHA - 83  UNC - 87

I'm not saying this UNC team can have the most pro potential of any team in recent memory, I mean just in the last 20 years you have had teams with:
'91 - Rick Fox, Hubert Davis, George Lynch, Eric Montross
'95 - Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, Jeff Mcinnis, Shammond Williams
'97 - Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood, Shammond Williams
'05 - Raymond Felton...Marvin Williams?
'09 - Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Tyler Hansbrough

But I AM saying they could handle themselves against our dear beloved Bobcats this year!

Category: NCAAB

The cats are stuggling this year so far ... if they can healthy and get some more consistent scoring, then the "D" should allow them to be in the game more often ... what do you think Bobcat Bob?

Category: NBA

Glad to see the Bobcats finally win one for the home crowd.  They've had so many close games slip away!  Happy to see D.J. step up this year.  Wallace is productive as always but always hold my breath when he flies through the air and onto the hard top.  Tough road ahead but hope they can improve and make the playoffs again.

Category: NBA

I have high hopes for this team this season, but realistically, I see another first round exit in the playoffs this season. Maybe a 6 seed, not much more.... However I'll be rooting for them every step of the way!
Your thoughts?

Go Cats!

Category: NBA