[quote=“ninerball49, post:80, topic:27928”]The draft isn’t nearly as deep/won’t be nearly as good as everyone originally expected. Plus the Bobcats are going to have 2 decent first round picks anyway (think the Portland one can still end up being next year). Don’t think that entire situation could have worked out much better. You want to grow through the draft but that can’t be the only thing you do. We had the best Center in the East this year and like NN said we were one player away from being 3rd in the East. Add 2 first rounders and normal progression from all of the young players and they should be right up there in the mix for next year.[/quote]We have the portland pick for sure this year.
We can still possibly get the Detroit pick this year if they get very unlucky in the lottery. I think it is a 17.6% chance we get the Detroit pick this year. Their pick has to be 9th or worse for us to get it.
[quote=“NinerWupAss, post:79, topic:27928”][quote=“Niner National, post:78, topic:27928”][quote=“NinerWupAss, post:77, topic:27928”]I still don’t like the signing even though they had a solid year. My beef wasn’t with Big Al as much as it was their stated desire to build through the draft and coming up on one of the deepest drafts in years they went the other direction. To really see if this signing was worth it we will have to wait a few years and see where the talent they could have picked up this year goes and if they are able to sustain success. I thought they should have taken one more shot at the lottery, maybe they decided their business model couldnt take another awful year though. In the end they are right where they were the last time they made the playoffs - swept in the first round. Now maybe having Big Al will make the difference is landing a decent free agent and that can keep the run going.[/quote]It is doubtful that someone in the draft will give you what Big Al has given you. If we did manage to land a player that good, it is also fairly likely they would have taken their talents elsewhere after their initial contract expired.
We are one good player away from being one of the best teams in the east.
I really don’t know if the Bobcats could have afforded to tank for another season. The good players we do have would want out and it would only make it that much harder to bring quality free agents to the team going forward.[/quote]
Yeah I can certainly understand tanking and the impact to their bottom line. My concern though is all the teams that threw in the towel are picking up the talent in the draft and what many say is one of the best drafts in the last 10 or so years. If that pans out the teams behind us will leap frog the Hornets. You are correct though is retaining talent and attracting free agents. Just odd to see them stick to their guns for two straight seasons with crappy drafts then with a deep draft coming up they changed course.[/quote]I honestly think there are going to be a lot of busts in the draft this year.
Tanking hasn’t done much for us anyway. We never win the first pick anyway.
I think they changed course because Jefferson wasn’t coming here if the plan was to tank. Jefferson was a sure thing while a draft pick is a risk.
Jefferson has the kind of game that can last into his late 30’s (ala Tim Duncan). I’d rather have a reliable center that can play for 6-8 more years at a pretty high level than take a chance on a college player honestly.
This was a great deal. Jefferson is about the closest thing to a franchise center that Charlotte will likely ever sign on the free agent market. I think if he’s healthy they would have won a game vs the heat and maybe pushed them, or could have beat Toronto or Indy if it fell out well enough with him healthy.
He’s had already average 20+ and 10+ several times before as a young guy and was about as productive in Utah, just playing lesser minutes so it shouldn’t be a shock he could be this productive. I actually think his game is such that he can be a quality center well into his 30’s. He doesn’t rely on athletism and should hold value through this deal and really a few years beyond.
I’d get him some more help downlow rebounding this summer like Jordan Hill, JJ Hickson, Blatche, Humphries etc if you could get them for 5ish million. Looks like what they most need.
The draft is two much of a risk. Just look at Gilchrest, he was the #2 pick in a supposed “strong” draft and he’s looks like he’ll end up being like a Demare Carroll.
Isn’t the only way the Detroit pick is safe next year is if they get the #1 overall pick? Then the following year it’s not protected? Get Portland’s pick in the 20’s, Charlotte’s own, and then Detroit’s likely top 10 pick next year, plus Charlotte’s own again and it could work out very well.
It was a good deal. Getting a productive, franchise center is the most difficult thing to do in the NBA. There’s only one C currently projected to go in the first round of the 2014 draft. Obviously that player is no guarantee. If recent history in any indication(Sullinger, Thabeet, Zeller, Kantner, Fab Melo) he won’t be as good as Jefferson.
Other guys like Anthony Davis and Greg Monroe now play PF. Andre Drummond looks like a solid pick at this point. Demarcus Cousins is probably the most comparable to Jefferson in recent history. But there are all kinds of rumors about him as a teammate. [font=verdana][size=78%] [/size][/font]
I believe he was saying that Detroit is currently 8th and their pick is protected if it’s top 8. But with the Lottery, Detroit could fall out of the top 8.
I believe he was saying that Detroit is currently 8th and their pick is protected if it’s top 8. But with the Lottery, Detroit could fall out of the top 8.[/quote]
That may be what he meant but it reads to me like the Bobcats will likely have 2 picks this year and next. Which is not the case iirc they will lose their own pick this season to the Bulls as it was only top 10 protected this draft from the Tyrus Thomas deal.
I believe he was saying that Detroit is currently 8th and their pick is protected if it’s top 8. But with the Lottery, Detroit could fall out of the top 8.[/quote]
That may be what he meant but it reads to me like the Bobcats will likely have 2 picks this year and next. Which is not the case iirc they will lose their own pick this season to the Bulls as it was only top 10 protected this draft from the Tyrus Thomas deal.[/quote]
Yea, I forgot about that Thomas deal. Seems like a decade ago. Okay, so they’ll have Portland’s pick with a chance at Detroit’s pick if it’s #9 or higher. Next year, they have their own, and Detroit’s if it’s #2 or higher and they do not get it this year. If I’m them, I hope Detroit keeps their pick this year, honestly. You could have a top 5 pick the following year and another top 20 pick.
We will have 1 pick in the first round at about #24. We are projected to focus on SF with that pick (I’ve seen K.J. McDaniels being tossed around). I’m actually hoping that we make some moves in the free agency and go after Lance Stephenson. He has had some attitude problems but he is just 23 years old. He always burnt the Bobcats and his defense is good and improving.
And don’t forget Lebron/Wade/Bosh could all leave Miami if they wanted. you never know!
I loved this season. The team was not the most talented, but was well coached and played with a ton of heart. I just bought a Hornets flag to go next to the 49ers flag in my classroom.
Hornets need scoring at the SG and SF. I dont think there are any great SG free agents this year so i would try to address that in the draft. Parsons is a restricted FA this year i think and would be a great fit imo. Gordon Hayward or Trevor Ariza maybe?
I have no idea concerning the draft. Hairston put up pretty good numbers so I wouldnt hate that pick. NicK Johnson is more of a scorer than a shooter so I’d stay away. Mcdaniels is to similar to MKG to draft imo. We need scoring and you arent getting that with him. I know Early is a PF/SF but I’d love for him to fall to us. That kid just seems like he has “it”
Hayward probably ends up back with Stevens in Boston and Parson’s has the same agent as D. Howard and helped land him. He probably gets overpaid by the Rockets for his services and friendlness with D Howard and the team with a sweetheart deal with the agent.
I like PJ Hariston a lot at 24th pick if they can get him. He might go earlier though. He averaged 21ppg in the D League and would probably do a better job defending Lebron than Henderson did.
If you want a free agent wing, Luol Deng is probably gettable and played at Duke of course but I wouldn’t pay for him. PJ Tucker for a cheaper option is from NC good defender/starter on a 48 win western conf team. James Johnson former Wake player is another good likely cheap option I would go after. His per 36’s are great can play SF/PF. (15ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg, 2 bpg, 1.5 spg)
I don’t like Stephenson. Lot more to whats going on with the Pacers I expect and he seems to be the root of some of it with the fighting teamates. I don’t like Ariza either, smells like a fluke contract year.
Wish list.
Draft
PJ Harriston at 24
DeAndre Kane in the 2nd round (he’ll be 25 years old so he’s likely 2nd rounder)
Free agent
Hawes -good compliment to Jefferson streaching teams opening up space for Al/ probably reasonable salary
James Johnson - poor man’s Josh Smith for cheap
Patty Mills- dude could be a beast on the 2nd team with Kane at PG could play off the ball
J. Hill- need rebounding (Hickson/Humprhies if you can’t land him)
JR Smith is a knuckle head but he’s is a talented knuckle head on a reasonable salary 5 million dollar salary. If you’ve ever look at his highlights you’d think he was a top 25 player. He’s got talent. He was a down last year because of the knee surgery early on but he killed it the last couple month. I still bet Phil Jackson would part with him for little like a couple 2nd rounders, maybe even for Henderson.
I’ve been impressed with Shawn Marrion too in the playoffs guarding Tony Parker. He’s can still be effective, maybe over pay him for a couple years to get him. You’ll need someone to guard Lebron for any shot.
This would be a pretty solid starting line up.
C Jefferson
F Hawes
F Marrion
G JR Smith
G Kemba
I’d not extend Gilchrest for any real money. Probably try to part ways with him this year.
Henderson would excel as a 6th or 7th man. He’s not going to be a starting 2G on a top 3 or 4 team in a conference unless the talent around him is ratcheted up a notch.
[quote=“StillJonesing, post:98, topic:27928”]JR Smith is a knuckle head but he’s is a talented knuckle head on a reasonable salary 5 million dollar salary. If you’ve ever look at his highlights you’d think he was a top 25 player. He’s got talent. He was a down last year because of the knee surgery early on but he killed it the last couple month. I still bet Phil Jackson would part with him for little like a couple 2nd rounders, maybe even for Henderson.
I’ve been impressed with Shawn Marrion too in the playoffs guarding Tony Parker. He’s can still be effective, maybe over pay him for a couple years to get him. You’ll need someone to guard Lebron for any shot.
This would be a pretty solid starting line up.
C Jefferson
F Hawes
F Marrion
G JR Smith
G Kemba
I’d not extend Gilchrest for any real money. Probably try to part ways with him this year.[/quote]
I cant tell if this post is serious or not. You may be the first guy to campaign to take on JR Smith and his 12 million dollar contract or suggest a 38 yr old Marion could guard Lebron James.