(Best E Casino) - There is quite a bit of optimism in Charlotte as the Bobcats prepare to embark on their fifth NBA season this fall.
Much of the hoopla centers around the arrival of Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown, who may carry a ton of baggage but also sports a a proven track record of turning teams just like the Bobcats into contenders. A track record that, quite frankly, no other coach in NBA history can match.
Brown also has a recent history of helping guards with superior talent elevate their play. In Philadelphia, Brown turned Allen Iverson from a undisciplined scoring machine into an MVP, and he then transformed Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups from a journeyman into "Mr. Big Shot" and an NBA Finals MVP.
While Brown couldn't work his magic in New York with the me-first Stephon Marbury, expect a return to form as he works with fellow North Carolina alum Raymond Felton.
Bobcats fans should may also be excited about the return of forwards Adam Morrison and Sean May from injuries.
2007-08 Results: 32-50, did not qualify for playoffs.
ADDITIONS: Shannon Brown (G) - Free Agent
SUBTRACTIONS: Earl Boykins (G) - Signed to play in Italy; Derek Anderson (G) Free Agent; Othella Harrington (F/C) - Free Agent.
RE-SIGNINGS: Ryan Hollins (C); Emeka Okafor (C).
2008 DRAFT PICKS: 1. (9) D.J. Augustin (G, Texas); 1. (20) Alexis Ajinca (F); 2. (38) Kyle Weaver (G, Washington State) - Traded to Oklahoma City.
PROJECTED STARTING FIVE:
PG- Raymond Felton SG- Jason Richardson SF- Gerald Wallace PF- Sean May C- Emeka Okafor
KEY RESERVES: D.J. Augustin (G), Matt Carroll (G), Jared Dudley (F), Adam Morrison (F), Nazr Mohammad (C)
FRONTCOURT: Emeka Okafor played the first full season of his career in 2007-08, following a pair of seasons derailed by ankle and calf injuries. An excellent low post defender, superlative rebounder and big-time shot blocker, Okefor hasn't developed into a top-tier offensive player and there are doubts he ever will. That said, a force on the defensive end and the glass will always get consistent minutes.
"I've pretty much been working out at different places and doing various things to get ready and make sure I'm stronger, while addressing some weaknesses," Okafor said of his game. "I'm just trying to improve my overall basketball game."
Gerald Wallace, who missed 20 games in '07-08 and played far too many minutes at the power forward position, is an extremely athletic wing man that is more of a slasher and a scorer than shooter. Wallace needs to stay away from logging major minutes out of position. The health of May and Morrison will be paramount to that.
"I've been trying to work on my game," Wallace said. "I've been trying to strengthen my core and everything so I can stay healthy for a whole season."
Much of the Bobcats hope for the power forward position will hinge on May's knees. He has played in just 58 games in his three NBA seasons thanks to three knee surgeries. May certainly has talent but if his own words are any indication, counting on him may be a mistake.
"Obviously, the knee in the back of my mind," May said at the team's media day. "I like to say I'm not thinking about it. But subconsciously, I probably am."
BACKCOURT: Jason Richardson is a special talent and has a similar skill set to Wallace, albeit with a larger upside and a better jumper. A superlative athlete, Richardson runs the floor with few peers and Brown would like to see him drive to the basket with more regularity.
You can bet Brown's pet project will be Felton. That also means Felton will also be L.B.'s whipping boy and he will need to show mental toughness to flourish under his new taskmaster of a coach. Already Brown has hinted that rookie D.J. Augustin may fight for minutes but you can bet that is just to light a fire under Felton, who has extraordinary talent.
"It's going to be fun," Felton said of Brown's arrival. "There's going to be a lot of discipline. There are going to be things that guys have to get used to. Its basically going to be like you're back in college again. That's they way he's going to coach us. That's the kind of coach he is. He's going to be very demanding of us and very strict, but I think thats what we need to get over that hump."
BENCH: Morrison, who missed all of last season after tearing the ACL in his left knee, had a disappointing rookie campaign two years ago, but he did average 12 points a game while having to create far too many shots for himself. If healthy, Brown envisions Morrison as a Mike Miller-type shooter coming off the bench behind Richardson and Wallace. However, speculation remains that Morrison is trade bait since Brown has so many options on the wing.
Augustin, the ninth overall pick in the 2008 draft out of Texas, should see some quality minutes behind Felton but will need to show Brown he can hold his own on the defensive end.
Super-raw rookie Alexis Ajinca, who only averaged five points a game in the French League, was taken with the 20th pick in the draft but figures to be a multi-year project.
Nazr Mohammad is a veteran journeyman that doesn't excel in any aspect but also won't hurt you on the floor as long as he stays around 20 or so minutes. He also has a history with Brown and his presence, should enable Okafor to play a little more at his natural position.
Finally, hardworking second-year forward Jared Dudley filled in admirably for Morrison last season and you can bet he will force Brown to find minutes for him.
OUTLOOK: Buoyed by Brown's arrival, Bobcats fans are feeling that the team may be able to make a run at the playoffs for the first time in franchise history but that's too grandiose of a goal.
Solid improvement is all Brown will be looking for in the much improved East this season with year No. 2 earmarked for the postseason.
