Sports Illustrated's Steve Aschburner has created an interesting list here: Ranking the NBA teams from 1-30 in terms of their attractiveness to the general free-agent market.
The Bobcats come in at No.19, with this comment: "This ought to be a great spot to recruit players -- the area is hoops mad, the weather is terrific, there's a small-town feel to the place. But Michael Jordan's absentee or air-drop management doesn't make him the asset he could be and, let's face it, there is a sense that the Bobcats are trying to do things on the cheap."
Aschburner's list seems well-researched to me at first glance, and I think the Bobcats' ranking is probably about right. Here's his top 5: LA Lakers, Miami, Phoenix, Houston and Orlando.
Bottom 5? Sacramento, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Memphis and Minnesota.
We're moving!
9 years ago
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41 comments:
we aren't hungry for nba ball, but good ball, ncaa
Yes, let's not be hungry for basketball with higher quality teams, players, and coaches. Let's watch college coaches impose bland systems year in and year out and an occasional upset due to high percentage three point shooting.
If I could honestly say 'I'm surprised', then I would. The public does not support the Bobcats because after the Hornets, the public didn't want NBA ball again. The Bobcats' management team understands this, but doesn't want to validate the public's predicted rejection, or bleed out financially trying to fight it. It's a doomed franchise.
Let's
Maybe if the NBA wasn't full of me first ball hogs and no defense, perhaps the people of Charlotte would actually care. The thug mentality of today's NBA is why the NBA is declining in its appeal to mainstream Americans.
Michael Jordan's absentee or air-drop management???
The author must not have been aware the MJ sat a few seats from the end of the Bobcats bench for most of the 2008-2009 season. The comment likely has more to do with MJ's involvement with Washington Wizards which could be chalked up to a learning experience.
I think I will leave an anonymous comment to prove I am an idiot and know nothing about the basketball, the NBA, the Bobcats, or the Hornets. Oh, it doesn't look like I will need to this time. Sorry.
Certainly college hoops is the predominant force here, but this city has proven that it can support a successfully run NBA franchise. And that's the problem; from day one, this franchise has suffered from mismanagement and a sense of elitism that feels the city and fans should be beholden to the team instead of the other way around.
Had Bob Johnson done things right from the start, he would have overcome the lingering jadedness from the Hornets years. Now I'm not so sure, but making the playoffs and a strong post-season performance could go a long way toward winning fans. I'm not counting them out just yet, but it's an uphill battle that I'm not even sure ownership wants to fight.
I agree that the Hornets fallout has had a lot to do with the Bobcats' attendance problems, but that can't be an excuse for this city forever. If someone is currently choosing not to support a playoff-caliber team (which the Bobcats likely are in 09-10) due to things that happened 5-10 years ago with a different team under a different ownership group, that person is unlikely to EVER support the Bobcats, and is not really an NBA fan either.
Its pretty simple. If the Bobcats put a winner on the court people will start caring.
Until that happens no one will care. Charlotte has had one expansion team with the Hornets. We're understanding and willing to wait through it once, but the Bobcats need to start winning NOW. They need to make the playoffs not just once, but a couple years in a row and make a little noise while there. Then and only then will they start attracting anyone to spend money on them.
Money comes to hard now to watch a loser.
ball hogs and no defense?? have you actually watched NBA games or are you stereotyping based off what the players look like (ie. cornrows, tattoos,etc).
Because if you WATCHED the games you would see there are very few ball hogs in the league that are marquee players and the WINNING teams play defense (Orlando, LA, Boston, Clevelan, Spurs, etc)..
Stop generalizing the league and give the young guys a chance..Bird and Magic aint walkin thru that door anymore my man..
I was born and raised in Charlotte and have been a Hornets and now Bobcats fan all my life. I am now 22 years old and I have plenty of friends I know that are HUGE supporters of the Bobcats. The team might not be popular with some of the generations living in Charlotte right now but I think that 10 years from now, when we're bringing our children to the games, the Bobcats will be much more popular. You have to give new teams time to grow and gain support and the Bobcats WILL be a very good team someday (soon hopefully).
The Bobcats, and I really dislike that name BOB, are a good basketball team. They played well last year despite injuries. Who else played the Lakers as tough as we did. I just wish that Johnson would get rid of the team because he is NOT an owner. He is a rich man that wants return on his initial investment without knowing what NBA ball is all about. Let's get some ownership that actually knows the game and doesn't mind coming off the hip to get some additional solid players. I support the team and will continue to do so.
The Bobcats will surprise. If Postolos - or a group headed by someone like him - can gain control over the franchise, you will see how the organization can capitalize on what truly is a great environment. As, regrettably, one who moved southward to the Queen City, I - like many other transplants - can easily recognize how special of a town Charlotte is. The town WILL get behind the team if the team would only give the city a chance to do so.
Bob Johnson = terrible.
Go Bobcats!
1) The notion that having a college hoops mecca a couple hours drive away is enough basketball to satisfy a the Charlotte area is just false. Yes, Raleigh and Winston-Salem may getting all the hoops that they can stand, but I totally disagree that Charlotte is. People, there are no college hoops in Charlotte or anyhere within an hour's drive (UNCC doesn't really count and the Davidson thing is over now). People want to be able to attend basketball games without having to drive for two hours after the game ends. All the Bobcats need to do is start winning and that will solve most, if not all, problems. I think that they are finally on the right track, so it is just a matter of time.
2) I was actually surprised that the Bobcats placed #19. The national NBA media regularly trashes the Bobcats everychance they get, so I was expecting bottom 5.
At least in college ball the players actually care who wins and loses. The owners of the bobcats have tried to build the franchise on the entertainment. Get it? BET?
somehow it became about the spectacle and the circus rather than the competition. I can tell you the bobcats owners tried to appeal to a tough, wrong side of the street hip crowd and it will take a few years to change this. Or, maybe they can appeal to these fans to buy more skyboxes and $8 hot dogs. The Hornets were winners and played hard night in and night out. We had a playoff team to cheer for and some stars like Muggsy, Dell, LJ and Zo. I think we were spoiled.
Anon 7:20pm - You obviously haven't seen the Bobcats because this team plays their hearts out every night.
You also weren't a Hornet fan long enough to realize that the Charlotte Hornets most promising seasons were the last two years here. The Hornets had a chance to reach the finals in both years, but illness and injury to Jamaal Mashburn in each season cut a playoff drive short.
I will agree with you that the NBA has turned up the PA and Music so loud that it drowns out the fans. The is true for the Bobcats, but was also true for the the final 3 to 4 Hornet's seasons.
MT - I agree, I'd like to attend a NBA game where they turn the Music and other sounds off for just one night and let the crowds provide the noise. Lets go old school retro for one night. Maybe the Bobcats can wear the old Carolina Cougars uniforms.
Anon 5:23: since when does 10 or 12 games constitute "most of the 2008-2009 season?"
Steve G: If they could play the Lakers so well, why couldn't they avoid blowouts to teams like Minnesota, Detroit, and Toronto when they were in the thick of the playoff race? That's one of the most frustrating things about this team. Even with more talent, their competitive spirit has sagged since Bickerstaff left the coach's chair.
Actually the future of the Bobcats looks very promising; first by adding Larry Brown and doing some moves that added diaw, bell, vladimir, and other really good players via fa, as well as the emergence of last year's draft pick augustin really boosted their play. Really all they have to do now is stay healthy and keep maturing as a team and you've got yourself a contender! O yeah, and check out this year's draft picks. As far a ownership I've read somewhere that jordan is trying to get majority ownership. I hope that comes out well. Either way, just having Brown and Jordan as part of the organization is saying there is something promising here.
Please define thug mentality and mainstream Americans. What's the relevance, either you like the NBA or not. PLEASE STOP labeling an entire league based on a few, its not AMERICAN!! The NBA is still the best brand of basketball in the world! I think we still have a few people in Charlotte who think there's only 1,000 people living here.
"Maybe if the NBA wasn't full of me first ball hogs and no defense, perhaps the people of Charlotte would actually care. The thug mentality of today's NBA is why the NBA is declining in its appeal to mainstream Americans."
I hate that stereotype that the NBA is all offense and no defense and just a whole bunch of thugs. You obviosly don't watch a lot of the NBA, you probably just think that just because the scores are higher than college games. First of all there's more time in an NBA game and the shot clock is shorter meaning there will be more shots and higher scores. Plus NBA athletes are better than college athletes, therefore making it harder on defenses that arent allowed to use "zone" defenses like in college.
I agree there are some thugs in the NBA, but you can't characterize the whole NBA just based on them. I suggest going to an NBA game so that you can see what the league is actually about. I think Charlotte will get behind the Bobcats soon, especially if we make the playoffs. Hell, look at the Atlanta Hawks, they used to suck and not have any fans and now they actually have a legit fan base after making the playoffs for consecutive years. I see the same thing happening for the Bobcats
Some of us actually do enjoy nba basketball. It is actually up to the coaches to teach the game. If you have players that are me first then get rid of them. The Hornets are no longer here, George Shinn is the reason. It you do not like the Bobcats nor the NBA then we all have choices. So please do not watch, I would rather enjoy the post of true fans who will support their team. The good and the bad. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism but this is getting old.
MichaelProcton, the reason the Bobcats couldn't avoid getting blown out at the end of the year was primarily because of Raja Bell's injury and our lack of a backup available at the 2.
Hope that helps.
The Bobcats suffered from a bad business model from day 1. Johnson felt that if he put a team here that people would automatically flock to see them. The reality is that Charlotte was jaded from the Hornets fiasco and needed time to heal. Now, hopefully a new owner (with a new new nickname) can come in and pursue free agents so that we can at least compete for championships.
The whole thing comes down to the type of people that the Bobcats are wanting in the stands. They do not appeal to the upperclass business people that can spend money. They try to get the "thug" people in the stands that match the 'talent' that they have on the floor. Put a class team on the floor and you will get class people in the stands.
The whole thing comes down to the type of people that the Bobcats are wanting in the stands. They do not appeal to the upperclass business people that can spend money. They try to get the "thug" people in the stands that match the 'talent' that they have on the floor. Put a class team on the floor and you will get class people in the stands.
Come on people the city was hungry when we were on the run to the playoffs. I guarantee all of the Bobcat haters are going to come out of the woodshed when they make the playoffs this year. If anybody compare this team before they traded to get Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Dasagna Diop to oppose of have Morrison, JRich etc. That record before the trade was garbage, but after the trade this team was haulin' hinney to make that last playoff spot. This team can only get better, if they start off strong and finish strong this team will be in the top 5 of the Eastern Conference.
They'll do well if they start and finish well? Thanks for the update, chief. In other news, they'll win most of the games where they score more games than the other team.
What are our chances of getting a good pf via free agency such as Charlie Villanueva, Rasheed Wallace, Brandon Bass or Charlos Boozer???
Jay, Boozer's not opting out, and all we've got to spend is the MLE, so probably not much of a chance.
I think the Bobcats will be a good team one day. Just like all new teams and businesses, give them time to grow. Perfection doesn't happen overnight. Michael Jordan didn't get to be the number one player in the world, without knowing what he was doing. His other businesses have done well. He appears to be a slave driver though, and some people may not like that. His venture with the wizards was him in a new position, as administrator. Just like any new job, you have to learn the ropes. The other things that he's done, businesses and his own career, were sensational. I have no doubt that given time, Charlotte will be too. Where's the faith, people?
The Bobcats will be ok, you don't win a championship in your first few years. I feel that we are on the right track. It is also obvious that some people have no clue who and what thugs are.....please let's keep the ignorance level lower.
(The whole thing comes down to the type of people that the Bobcats are wanting in the stands. They do not appeal to the upperclass business people that can spend money. They try to get the "thug" people in the stands that match the 'talent' that they have on the floor)
Ok does everyone see how DUMB this sounds, so just bc i work harder for my damn money ,it isnt as good as your prep school daddys money? Have u ever been to a game? or better yet have u ever been to a phillys game, or celtics game? or let me see by the smug ass TUDE i would say a Knicks faN? all those citys u go to and go to the games its a melting pot of people but noone cares u retard bc we are all fans!! keep ur damn money and stay your ass at home and try not to drop wine-cooler on the carpet ASS WHOLE..........truDUKEfan
Ok, first of all, I'm sick of hearing about how NCAA basketball is superior to the NBA. Here are several reasons the NCAA doesn't cut it: (1) The best players typically leave their school after one to two years of college for the NBA; (2) There are as many greedy, self-absorbed players in college as there are in the NBA...and somehow the NBA always seems like the place for the greedy; (3) The talent level speaks for itself...have you noticed how the BEST players in college don't normally get the nod to start with their new teams when they go pro??? That's because, no matter how good they were in college, the NBA is just that much more elite.
Please North Carolina, I know you love college hoops and so do I, but let's admit something for a change: the NBA is far superior in talent, the players are paid LEGALLY, and typically, the best players on a team stay with that respected team for a longer tenure than college.
It's time to embrace our NBA team and support them. This is more than NCAA vs. NBA; this is representing our city in the worldwide craze called the NBA. Let's respect that and be a part.
Hmmmm, just ask Adam Morrison, JJ Reddick and many others about defense in the NBA versus college. I live in Chapel Hill and I'm a big Tarheel fan. However, I can remember choosing to watch the Bobcats instead of the Tarheels on more than on occasion when they both were on TV. I'm also open-minded enough to both appreciate and tip my hat to Coach K. He IS very good...and successful. His success actually makes us better....and thanks for Gerald H.
I want to be a home town bobcat fan but there are two reasons why I don't think that I am so far. If I can't see more of them on tv then I can't rank how badly I would like to spend money on tickets and gas to go see them. (that tv part might be getting better now but for previous years I think that was a MAJOR turnoff) Secondly, I have never felt like this team has settled in at all. It is almost as if you expect that every month will bring a player change or something. How can I know what kind of fan I am until this is fixed?
Okay, granted, the Bobcats have come into existence too soon after the Hornets. Maybe the NBA should've waited five more years. One can't use the Hornets excuse forever. Bottom line, fans want to see a winner. Winners put fans in the seats. Don't believe me? Look at the Carolina Hurricanes' history in Raleigh. Bob Johnson should read about the team and how fan friendly it is.
The Bobcats will do a great job next year especially if they can pick up some productive free agents like Bass and Pachulia. The arena will be packed next year and I hope Bob Johnson sells the team to MJ23, African American the so called thugs of the NBA, have kept soldout for the 99% white owners, and it's time for a black American own something they have help make billions of dollars. Go Bobcats, plus we got Larry Brown
Why does Jordan have to be more involoved? If he does, some would call it meddling by an owner. I don't see other presidents or owners of major sports teams showing up at every game or event. Bobcats have a general manager, Higgins. If you have any question, go to him. Don't try to get a piece of Jordan, you dirty rag. That''s another reason Jordan is keeping a proper distance from the team...because all these people want to have a piece of the greatest basketball player ever...and that includes these lowlife writers. Regardless, however, Jordan seems more involved these days anyway.
Whoever wrote "the author must not have been aware MJ sat at the end of the bench all season" is an idiot. They're not a season ticket holder and they showed up for one of the 4 or 5 popular games he went to ALL SEASON. Less than 10% after all the promises and news coverage on being more visible. NOTHING. Bob Johnson showed up to 6. So, sadly, the uninterested owner was there more than the "interested" one.
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