| Future Looking Bright for ‘Cats Through Draft Authored by Emir Dukic - June 24, 2005 - 10:59 pm
The Charlotte Bobcats were supposed to be one of the worst teams in NBA history. Experts were projecting them to win 10 games. No one had any faith in their abilities and reasonably so. The opening day roster had names like Tamar Slay, Theron Smith and Jamal Sampson. These were guys that only die-hard fans might, and I emphasize the word might, recognize. Of course, there were a couple of players that people could recognize namely Steve Smith, a veteran journeyman who used to put up 20+ in his prime, and the NCAA College Basketball Player of the Year Emeka Okafor.
The Bobcats surprised everyone by winning 18 games and by being able to beat both Eastern Conference Finalists at least once this year(they beat Detroit twice). The Bobcats played hard every game and gained the reputation as one of the hardest teams to play against because they never gave up. They also had some emerging stars that stepped up and played some big time games.
The biggest two stars came from the expansion draft. Gerald Wallace emerged as a defensive stopper who could put up double digits in many different categories. The other guy that emerged came from nowhere. People had no clue who he was much less how to pronounce his name. Now people recognize Primo Brezec as an emerging star and one of the top five centers in the East.
With a franchise type player in Okafor, a defensive stopper in Wallace and an above average center in Brezec the Bobcats have a great starting foundation. But now with one of the deepest drafts in a long time the Bobcats get the chance to add the other ingredients that could make them a play-off contender very soon.
In this year's draft the ‘Cats hold the 5th and 13th pick. Their biggest needs are a young point guard and a big time scorer or shooter. The Bobcats have been looking to trade up to either the number 2 or 3 spot in the draft so that they could pick up Marvin Williams or one of the top two point guard prospects in Chris Paul and Deron Williams. The Bobcats supposedly have offered the Atlanta Hawks both their first round picks for the number 2 pick. In an other rumor they have an offer on the table that they would send this years # 5 and a future first round Toronto pick to the Blazers for third pick in the draft. The ‘Cats are aware that they need at least the third pick in the draft in order to secure themselves of getting the player they really want.
Reports surfaced Thursday that Charlotte’s General Manager, Bernie Bickerstaff, was willing to trade down in the draft if a quality young player was included in the trade. This proves how great the depth in this years draft is because Bickerstaff knows he could get a very high quality player a few picks further down.
Even with all these trades that have been discussed, it seems more then likely that the Bobcats are going to end up just drafting at the spots which they occupy currently. Below I have made a list of players which could be possibly available at both spots and included a small description.
5th Pick Possibilities (No particular order)
Chris Paul, PG, Wake Forest- Quick guard who can score at will but prefers to setup others. Size is an issue.
Deron Williams, PG, Illinois- Great size and defense, knows the game. Athleticism is a question mark.
Gerald Green, SG/SF, Gulf Shores Academy- Unbelievable athlete, T-Mac type talent. Unproven.
Raymond Felton, PG, UNC- Great leader, very very quick. Improved shooting but still not where it could be.
Danny Granger, SF, New Mexico- Can shoot the 3 and rebound. Long and athletic. Under radar because he played at New Mexico.
13th Pick Possibilities (No particular order)
Raymond Felton, PG, UNC- Could drop. Option only if Charlotte doesn’t select PG with 5th.
Danny Granger, SF, New Mexico- Somehow could drop even though unlikely.
Antoine Wright, SG, Texas A&M- Can shoot and finish at the rim. No big game experience.
Martell Webster, SG, Seattle Prep(WA)- Great shooter from any range, NBA body. Not a great athlete.
Joey Graham, SF/PF, Oklahoma State- Top athlete in draft and improved shooting.
Jarrett Jack, PG, Georgia Tech-Big strong point guard. Forces things a bit too much.
Sean May, PF/C, UNC-Great hands, touch and moves around the basket. A little undersized for his position.
Charlie Villanueva, PF, Connecticut-A lot of talent, can play many positions. Inconsistent.
Hakim Warrick, SF/PF, Syracuse-Can jump out of gym, plays a lot like Shaun Marion offensively. Not a good defender.
Any combination of the above mentioned players would give Charlotte a great young exciting team nucleus. With an addition of a couple of key free agents to add to the depth of the team would make Charlotte the new IT team with unbelievable potential. |
