BoBcAts - A game and three signings!

by **magik** on Tue Oct 11, 2005 2:42 pm

Charlotte 2005-2006 Line-up

THE STARTING FIVE

C Emeka Okafor
PF Marcus Haislip
SF Gerald Wallace
SG Latrell Sprewell
PG Raymond Felton

BENCH

PF S May
SG K Rush
PG B Knight
SG K Bogans
C P Brezec
SF B Robinson
SG Q Woods

INJURED RESERVES

IR1 J Vokshul
IR2 M Carroll
IR3 M Allen

by **magik** on Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:03 pm

TRANSACTIONS

THE BIG RECRUITS

11/02/05 It was announced today that Charlotte have signed veteran free agent Latrell Sprewell to a two year deal. This comes as a suprise as Charlotte have been known to go for younger players. Sprewell is excited about the deal and seems happy to finish his career with the Bobcats. As per team policy details of the deal were not disclosed.

11/02/05 It was later announced that Charlotte have signed free agent Marcus Haislip to a three year deal. Haislip is happy about the deal and looks forward to being apart of the young squad. As per team policy details of the deal were not disclosed.

11/04/05 Today the Bobcats signed free agent and former Celtics guard Qyntel Woods to a 3 year contract. The Bobcats waived Melvin Ely to bring Woods to the lineup. This can be seen as a huge boost for the Bobcats who will now be looking forward to Woods being a part of there lineup. It is expected he will be starting at shooting guard.

by **magik** on Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:11 pm

PLAYER STATS

by **magik** on Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:12 pm

STANDINGS

by **magik** on Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:31 pm

NEXT GAME PREVIEW

CHARLOTTE @ CHICAGO

KEY MATCHUPS

vs

PREMATCH REPORT
This is going to be a great match, both young and exciting teams. Chicago would have to be favourites going into this game, however if Raymond Felton on debut can contain Kirk Hinrich then it could make things a lot more interesting. Sprewell can only help the Bobcats, who still may be a little green to do anything to exciting this season. Also the inclusion of Marucs Haislip will assist Charlotte, he is a solid power forward who is strong back up for Sean May and also Emeka Okafor. On the other side of the coin the Bulls are now a couple of big men down after trading Curry and Davies. That may cause some problems down low for the Bulls, and it may decide where the game is won or lost. This game could go down to the wire, stay tuned for the action!

by **magik** on Tue Oct 11, 2005 5:21 pm

CHARLOTTE 96 @ CHICAGO 117

1ST QUARTER

Neither side gave up any easy shots in the first. It was a battle all over the court as both sides are keen to get off to a good start to the season with a W. For the Bulls Hinrich scored 8 first quarter points and 2 assists. For the Bobcats Okafor finished the first with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. The scores are currently deadlocked at 22 a piece.

2ND QUARTER

The second quarter was similar to the first, however Charlotte were able to gain a small advantage. The big news out of the second though is that Bulls guard Ben Gordon was injured in the final minute of the half in a collision with Bobcats youngster Sean May. Okafor was the best player for the Bobcats in the first half, finishing with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. For the Bulls Hinrich finished with 17 points and 3 assists in the first half. The Bobcats have the lead 48-46 going into the third.

THIRD QUARTER

The third belonged to Chicago, opening up a big lead. The Bulls totally shut down the Bobcats, going on a 10-2 scoring run nearing the end of the quarter. Hinrich is dominating the game for the Bulls with 33 points and 6 assists. For the Bobcats Okafor is still the teams best with 26 points and 7 rebounds, however he is getting little help from the rest of the team. The Bulls lead 84-70, can Charlotte make a comeback in the fourth?

FOURTH QUARTER

Chicago held the Bobcats off in the last quarter, with more domination from Hinrich. Felton could not contain the star who finished the game with a mammoth 47 Points and 6 assists! Some high points in the last came from new Bobcat Haislip who replaced may at the PF position for majority of the term. He scored 8 points and recieved 3 rebounds for a strong showing. Unarguably the best for the Bobcats though was Okafor, with 31 points, 7 rebounds and 6 blocks in a good all round game.

GAME BREAK DOWN

CHICAGO 22|24|38|33
CHARLOTTE 22|26|22|26

BEST PLAYERS

CHICAGO
Kirk Hinrich - 47 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds
Ben Gordon - 24 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound
Tim Thomas - 21 points, 1 assists, 4 rebounds

CHARLOTTE
Emeka Okafor - 31 points, 7 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 assists
Sean May - 24 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds
Raymond Felton - 9 points, 11 assists, 1 rebound

BERNIE BICKERSTAFF'S COMMENTS

The game was going our way until half time, unfortunatley we didn't have enough gas in the tank to run the game out. There were some positives to bring out of the game, such as Sean May and Raymond Felton performing well for us in there first games. However there were to many mistakes and unfortunaley we couldn't keep Hinrich under control. Okafor played his heart out for us and with those three putting in good games hopefully the next tier of guys can stand up for us in our upcoming game against the Sixers, which is going to be tough whichever way you look at it. In that I mean the guys like Wallace, Sprewell, Haislip and Rush to stand up a bit more. However I am pleased with our progress thus far.

SCOTT SKILES

I am totally happy about our performance tonight, Kirk Hinrich showed everyone just how exciting his future is going to be. This guy is going to be huge one day, I mean I just can't say how much faith I have in this guy to lead the Bulls. He was well backed to, by Gordon, Thomas and Sweetney till he was injured. I would like to say that we have what it takes to be a contender this season without getting to carried away. The Bobcats really tested us early on, these guys have a strong lineup, and within the next few years look for them to dominate the league. Full credit to them.