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Open Thread: Regular Season Game 53 vs. Charlotte Bobcats

Washington Wizards at Charlotte Bobcats, Feb 11, 2009 7:00 PM EST


Nba_a_brown_jordan2_580_medium

[Note: Getting tonight's game thread up early since I'll probably be away from the computer for most of the day.  -Jake]

The Essentials:
Wizards (11-41) vs. Hawks (20-31)
7 p.m.
Time Warner Cable Arena
CSN+

This year:
December 23: Bobcats 80, Wizards 72
January 10: Bobcats 92, Wizards 89

Notable Bobcats numbers this season:
22nd in expected winning percentage (.409)
27th in pace factor (87.8 possessions per game)
28th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (103.3)
9th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (106.0)

Key Links: (drop any others in the comments)
Rufus on Fire
Bobcats Baseline
Bobcats Bonfire
Queen City Hoops
Game Day Charlotte

Tonight's Starters
Wizards vs. Bobcats
Player filling in for injured starter
PG Raymond Felton
Tough Juice
SG Raja Bell
Player filling in for injured starter SF Boris Diaw
The Last Man Standing
PF Emeka Okafor
Player filling in for injured starter C DeSagana Diop

For tonight's game against Charlotte, I got together with David Arnott of Rufus on Fire for a little Q&A for a look at one of our division rivals.

I was a bit surprised when I heard that Larry Brown would be coaching in Charlotte this year. How would you say he's doing in his first year as coach of the Bobcats?

The best thing about going from Sam Vincent to Larry Brown is that now we have a true professional coach. As Wizards fans saw a month ago, the Bobcats do things under Brown that they never did under Vincent, like run a coherent offensive system, and act like they have a team agenda on defense. There are little things he does that bother me: He'll order the action slower in order to micromanage and call out specific plays. If he doesn't particularly like a player, he'll jerk him around, like he did with Morrison and I know he'll end up doing with Cartier Martin. He's also been the catalyst behind transforming the team from a run n gun freewheeling group of tornadoes around Okafor into a methodical set of grinders with a stick of dynamite in Gerald Wallace. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it was certainly the more difficult thing to do rather than change his preferred style of play to match the personnel on hand. I suppose management decided (I refuse to believe MJ was involved in these decisions) that they didn't hire Larry Brown to coach while they rode out Jason Richardson's contract and gathered pieces to make a run in the 2011-12 season, which would have been the prudent thing to do, if they had the long term health of the franchise in mind.

Star-divide

How far away do you think Bobcats are from being playoff contenders?

They're going to be in the conversation late into this year, until the people who don't look at the schedule realize they don't have enough games left to catch up. Next year, with the same core in place, they'll almost certainly make the playoffs and get swept in the first round. The next year, given the same core and with someone to replace Raja (if they don't re-sign him, which would seem silly because of our lottery pick situation), they'll probably do the same thing.

This year, the Bobcats have already made three trades and there's been rumors swirling around Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton almost all season long. Is all of this wheeling and dealing coincidental, or is it part of some bigger plan?

Every move the Bobcats have made this year can be understood as an attempt to simply make the playoffs this year or in the next two years--in other words, during the time frame Larry Brown can be expected to stick around. I mean, they've ADDED money to the payroll for 2011-12 and 2012-13, in the persons of DeSagana Diop and Boris Diaw. It's just delaying the inevitable rebuilding process.

How has Charlotte dealt with the widespread flooding caused by the tears of Bobcats fans after hearing the news that Adam Morrison had been traded on Saturday?

There were three factions of Bobcats fans that I could identify, in relation to Morrison. One group clung to the notion that his scoring prowess simply hasn't been unlocked, and he still needs just a little time and encouragement. One group disliked him and thought he represented MJ's failures as an executive. And a third group disliked him because he was the one who stayed while Matt Carroll got traded. I'm in the second group, I'm sympathetic to the first group, and I regard the third group with caution, because no one knows what they really use as the basis for their sympathies.


As always, thanks to David Arnott of Rufus on Fire for his insight into tonight's opponent.  You can check out the flip side of the interview here.

You might want to keep an eye on the transaction page today, because there have been some rumors about the Bobcats making a trade with Indiana, so if that goes down, it would affect Charlotte's depth tonight.

This is an open thread, so if you want to start the rumors up again, do it here.

GO WIZARDS!

0 recs  |  Comment 101 comments

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Comments

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Darn

Guess I’ll be watching Caps instead of Wiz (Wiz game isn’t on in Charlottesville).

Oh well, I probably would have (sorta) done this anyway…

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Feb 11, 2009 7:07 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Nevermind

TV listings are wrong – for the others of you in C’ville it’s on Channel 8

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Feb 11, 2009 7:11 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Once LOST comes on, I'm outta here.

call it a sick obsession. Then again, I am a Wizard’s fan.

by Pryme on Feb 11, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

For some reason the audio sounds kind of weird to me

I didn’t get to see the pregame, can anyone officially confirm that Buck and Phil are in Charlotte tonight?

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 7:14 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Yeah - I'm watching Comcast plus

on DirecTV – and the picture sucks……..

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah that's what I'm getting

It almost seems like I’m watching some European soccer match and CSN is just superimposing the graphics. It also kind of sounds like Buck and Phil’s voices are kind of disconnected from the crowd, which makes me think they’re broadcasting from a remote setup.

Then again, I’m a production student and I might just be paranoid.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 7:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Darius signaled the field goals good as he winced

in anticipation of the opponents easy drive to the basket

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 7:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

this starting lineup

makes it impossible not to fall behind.
i’m going to be so pissed if they are in a 10+ hole after first quarter.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 7:21 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Or you could just accept it now

and spare yourself the anger

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Feb 11, 2009 7:22 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Never give up

We’re not the ’06 celtics

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 7:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not accepting a loss

Just that we will be down a significant amount at some point in almost every game.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Feb 11, 2009 7:24 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

usually end of 4th. quarter

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

i wish it were that easy

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 7:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

As long as Butler and Jamison each score 30pts

and NY pours in about 20, we’ll be in this game.

by Pryme on Feb 11, 2009 7:26 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Count on Jamison

He’s showing off for the hometown crowd and the team that wanted him badly this summer.

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 7:28 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

For a second I was actually thinking about seeing if there was a trade with Jamison and Charlotte that would work, just for exploratory purposes, but then I remembered they’ve got Boris Diaw so I’m thinking they wouldn’t be all that interested.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Jeez

42" HD Plasma TV, Hi-Def receiver….. and I might as well be watching on a 1960 B&W TV….

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 7:36 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Sean May

It’s a glandular problem!

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 7:37 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

JaVale McGee

Freaky, freaky athleticism.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 7:40 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

His reverse layin last night had people asking

How did that kid do that? He could barely see the basket

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 7:42 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Kinda makes you wonder

If they had started off early, do you think JaVale could’ve been a 7 ft. point guard? Something to ponder tonight.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 7:43 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

heh.

You may be on to something. Duncan once joked that he was really just a very tall point guard.

by Pryme on Feb 11, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

wow

Let’s hope he doesn’t make a habit of that….

Pretty play though.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 7:44 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

earned him a seat on the bench

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

"As the Bobcats go on yet another run"

What a coinkydink. When you take 6 pts 3 rbds in 9 mins out of the game, shit happens

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

almost as if McGee's

size, energy and athleticism is a factor or something. Hmmm.

by Pryme on Feb 11, 2009 7:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Random

If they ever remake Moonraker, Darius Songaila would make a good Jaws

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 7:46 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

Rec'd

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Feb 11, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

this is awful

the effort is not there.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

They're trying to speed the game along so they can see Duke-UNC

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 7:56 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

McGee blokced a shot.

Time to send him back to the bench.

by Pryme on Feb 11, 2009 7:58 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

During timeouts last night

McGee watched the Jumbotron the whole time, Young also but not as bad, he did kind of a splitscreen where he pretended to be paying attention to Tapscott

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 8:04 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

have to wonder if that's youth, character

or that fact that the team is 11-41 with a lame duck coach. all 3, to some degree, but i think mcgee will be alright.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 8:06 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

It's probably because the Jumbotron was more entertaining

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Many of the timeouts

Tap had a private coach’s huddle on court, away from the players. Does he normally do that?

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Every team does that

The coaches huddle, figure out what to tell the players, then tell them.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 11, 2009 8:38 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Huddle out near the freethrowline while the players are at the bench

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 8:40 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

I mean, maybe not that far, but it’s common practice for coaches to have their own quick huddle before talking to the players.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 11, 2009 8:42 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

McGee in 12 minutes 3 of 4 for 8 points. 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
D-Song in 12 minutes 0 of 1 for 0 points, 0 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks

just sayin………….

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 8:16 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Obviously, McGee isn't ready yet

we need to rely more on the vets.

by Pryme on Feb 11, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

Even though McGee keeps getting stats like that, and Songaila keeps getting stats like THAT…..

It’s OBVIOUS that Songaila at 6’9" is the better player and should start at Center, and get the bulk of the minutes.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 8:29 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Haha

Buck and Phil can’t think of a good draft pick for the Wizards by Jordan.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 8:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

guards getting layups

good lord that gets old

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 8:24 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Taser!

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 8:27 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

What a move by Songaila

he looked very “veteran like” missing that lay up

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 8:31 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

enough to make him think he can do it

My unofficial count for the year is roughly 2 of 15

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Feb 11, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think so

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

My god

Jamison didn’t even remotely step up there.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 11, 2009 8:40 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Can anyone else explain to me

Why Caron never looks for McGee when he drives?

McGee could catch literally anything.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 11, 2009 8:42 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Except that

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

it's not just caron

they simply don’t pass to him on offense

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

This is true

And I really don’t get it.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 11, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Speaking of

Jamison and McGee ran to the same place, McGee misses the alley oop.

Who do you think has a better chance of finishing?

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Feb 11, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Well - not exactly true

Jamison, Songaila and Butler don’t pass to JaVale….

Young, Crittenton, James and the rest do…

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

The great lockerroom divide

Jamison talks about carries over into ball distribution

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I think that's what it is as well

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Damnit

this game is so winnable; the Bobcats have given them so many chances to come back.

by Pryme on Feb 11, 2009 8:45 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

it's not winnable

if your only defense is fouling, and that often ends in a 3-point play

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 8:52 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

This hasn't been discussed a lot here

But Nick Young’s dropff on three point shooting is really baffling this season.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 8:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Maybe because

Wizards have 15 mpg of post presence(McGee), nobodys really drawing the defense into the paint for kickouts now that Haywoods injured

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 8:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

That's a part of it

But he’s had some looks, especially tonight and he just hasn’t been able to put them down this year.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 8:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

More on that

Wizards as a team are down from .360 last year to .324 this year (.036)
Youngs down from .400 to .344 (.056)

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 9:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Better as the season's progressed

Nov- 4 for 21;19%
Dec- 7 for 22; 32%
Jan- 13 for 31; 42%
Feb- 9 for 21; 43%
 
The last two months he’s surpassed his 07/08 avg. of 40%

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 9:14 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

what's more sickening is that most of these guys

were either contemplating retirement or in the D-League a few months ago.

by Pryme on Feb 11, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

You know the Wizards are in town

When you hear Vlaaadimirrrr Radmaaanooovic booming out of the speakers

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 9:00 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

radmanovic just had 2 wide open 3's

the 2nd courtesy of an offensive board

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 9:01 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

especially after a baseline move and a LeBron like tomahawk slam

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

sorry – that was a reply to morethesamewiz

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 9:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

8 point lead feels like 20

since wiz can/will not play d

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 9:04 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

i think charlotte might be decent

next year. good guards to go along with diaw and omeka

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 9:05 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Won't get that opportunity back

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

yeah way to value a possession

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 9:11 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

thank god for the freaking all star break

i need to get away from this crap and renew my pointless optimism, which can only be done by not watching this “basketball team”

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Feb 11, 2009 9:13 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

McGee can jump

but not sure he can do anything with the ball in the air….

NY would be very good though

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 9:16 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

That should be the next Wizards youtube video

From the people who brought you One Hand or Two: The Stevenson-Arenas Story…

by morethesamewiz on Feb 11, 2009 9:18 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

In the corner for Radmonovich

And Buck says “Oh MY !!” like he was surprised when he hit a wide open 3 pointer.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 9:15 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

But did you see him block that punk in his high school days?

He did it once, I swear.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 9:19 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

And don't forget

Oklahoma is playing Baylor on ESPN2.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Feb 11, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Watch Blake Griffin

He’s an absolute stud

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Feb 11, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

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