Is it just too much fun to bash Charlotte? I know they have sucked on an all-time sucky level the last two years, but that was the plan, wasn't it? You are very aware and knowledgeable of big-market teams, but lack a strong understanding of teams like Charlotte. All of Grantland's writers come off this way, with the exception being Zach Lowe.
REMINDER: Charlotte wasn't even the worst team in the league last year, except everyone forgets that. They are a team that got worse in order to get better. Charlotte cannot attract free agents the way larger teams can so they have chosen to collect assets and build through the draft.
Lets take a look at the moves the Bobcats have made since 2011:
- Traded Gerald Wallace for 1st-round pick from Portland (top-12 protected until 2016) - we all know how you feel about Wallace. Very solid trade, collected an asset.
- Dumped Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and the 19th pick on Milwaulkee for Corey Maggette and the 7th pick - Swapped a relatively equal player/salary in Jackson and Maggette to move up 12 spots in the draft to select Bismack. The jury is still out on Biyombo; very limited offensively but still has huge upside at only 20 years old. Good trade
- Drafted Kemba Walker 9th overall - only player I would take over Walker at this point is Kawhi (but who knows how he would do in Charlotte). Kemba improved greatly last year and looks to be a quality starting guard. Very solid pick.
- Traded Corey Maggette to Pistons for Ben Gordon and 1st round pick (top-8 protected 2014, top-1 protected 2014) - acquired a 1st round pick in a salary dump move by the Pistons. Very solid move picking up an asset.
- Drafted MKG second overall in the 2012 NBA Draft - took the consensus second best player in the draft. MKG is still only 19 and needs to develop a better jump shot but has the ability to be an elite defender and rebounder at his position. Good pick that needs more time.
- Drafted Cody Zeller 4th overall in the 2013 NBA draft - I really liked what I saw from him in Summer League. He has all the skills to be a really good stretch-4 and really underrated athletically. Love the pick, but a wait-and-see approach is needed.
- Signed Al Jefferson in 2013 off season - I know they overpaid for Jefferson. But Charlotte had to start signing free agents at some point. Now, they have at least a little credibility as a free agent destination because they won't be all-time bad (should be somewhat competitive) and they showed the ability to sign a big-name guy. Hey, you have to start somewhere. They also didn't get good enough to escape another high pick in the loaded 2014 draft.
- Changed name from "Bobcats" to "Hornets" - the city will finally rally behind this team. It's all in a name with Charlotte fans. Sad, but true.
- Resigned Gerald Henderson - got him for a very fair price, but didn't lock him down long-term. Good for both the Bobcats and Gerald. Solid signing.
In my opinion, Charlotte has done everything right in the last 3 years, except for getting lucky in the lottery of course. Moving forward, they have a really talented, extremely young core with assets to boot (multiple 1st-round draft picks and plenty of cap space). The future is finally bright for the Bobcats. With a little lottery luck and a more competitive squad on the floor next season, things could turn around quickly for the Charlotte Bobcats.
It's time for the Bobcats to stop being the laughing stock of the NBA. Have they been awful the past two seasons? Sure, but no one acknowledges that was the plan and no one cares to notice they have done all the right things. It is lining up perfectly for them to completely change their image in the 2014 season when they once again become the Charlotte Hornets.
No comments:
Post a Comment