Celtics (18-4) at Bobcats (8-14)

[Spicoli]

Charlotte has absolutely no one who can shoot on their team. Jackson...maybe. But that's about it from what i can see. Shouldn't a team that finishes with poor records every year have more talent than what they have right now? It seems like they are seriously lacking in the talent department. 

[snively]

Will Ray ever learn to give up the ball early on the fast break?

Other than that, I'm glad to be up 10 after such a butt-ugly 1st half.

[Megatron]

Garnett almost has a double-double in the first half lol.

Garnett in 2007 averaged 18-9
Garnett this year is averaging 16-10.

Hes basically back, and his points are down slightly because of the addition of Shaq.

[Kiorrik]

This will be a really fun game...

That's what I was hoping for as well. So far, it's been ... UGH.

What a bummer. Imagine staying up 'till 3 at night to watch a stinker like this... pffff

[Spicoli]

That charge call on Ray was absurd, as he had already gotten rid of the ball a full 2 seconds before the charge occurred. The baby charge on Wallace was pretty bad too though, so i guess i can't complain too much. I'm still surprised at how bad Charlotte is, and how after drafting high all these years they don't have any young talent to show for it.

[snively]

That charge call on Ray was absurd, as he had already gotten rid of the ball a full 2 seconds before the charge occurred. The baby charge on Wallace was pretty bad too though, so i guess i can't complain too much. I'm still surprised at how bad Charlotte is, and how after drafting high all these years they don't have any young talent to show for it.

They've also made some pretty short-sighted trades.

[Megatron]

Christ. Kwame Brown is abosultely terrible. How is this guy in the NBA? He sucks so bad.

How did this guy get picked #1 in the draft? Wow.

[Who]

I'm still surprised at how bad Charlotte is, and how after drafting high all these years they don't have any young talent to show for it.

First Round Draft Picks

2004 -- Emeka Okafor -- no longer with Bobcats -- traded to NOH for Tyson Chandler who was traded for an expiring contract.

2005 -- Raymond Felton and Sean May -- no longer with Bobcats -- Felton left via Free Agency this summer and May's career was ruined by injuries.

2006 -- Adam Morrison -- no longer with Bobcats -- bust

2007 -- #8 pick -- no longer with Bobcats -- traded to GSW for Jason Richardson who was traded to PHO for Boris Diaw + Raja Bell.

2008 -- DJ Augustin and Alexis Ajinca -- DJ Augustin has struggled in the NBA. Ajinca was a long term project who was cut loose early, probable bust.

2009 -- Gerald Henderson -- reserve shooting guard

2010 -- no picks (traded for Ajinca pick I think)

Summary

Five lottery picks between 2004 and 2007, none of those players are still with the Bobcats and all they have to show for it is Boris Diaw.

Two lottery picks in 2008 and 2009, both are low level backup guards. No pick in 2010.

Cap Management

The Bobcats also wasted away their cap flexibility by trading for Jason Richardson (Boris Diaw / Raja Bell), Nazr Mohammed, DeSagana Diop (Matt Carroll's bad contract) and Stephen Jackson (Raja Bell) ... which limited their ability to acquire talent via this route.

Overall

Anyway, that is why they lack talent. They wasted away several high draft picks + used their cap flexibility to acquire veterans in a short sighted effort that focused on becoming a .500 team (short term goal) instead of a title contender (long term goal).

[Neurotic Guy]

A thrilling tidbit: IF Charlotte hits a 3 here, they will have 16 points in the third.  That would make 16 points in each of the 1st 3 quarters.

[GreenFaith1819]

Not a pretty game, but we are holding on, thankfully.

[Neurotic Guy]

A thrilling tidbit: IF Charlotte hits a 3 here, they will have 16 points in the third.  That would make 16 points in each of the 1st 3 quarters.

Oh well 16, 16, and 15.

[Kiorrik]

A thrilling tidbit: IF Charlotte hits a 3 here, they will have 16 points in the third.  That would make 16 points in each of the 1st 3 quarters.

Oh well 16, 16, and 15.

funny how far we've got to look to find anything vaguely interesting about this game.

Stinker²!

[Neurotic Guy]

Some nice D by Semih.

Marquis falls and is not hurt. 

[crownsy]

For what it's worth against the cats, Erden is playing pretty darn good interior defense.

[GreenFaith1819]

Some blocks from Semih and 2 threes from Marquis - I'll take em.