Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Anthony Davis would not solve every Bobcat problem but he would be quite a start


OK, so the Charlotte Bobcats are probably going to have a 25 percent chance of getting Kentucky big man Anthony Davis in the 2012 NBA draft. That assumes that 1) Davis comes out and 2) the Bobcats finish with the NBA's worst record, and I think both of those are pretty safe assumptions.

So, a 1-in-4 chance. That's a lot better odds than the $640-million multi-state lottery from last week, but to put it another way, the Bobcats have a 75 percent chance of NOT getting Davis.

Let's hypothetically say they do, though, rather than a still-good consolation prize like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Thomas Robinson (both of whom were playing Monday night, too).

If the Bobcats got Davis:

1) Their huge problem in defending the paint would be mostly solved. This is what Davis would bring right away. Bismack Biyombo is a poor man's Davis at this point in his career -- a similar skill set, but not quite as good as Davis at blocking shots or rebounding or handling the ball. I like Biz, but he can't do it alone underneath. But if they could both play down low at the same time, each coming over for help-side defense blocks, the Bobcats' D immediately becomes a force.

2) They still would have problems scoring. You saw Davis's 1-for-10 shooting night Monday. He had only six points, but still was the game's most dominant player with 16 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and three steals.

The most flattering comparison Davis ever gets is the one to the Boston Celtics' Bill Russell, who also wasn't a natural big-time scorer but won a ton of championships because he was the NBA's best defensive player ever AND he had a lot of teammates who could score. The Bobcats have some players who can score sometimes (D.J. Augustin, Gerald Henderson, Corey Maggette, Kemba Walker). But they would still be lacking a go-to-when-it's-money-time scorer.

3) They would sell a lot more tickets. Davis would continue the Bobcats' youth movement and, as the No.1 pick, could become the face of the franchise if he was good enough. He would give the team more of an identity. But he wouldn't be an immediate, now-they-are-in-the-playoffs fix (see John Wall, Washington -- he couldn't move the win needle much in Washington either).

Still, Davis would make them loads better than they are. He would intimidate people inside and his mere presence would allow the Bobcats' shooters to get more open shots. It would be a whole lot of fun.

But first, those 1-in-4 (at best) odds are going to have to pay off.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

It will be great if they Bobcats do get the No. 1 and Davis. But if they don't, I can't see a player like Kidd-Gilchrist or Robinson helping them at all. They look like routine NBA players. Andre Drummond, maybe?

At any rate, if they don't get No. 1, they won't improve AT ALL, in my opinion. Not without free agent signings.

Anonymous said...

A.Davis will either return to school to win ANOTHER championship for UK or the lottery balls will not go Charlotte way. A. Davis does not want to play for Charlotte, just like A. Luck did not want to play for the Panthers and returned to school. GO DUKE!

Anonymous said...

A.Davis will either return to school to win ANOTHER championship for UK or the lottery balls will not go Charlotte way. A. Davis does not want to play for Charlotte, just like A. Luck did not want to play for the Panthers and returned to school. GO DUKE!

Anonymous said...

Sorry, not sure where I heard Davis say he didn't want to play for Charlotte. Agree with Scott's assessment (for a change). Davis will not solve all the problems the Bobcats have, but he would make an immediate impact. Now, if they can just find a consistent scorer and 3-baller.

Anonymous said...

For a 3-Pointer shooter...I would draft Seth Curry in 2013...he's the best in the country! GO DUKE!!

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:13am...If he like Jordan so much, then he would have went to UNC. He also was wearing Beat headphones last night, but he isn't hanging with Dre. This kid is a winner period. The Bobcats are not, and will not be until they are headed to Seattle. Charlotte is still upset about the Hornets leaving and will never get over it.

Mike P said...

11:22-Couldn't agree with your last comment more!!! Who wants to come play for fans who are still holding onto something from 10 years ago. Maybe if the people of CLT got behind the Bobcats like they were behind the Hornets, the franchise would improve.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Mike P. Jordan needs to step up and get some good players in here. Besides Kemba Walker, the rest of the players on this team would not be starting or even be on the roster for other NBA teams. He needs to decide to get some good players or sell the team to another city. I understand building through the draft, but when big time free agents become available you have to at least go after them. You are Michael Jordan...that name will take you far. Even as terrible as the Bobcats are...I could see the lottery going another way, and the Bobcats end up with the 3rd or 4th pick and end up picking up another role player.

Anonymous said...

Bobcats need to draft Anthony Davis and Royce White.

Anonymous said...

Bobcats need to draft Austin Rivers because he is the best player in the draft, and he has swag...plus he played at Duke. GO DUKE!!

Anonymous said...

This pick has Harrison Barnes written all over it! Even with the #1!

Anonymous said...

Hey, how'd Duke do in the tournament? Whats that? Lost to a 15 seed? You don't say? Wow... I guess Duke really IS garbage...

Anonymous said...

At Anon, April 3, 1:14... Some have it, some do not. Genetics. :)

Anonymous said...

I really can't believe that David Stern will not figure out a way to help out one of the top NBA stars of all time and one of the only minority owners with a ping pong ball. The NBA is about entertainment not competition, so does it really matter if for some mysterious reason the 25% chance actually goes Charlotte's way? A lot of mysterious things go on in the NBA - including the refereeing in the past 5-6 years. I predict that the NBA will give a brother a break and Charlotte will get the ping pong ball. Wink Wink.

Michael Procton said...

Last I checked, 1:10, there aren't many teams that end the season with a victory. And unless you're a Kentucky or UConn fan, Duke's won a national championship more recently than your boys!

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:07pm...UK will WIN AGAIN next year! #1 Recruiting class...ha! ha!! Duke and UNC stink. By the way, Chicago has the Bobcats pick this year for Tyrus Thomas..

Anonymous said...

Scott barely mentions the real problem, and I don't see anyone addressing it. THE BOBCATS WILL NEVER HAVE THE #1 PICK. Ever. Not as long as this lottery is in place.

The village idiot (AKA David Stern) thinks the lottery makes all tanking of games magically disappear. The thought that teams might tank games - or whole seasons - to get the most ping pong balls has never crossed his mind. Of course, he doesn't have time to entertain such thoughts, because he's too busy fixing the lottery. The first lottery in '85 was obviously fixed so Ewing would go to NY. Someone mentioned on Bonnell's blog that this year's lottery will be fixed so that New Jersey wins, and that the prospect of playing with Davis will compel Deron Williams and Brook Lopez to re-sign. Then when the Nets move to Brooklyn next year, they will sign the top 3 free agents and become the top challenger to Miami, and the NBA can devote all its resources to promoting the Heat, Lakers and 2 NY teams. Makes sense to me.

Bottom line is that the Bobcats never win the lottery - never have, never will. Is the lottery fixed against them? Could be, and Minnesota fans probably feel the same way.

I expect the Nets win the lottery, and the 2 Western Conference teams that are above .500 but miss the playoffs to get the other 2 slots, leaving the Bobcats stuck at #4.

Anonymous said...

Question of the day: how may Cho #4 picks would it take - and how many years would it take - for the Bobcats to get to .500 ball? Isn't thinking that a #3 or #4 rookie pick would suddenly turn things around a little far-fetched? Any rookie - Kobe or KG included - takes a few years to build up strength and conditioning and learn the ropes for the 82 game season. Very few rookies can impact a team dramatically.

Anonymous said...

This has been a necessary year in order to build through the draft. There is a lot of talent at the top of this draft and I think we will make a good pick. Remember, Biyombo and Kamba have progress during their rookie years and did not have the luxury of a true training camp. They will be much better next year and we will start to see a real team develop soon!

Anonymous said...

"Houston, We have a problem"...I believe that is how the whole thing goes.

What is the Anthony Davis problem? Well, first of all...The kid is great but he has a weakness...What is his weakness? HE HAS NO OFFENSIVE GAME! he can play defense all day but he is no Michael, Magic or Larry....he is not even a Rodman...Though his game is more like the Worm than anyone else in a long time!

So, if the Bob-hornet-cats want defense then take Ant D. if they want a winner it will take years of work through the draft as no free agent will play in Charlotte!

Signed-Michael Kidd-Gilchrist