Some thoughts after the Bobcats lost their season opener by 33 and before their home opener against the New York Knicks Friday night:
-- When I first saw the Charlotte Bobcats’ final score roll across a TV screen Wednesday night, I thought I had misread it and that it must say “92-89.”
Well, that’s a respectable season-opening loss to the Boston Celtics on the road, I thought. But 92-59?!
When your season-opening point total can’t eclipse what the New England Patriots put up in an NFL game a couple of weeks ago, you’ve got a team that’s already in trouble. When Bobcats coach Larry Brown said his team looked “scared to death before the game,” that doesn’t speak well for anybody’s preseason preparation.
-- I’m looking forward to seeing new Bobcats center Tyson Chandler play tonight. He made basically no impact against the Celtics, but the Bobcats badly neeed him to be good for them to do anything this season.
-- It’s a very close call as to which of Charlotte’s major pro teams opened the season in worse fashion – the Bobcats’ 33-point loss to Boston Wednesday or the 38-10 thrashing the Panthers took against Philadelphia on Sept.13. I’d vote for the Panthers, though, since that loss came at home.
-- Get ready to see some three-point firing – and misfiring -- tonight. Under coach Mike D’Antoni the Knicks love the uptempo game and the trey, in good times and bad (which is one reason why Stephen Curry so badly wanted to play for New York).
The Knicks jacked up 39 threes in their 22-point season-opening loss to Miami, making only 10. The Bobcats went 0-for-10 from beyond the stripe against Boston.
-- The Bobcats did get a break from the NBA schedule tonight. The Knicks are as mediocre as the Bobcats are and quite possibly worse. New York basically seems to be killing time (and clearing cap space) to make a big splash like signing LeBron James or Dwyane Wade in the star-studded free-agent class of 2010.
So, in the meantime, Charlotte has a pretty good chance of winning its home opener.
We're moving!
9 years ago
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15 comments:
Woo Hoo! First comment. How come nobody cares to make jokes and comments on Bobcat posts but can't wait to post for the Panthers.
Hello, hello, hello...is there anybody out there???
This may have been a bad loss, but the Bobcats should be better this season. Or as Jake might say, "it can't get any worse".
you look so lonely Curtis I had to say something...however I cant tell u much about the bobcats....now Tarheels thats a different story...
Im a weird one...Prefer NFL to college in Football and College Basketball to NBA...
So hello back atcha .....but back to the wonderful world of Pantherville haha..
I told you all that the Bobcats should have taken the BEST player available -- Tyler Hansbrough! How sad that he was not chosen!
Ha ha, yup...just you, me, and another anon. At some point someone will come on here and randomly insult Scott for no good reason of course.
Funny that you mention it, but I too prefer NFL for football and college for basketball, so I don't think it's weird at all. I think it has to do with how we all grew up around here, especially us Tarheel fans. When you root for UNC, you don't have much stake in the football program usually...and despite how we started the season this year, there still isn't much to root about for UNC football. Thank God for Roy! But I've never been the type to root for a random college team because they might be good (ahem, all those damn Florida "fans" out there nowadays). I'm pretty loyal, so while I support UNC football, I'm okay that I don't get to see all their games. I don't get amped up for any rival teams like I do when Duke & Carolina play basketball (oh man, just thinking about it gets me riled up!)
Same way with Panther football (although I grew up a Skins fan).
I'm trying to get excited about the Bobcats...I used to love the Hornets. It's been hard though, even going to a few of the games it doesn't seem to matter much to the fans. Perhaps though if they can start winning this year? We'll see.
I should clarify my statement about the Panthers...I get that same feeling of intense passion for the games the Panthers play that I do when the Tarheels play basketball. Had to make sure I didn't seem to short change my boys!!
Um, Scott, I hate to burst your bubble but the Bobcats play TOMORROW NIGHT.
59 points? How many of these guys have had Tommy John surgery?
The Panthers shouldn't even be in discussion here. I, as always, are very optimistic for my team, unlike a lot of sad fans from Charlotte that sell their tickets to the other teams fans or make noise when the Panthers have the ball. You would think that by now the Panther crowd would know how to cheer and when to jeer. Again Sadly the crowd doesn't. The Bobcats don't keep a juicy crowd either. They used to have 'Superfans' that showed the crowd when to cheer and how to dress, but the budget was cut & so were the Superfans. We even offered to show up for free and cheer with costumes! I think that would help the team, as a matter of fact, I would gaurantee a better team response to Superfans cheering where the players could see us. Want to improve Bobcat scoring? Improve crowd atmosphere which is conducive to improved team performance? THEN get the Superfans back!!
The Bobcats are simply a pathetic product! Ownership, management, and team have no buy in, therefore we the people of Charlotte are supposed to spend our dollars to support this mess. I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!! Sell it, move it, just please get it out of our faces.
Bob Johnson please shell out some money to bring an all star to the team, only then are you going to sell tickets.
The Bobcats are such a new team they're not suppose to be legit contenders yet but the Panthers have the same team back from last year that went 12-4 and won the division so the Panthers have no excuses.
Hey Catman...I didn't know about that Superfan thing at the Bobcats. Seems kind of cheesy - having to show fans how to cheer and all. As far as improving the fan atmosphere - there usually aren't many fans there unless its Kobe or Lebron is in town. Sad as it is...I still think the real answer for the Bobcats is to win. They need to make a playoff appearance to make NBA count in Charlotte again. Remember what this city was like when the Hornets were here, in the NBA playoffs, playing well? I think that is the only way to recapture it.
As for you anon @ 7:04, like most uninspired posters who choose to remain anonymous, you fall way short of providing anything either a) insightful b) funny or c) clever. If you're going to insult me, perhaps you could try a little harder? 3rd grade level comments of "you need to get a life" just don't cut it buddy. Got anything better? I doubt it. A simple comment from a simple man, followed with a just as idiotic "the bobcats will always suck". Keep quiet now, the grown folks are talking.
Finally, have to say, great job by the Heels last night. Hadn't planned on it, but I'll take it.
A very interesting question. I'd have to say that the Bobcats had the worst start. Even though it was on the road, they played with a mentality of a D-League team getting a chance to run a scrimmage against a NBA powerhouse. In the Panthers game, the defense played fairly well (267 total yards allowed), but their performance was overshadowed by terrible offense and special team efforts.
With the Panthers at least there is hope. There is no hope with the Bobcats. If I go to a game it's only to watch the visiting team. Boy do I miss the Hornets. Boy do I miss the Hornets.
As a Bobcat SuperFan, I personally watched mediocre teams of the Bobcats defeat more Superior teams in the NBA at Home when the crowd pumped them up! When motivated, Adrenaline flows, Confidence SOARS and MACHOISM takes over! Yes we need better players but to start if the Home crowd did their part they would get their Moneys worth for that night! I have seen it & participated in it! Ever fought a friend in your backyard as a child? Ever hit a Tee shot that rolled toward the flag? Ever bowled 3 straight strikes, and faced the next frame, Focused? Thats my point! Now imagine another home game as a player and the crowd is just watching! THINK About it! How would YOU perform then? Get the SuperFans back and give them Freedom to roam!
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