Rebuilding the Bobcats

There are some really interesting things about a team that is down on its luck. For a team like the Charlotte Bobcats, who don’t even know what luck is, literally the only way to go is up. They finished this last season with the worst record in the NBA, and the worst winning percentage EVER for a regular season. That is not good. The Bobcats are in a market that has historically not supported an NBA team very well, they have a bunch of horrible players/contracts, and their owner seems to be incapable of stringing together a series of good basketball decisions. “However, while there’s light, there’s hope my father used to say” (The Hobbit) and the Bobcats should have some hope for the future. As General Manager Richard Cho and Owner Michael Jordan try to bring this team back to relevance, let me give them some suggestions!

Regular Season Record: 7-59 (.106)

2012 Payroll: $56,424,050

There are several things that should be done this offseason to put the Bobcats on the correct path:

1.     Hire a player’s coach who specializes in player development

2.     Jettison veteran players with large contracts

3.     Draft Well

4.     Spend intelligently in the free agent market

Let’s address these issues one at a time, starting from the beginning, and ending with the ending.

First, the Bobcats obviously understand that they are humongous steps away from contending for a playoff spot, let alone winning a playoff series. Therefore, it is important that they find and hire a coach who is not focused on getting to the playoff either. The goals of the coaching staff for the 2012-2013 season should be to develop their young players and instill a winning attitude in the organization. There are a few coaches who could fit this kind of bill. The Bobcats are currently interviewing, among others, Jerry Sloan, Stan Van Gundy, and assorted assistant coaches from around the league. At this point, I know that Jerry Sloan isn’t really a player’s coach, but he is the kind of tough-minded and old school coach who can discipline this team while his staff does the confidence building thing. Possible fit? Maybe.

Second, the Bobcats need to get rid of veteran players who won’t be a part of this team long-term. They have a couple of players who fit that mold in my opinion. First of all, from what I saw last season, Corey Magette is not interested in helping this team get better. He is out on the court looking to score and nothing else. Granted, he is the best person to do that on the current roster, but he is owed 10.9 Million dollars for the 2012-2013 season. If the Bobcats can’t trade him, they should seriously consider using the amnesty clause on him. Desagna Diop also deserves to be cut immediately, but there are only so many large people to stand in one place for 13 minutes per game I suppose. Eduardo Najera is the other player that the Bobcats should be done with. He can fill some minutes as a weirdly consistent SF/PF, but he is taking minutes that younger players need to develop. Let him walk.

Thirdly, and incredibly obviously, the ‘Cats need to find out how to draft impact players. They have a history of poor draft picks and poor fortune in the last 5 years. Adam Morrison and Sean May have been historically poor picks, while players like Raymond Felton, DJ Augustine, Kyle Weaver and Gerald Henderson just haven’t lived up to first round pick status.

In the 2012 draft, the best case scenario is that the Bobcats pick first. They NEED to draft Anthony Davis from Kentucky with that pick. He is a franchise player in the making, there are no scouts who see any risk in this kid, and he fills a playmaking void. I have a horrible comparison for you Bobcats fans: Combine Tyrus Thomas and Boris Diaw and you kinda get Anthony Davis. He is an intelligent player who can pass and dribble, he can rebound and block shot, and he will eventually have range out to the NBA 3 point line. I know that we don’t like those players, but think of them in their primes.

The Bobcats also would have the 1^st pick in the second round as well. There should be some very attractive players to fill some needs there. John Jenkins  and Doron Lamb from Vanderbilt and Kentucky respectively are both dead eye shooters who could fill in at the wing, or they could go for another SF and pick up Draymond Green from MSU. He is seriously the same as Boris Diaw, just less lazy at this point. The options are endless for an intelligent GM who ignores Michael Jordan’s advice.

Finally, the Charlotte Bobcats need to be intelligent buyers on the free agent market. Obviously, this team is a year or three away from competing, even in the Eastern Conference. Therefore, they don’t need to buy high priced veterans, unless they are proven team players who can set an example for the young guys. Here are some players that could be worth a little bit of the Bobcats free cap room:

 Ian Mahinmi, Dallas: 7 footer with a decent jumpshot and rapidly improving overall game. Dallas will probably re-sign him, but he would be a nice player.

 Ersan Ilyasova, Milwaukee: This stretch PF will probably demand more money in the open market than the Bobcats are willing to give, but he plays hard every night, he can shoot the three, and he rebounds with abandon.

 Kris Humphries, Brooklyn: Large, rebounds, dunks, runs.

CJ Miles, Utah: I really like him. Athletic shooting guard who can slash and shoot the three. He has been really solid for the Jazz, but they have his replacement in Alec Burks, so he may be ready to move on.

The Charlotte Bobcats are the worst team in the NBA, no questions asked. However, they are not a lost cause, nor will they be in the cellar forever if they spend their money and draft picks wisely. Let me know what you think!