| 30 Teams, 30 Days: Charlotte Draft Preview Authored by Jason M. Williams - June 16, 2009 - 7:05 pm
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2009 Draft Picks: 12th, 40th
Pre-Draft 2009-10 Projected Starters:
PG Raymond Felton
SG Raja Bell
SF Gerald Wallace
PF Boris Diaw
C Emeka Okafor
Key Reserves:
PG D.J. Augustine
SF Vladimir Radmanovic
C DeSagana Diop
PF Nazr Mohammed
What the Bobcats Do Well:
The Bobcats made a big time trade in the earlier part of last season that got them going in the right direction. The team sent Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley to Phoenix for Boris Diaw and Raja Bell, and immediately improved the chemistry of the squad.
Diaw reverted back to his productive self after coming over to the Bobcats, averaging 15.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Bell was also a spark for the team, averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Both were very good from downtown, with Diaw hitting on 41.9% of his three’s and Bell connecting on 39.5%.
The end of the Adam Morrison era came sooner that expected last year – good thing they didn’t go with Brandon Roy instead… Mr. Tears is somehow an NBA champion now after he was sent to the Lakers along with the underrated Shannon Brown for Vladimir Radmanovic. While Brown busted onto the scene after being dealt to Los Angeles, Radman was very effective for Larry Brown and the Cats. He provided 8.3 points off the bench.
The biggest story of the season was the unexpected production from rookie D.J. Augustin. Many heads were turned when the Bobs passed on Brook Lopez last June, but they made themselves look smart at the draft for the first time in team history by hitting the nail on the head with Augustin. He gave them 11.8 points and 3.5 assists off the bench, and hit on a sniper-esque 43.9% from beyond the arc.
Greatest Areas of Improvement:
Shooting Guard Upgrade
Raja Bell is one of LB’s favorites, and has been for a decade. But as the Bobcats move forward, they are going to have to find a replacement for the veteran shooting guard as he continues to get older. On the depth chart there is not much behind Bell and they must take advantage of this opportunity to grab a threat at the position this June 25th.
Depth at Small Forward
With questions always swirling around the health of Gerald Wallace, perhaps it would be a good idea to get some insurance at the small forward position. Both Diaw and Radman are competent fill-ins, but they could use another does of the extreme athleticism that Wallace brings to the floor.
Who’s Gone Number 12 Recently?
Over the past five years, the twelfth pick has been used to take a chance on a project. Thaddeus Young is thriving in Philly while Jason Thompson looked like a reach on draft night, but appears to be a steal out in Sactown.
2008
Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings
2007
Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers
2006
Hilton Armstrong, New Orleans Hornets
2005
Yaroslav Korolev, Los Angeles Clippers
2004
Robert Swift, Seattle Supersonics
Who Should the Cats Target?
For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Bobcats should target in this year’s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina’s Prospect Report piece.
- Demar DeRozan of USC
It is extremely likely that DeRozan is off the board by this pick, but if he is there is no way the Cats will be able to pass. He fits perfectly into their idea of getting more athletic on the wing and has the prototypical shooting guard body and is an ideal complement to Wallace.
- Terrence Williams of Louisville
Larry Brown hates playing rookies. So why not take a polished senior that just spent four years under Rick Pitino? Williams is a perfect candidate for this team and could step in immediately to play alongside Wallace on the other wing.
- Gerald Henderson of Duke
The Bobcats could go via another big time program and take the extremely talented shooting guard out of Duke. Henderson has the tools to become a very successful NBA player and while LB may shy away from his inconsistencies, he could also be the teacher to get Henderson to an elite level.
- Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina
We all know how the Cats absolutely love taking guys from UNC title teams (see: Sean May, Ray Felton). And we all know how Michael Jordan and Larry Brown are in love with UNC as well. That’s why we have to consider the ultimate truth that they could go this way to ensure one of the most beloved Tar Heels in recent history stays in Carolina. Last year I wrote: “Maybe they will stray from taking the ‘best college player available – read: Tyler Hansbrough in 2009 NBA Draft is a lock – and select a guy who is an NBA talent ready to contribute and push this team into its first postseason.” Can Hansbrough be the lock?
Picks Over the Past Five Years
For the first time in the history of this 30 Teams, 30 Days column, I am able to say “Picks over the past five years” for the Bobcats. Entering their sixth season as an NBA franchise, the Cats have selected plenty of talented players from big time programs.
2008
D.J. Augustin, 9th
Alexis Ajinca, 20th
Kyle Weaver, 38th (traded to Oklahoma City)
2007
Brandan Wright, 8th (traded to Golden State)
Jared Dudley, 22nd
2006
Adam Morrison, 3rd
Ryan Hollins, 50th
2005
Raymond Felton, 5th
Sean May, 13th
2004
Emeka Okafor, 2nd
Bernard Robinson, 46th
Who Do the Fans Want?
According to Andrew Perna’s Charlotte Bobcats Lottery Summit, an interactive forum featuring the responses of true RealGM hoops fans hoping to add their two cents to the Bobcats Draft discussion, the fans of Charlotte have made it known that they would like to draft either a shooter or a bruising forward.
The Verdicts
1. What could the team have done differently to make the playoffs?
Felton for Pres: The easy answer is to have made changes earlier, but that doesn't really do it justice. To start the season, flat out, they weren't a playoff team. Once they made the trade in December and dumped Ammo, they blended and were a playoff team.
fatlever: If they traded Jason Richardson for Boris Diaw and Raja Bell before the season started.
Big Slam: If we made the trade for Boris and Raja over the summer rather than during the season.
chrbal: If we got a Delorian or a Phone booth and hired Larry Brown away from the Pistons earlier this decade.
WaydownSouth: Like everyone else said, if we made the J-Rich trade earlier. It seemed to unite the team and they became more creative. Diaw added so much with his ability to be able to create.
arh1109: Nothing really, we were nothing close to a playoff team in the beginning, but got very lucky in the trade with Phoenix that gave us two players that work well in Larry's system.
Bassman: Perhaps the Diaw/Bell deal couldn't get done until later, but earlier would have been much better. We had to have a fast start and win early due to the schedule, and it didn't happen.
Paydro70: Obviously, I agree with everyone else that different drafting or personnel moves might have worked, but to go a different direction, we could have never played Adam Morrison for even one minute.
Sik Infant: I'll go with everyone else and say had we made the J-Rich trade before the season starts.
2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Felton for Pres: Defense and effort. Yes, there were a few games where they forgot to show up for, but its a long season. They typically would hang with elite teams (sans Cleveland) as well.
fatlever: Brown, defense, effort, unselfishness and unity.
Big Slam: The versatile players.
chrbal: Unity and effort.
WaydownSouth: Energy and hustle. I like the fact that most of our players can slide across and play another position. I also really like the defense of this squad, and I think it will improve next season. It's also amazing what a real coach can do.
arh1109: We have an unselfish group of guys that works hard and buys into Larry's system. We can hang with any team in the league when everyone shows up to play.
Bassman: Improved defense and better offensive execution. It took some time, trades and culture change, but LB got this team actually playing like one.
Paydro70: As others have said, we definitely played well defensively.
Sik Infant: They are a well-coached unit that reacted well to a coach who has a reputation as a disciplinarian.
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Felton for Pres: The use of the word "surprisingly" makes this a little hard to answer. Given that, I think the nod goes to Boris. I'm not sure anyone really knew what to expect out of him when he came over. He instantly made the offense flow more efficiently and provided much better defense than I expected.
fatlever: Juwan Howard. I honestly thought he had nothing left to offer an NBA team. However, he was "surprisingly effective" when he played.
Big Slam: Vladimir Radmanovic. His defense was better than I thought, and he can drive the ball.
chrbal: The duo of Diaw and Bell. I figured they would help, but not as much as they did.
WaydownSouth: I have to go with Diaw. His effectiveness and overall ability made the team better.
arh1109: Diaw was the biggest surprise to me. I didn't know he would bring the versatility or scoring that he brought. He really fit into this team well.
Bassman: I will say Crash, but for reasons that fit this question. No one doubted his ability to score, but who knew if he could play within a system and become a better all-around player? Wallace hasn't arrived yet, but last year he demonstrated to the coach and himself that he could adapt and contribute within LB's structure. If he can take that next step toward consistency, he could become a star player.
Paydro70: I will echo others again to say Diaw. I was initially opposed to the trade because he only had one season where he would have justified the trade, but as it turns out, that actually was the Diaw we were getting.
Sik Infant: Diaw. He has proven that he can be the go-to guy for the offense, and his defense is better than I thought too.
4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Felton for Pres: I'd say Sean May, but that wasn't surprising. I wouldn't call it an ineffective season for Emeka Okafor, but I was expecting more. He got his big contract. He had a coach who likes to move the ball around and drive to the hole, which should have given him a good deal of chippies. Again, he had a decent year, but he was not as effective as he should have been.
fatlever: Matt Carroll. He was bad to start the year. Really bad. He was always consistent in the past.
Big Slam: May (again).
chrbal: I'd say Morrison. I knew it would be hard for him to adjust to Larry, but damn. He was given playing time and he still couldn't do anything. May is a close second, but if I don't really expect anything of him ... how can I be surprised?
WaydownSouth: Morrison. He was given the chance, but never took it. May also rates. He needs to go.
arh1109: Morrison. This was his make-or-break season and he proved that he is a major bust.
Bassman: I will also vote Okafor, given that he did not improve his game to any great degree. If LB cannot motivate him to become much better, then a trade is in order.
Paydro70: I expected more from the entire bench. Nazr Mohammed was bad, Carroll was awful, Morrison was horrific again, Vlad was replacement-level, and Alexis Ajinca showed nothing.
Sik Infant: Raymond Felton. I thought he would improve more.
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Felton for Pres: I certainly feel better with the addition of LB, but I don't think you can answer this until the ownership issue gets squared away. For example, how does the ownership issue impact the re-signing of Felton?
fatlever: Considering the recent news of Bob Johnson trying to sell the team, I am not very confident. I fear the front office will try to save money.
Big Slam: I feel a little better knowing that Larry Brown has everyone’s ear.
chrbal: I’m at about an 8.14 out of 10.
WaydownSouth: The ownership issue impacts this greatly. Hopefully, LB will steer the ship in the right direction.
arh1109: About 80 %. Hopefully MJ becomes the majority owner, and gives a face to the franchise and motivates the players when he goes to the games. As long as management listens to Larry's advice and re-signs Felton, I feel like we'll pick right back up from last season.
Bassman: Frankly, it's 50/50. Brown gives me some comfort, but some of his ideas seem like a stretch. Ownership will take care of itself, and we are close enough to the cap that no big money free agent deal is even a possibility. I want to see us perform better with our draft pick, and try to make another significant deal for a starting power forward.
Paydro70: Tough call. I trust Brown to do what's best for Brown, and in that sense I don't think we're going to make any colossal blunders, but I have very little faith they're going to do something bold and creative to make us into a contender.
Sik Infant: None until we start making moves to get more involved in the draft.
6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Felton for Pres: Clearly an athletic wing that can score. Raw talent is fine by me at the twelve spot. When Raja went down (Gerald Wallace too for that matter) we really lost a lot on the offensive end.
fatlever: An athletic wing that can create his own offense and create for others. Also, a scoring post-player and a tough-minded power forward
Big Slam: A starting/back up two-guard.
chrbal: A great wing that is more a shooting guard than a small forward.
WaydownSouth: Shooting guard. I'd also like to see a bruiser added.
arh1109: A starting wingman that can defend and hit open shots. Another guy we need is a banging forward that can shut down opposing post-players and control the boards.
Bassman: I'll quote Felt For Pres here: " Clearly an athletic wing that can score. Raw talent is fine by me at the twelve spot. When Raja went down (Gerald Wallace too for that matter) we really lost a lot on the offensive end."
Paydro70: As others have said, it's obviously shooting guard. Bell is old and limited; it stands as clearly our worst position. Otherwise, I'd say we could use a scoring power forward.
Sik Infant: I honestly think that a power forward is more important than a shooting guard.
7. Who would you like the Bobcats to take with the 12th pick?
Felton for Pres: I'd love James Harden or DeMar DeRozan, but I doubt they drop. Of the guys likely to be available, I'd have to go with Gerald Henderson or Earl Clark.
fatlever: Realistically, based on current mocks, either Gerald Henderson or DeJuan Blair
Big Slam: In order (assuming the mocks stay true): Terrence Williams, Tyreke Evans, Henderson, Stephen Curry, Blair or Clark.
chrbal: Evans would be a nice fit, but he would have to earn playing time.
WaydownSouth: Going by mocks, Henderson (but I've read reports he looks small), Clark or Blair.
arh1109: There are three guys that catch my eye – Henderson, Williams and Blair.
Bassman: They should take the best SG available.
Paydro70: I would love it if one of the following fell to us (in order): Evans, Harden, DeRozan or Williams.
Sik Infant: Blair. He will be better than advertised and is a perfect fit on our team.
Click here to read other draft previews in our 30 Teams, 30 Days series
Who do you want the Cats to draft at number 12? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions. |
