2k9 Bobcats [2-0] - Randolph shines in win

[eisfeld]

After practicing 2k9 since release I finally decided to run an Association Story. Not wanting to play with an instant contender I decided to chose a team which needs some minor retooling in order to reach the playoffs. I decided to go with the Bobcats because they are not loaded with young talent and a season with this Franchise should be challenging.

Difficulty: All-Star
Sliders: Cusom
Lenght: 29 Games
Playoffs: 5 - 5 - 5 - 7
Quarter Lenght: 9 min

I've chosen a short season simply because I won't be tempted to retool the roster constantly. Currently I'll be working on the design and explore several options to retool the roster. I'm not a big fan of unrealistic trades or blockbuster trades, I'll try to keep this as realistic as possible.

My masterplan:
- Trading Gerald Wallace for a Prospect and solid starting Big
- Developing the "Moustache"
- Finally unlocking Raymond Feltons real potential
- Reaching the Playoffs (Seeds 6 to 8)

Currently the Association Story is in preparation mode. When a good roster is released (including the missing players), I'll be ready to start the Season. Meanwhile I'll try to keep this as entertaining as possible with try-out's and pre-season games.

[eisfeld]

- Matt Carroll (SG)
- DJ. Augustin (PG)
- Bo Outlaw (PF/C)
- Bonzi Wells (SG/SF)
- Ryan Hollins (C)
- Shannon Brown (SG)
- Linton Johnson (SF)
- Jared Dudley (SF)

[eisfeld]

reserved again

[Fresh8]

eisfield, I remember your live dynasty from a while back. I think you did one!

Anywho... we shall see who's Adam Morrison is better.

[The X]

Nice start....always like Bobcats' Associations....I hope Felton is gone, I like G Wallace, so I'd keep him....you're right to develop Morrison, it is Movember after all

will be watching....

[eisfeld]

eisfield, I remember your live dynasty from a while back. I think you did one!

Anywho... we shall see who's Adam Morrison is better.

Your'e right - I did a GSW dynasty this year in Live 08, well, since 2k9 came out I've been obsessed with the game. Only reason why I will wait till I start regular season is because I want all the missing players to be in the game (trying to sign Tolliver to the Bobcats).

Well, Wallace will definitely be gone - but I want to keep Morisson and develop him. Nevertheless, look forward to a nice Association Story.

and btw. since I got 2k9 Morisson is averaging 12.9 pts, 3,7 reb, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks a game, so I hope mine will be better. I hope I can keep that up.

cheers Eisfeld

[hova-]

Good Luck with this one. I think Morrison is tough to play with. His shot is money though. But his physicality is not really good. Wallace is the only one who brings perimetre defense. You really want to trade him? Be sure to get some nice players in return because J-Rich and Morrison cant defend.

[eisfeld]

Thanks hova-. Yeah, perimeter D is horrible with the Bobcats but I have something in mind to resolve that issue.

[eisfeld]

[eisfeld]

A new era beginning?

The Charlotte Bobcats are looking to reach the Playoffs for the first time since the day the franchise entered the NBA. Even though the team was able to acquire talented young players and several veteran role-players they where never able to even come near a playoff spot. "It's tough you know... Every year you go out and compete but something's missing" - Raymond Felton said. With the acquisition of Jason Richardson the Bobcats added a borderline All-Star to their team who was able to jump start the club. With Richardson they've won more games than ever, but it was still not enough to reach the post-season.

"Talent is something we have but what lacks the certain player who makes us click" - Guard Matt Carrol told the Charlotte Tribune. Carrol speaks out loud what many critics thought about - having Okafor, Felton, Morrison and Richardson on the team is not enough. A true leader will be necessary in order to reach the goal they've set for themselves. Furthermore, a thin front court and injuries to key players limited the chances of the franchise.

There seems to be hope on the horizon - recent rumors suggested that Center and former Defensive Player of the year Marcus Camby is set to play in Charlotte along with his current teammate and bright Prospect Al Thornton. A trade which would address the Bobcats need for a solid Center and a versatile combo Forward. Nevertheless, the Bobcats have to part ways with one of their star players and and least one of their prospects to get the deal done. According to the Charlotte Tribune, the Bobcats are sending Gerald Wallace and Sean May along with a first rounder to the Clippers in return for Camby and Thornton. Other rumors suggest that Suns prospect Center Robin Lopez is to be included in the deal.

Recently the Bobcats invited PF/C Bo Outlaw, C Lorenzen Wright, C Aaron Williams and SF Eric Williams to training camp which suggests that either May, Dudley or Mohammed are on their way out. While it is uncertain that those veteran players are able to bring solid contribution every game, at least the younger players are having some sort of mentors who have the experience of 10+ NBA seasons on their backs. It is yet to be announced which player (if one) will make the team, but after a couple of frustrating off-season and staying put with the current team at least they try to make some changes.

Only time will tell what changes the Bobcats are making but it is plain obvious that something need's to be done because with the current team another year of failing lies in front of the young franchise.

- C.J. Stanton - online Blog -

[hova-]

Hey nice update here. I find it nice to see that you invite some veterans to your training camp. Was Wright waived by the Cavs or how could you invite him?

Now lets talk about the deal: I simply would not do it. I know you are after some inside presence with this one, but why get another blocking big man down there. What you lack of is inside scoring and Camby will not really fill that spot.
Thornton is a heck of a talented player but imho the Bobcats need no talent to make the Playoffs, they need players who are already on a star type level.
Getting rid of a star player like Wallace for those two guys is really no good idea but hey the Clippers will love you for that deal, B-Diddy and G-Force will be the alley oop pair of the year.

My critical opinion

[eisfeld]

Hey nice update here. I find it nice to see that you invite some veterans to your training camp. Was Wright waived by the Cavs or how could you invite him?

Now lets talk about the deal: I simply would not do it. I know you are after some inside presence with this one, but why get another blocking big man down there. What you lack of is inside scoring and Camby will not really fill that spot.
Thornton is a heck of a talented player but imho the Bobcats need no talent to make the Playoffs, they need players who are already on a star type level.
Getting rid of a star player like Wallace for those two guys is really no good idea but hey the Clippers will love you for that deal, B-Diddy and G-Force will be the alley oop pair of the year.

My critical opinion

Well, you got a point but with Mohammed the franchise is going nowhere. He's just to short and not much of a scorer. Camby is good for 10+ points a game and provides tough defense against the likes of Duncan or Howard. And while Thornton is a prospect in real life, he's not in the game and can be a versatile 6th man and scorer off the bench.

[eisfeld]

A Gamble, Cap Relief and a Steal?

Today, the Charlotte Bobcats, the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers completed a spectacular 3 team deal involving no less than 7 players and 2 first round draft picks. Earlier rumors suggested that the Bobcats tried to acquire former DPOY Marcus Camby but the deal was not completed due to the Clippers demanding either Adam Morrison or Raymond Felton. After the deal was off Bobcats GM O'Leary pulled of a spectacular trade.

The Charlotte franchise managed to acquire Knicks PF Zach Randolph and Clippers SF Al Thornton in exchange for Gerald Wallace (to Clippers), Sean May (to Knicks), Nazr Mohammed (to Knicks) and a 2010 first rounder (to Knicks). The Clippers included PF Tim Thomas (to Knicks) and a 2009 first rounder (to Knicks) while the Knicks send Wilson Chandler to the Clippers.

The Bobcats take on a big gamble with the acquisition of Randolph, a high scoring PF who never seemed to fit in New York. A deal which can pay off immediately or haunt them for years. Nevertheless, the acquisition of SF Prospect Al Thornton should give them a nice spark off the bench every night.

From the Knicks point of view it's a pure cap-relief deal. They where reportedly shopping Randolph around the league but nobody was willing to take on the 14M/year contract. With Randolph gone, the Knicks have the ability to develop their young prospect David Lee and add with Sean May another PF project with lots of talent. Despite having to take on the contracts of Nazr Mohammed (6M/year) and Tim Thomas (6M/year) they will have more and more cap space available each year with Marbury expiring 2010, Thomas 2011 and Mohammed 2012. The two first rounders the Knicks acquired will help them to accumulate more and more talent and complete their quest of rebuilding.

The Clippers seem to be the winners in this deal. Acquiring a defensive minded, freakishly athletic Small Forward for "only" a nice prospect, a role player and a first rounder. With Wilson Chandler included in the deal the Clippers lose no talent at all while upgrading their starting five immediately.

Only time will tell whether the acquisition of Randolph will pay off for the Bobcats but at least the franchise chose not to stay put.

---------

In other news the Bobcats signed PF/C Bo Outlaw and SG/SF Bonzi Wells for one year. Outlaw reportedly was signed for the league minimum while Wells will receive 3.42 M this year.

[Fresh8]

Nice trade man. Will be interesting to see how Randolph plays for you! Should be nice to have an able scoring big man... just what Larry Brown has been asking for!

[eisfeld]

Richardson hits buzzer-beater in home win over Magic

1st Quarter
The Bobcats were off to a very slow start and were not able to score efficiently in the opening minutes. Mickael Pietrus scored the first bucket of the game from beyond the arc as Raymond Felton got tangled up between Lewis and Turkoglu. A strong post play by Dwight Howard put the Magic up 12-4 after 5 minutes in the game. After a timeout called by the Bobcats they focused more on getting open looks. Jason Richardson brought them back within 4 with a nice first quarter performance. While Emeka Okafor was intimidated by Howard's defense, Randolph tied the game at 14 with a mid-range jumper from the arc. After a careless turnover by Adam Morrison, Hedo Turkoglu nailed a buzzer-beater from beyond the arc and led the Magic to a 17-14 lead at the end of the first.

2nd Quarter
The Bobcats felt more comfortable out on the floor and took the lead for the first time with 5 minutes to go as Raymond Felton scored on a breakaway dunk. Dwight Howard's inside presence continued to have a strong impact on the Bobcat's frontcourt as Randolph, Okafor and Outlaw combined for just 4 points in the quarter. The Magic themselves had trouble to score in the paint and had to rely on their wing players to score. A three pointer by Adam Morrison brought the Bobcats withing 1 at the end of the second. Magic lead 35-34.




3rd Quarter
The Bobcats found themselves in a tough spot at the beginning of the second half as Hedo Turkoglu hit a contested three poimter to give the Magic a 7 point lead. The Bobcats stepped up on defense and Al Thornton forced Rashard Lewis who has gone 8-20 from the field in the game to make tough shots. Despite this big defensive effort the Magic set up several pick & roll plays to close out the quarter. Magic up 54 - 50 at the end of the third.

4th Quarter
J-Rich and Raymond Felton shined in a fourth quarter run for the Bobcats. Richardson scored 10 of his 26 in the fourth while Felton scored 6 of his 8 points and dished out 4 assists. A jumper by Thornton tied the game at 70 with only 42 seconds to go and after Felton deflected a pass by Nelson, Morrison got after the ball and recovered it. A dunk attempt by Okafor was blocked by Howard and Turkoglu hit a jumper to give the Magic a 2 point lead with only 8.3 seconds to go. Felton brought the ball upcourt and Jason Richardson hit a three-pointer from the left wing at the buzzer to lead the Bobcats to a 1 point win at home. Bobcats defeat the Magic 73-72.

Hot as Hell
- Dwight Howard - 9 blocks
- Jameer Nelson - 9 assists
- Jason Richardson - 26 points
- Bobcats - 5/10 from beyond the arc

Cold as Ice
- Rashard Lewis - 8/20 from the field
- Emeka Okafor - 4/15 from the field

Bobcats player observation
- Zach Randolph - 10 pts, 4 reb, 4 as, 3 stl
- Al Thorngon - 4pts, 3 reb, 3 as, 1 stl
- Adam Morrison - 3 pts, 3 reb, 1 as, 1 blk
- Raymond Felton - 8 pts, 4 reb, 6 as, 1 stl

[hova-]

Very realistic trade. Still not sure who profited most in the end but I definitely say this was a step into the right direction. Bringing in an inside scorer with a nice tough from midrange and a future star who brings athleticism and explosiveness off the bench seems very nice. You wont need the 2010 first rounder anyway since it wont be a lottery pick I guess. May never showed up, Mohammed is on his decline. Loosing Wallace hurts your D and Meka will have a handful to swat all those guys blowing past Morrison and Richardson.

Still you upgraded your game overall adding offensive post presence.

Nice win on the buzzer beater bis J-Rich. Meka is not good offensively at all imho.

[eisfeld]

Bobcats net easy win over Warriors

The Charlotte Bobcats won their second game of the season tonight against the Golden State Warriors. The Bobcats shot astonishing 69 % from the field in the first quarter and outscored the visiting Warriors. Zach Randolph had his first great night against the Warriors and proved to be a constant threat in the paint for the opposing team's defense. By shaking up their lineup Golden State tried to counter the Bobcat's constant offensive threat. Only Andris Biedrins helped them to stay in the game as Monta Ellis struggled throughout the game. Biedrins finished with 16 points, 6 boards and 4 blocked shot. Marco Belinelli came as a spark off the bench and brought the Warriors withing 12 at the beginning of the second half but a well set-up offense by the Bobcats (6 players scored in double figures) managed to extend the lead once more. As Charlotte played their entire bench throughout the third quarter the Warriors came once again within 12 points but a great fourth quarter performance by Raymond Felton and Al Thornton sealed the win as the Bobcats beat the Warriors 109 - 82.





Player of the Game


22 points
10 rebounds
2 assists
1 block
10/12 FG
1/2 3pt

Postgame Quotes

I'm proud of the guys. Shaking up a teams core is always poison for chemistry but the way the team has played tonight I'm confident that it won't be an issue for us. The offense looked great, we passed a lot to get guys in open spots and everyone was on fire tonight. Defense looked solid too although we have a problem against taller post players, but that's something we work on. - Larry Brown

It's good to finally be in a situation where I can feel comfortable again. The year in NY was exhausting for me and I was glad to come here and contribute from the start. I like the team and I'm confident we can reach the playoffs this year - Zach Randolph

[hova-]

Nice win, you played very well, with high FG percentage and many assists. Randolph really showed hes worth it. But the Warriors are not really that good. But I hope you keep it going and build a streak. GL

Neat layout btw

[Fresh8]

Huge win man! Nice work!

And damn, the screens look good lol... i wish i could have pics in my association (but cant really be stuffed to put all the effort in lol)